To help meet that need, the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is launching a new online Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control, with the first cohort beginning this fall.

Developed by faculty with expertise in epidemiology, infectious diseases, and healthcare-associated infection prevention, the certificate is designed to provide an accessible, cost-effective pathway for working professionals preparing for infection preventionist roles across hospitals, outpatient systems, long-term care facilities, and public health settings.

The fully online, 15-credit program combines coursework in epidemiology and infection prevention with a supervised practicum experience, allowing students to apply infection prevention and control concepts in real-world healthcare environments. Students may complete their field experience at UHealth – University of Miami Health System or within their own healthcare institution under an approved preceptor.

According to program leaders, the certificate was developed in response to growing demand for trained infection prevention professionals and increasing recognition of the critical role they play in patient safety, outbreak response and healthcare quality improvement.

“Healthcare organizations are facing an increasing need for professionals who understand how to prevent and respond to healthcare-associated infections,” said Adriana Jimenez, Ph.D., M.P.H., CIC, assistant professor of professional practice in the Department of Public Health Sciences. “This certificate was designed to provide practical, workforce-ready training that prepares healthcare professionals to immediately contribute to infection prevention efforts within their organizations.”

The certificate is built around the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Competency Model and includes preparation for the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) Associate–Infection Prevention and Control (a-IPC) examination, which is included as part of the program.

“This certificate builds upon our broader commitment to workforce development and applied public health training,” said Viviana Horigian, M.D., M.H.A., vice chair for education in the Department of Public Health Sciences. “We wanted to create a program that combines academic rigor with real-world experience, so graduates are prepared to meet the evolving needs of healthcare systems.”

Margie Jimenez, M.A., CRA., assistant chair, said the certificate also reflects the department’s commitment to expanding flexible educational opportunities for working professionals.

“We’ve seen growing interest from healthcare professionals looking for specialized training without committing to a full degree program.”

“The certificate gives them an opportunity to build expertise in infection prevention while gaining practical experience that can be applied immediately in the workplace,” she added.

Coursework includes Fundamentals of Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Introduction to Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control, Advanced Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control, and a Healthcare Practice Experience.

Students will gain competencies in infection surveillance, outbreak investigation, regulatory compliance, patient safety and healthcare quality improvement. The program is designed for nurses, public health professionals, laboratory scientists, microbiologists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, healthcare quality professionals and others interested in transitioning into infection prevention roles.

Built and taught by faculty actively working in infection prevention programs, the certificate emphasizes practical application and interdisciplinary collaboration while helping address a growing workforce need across healthcare settings.

Applications are currently being accepted for the inaugural cohort, which begins this fall. The application deadline is July 27, 2026. Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control, including admission requirements, curriculum and application information.

Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published June 24, 2026.