Professional Opportunities
The Montana Public Health Training Center (MPHTC) has teamed up with the University of Montana’s (UM) School of Public and Community Health Sciences to offer Montana public health employees the opportunity to participate in the School’s certificate programs.
Our next cohort will begin Fall Semester 2023!
UM offers year-long, online certificate programs designed for working professionals who would like to advance their education in public health, epidemiology, or environmental health, but aren’t ready or wanting to earn a Master’s Degree.
This opportunity is available to Montana government employees working as State, Local, and Tribal public health officials who wish to have formal training in public health to broaden their knowledge of public health issues and concepts.
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, one (1) year of public health experience, employment within a Montana health department, and access to a computer and internet.
What programs are offered?
· Certificate in Public Health (CPH)
· Certificate in Epidemiology (CE)
· Certificate in Environmental Health Sciences (CEHS)
· Certificate in Public Health Administration (CPHA)
Find the application form below and please read through all of the FAQs below for more information.
Did you know? You can apply 12 of these certificate credits to a Masters in Public Health, which requires 42. That's only 30 more that you would need!
UM Public Health Certificate Application Form
MPHTC has funding to award educational grants to several students. If approved, MPHTC will cover most of the tuition and fees, textbooks, and the program application fee. Student awardees or their employers are expected to pay a $550 copay each semester, payable directly to the University.
Any State, Local, and Tribal public health employee can apply. Application due date for the next cohort has not been determined yet.
Awardees will be notified with enough time for them to begin the UM application process which is separate.
What certificate programs are offered?
- Certificate in Public Health (CPH)
- Certificate in Epidemiology (CE)
- Certificate in Environmental Health Sciences (CEHS)
- Certificate in Public Health Administration (CPHA)
What is the timeline for UM’s certificate programs?
For the current, active cohort: August 2021 – December 2022.
Our next upcoming cohort: May 2022 - July 2023.
All certificate programs are completed over 4 semesters or 1 year.
Our next upcoming cohort: May 2022 - July 2023.
All certificate programs are completed over 4 semesters or 1 year.
Who should apply?
Each of the certificate programs is designed for Montana state, local, and Tribal public health employees who would benefit from formal public health training, as well as those who wish to broaden their knowledge of public health issues and concepts. The programs’ classes are graduate level, and individuals receive graduate credit for each completed class. At minimum, a bachelor’s degree, one (1) year of public health work experience, employment with a Montana public health department, and access to a computer and the internet are required to apply for the program.
What is the cost for a certificate? Are any educational grants available?
The total estimated cost for students is approximately $6200 (subject to decision by the Board of Regents).
MPHTC has funding to award educational grants to several students. If approved, MPHTC will cover most of the tuition and fees, textbooks, and the program application fee. Student awardees or their employers are expected to pay a $550 copay each semester, payable directly to the University.
MPHTC has funding to award educational grants to several students. If approved, MPHTC will cover most of the tuition and fees, textbooks, and the program application fee. Student awardees or their employers are expected to pay a $550 copay each semester, payable directly to the University.
How do I apply for an educational grant?
- Obtain approval from your Lead Local Public Health Official, or Bureau Chief if you are a DPHHS/PHSD employee.
- Complete MPHTC application for an educational grant.
- Email completed applications to Emily Weiler at emily1.weiler@umontana.edu
- Mail to 32 Campus Drive, Skaggs 177, Missoula, MT 59812 (Attn: Emily Weiler)
- Or fax to 406-243-4525 (Attn: Emily Weiler)
- MPHTC will review applications and determine who will receive educational grants.
- MPHTC will notify applicants if approved for an educational grant.
- Approved applicants will then complete the University of Montana online application.
What are the requirements for educational grant awardees?
- Maintain government employment with state, local, or tribal health department in Montana
- Maintain a grade of ‘B’ or higher in all certificate courses
- Participate fully in program activities to completion
- Engage weekly in program webinars and sessions
How do I apply for a certificate program with the University?
- Complete online application form
- Obtain 3 letters of recommendation
- Write a personal statement
- Update your CV or resume
- Obtain official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Visit the UM School of Public and Community Health Sciences website for more on requirements.
Visit the UM Graduate School’s website for more details on admission.
*Note: GRE is not required for certificate programs.
What is the application deadline?
Applications for educational grants are due to MPHTC by January 14, 2022. Applications for UM admission are due on March 1, 2022.
Does being approved by MPHTC guarantee admission into the program?
No, UM will review applications separately and decide based on their own criteria.
When are applicants notified of acceptance?
Applicants will be notified by February 1, 2022 if they have been accepted by the MPHTC to apply to the program. UM will notify applicants if they have been accepted by a date to be determined.
Can I earn a certificate without a bachelor’s degree and/or while I am an undergraduate student?
No. You must have already completed a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university to participate in a certificate program. Certificate courses are graduate level courses.
What courses are offered in the certificate programs?
- Certificate in Public Health (CPH)
Students may take 4 public health core courses, or 3 core courses and 1 elective. Courses will be selected by students at the beginning of the program with a supervisor and UM advisor.
|
Core Courses |
Credits |
Delivery |
|
PUBH 510- Introduction to Epidemiology* |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 550- Program Evaluation & Research Methods* |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 520- Fundamentals of Biostatistics OR STAT 451 – Statistical Methods I and STAT 457 – Computer Data Analysis I (4 Credits, Autumn, at UM-Msla) AND STAT 452 – Statistical Methods II and STAT 458 – Computer Data Analysis II (4 Credits, Spring, at UM-Msla) |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 530- Public Health Administration & Management |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 535- Health Policy |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 540- Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 560- Environmental and Rural Health |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 570- Ethical Issues in Public Health |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 580- Rural Health Issues in a Global Context |
3 |
Online |
*Note: Educational grant awardees are required to take either PUBH 510 or PUB 550.
|
Elective Courses |
Credits |
Delivery |
|
PUBH 511- History & Theory of Epidemiology |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 515- Public Health Genetics |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 525- Multicultural and Native American Public Health |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 590- Research |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 591- Issues in Maternal & Child Health |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 591- Various Topics |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 592- Independent Study |
3 |
Online |
- Certificate in Epidemiology (CE)
Students are required to take 2 epidemiology courses and 2 elective courses. Courses will be selected by students at the beginning of the program with a supervisor and UM advisor.
|
Course Name (Required) |
Credits |
Delivery |
|
PUBH 510- Introduction to Epidemiology |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 520- Fundamentals of Biostatistics |
3 |
Online |
|
Course Name (Elective) |
Credits |
Delivery |
|
PUBH 591: Communicable Diseases: Epidemiology and Control |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 591: Spatial Epidemiology |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 612: Neuroepidemiology |
3 |
Hybrid |
|
PUBH 613: Spatial Epidemiology |
3 |
Hybrid |
|
PUBH 614: Environmental and Occupational Epi |
3 |
Hybrid |
|
PUBH 620: Advanced Quantitative Methods I |
3 |
Hybrid |
|
PUBH 621: Advanced Quantitative Methods II |
3 |
Hybrid |
- Certificate in Environmental Health Sciences (CEHS)
Students are required to take the following 4 core environmental health courses.
|
Course Name (Required) |
Credits |
Delivery |
|
PUBH 560- Environmental and Rural Health |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 510- Introduction to Epidemiology |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 591- Indoor Environmental Quality |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 596- Independent Study in Environmental Health Sciences |
3 |
Online |
- Certificate in Public Health Administration (CPHA)
Students are required to take 1 public health administration course and 3 electives. Courses will be selected by students at the beginning of the program with a supervisor and UM advisor.
|
Course Name (Required) |
Credits |
Delivery |
|
PUBH 530- Public Health Administration and Management |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 540- Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health |
3 |
Online |
|
Course Name (Elective) |
Credits |
Delivery |
|
PUBH 535- Health Policy or PUBH 530- PUblic Health Administration and Management* |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 550- Program Evaluation and Research Methods |
3 |
Online |
|
PUBH 501- Public Administration |
3 |
Online |
|
PUAD 522- Human Resource Management |
3 |
Online |
|
PUAD 504- Organization Theory |
3 |
Online |
|
PUAD 505- Budgeting and Finance |
3 |
Online |
|
PUAD 503- Policy Analysis |
3 |
Online |
What is the time commitment?
All certificate programs will be held over a 15-month period from May 2022 through July 2023. Each program requires 4 completed courses, or 1 course each semester. The program will follow UM’s scheduled breaks. For more information see the UM Academic Calendar.
Students are required to participate in weekly classes via webinar during work hours and complete weekly assignments throughout the program. Students should be willing to devote approximately 10 hours of course work to the program each week.
Does the completion of a certificate count towards a Master in Public Health (MPH)?
A certificate is a great way to get started on an MPH, though admission to a certificate program does not guarantee admission into the MPH program. Each certificate amounts to 12 graduate credits.
For detailed information and program curriculum visit the MPH website.
How are the certificate courses conducted?
All courses are web-based and conducted through a distance learning platform.
What are the hardware and software requirements for certificate online courses?
Hardware requirements:
- 500 MHz Intel Pentium processor or better
- 128 MB or more of RAM
- 56 Kbps or better modem or DSL (recommended)
- 16 bit or better sound card and speakers
- CD-ROM or DVD drive
- Windows: Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 or Windows XP; Mac: OS 8 or greater
- Webcam and microphone (recommended)
Software requirements:
- Microsoft Office Suite (including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher or Netscape Navigator 6.X or higher
- Adobe Acrobat reader 4.0 or higher
- Latest version of Java
- Email that can send attachments
Who do I contact for additional information?
For further questions, please contact:
Emily Weiler – Montana Public Health Training Center Director
406-243-4991 or emily1.weiler@umontana.edu
