Epidemiology Graduate Certificate Programs

Updated: Aug 29, 2024

Earning an online graduate certificate in epidemiology prepares graduates to work in very specialized fields that are concerned with infectious disease, research, education and policy, disease patterns, and clinical studies. Students who enroll in an online graduate certificate in epidemiology program have the opportunity to work in an in-demand field that is of increasing importance both across the country and around the world.

What Are the Online Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology Requirements?

While most programs will ask that the prospective student holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in related fields, the rest of the requirements will vary by school. For example, the Stanford University Online Epidemiology and Clinical Research Graduate Certificate program has several requirements, including:

Complete any required prerequisites
Submit the application as a non-degree option
Submit copies of all transcripts prior to designated deadline
Understand that all course requirements are completed in an online format
Must earn a grade of "B" or better in each of the four required program courses

It is important for students to understand the prerequisites, the admissions requirements, and the program requirements prior to enrolling in an online graduate certificate in epidemiology program.

What Type of Classes Are Included in the Online Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology Curriculum?

The required courses and electives that students take when enrolled in a graduate certificate in epidemiology program vary among the programs offered at different universities. Although the required courses may be similar, some variations may exist in the curriculum, depending on whether the program is offered online or in a traditional in-person learning format.

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Epidemiology at the University of Vermont is an 18-credit hour online program. Students complete two courses in each of the core areas. Students also complete two electives. The curriculum courses include:

Epidemiology
Public Health Biostatistics
Public Health and Health Policy
Public Health Law and Ethics
Improving Health of Patients and Populations
Investigating Disease Outbreaks

Two other courses include Public Health Surveillance and Public Health Informatics. Courses at the University of Vermont are offered during the fall, the spring, and the summer terms to make sure that students are able to fit the required courses into their academic or work schedule. Every university may not be so accommodating to work and academic schedules. Students must plan for meeting the curriculum requirements of the university where they choose to complete the certificate program.

What Type of Careers Can I Pursue with an Online Graduate Certificate in Epidemiology?

Students who earn an online graduate certificate in epidemiology have several career options, often depending on their career goals and interests. Benedictine University, which realizes that the demand for highly skilled epidemiologists is on the rise, lists several career options for program graduates, including working in federal government agencies, state or local health departments, or private health and pharmaceutical companies.

The school also lists medical centers, non-governmental agencies, and consulting firms as career options. Some career opportunities may depend upon the area where the student that completes the certificate program chooses to reside and work.