Public Health Institute (PHI)

The Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine also has a Public Health Institute (PHI) which offers a Certificate Program in Public Health (CPPH).

The PHI is intended primarily for persons from the Caribbean and other regions of the world who:

• Work in the field of Public Health but have never had any formal public health education.
• Those wishing to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and expect to use CPPH credits towards that goal and;
• Persons with advanced degrees in related fields such as medicine and nursing who wish to enhance their professional knowledge of foundational public health concepts.

“…public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play.”

The Purpose and Process of the Certificate Program

The purpose of the Certificate Program is to allow candidates with professional experience, but without a first degree, to enroll in graduate level courses in Public Health, possibly leading to the MPH degree. The aspiring MPH student must demonstrate, during the CPPH, the ability to attain a 3.0 GPA in order to be eligible for matriculation into the MPH degree program.

Pre-requisites

The pre-requisites for acceptance to the Institute are as follows:

• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience working in public health
• Two (2) O’ Level or CSEC Mathematics or equivalent at an 80% pass rate
• Two (2) years post-secondary education
• Excellent demonstrated English language skills
• Be computer literate.

Matriculation

Students can matriculate into the CPPH twice per year; in May and August. During the course oftheir study, students will be required to take the six foundational Public Health courses. They will attend classes with graduate students who are pursuing the Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree and who are enrolled in the specific semesters. All students, regardless of their status, will be held to the same academic standards.

Coursework

Students in the Certificate Program must successfully complete the following six 3-credit courses, totaling 18 credit hours:

Students who pass all courses in the Certificate Program will be awarded a “Certificate in Public Health.” Those students who achieve a 3.0 or higher G.P.A. in the Certificate Program may be considered for matriculation into the MPH program, and, if admitted, allowed to apply the credits earned in the Certificate Program toward the MPH degree.

How to Apply

To apply for the PHI, Certificate in Public Health, please submit the following materials:

• SGU’s Application Form.
• Public Health Institute’s Addendum.
• A short essay about your interest in the Public Health Institute.
• Copies of previously earned post-secondary diplomas, certificates and/or transcripts (copies may be unofficial).
• Curriculum Vitae outlining Work experience.

Mission:

To cultivate and disseminate public health knowledge and practice through an integration of education, research and service in collaboration with communities and partners.

Vision:

Competent public health workforce, building healthy communities.

Structure

The structure of the Certificate Program is as follows: Students will complete CPPH over the course of two semesters, Summer and Fall. In their first semester, they will complete PUBH 803: Principles of Epidemiology, PUBH 805: Health Policy & Management and PUBH 831: Concepts, Practice & Leadership in Public Health. In their second semester, they will complete the remaining three courses.

Should students fail any of the courses that they are taking, they will be allowed to re-take the course and complete the program. However, they will not be allowed to matriculate into the full MPH program.

Reserve your place. Visit: sgu.edu/mph