Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases- Certificate

The goals of the Graduate Certificate in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases are to ensure that graduates:

• Understand the biological complexities of microbial pathogens and the diseases they cause
• Recognize the major epidemiologic and clinical features of infectious diseases
• Understand how new biotechnologies can be applied to the study of pathogens

This 18-credit Graduate Certificate targets two groups of potential applicants:

1. Individuals who are not currently enrolled in or applying to a GW MPH program - These individuals may transfer up to 6 credits of equivalent graduate coursework toward required certificate courses or listed electives.  The coursework must have been from an accredited institution and completed in the prior three years with a grade of B or better.

New applicants apply through the national, public health application service, SOPHAS (www.sophas.org) and the SPHHS Secondary Application (publichealth.gwu.edu).

1. Individuals currently enrolled in a GW MPH program or applying to a GW MPH program – These individuals may cross-credit up to 6 credits of equivalent graduate coursework toward required certificate courses or listed electives.  These students enroll in the certificate as a “dual program,” meaning that applicants may enter either of the programs first, and graduate from them at different times.

Current GW MPH students in good academic standing may add the certificate through the standard petition process, including a page-long personal statement indicating goals and interests as they relate to this graduate certificate.  New applicants should indicate on the SOPHAS application that they wish to pursue this certificate in addition to the MPH program of their choice.

The Admissions Committee requires students to have the following undergraduate prerequisites to be eligible to apply to this graduate certificate program:

• Biological Sciences other than Botany   ≥ 8 Credits
• Chemistry   ≥ 3 Credits
• Physics  ≥ 3 Credits
• Mathematics or Computer Science beyond introductory level (at least 1 semester of calculus preferred)   ≥ 3 Credits

1. Graduate Credit Requirement.  18 graduate credits are required
2. Program of Study.  Specific courses taken require the approval of the academic advisor.
3. Grade Point Requirement.  A 3.0 (B average) overall grade point average is required.
4. Time Limit Requirement.  The certificate must be completed within two and one-half years.
5. Transfer Credit Policy. Up to 6 equivalent graduate credits may be transferred to the certificate. Credits must have been earned in the last 3 years from an accredited institution of higher learning with a grade point of 3.0 or better. Up to twenty-four credits may transfer from this Graduate Certificate to the MS degree in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases. (However, credits accepted in transfer to the graduate certificate that were also used for a previously earned degree will not transfer to the MS degree.)

This is the current program guide for this program. Students should follow the course requirements from the year in which they entered the program.