Certificate in Public Health Informatics

Public Health Informatics is a combination of computer science, information science, and public health science in the management and processing of public health data, information, and knowledge supporting effective public health practice. This term has been defined as the application of information science and technology to public health science and practice. The goal of public health informatics is to accomplish the information processing tasks of public health practice, education and research, by bringing information science and technology tools to support these tasks.

The PHI-Certificate program is primarily designed for public health professionals who already have advanced training in the field and wish to gain further insight into this emerging discipline. The certificate program will focus on the more technical courses in the curriculum rather than the more general public health core courses.

PHI-Certificate Application Process

PHI-Certificate application requirements and process are outlined below.

• PHI Certificate Application

• Transcripts

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae

• Statement of Interest

• Self Identification Form

• International Applicants

To ensure a decision in time for registration, please complete the online application and submit supporting documents by the deadline.  PHI-Certificate application materials must be submitted to the Admissions Department at the Rollins School of Public Health located at the Office of Admissions and Student Services on the 1st floor of the Grace Crum Rollins Building. Materials may also be mailed to:

Office of Admissions
Rollins School of Public Health
1518 Clifton Rd NE, GCR Suite 164
Atlanta, Georgia 30322

The deadline for the application process is as follows:

Fall - July 15
Spring - December 15

Applicants will be notified via email of their acceptance as PHI-Certificate Students.

Registration Process

PHI-Certificate students are able to register for courses in the Department of Student Services the day before semester courses begin between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Registration days for the following academic year are:

Students should complete the course registration form that is included in the program acceptance letter packet or may be obtained through the Department of Student Services.

PHI-Certificate Course Requirements

Any course that is not listed above requires written permission and determination if an applicant’s background is commensurate with the desired course.  To obtain permission, the applicant initially should contact the Departmental ADAP.  Permission will be determined either by the Departmental ADAP or the instructor of the course.  Permission in the form of a signature on the registration form, a written letter, or an email will be accepted.  It is recommended that students obtain permission before Registration Day to assure that required signatures may be obtained.  Students should bring the proof of permission with them when they register for the course.

Honor Code

All individuals taking courses at Emory University must adhere to Emory Honor’s Code and are responsible for its contents. A copy of the Emory Honor Code may be printed from the following link: Student Honor and Conduct Code

Tuition and Fees

The cost per credit hour for academic year 2011-2012 is $1470.00 per credit.

After a student registers for the desired courses, payment for the course work will be made at the Bursar’s Office located in the Boisfeuillet Jones Building Suite 100. 

All fees must be paid in full on the day of registration.  Fees must be paid by cash or check.  Credit cards are not accepted.

Financial Aid

No PHI Certificate fellowships/scholarships or other financial assistance programs are available to PHI students.  Students must be enrolled in degree programs to be considered for financial aid at Emory University.  If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 404-727-6039.

Courtesy Scholarship

Emory employees should contact Human Resources for questions regarding their courtesy scholarship eligibility.  The Courtesy Scholarship application will become available once the employee has sumbitted an application for admissions.  For more information, please visit http://hr.emory.edu/eu/benefits/education/courtesyscholar/index.html

Books and Supplies

Books for all courses can be purchased at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore located in the Oxford Road Building.

Enrollment in Future Terms

If a certficiate applicant is accepted the first-time, but does not enroll for the initial semester of acceptance, and that applicant wishes to take classes during a subsequent semester, the applicant may write the RSPH Admissions office to request that his or her file be reactivated for the semester he or she wishes to enroll.

Certificate students enrolling in subsequent semesters should pick up a Registration Form from the RSPH Enrollment Services office located on the first floor of the Grace Crum Rollins Building and proceed with registration as the initial semester.  If, however, a previously enrolled certificate student does not maintain consecutive enrollment, i.e., does not register for Fall or Spring, he or she must complete an Application for Certificate Readmission also located at the RSPH Enrollment Services office.

Becoming a Degree-seeking Candidate

Acceptance into the certificate program does not guarantee acceptance into the degree-seeking category.  PHI-Certificate students who decide to apply as a degree-seeking candidate must complete and are bound by the same application/admission process as other Emory School of Public health degree-seeking applicants.  This includes the degree-seeking fall admission policy as outlined in the catalog and on the RSPH website (http://www.sph.emory.edu/cms/index.html).  Therefore, should you decide to apply as a degree seeking student, you will need to apply online through SOPHAS, the centralized application service utilized by Rollins School of Public Health.  Apply at www.sophas.org.

Transfer of Credits to Degree-seeking Program

If a PHI-Certificate student decides to apply for a degree program in the School of Public Health and is accepted as a degree-seeking candidate, up to nine (9) credits taken as a PHI-Certificate student may be transferred to the degree-seeking status.  The transfer of individual course credits will transfer as long as the credits fulfill program degree requirements.

If a PHI-Certificate student is considering eventually applying to be a degree seeking student, he/she should talk with the department ADAP to assure that the course selection is appropriate for the degree program and will transfer.

Information Technology

PHI-Certificate students will have school e-mail addresses, access to Blackboard, the internet learning site, as well as access to on-line library resources.