Graduate Certificate Program in Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response Overview
New Orleans, La., September 2, 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuees and patients arrive at New Orleans airport where FEMA's D-MATs have set up operations. Photo: Michael Rieger/FEMA
The Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) and the University of Pittsburgh Center for Public Health Preparedness (UPCPHP) launched the Graduate Certificate Program in Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response in 2003. The program is co-sponsored by the departments of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences and Environmental and Occupational Health.
This innovative, interdisciplinary certificate program was created to provide students and professionals with a practical academic foundation in order to further strengthen the public health workforce and infrastructure. Currently, courses are offered on the Oakland campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Plans are underway to begin offering courses online in 2007.
Relevant content areas of study prepare students and professionals for leadership roles in public health preparedness and response:
- Surveillance and Epidemiology
- Risk Communications
- Psychosocial Effects
- Disaster Management
- Public Health Law
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Program Planning
- Evaluation
Career Opportunities
Public Health Employment Connection
through the Emory Rollins School of Public Health
PublicHealthJobs.net
through the Association of Schools of Public Health
Natural Hazards Center's Disaster Research e-newsletter
with job postings frequently listed at the end
Career opportunities in disaster preparedness and emergency response have grown dramatically since 9/11/01. The face of today’s public health workforce includes positions such as:
- Emergency Management Analyst
- Domestic Preparedness Coordinator
- Community Disaster Educator
- Emergency Preparedness Health Planner
- Public Health Preparedness Coordinator
- Emergency Preparedness Director
- Bioterrorism/Chemical Epidemiologist
Applying
- Non-degree students must apply to GSPH. Admission of non-degree students is based on completion of a bachelor’s degree, job experience, and career plans.
- Students already enrolled in GSPH may apply to the Certificate program by submitting a letter of request to the GSPH Office
of Student Affairs.
The letter should include:- Student’s name,
- Social security number,
- Department
- And the statement below:
“This is an official request for my application to be considered for admittance to the Graduate Certificate Program in Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response.”
- The Office of Student Affairs will forward a copy of the student’s academic records to the Certificate Program Administrator. When the records are received, the Administrator will contact the student to schedule an interview with the Program Director. Students enrolled in any graduate program in the university may apply directly to the program.
All applicants may apply at any time. Requirements for admission to GSPH and application forms are available at: www.publichealth.pitt.edu
View Credits and Course Description
Certificate Program Contacts
Joseph Schwerha, MD, MPH
Program Director
Phone: 412-624-9985
