What background knowledge is necessary?

This is a beginner course. Some public health background is helpful, but not required.

What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?

You will be able to use the basic epidemiologic toolset, measure the health of populations, collect and analyze data, and participate in outbreak investigations.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Epidemiology in Public Health Practice Specialization

Epidemiology in Public Health Practice Specialization

Instructors: Aruna Chandran, MD, MPH

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

5 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(3,629 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.7

(3,629 reviews)

Beginner level

No prior experience required

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Become familiar with the epidemiologic toolset
Measure the health of populations
Collect and analyze public health surveillance data
Investigate disease outbreaks and epidemics

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Geographic Information Systems

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

20 practice exercises

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from Johns Hopkins University

Specialization - 5 course series

This specialization is intended for people working or aspiring to work in the field of public health at the local, regional, and national level. Over five courses taught by faculty from the preeminent school of public health, you'll learn to use the core epidemiologic toolset to measure the health of populations, assess interventions, collect and analyze data, and investigate outbreaks and epidemics.

Applied Learning Project

Throughout the specialization, learners will perform a wide variety of project exercises, including reflection, analysis, calculation, application, mapping, and assessment, to solve authentic problems encountered by professional epidemiologists during the course of their work.

Essential Epidemiologic Tools for Public Health Practice

Course 14 hours

What you'll learn

Be conversant in public health history, services, governance, and workforce.
Perform numeric estimates to assess public health problems and evaluate the burden of a condition in a population
Use data visualization as an epidemiological tool to describe risk factors
Apply basic mapping skills and a tool for epidemiologic descion-making

Skills you'll gain

Epidemiology, Public Health, Geographic Information Systems, Data Presentation, GIS Software, Demography, Biostatistics, Data Manipulation, Statistical Methods, Health Policy, Risk Analysis, Estimation, and Data Visualization Software

Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

Course 26 hours

What you'll learn

Epidemiology is often described as the cornerstone science in public health. Epidemiology in public health practice uses study design and analyses to identify causes in an outbreak situation, guides interventions to improve population health, and evaluates programs and policies.

In this course, we'll define the role of the professional epidemiologist as it relates to public health services, functions, and competencies. With that foundation in mind, we'll introduce you to the problem solving methodology and demonstrate how it can be used in a wide variety of settings to identify problems, propose solutions, and evaluate interventions. This methodology depends on the use of reliable data, so we'll take a deep dive into the routine and public health data systems that lie at the heart of epidemiology and then conclude with how you can use that data to calculate measures of disease burden in populations.

Skills you'll gain

Epidemiology, Public Health, Medical Records, Health Disparities, Infectious Diseases, Social Determinants Of Health, Statistical Methods, Health Policy, Descriptive Analytics, and Health Care

Surveillance Systems: The Building Blocks

Course 35 hours

What you'll learn

Discuss the role of surveillance within the broader fields of epidemiology and public health
Assign objectives to define surveillance cases
Use public health surveillance reporting systems
Compare and contrast surveillance systems using system attributes

Skills you'll gain

Public Health, Epidemiology, Program Evaluation, Health Policy, Health Systems, Data Collection, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Community Health, Trend Analysis, and Infectious Diseases

Surveillance Systems: Analysis, Dissemination, and Special Systems

Course 46 hours

What you'll learn

Analyze and interpret epidemiologic surveillance data
Present surveillance data in compliance with legal reporting requirements
Apply epidmiologic surveillance principles to non-communicable chronic diseases
Differentiate among indicator-based, event-based, and event-related surveillance systems

Skills you'll gain

Epidemiology, Public Health, Chronic Diseases, Media and Communications, Trend Analysis, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Health Informatics, Information Privacy, Risk Analysis, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Data Analysis, Data Ethics, System Monitoring, Data Collection, Infectious Diseases, Biostatistics, Health Policy, and Technical Communication

Outbreaks and Epidemics

Course 55 hours

What you'll learn

Apply methods to weigh evidence and calculate measures
Discuss outbreaks and the key epidemiologic tools used during investigation
Apply basic epidemic dynamics to the analysis of outbreaks

Skills you'll gain

Epidemiology, Investigation, Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Laboratory Testing, Research Methodologies, Case Studies, Statistics, Risk Analysis, Statistical Analysis, and Report Writing

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

Aruna Chandran, MD, MPH

Johns Hopkins University

1 Course60,903 learners

Keri Althoff, PhD, MPH

Johns Hopkins University

1 Course36,626 learners

Offered by

Johns Hopkins University

Compare with similar products

	Category: This Certificate

Rating
Level
Skills
Tools
Last updated
Number of practice exercises
Degree eligibility
Part of Coursera Plus

Related skills

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

The courses build on one another, so taking them in sequence is recommended but not required.

Coursera courses and certificates don't carry university credit, though some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

Most learners should be able to complete within 4-5 months.

Epidemiology in Public Health Practice Specialization

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Specialization - 5 course series

Essential Epidemiologic Tools for Public Health Practice

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Surveillance Systems: The Building Blocks

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Surveillance Systems: Analysis, Dissemination, and Special Systems

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Outbreaks and Epidemics

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Earn a career certificate

Instructors

Offered by

Compare with similar products

You might also like

Related skills

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Advance your career with an online degree

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

More questions

Epidemiology in Public Health Practice Specialization

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Specialization - 5 course series

Essential Epidemiologic Tools for Public Health Practice

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Surveillance Systems: The Building Blocks

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Surveillance Systems: Analysis, Dissemination, and Special Systems

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Outbreaks and Epidemics

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Earn a career certificate

Instructors

Offered by

Compare with similar products

You might also like

Related skills

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Advance your career with an online degree

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

How long does it take to complete the Specialization?

More questions