Continuing Education Certificate

Public Health Foundations Certificate

Formerly Public Health Nurse Ready

Goal: To provide learners with basic knowledge and principles of public health.

Target audience: Professionals who are new to public health (or those interested in the field).

The Public Health Foundations Certificate is a free online program providing a foundation of core public health concepts and practices. The certificate includes all the courses from the former Public Health Nurse Ready certificate program.

Topics include core functions and essential services of public health, community partnerships, cross-cultural communication, health equity, health literacy, program evaluation, economic analysis, and basic epidemiology. These courses reflect the core public health competencies set forth by the Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations and align with the Tier 1 competencies of the 8 domains of the Council on Linkages Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals.

All courses in the Public Health Foundations Certificate are self-paced and online. Many of the courses provide continuing education credits for a nominal fee.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enroll in the PH Foundations Certificate Program?

No need to enroll. To earn your certificate, complete each of the required trainings listed on the PH Foundations landing page, then simply claim it.

How do I receive the program certificate of completion once I have completed all the courses in the program?

In order to receive your certificate of completion, return to the PH Foundations landing page and you will only need to type in your name and credentials as you would like it to appear on the certificate and hit submit.

Are the continuing education credits or contact hours free?

All the trainings, content, and the PH Foundations Certificate are free. Most of the trainings provide continuing education credits for a nominal fee.

Do continuing education credits from the certificate program transfer to college credits?

No. However, many of the trainings that make up the certificate program do provide continuing education credits or contact hours, such as CME, CNE, CHES®/MCHES®, or CPH for a nominal fee.

Is there a time limit to complete the program once I’ve enrolled in the courses?

No. There is no time limit to complete the certificate program, but participants are strongly encouraged to complete the PH Foundations Certificate within 6 months of starting it.

I am not a public health professional. Can I still enroll in the certificate program?

Sure! The certificate and its trainings were designed for public health professionals without a formal education in public health, but other professions may find the certificate to be helpful in their work.

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