Micro-Credential
Colorado’s public health professionals play a critical role in keeping communities healthy, but today’s workforce faces increasing challenges, including funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and evolving public health needs. Supporting and retaining skilled professionals requires accessible opportunities for continued learning and career advancement.
In partnership with the Colorado School of Public Health (CSPH), the Colorado Poverty & Health Initiative (COPHI) is helping develop innovative micro-credentialing pathways designed specifically for working public health professionals. These flexible, competency-based programs allow participants to build practical skills in areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, policy, and community health without the time or financial commitment of a full degree program.
Supported by leaders across Colorado’s public health system, these micro-credentials provide meaningful opportunities for professional growth while strengthening the workforce that protects and improves health across the state.
Epidemiology of Poverty & Social Determinants Micro/Regular Credential
Objective:
This micro-credential equips learners with foundational epidemiologic skills and applied coursework focused on how social determinants, injustices, and structural conditions, including poverty, shape population health. Students gain analytical tools to understand, measure, and address the drivers of health disparities in communities and individuals affected by poverty
Eligibility Requirements
- Bachelors degree required
- Must apply as a non-degree-seeking student (grad school guidelines)
- This program should take about 1 year to complete depending on class times
- FYI: How this qualifies for CPH Recertification
Required Courses (2)
EPID 6630 – Epidemiology (3.0 cr)
Introduces descriptive and analytic epidemiology, providing essential tools for studying disease patterns, disparities, and risk factors across populations.
Optional, if an individual has already taken EPID 6630 (or the equivalent) within the last 5 years at an accredited SPH: EPID 6631 – Analytical Epidemiology (3.0 cr)
Builds advanced analytic competencies to assess determinants of disease, account for bias and confounding, and accurately interpret epidemiologic data related to inequities.
Required EPID 6658 Fundamentals of Social Epidemiology (3.0 cr) Anschutz Campus or PBHL 573 Exploring Social Epidemiology (3.0) CSU online
Required EPID 6658 Fundamentals of Social Epidemiology (3.0 cr) Anschutz Campus or PBHL 573 Exploring Social Epidemiology (3.0) CSU online
EPID 6658 Fundamentals of Social Epidemiology (3.0 cr)
This course provides an overview of theories and empirical evidence that shows support for the relationships between social environments and health including the historical development of social epidemiology and the major theories in social epidemiology.
PBHL 573 Exploring Social Epidemiology (3.0 credits)
Theories and epidemiological methods relevant to connections between social exposure and population health. Factors as socioeconomic status, discrimination, working conditions, historical and current policies, neighborhood characteristics, and other elements that influence population health through a social perspective.
Required EPID 6637 – Injury & Violence Epidemiology and Prevention (2.0 cr) or EPID 6636 – Chronic Disease Epidemiology (3.0 cr)
EPID 6637 – Injury & Violence Epidemiology and Prevention (2.0 cr)
Students will learn the major causes of and risk factors for injuries and violence, identify and use key data sources to characterize injury problems, develop and evaluate injury control and prevention strategies, critically analyze literature and explore injury related research questions.
EPID 6636 – Chronic Disease Epidemiology (3.0 cr)
The epidemiology of major chronic diseases of Western countries will be reviewed including heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, neurological diseases, and selected other conditions. Methodologic issues related to the study of these diseases, disease surveillance and strategies for prevention will also be covered.
Learning Outcomes
Learners completing this micro-credential will be able to:
- Use descriptive and analytic epidemiologic methods to examine how poverty influences the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations
- Assess how social environments, particularly socioeconomic status, shape health risks and outcomes.
- Design, analyze, and interpret epidemiologic studies focused on injury, violence, or chronic diseases, with an emphasis on populations affected by poverty
- Synthesize epidemiologic evidence to propose actionable strategies for the prevention and control of injury, violence, or chronic disease in populations experiencing poverty
Micro-credential requirements: Total 8-9 credits)
Poverty, Health & Social Structures Micro/Regular Credential
Objective:
This micro-credential prepares professionals to address the complex interplay between poverty and health by integrating social, behavioral, and policy perspectives. Graduates will be equipped to analyze health disparities, design evidence-based interventions, and advocate for systemic changes that promote health equity locally and globally
Eligibility Requirements
Bachelors degree required
Must apply as a non degree seeking student: here is how
This program should take about 1 year to complete depending on class times.
How this qualifies for CPH Recertification
Required Courses
CBHS 6610 – Social and Behavioral Factors and Health (3.0 cr)
Considers social, behavioral, and cultural factors that affect the health of individuals and populations, and contribute to health disparities. Development, implementation and evaluation of programs and policies to promote and sustain health environments and lifestyles are examined.
HSMP 6602 – Health in Context: Social and Policy Influences (3.0 cr)
This course focuses on the advancement of health for everyone and examines persistent and preventable patterns in health outcomes that affect a wide range of populations. The course critically explores how institutional, interpersonal, and structural mechanisms shape health experiences through differences in access, opportunity, exposure and health care. It examines the historical systems that have shaped how health and well-being are studied, governed, and distributed across populations, while exploring actionable solutions to create the conditions necessary for optimal health.
CBHS 6619 – Public Health in the Global Community (3.0 cr)
This course is a study of population health issues around the world. It enables students to (1) assess the current health status of a country and (2) understand and critically appraise the magnitude and likely causes of various health-related conditions.
Learning Outcomes
Learners completing this micro-credential will be able to:
- Identify and describe how social, behavioral, and cultural factors contribute to health disparities, particularly in populations affected by poverty, at both individual and community levels.
- Assess how institutional policy, and structural mechanisms shape health outcomes and access to care
- Compare health status and disparities across settings (e.g., countries, communities), and appraise the magnitude and causes of health-related conditions in the context of poverty
- Identify and/or propose innovative evidence-based interventions or policy recommendations aimed at reducing poverty, integrating social, behavioral, and policy perspectives.
Micro-credential requirements: Total 9 credits