Online Public Health Informatics Certificate

Turn Population Health Data into Meaningful Action.

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.

MTU's Online Public Health Informatics Certificate will prepare you to make informed decisions for a variety of public health informatician roles. Connect information systems and data analysis to public health questions, from surveillance to program planning. Build skills for using health information to support research, public services, and population-level decisions.

What You'll Study

Upon completion of the certificate, you 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. You'll 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.

In this 9-credit certificate, you will enroll in three of the four courses below.

When planning your program, always refer to the course registration page to check course availability. Currently, classes for this certificate are not offered during the summer.

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

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
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 on-campus option.

Why Michigan Tech?

Michigan Tech offers one of the best online degrees in health informatics. Employers and graduate programs across the country recognize our health informatics program for its excellence and for the many accomplishments of our alumni.

You'll also receive free membership in HIMSS (Healthcare Information Management Systems Society), a member-based, global society that connects professionals who are aligned in serving and improving the global health community.

Read more about HIMSS and the advantages of membership.

Membership in HIMSS

Where You'll Apply Your Skills

Individuals with public health informatics experience may work in several 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 Paths

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. Reach out when you're ready. Or start our free, easy graduate application.