Certificate Programs

Overview

Sponsoring department

• Epidemiology

Educational Objectives

The certificate is designed for masters and doctoral students and post-doctoral trainees at The Johns Hopkins University and junior and mid-level professionals with an interest in gaining exposure to the expertise and skills utilized by hospital epidemiologists and infection control professionals. Healthcare epidemiologists and infection control professionals aim to prevent and control healthcare-associated infections and other adverse outcomes in the healthcare setting by translating research into practice. Their expertise and activities include epidemiologic and laboratory investigation, infection surveillance, policy development and implementation, education and information dissemination, implementation of interventions to prevent infections, cost-benefit analyses of interventions, and patient oriented research to inform and improve the science of healthcare epidemiology and infection control and to improve quality-of-care.

Upon completion of the certificate program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate use and mastery of specific methods relating to hospital epidemiology including surveillance (traditional and computerized), outbreak management, communicable diseases, antibiotic management and resistance, occupational health, quality and performance improvement, patient safety, and ethical considerations

2. Utilize clinical research study designs as applied to healthcare epidemiology research including, outcomes measurement, risk factor assessment, semi-quantitative methods, survey methods, and qualitative research

3. Discuss relevant thematic topics including isolation precautions and hand hygiene, infection control in special populations, hospital preparedness, and environmental aspects of infection control

4. Work within groups to design studies, collect data, and effectively communicate results to clinicians and researchers from various disciplines through framing problems scientifically, determining preferred research methods, designing appropriate data collection methods, performing statistical analyses, and interpreting findings

Gainful Employment Program Information

Intended Audience

The certificate is open to masters and doctoral students and post-doctoral trainees currently enrolled in any division of The Johns Hopkins University. It is also offered to non-degree students with at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and a strong record of successful academic performance.

Admissions Criteria

Bloomberg School of Public Health masters, doctoral, and post-doctoral students

are not required to submit a formal application through the Admissions Office. They, however, are encouraged to contact a certificate faculty sponsor to discuss electives.

All others (non-Bloomberg masters, doctoral, and post-doctoral students and non-degree students)

apply to the program using the school's online application. Applications must be submitted by October 1 of the year during which they will begin certificate courses. The certificate application includes official transcripts from all post-secondary schools, a CV or resume, a statement of purpose vis-à-vis the certificate, and one letter of recommendation. Transcripts from non-US institutions must be approved by an external credentialing agency. Degree students must include a brief written statement from their academic advisor giving approval to take the certificate courses. The certificate program will review the applications and notify each applicant of its admissions decision. Only those approved by the the certificate admission committee may earn the certificate.