Epidemiology Certificate Online for Public Health Pros

The study of health and diseases within populations has become a central theme around the world recently. The study of epidemiology has existed for quite some time, and its importance is only continuing to grow. This is just one good reason why you should consider earning an epidemiology certificate online.

We’ll break down all there is to know about epidemiology certification and its benefits.

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What is Epidemiology?

Epidemiology is an area of medical study that researches how diseases and illnesses are spread, caused, and prevented through intervention.

Those interested in working in the field can earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field like Health Science and then continue their higher education by enrolling in a master’s or PhD program in epidemiology.

Additionally, once a graduate has obtained their degrees within the realm, then enrolling in an online epidemiology course can further boost their knowledge and career opportunities.

What Do Epidemiologists Do?

The main goal of an epidemiologist is to rid populations of diseases, or at the very least, slow the spread of illnesses. In many instances, they’ll work alongside civic authorities and entities that educate and aid groups of people to improve public health.

Some of their primary responsibilities include:

• Providing policy makers, healthcare professionals, and the public with scientific evidence and findings
• Working with scientists and healthcare professionals to locate the cause of illnesses and devise treatment plans
• Conducting data analytics and creating educational programs to decrease outbreaks or negative effects from illnesses and diseases

What are Certificate Programs?

Certificate programs provide continued education for a specific area of study. Often, they go hand-in-hand and enhance degree programs. Since they don’t require general education requirements, they are completed in less time than a degree.

An epidemiology certificate offers professionals and students with increased knowledge on particular topics within the field, including: biostatistics, results analysis, and clinical research studies, to name a few.

Once an individual completes a certificate program, then they will be better equipped to educate the public and their patients, as well as potentially increase their salary potential and career opportunities.

Top Online Epidemiology Certificate Programs

For anyone looking to complete an epidemiology certificate, then an epidemiology certificate online will offer the most flexibility and cost effective option to do so.

We’ve compiled some of the best options for where you can enroll and complete this valuable endeavor. Take a look:

Coursera

Coursera is an online platform that provides online certificates via various educational institutions. If you search “epidemiology” on Coursera, you’ll get over 100 results from various different universities and colleges. Each course is listed with its relative difficulty level, the number of students who have taken the course, and ratings. From specializations to courses, there’s a wide array of options to choose from.

Benedictine University

Benedictine University is an online university that has regional accreditation. The Master of Public Health (MPH) allows students to choose one of three areas of expertise: Epidemiology, Health Education and Promotion, or Health Management and Policy. In whichever specialty you may choose, you’ll earn a graduate certificate.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine provides students with a distance learning model to earn their master’s degree, postgraduate diploma, postgraduate certificate, or individual modules in the subject of epidemiology. Postgraduate certificates include 4 modules of study and can take anywhere from 1-5 years to complete.

University of London International

The University of London International also boasts three separate opportunities for students of epidemiology, including: a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, or Master of Science. The certificate program includes four modules, which are: Statistics for Epidemiology, Fundamentals of Epidemiology, Practical Epidemiology, and Writing and Reviewing Epidemiological Papers.

UCSF

UCSF’s epidemiology certificate online is in Implementation Science. The part-time program explores theories and methods that are concerned with health-related interventions. To earn the certificate, those enrolled must take four required courses and can choose their two electives. The certificate program is designed for those who already work within the field of healthcare.

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Careers in Epidemiology

Studying health science, public health, or epidemiology will grant you with the knowledge to fill a variety of roles within the world of healthcare.

Some of the most notable careers in epidemiology include:

• Infection Control Epidemiologist: These individuals work in a medical facility or hospital with public health problems. Their duties include the collection and analysis of data that’s pulled from surveys, interviews, blood samples, and the like. This job title requires a master’s degree in epidemiology.
• Academic Research Epidemiologist: An academic research epidemiologist is employed by an academic institution like a university. They research the causes of diseases and often continue their work as a professor. A master’s degree is the minimum requirement for this role, but it’s often also required to have a Ph.D. due to the research and professorship aspect.
• Pharmaceutical Epidemiologist: Pharmaceutical epidemiologists understand how pharmaceuticals impact populations. They conduct research and clinical studies on medicine’s effect on human health and physiology. A master’s degree is also required for this role.
• Disaster Epidemiologist: When a public health disaster rears its head, a disaster epidemiologist works to save the day. They study how the disaster occurred in the first place and find ways to limit the adverse effects.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median salary for epidemiologists is $74,560 per year.

Related Fields of Study

As briefly touched on above, a bachelor’s degree in epidemiology is not something that you’ll come across. Instead, you’ll need to study a related subject to continue your education within this realm and specialize. Health science is a great option in this case.

At the University of the People, our health science degree is entirely online and tuition-free — offering students from around the world with a relatively inexpensive and quality education. The university also offers a potential certificate program in epidemiology that can give one the right start in the field and can also alternatively work as an additional qualification.

Final Thoughts

The study of epidemiology is often responsible for saving lives. The scientific discipline requires immense academic dedication and on-the-job experience. For those who have already earned their bachelor’s degree or are in the process of obtaining a postgraduate degree, then an epidemiology certificate online will complement your understanding of topics in the field.