Frequently Asked Questions
When are classes offered?
The answer depends on where the course is taken and the mode of delivery. Each campus will offer all of the core courses at least once a year. Efforts are made to accommodate the schedules of part time students. Online courses minimize the amount of face-to-face class time and provide the greatest scheduling flexibility.
Where will face-to-face courses be taught?
Classrooms are on the UTSPH Houston campus, on the regional campuses in San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso, Brownsville, and Austin. Check the Regional Campus Web pages for more information about these facilities.
Am I required to take two courses a semester or complete the program in one year?
No, since these are graduate courses that demand significant out-of-class time, we encourage students who work full time and have family responsibilities to attempt only one course a semester. Students have five years from time of admission to complete the certificate program. They do not need to be enrolled every semester during this period.
Do the online courses provide students access to the instructor and opportunities to interact with other students?
Yes, the online courses are created by faculty and a team of professional instructional designers. They recognize that teaching methods must accommodate many learning styles. All online courses require that students interact with the instructor, and most also incorporate online learning activities such as discussion boards with other members of the class. However, students are not normally required to be online at specified times.
What about financial aid?
As a student in the certificate program you are not eligible for financial aid from the UT School of Public Health.
What computer equipment is needed to participate in an online course?
The minimum recommended computer configuration includes: Desktop (or laptop) personal computer with the following minimum specifications:
1 Ghz processor
512 MB RAM
40 GB hard disk drive
Web browser: Internet Explorer 6 or higher, or FireFox v1 or higher
How will my accomplishments in the certificate program be acknowledged by the school, and recognized by the community?
The Certificate in Public Health is not a professional or academic degree. Your transcript from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will list your courses and grades and will show that you completed the certificate program at the University of Texas School of Public Health. This will indicate to your employer and other academic and professional programs that you have acquired significant knowledge and skills in the core public health disciplines.
Can I talk with someone at UTSPH about the Certificate in Public Health program?
Questions about admissions should be addressed to:
Coordinator of Pre-Enrollment Services
University of Texas School of Public Health
1200 Herman Pressler, Suite 201
Houston, TX 77030 (713) 500-9032
sphadmissions@uth.tmc.edu
