Certificate in Infectious Disease Epidemiology

The Certificate in Infectious Disease Epidemiology (ID EPI) is designed to prepare students to learn how to apply epidemiological methods to study and address infectious diseases and critically assess the science and public health interventions for infectious disease control. Through ID EPI related coursework, an Integrative Learning Experience (thesis or capstone), and Applied Practical Experience (practicum) students will develop the skills and expertise to be competitive for challenging epidemiological careers and/or to pursue a doctoral degree in the field.

This certificate program is available to degree seeking masters students in the Rollins School of Public Health. Students are encouraged to talk with their academic advisor about the feasibility of fitting the certificate requirements into their program.

The certificate in infectious disease epidemiology has five specific competencies that students who complete the certificate are expected to master:

  1. Describe methodologies and concepts specific to infectious disease epidemiology.
  2. List the key sources of data in infectious disease epidemiology and biases associated with these data sources.
  3. Calculate basic infectious disease epidemiology measures.
  4. Evaluate literature on infectious disease epidemiology, including the study design and methods, validity, transportability and generalizability, and interpretation of the results.
  5. Identify challenges to investigating, preventing, and controlling endemic and epidemic infectious diseases.

Summary

To receive a Infectious Disease Epidemiology, students will have to complete the following requirements:

 

Requirement

Required Courses:

  • EPI 512: Current Topics in ID EPI [1 Credit - Fall]
  • EPI 517: Case Studies in Infectious Disease Epidemiology [2 Credits - Fall]

Elective – 8 credits selected from the approved list

Applied Practice Experience: at least 100 hours must be ID EPI-related

Integrative Learning Experience: Thesis or Capstone with an ID EPI focus* (4 credits)

Total Required Credit Hours – 15 Credits 

 

*If a student's ILE is not ID EPI-related, they must take 4 additional credits of approved electives

 

Required Courses

Students must complete four required courses (9 credits total): 

  • EPI 512: Current Topics in Infectious Disease Epidemiology (1 credit)

  • EPI 517: Case Studies in Infectious Disease Epidemiology (2 credits): Provides training in the investigation, control, and prevention of infectious disease by both descriptive and analytic epidemiological techniques. 

 

Eligibility

This certificate will be available for Master’s candidates in all departments of the Rollins School of Public Health. There are no pre-requisite courses for the certificate.

Application Process

All Rollins MPH and MSPH students are eligible for this certificate. Here are the steps:

  1. Students who are interested in the ID certificate should enroll for the pre-requisite 1-credit seminar course, EPI 512: Current Topics in Infectious Disease Epidemiology and the 2-credit course, EPI 517: Case Studies in Infectious Disease Epidemiology in their first fall semester.
  2. Declaration of Interest: Students must complete the Declaration of Interest Form between August 15 and September 15.  Students will receive confirmation that the program has received their information by September 30. The student will then be able to track their certificate progress on their Degree Tracker. 
  3. Students will be asked to complete a progress update in the spring of their first year. This will include information about their plans for their APE and elective coursework, as well as grades to-date. The program will review this information to ensure that students remain on track to successfully complete the certificate requirements. Students who have earned a B or less in EPI 530, 534, and/or BIOS 500 may have difficulty completing EPI 569 and 570.

 ID Epidemiology Certificate Declaration of Interest Form

Questions? Want More Information?

Email sphepidept@emory.edu or ID EPI Certificate faculty director - Dr. Sam Jenness (sjennes@emory.edu)