Important Policies

Grade Point Average

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the PHCert-PRR courses is required for completion of the Certificate.

---

Registration Requirement

Public Health Certificate in Preparedness, Response & Recovery students are encouraged to register for a required course at least one term in an academic year to maintain their active status. Students must register for at least one course during the term for which they are admitted. If more than two terms pass without registration, please contact the Major Coordinator to have your status reactivated.

AHC Immunization Requirements

Public Health Certificate in Preparedness, Response & Recovery students are exempt from the AHC immunization requirements.

AHC Student Health Benefit Plan

All Academic Health Center students will be automatically enrolled in the University Sponsored Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). This plan provides easy, affordable coverage for the unique needs of AHC students. You can have the plan waived if you are eligible. For more information, please go to: www.bhs.umn.edu/insurance/ahc.htm or contact Boynton Health Service at 612.624.0627 or studins@bhs.umn.edu.

Time Limits for Program Completion

The maximum time allowed by the School of Public Health for completion of the Public Health Certificate in Core Concepts is four years. The four-year period begins with the term of admission to the Certificate program. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs reviews petitions for extension of the four-year period in consultation with the Major Chair. Written documentation of the agreement is kept in the student’s permanent file. Contact the Major Coordinator for details and appropriate paperwork.

Grading Policy

Of those courses designated as part of the PHCert-PRR, students may take only 2.5 credits on a pass-fail basis (S-N), exclusive of those courses offered only on an S-N basis.  To receive a passing grade (S), students must achieve a performance level equivalent to a “C” letter grade or better unless the instructor specifies a higher level of performance in the syllabus.  All other courses designated as part of the PHCert-PRR must be taken for a letter grade (A-F). Students will be required to achieve no less than a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for completion of the PHCert-PRR. 

Probation Guidelines

If after completion of nine required PHCert-PRR credits, a student does not have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, he/she will be placed on probation. The terms of the probation require a minimum term GPA of 3.0 each subsequent term (not cumulatively), until the program is completed. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is also required before the PHCert-{RR will be awarded. Failure to achieve a term GPA of 3.0 while on probation will result in termination from the School of Public Health.

Applying Credits to a Degree Program

1. Students completing the Public Health Certificate in Preparedness, Response & Recovery who choose to apply for admission into a School of Public Health degree program must follow the application process for each major.  Determination of admissions is at the major’s discretion.
2. Credits acquired while taking the required curriculum in the PHCert-PRR Program may be credited to an MPH within the School of Public Health under the following circumstances:

• Courses were completed for graduate credit;
• A grade of at least a “B-” was achieved in all PHCert-PRR courses;
• Student earned a cumulative grade point average of at least a B level (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or above;
• Each course was completed within five years prior to application to an MPH program; and
• Minimum requirements for the program chosen are met.

Please note: the SPH has a maximum transfer credit limit of 15. HOWEVER, courses taken toward completion of PHCert-PRR will move with the student to their new major and NOT count as transfer credits. Check with the specific program coordinator for details.

Any courses taken beyond the requirements (including curriculum alternatives) of the PHCert-PRR must count as transfer credits if they are to be used towards the completion of an MPH. The SPH has a maximum transfer credit limit of 15. Individual programs can set more stringent limits on transfer credits. Students should see their major coordinator or the Student Services Center for more information.

Final admission to an MPH is based on careful review of the applicant's file and availability of space within the concentration. Admission to or completion of the PHCert-PRR Program does not guarantee admission to any School of Public Health degree program.

Acceptance of credits acquired within the PHCert-PRR by degree programs outside the School of Public Health is at the discretion of the major program and School to which the applicant wishes to apply.

*Applicants who have earned a Public Health Practice Certificate will be waived from submitting the GRE score as part of the application for admission to the Environmental Health Sciences MPH or Public Health Administration and Policy MPH major programs if they meet the following criterion:

• All Public Health Certificate courses were completed on a letter grade (A-F) basis;
• The overall GPA for all Public Health Certificate courses is 3.25 or greater; and
• No grade for a Public Health Certificate course was less than a B-

Note: the Public Health Administration and Policy MPH major requires students to have completed PubH 6752 as the administration core area course. Please contact a Major Coordinator for details.

---

Public Health Certificate in Preparedness, Response and Recovery 2008 Student Guidebook (pdf)