Online Public Health Informatics Certificate | Michigan Tech Global Campus

Prepare for Diverse Roles By Earning an Online Public Health Informatics Certificate.

Public Health Informatics integrates data, technology, and information systems to support the delivery of public health services and promote to improve the public’s health and well-being. That is, this emerging field involves the application of informatics to the fields of epidemiology, health promotion, environmental health, and health services research to address and develop solutions for public health issues.

For instance, take the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Data was used to track the spread of the virus, to analyze the characteristics of those infected, and to determine public health interventions. Information technology was also deployed in digital contact tracing platforms and communication tools to alert citizens to potential exposure to the virus. In addition, experts used health data analytics to inform public health policy decisions.

The Online Public Health Informatics certificate will prepare graduates to make informed decisions for a variety of public health informatician roles. With this online certificate, then, you'll be ready to make a difference in population health.

Get Skills Quickly With Our Compact Curriculum.

Upon completion of the certificate, students will recognize the importance of informatics in the healthcare sector and be able to integrate and analyze informatics in areas including clinical health, environmental risk, and population.

Students will also gain proficiency in health data definitions and standards, learn the basic functions and operations of public health information systems, and be able to plan and manage public health information systems projects. This 9-credit certificate is comprised of four courses. Students take three of the four courses below.

When planning your program, always refer to the course registration page to check course availability.

Fall Semester

SAT 5317 - Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

The course will cover varous aspects (including new research developments) of remote patient monitoring (RPM) and internet of medical things (IoMT) from embedded devices, low-power wireless, edge and cloud computing, to data analytics and machine learning. Students will perform conceptual and hands-on assignments.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, in odd years
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate; Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Security & Privacy in Healthcr, Biomedical Engineering, Cybersecurity, Computational Science & Engrg, Data Science, Computer Science, Health Informatics, Electrical & Computer Engineer
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 5114 or EET 4501

Spring Semester

KIP 4740 - Epidemiology

An introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology to understand the distribution and determinants of health in a population. Topics include basic epidemiological statistics, study design, and sources/impact of bias and error.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring

SAT 5165 - Introduction to Big Data Analytics

Course will cover concepts and techniques used to analyze big data. We will cover the most important big data processing frameworks (e.g. Hadoop, spark) and GPU techniques. The students will acquire the knowledge of Hadoop architecture, MapReduce, Spark and the capability of programming to analyze big data.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): SAT 4650

SAT 5424 - Population Health Informatics

This course explores the foundations of population health informatics, including information architecture, data standards and confidentiality. We will examine key concepts related to registries, electronic health records, epidemiological databases, biosurveillance, health promotion, and quality reporting in population health management.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate

This certificate is also available as an in-person option.

Why Earn Your Online Certificate In Public Health Informatics at MTU?

As you earn your certificate at MTU, you’ll access these benefits:

Invaluable, Versatile Skills
Graduate with knowledge and skills in the foundations of health informatics, such as information architecture, data standards, electronic health records, epidemiological databases, health promotion, quality reporting, and confidentiality.
Expertise in Big Data Analytics
Acquire fundamental skills in applying data processing frameworks (Hadoop, Spark) as well as GPU techniques to analyze big data that is central to public health.
Innovative Faculty Mentors
Work closely with online-instructor certified faculty members who combine years of experience in applied computing, computing science, kinesiology, and integrative physiology.
Pathway to a Master's Degree
Membership in HIMSS
All students in the Health Informatics Program receive free membership in HIMSS (Healthcare Information Management Systems Society), a global society that connects professionals aligned in serving and improving the global health community. Access resources such as lectures, courses, white papers, and job boards.

HIMSS

What Can You Do With an Online Certificate in Public Health Informatics?

Individuals with health informatics experience may work in a variety of settings, from academic institutions to medical facilities; government organizations to public health agencies; and research laboratories to software and technology companies.

A person looking at data on their smartphone, which is held in front of a computer screen.

Possible Career Pathways

health data analyst
software engineer
epidemiologist
public health researcher
database designer
public health communicator

Get Started on Your Online Public Health Informatics Certificate.

Want to learn more about the this online certificate? We are here to answer your questions and to help you succeed in your online program.