Public Health Informatics Certificate

Managing Public Health Data

Computing has become pervasive in the healthcare sector, and managing and deriving valuable information related to public health is critical. The Michigan Tech graduate certificate in Public Health Informatics teaches fundamental knowledge and competencies in the application of public health informatics.

The nine-credit program can be completed in two semesters, and fully online if you wish. The certificate is also advantageous for current Michigan Tech students who wish to expand their career opportunities. Each successfully completed Health Informatics graduate certificate can be applied to the Michigan Tech M.S. in Health Informatics.

Integrate and Analyze Public Health Data

The Public Health Informatics certificate prepares graduates for a variety of public health informatician roles. Students gain proficiency in health data definitions and standards, learn the basic functions and operations of public health information systems, plan and manage public health information systems projects, and more.

Successful 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.

Learning Goals

Upon successful completion of the Public Health Informatics Certificate, students will:

Be able to recognize the use of informatics to integrate clinical health, environmental risk, and population health data for public health analysis;
Effectively integrate information systems containing distributed and centralized public and private data sources for the interest of public health; and
Implement solutions that assure the confidentiality, security, and integrity of public health data analysis.

4 Classes, 2-3 Semesters

Fall Semester

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

The course will cover various 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: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring, 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 4650

Spring Semester

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

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

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Graduate School Admissions Process

Applying to the Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts, test scores, or letters needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps.

See Admissions Steps

Graduate School Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program Specific Requirements

Program Specific

Résumé / Curriculum vitae
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
GMAT/GRE: Not required
Prerequisites: none

International Students

TOEFL: Recommended Score of 95 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of 7.0

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

Made on a rolling basis.

Open to students currently working within a clinical or information technology environment who wish to further their careers in the area of health informatics. Because the certificate is stackable with the College of Computing health informatics certificates, students have the opportunity to acquire two specializations in the field of computing and healthcare while completing their MS in Health Informatics.

Certificate Admissions

Prospective Students

Prospective students and non-degree seeking students interested in obtaining a graduate certificate must apply to the certificate program using the online application.
Accelerated certificate options exist for current Michigan Tech undergraduate students in good standing and have achieved at least junior-level standing or recent bachelor’s graduates of Michigan Tech (less than two years).
The number of credits earned prior to admission that can be counted are restricted.

Current Graduate Students

Current Michigan Tech graduate students who are in a degree program do not need to formally apply. Current students must still submit the appropriate degree schedule in order to complete the certificate.

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.