Certificate in Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control | University of Miami

The Certificate in Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine prepares working health professionals to step directly into one of healthcare's fastest growing and most essential fields.

Grounded in the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) competency model and designed around the certifying board exam, this 15-credit, 100% online program combines rigorous epidemiology training with real-world infection prevention practice across healthcare settings. Students build the knowledge and practical competencies needed to support infection surveillance, outbreak investigation, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and healthcare quality improvement.

The program goes beyond online coursework by incorporating a supervised field experience so learners can apply infection prevention and control concepts in real clinical and operational settings. Students may complete their supervised practicum at UHealth – University of Miami Health System or within their own healthcare institution with an approved preceptor, following APIC Accelerated Internship guidelines. Together, the flexible online structure and hands-on training help students build job-ready skills without stepping away from their careers.

Built and taught by faculty actively managing infection prevention programs today, the certificate prepares graduates for infection preventionist roles across hospitals, outpatient systems, long-term care, and public health environments.

Explore more about the program

The Certificate in Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control is developed by faculty at the Miller School of Medicine with deep expertise in epidemiology, infectious disease, and healthcare-associated infection prevention. Every course is built around the APIC Infection Preventionist Competency Model, the same framework underlying the certifying board exam, so students graduate with competencies directly aligned to current workforce and regulatory expectations. Coursework covers epidemiology, infectious disease transmission, surveillance systems, outbreak investigation, healthcare-associated infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, patient safety, and advanced infection prevention operations through applied case studies and real clinical scenarios.

The program extends beyond coursework through a supervised field experience completed at UHealth – University of Miami Health System or an approved healthcare institution with a qualified preceptor. Structured around APIC Accelerated Internship guidelines, the practicum provides direct exposure to live infection prevention operations, surveillance activities, outbreak response, and interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare environments. Students graduate with both academic preparation and practical experience designed to support readiness for infection prevention practice and the CBIC a-IPC certification pathway.

Tuition

The program cost for the Certificate in Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control is $15,000.00. Please contact one of our enrollment advisors to learn more.

^{Federal financial aid is not currently available for this program, pending approval from the U.S. Department of Education.}

Outcomes and support

Students graduate prepared to pursue infection preventionist and healthcare epidemiology roles across hospitals, outpatient systems, long-term care facilities, and public health organizations. Throughout the program, students receive support from dedicated enrollment advisors, academic advisors, student success advocates, faculty mentors, and practicum guidance teams to help them navigate admissions, coursework, field experience placement, and career preparation. Graduates leave with applied competencies in surveillance, outbreak response, infection prevention operations, and patient safety that directly align with current workforce and certification expectations.

Application Deadline

We are now accepting applications for the Certificate in Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control. Please contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about enrollment deadlines and our next upcoming start date for this program.