Public Health Informatics

Overview

The goal of the Public Health Informatics (PHI) Certificate Program is to offer grounding in methods and concepts of health informatics and health information technology for application to public health and population health. It is designed for current and future public health professionals who wish to develop PHI expertise or specialization to work in policy or management.

Educational Objectives

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

1. Articulate strategic direction for public health informatics within an organization;
2. Match data standards to their proper use;
3. Identify knowledge, information, and data needs of project or program users and stakeholders;
4. Describe information system development, procurement, and implementation that meets public health program needs;
5. Evaluate information systems and applications;
6. Recognize use of informatics to integrate clinical health, environmental risk, and population health; and
7. Implement solutions that assure confidentiality, security, and integrity while maximizing availability of information for public health.

Eligibility

This certificate program is intended for students currently enrolled in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with the exception of MAS students. It is also open to non-degree seeking students working in related fields who require in-service education to align their skills with the current health informatics demands of their occupations.

Admissions Process

Applicants must review the How to Apply page for important deadlines and information about the application process, including links to the declaration of intent form that current JHSPH students must complete.  The certificate program's review committee will review the applications and notify each applicant of their admissions decision.  During the admissions review process, special emphasis is given to the Statement of Purpose.   Applicants will want to carefully reflect on their professional goals and how training in health informatics will help them to achieve their educational and professional objectives.  Pre-admissions advising with the Associate Director is available.   

Note: The certificate program requires formal acceptance and enrollment, and only those approved and notified by the certificate admissions committee may earn the certificate.  The certificate program includes a required practicum; planning and advising are necessary for successful and timely completion.  JHSPH externship activities include:  Practicum, Internship, Field Placement, Administrative Residency, Research Project, Clinical Rotations, Research Hours, or Apprenticeships. 

Requirements for Successful Completion

The certificate program requires a minimum of 21 term credits.  All required and elective courses must be taken for a letter grade and a 2.75 or better overall GPA for all certificate courses is required.  The certificate program length is flexible; it varies from student to student, however, the certificate must be completed within three years.

The student should review the section of the website that addresses completion before completing certificate program requirements. The student's transcripts will not indicate that the certificate was earned until the Notification of Completion has been submitted, verified by the certificate program, and processed by the Registrar.

Course of Study

Students should check the course catalog to confirm when the courses are offered.  The term and time may change from what is listed in the table below and some courses are only offered every other year.  Students should also check for pre-requisites and whether instructor consent is required.

Additional Options for fulfilling the practicum requirements:

1.  Students who enter or complete the certificate program with at least 500 hours of documented work experience in health informatics may request a waiver for the practicum (Note: Even if granted a waiver for the Practicum, students will still need to complete 21 credits of approved health informatics coursework).  

2.  Students who are completing a practicum, placement, or dissertation as part of their degree program that contains a substantive informatics component (of at least 100 hours) may be able to count that activity toward their certificate program in place of the practicum, after consultation with and approved by certificate faculty and submission of appropriate documentation.  

V = Variable credit
S = Course held in the summer term
 

Contact Information

Sponsoring Department
Health Policy and Management

Certificate Program Contact
Name: Pamela Davis
Phone: (410) 614-1580
Email: HPM_Certificates@jhu.edu

Faculty Sponsor/Director
Name: Jonathan Weiner

Associate Director and Academic Advisor
Name: Edward Bunker
 

State-Specific Information for Online and Externship Programs

Students currently cannot conduct internships in Delaware or Kentucky.  For more information, please contact an admissions representative.  Students should be aware of additional state-specific information for online programs.   

Gainful Employment Program Information

In accordance with US Department of Education regulations, the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health is required to disclose graduation rate data, median loan debt data, and other select information for all Title IV eligible gainful employment programs. To see the most recent data available for this gainful employment program, please view the attached disclosure.