Continuing Education

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COURSES & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

The College of Public Health frequently offers continuing education and training for public health professionals through the Office of Public Health Practice and Partnerships.  The College's workforce development activities are aligned with needs assessments that the College conducts or participates in periodically. Here are links to several recent reviews of professional development needs in the College's priority communities:

  • Region V Public Health Training Center Training Needs Assessment: https://www.rvphtc.org/training-needs-assessment/
  • Assessing the Continuing Education Needs of Ohio's Local Boards of Health: OABH Report (PDF)
  • The College of Public Health 2020 Alumni Survey also identified these interests among alumni in continuing education topics:

Individuals interested in learning more about continuing education should contact the Office of Public Health Practice and Partnerships at 330-672-6500 or publichealth@kent.edu.

THESE COURSES ARE NON-CREDIT AND ONLINE. ONGOING SCHEDULE - THE BELOW COURSES ARE OFFERED CONTINUOUSLY WITH NO REGISTRATION DEADLINES.

  1. Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist Exam Preparation Course - This course includes lectures, online resources, and sample exam questions covering all topical areas in the actual National Environmental Health Association Registered Environmental Health Specialist exam. The cost for the course is $195 and provides students 24-hour access for up to 180 days. Access Kent State's Lifelong Learning website and search for "REHS Exam" to register for the course.
  2. Key Aspects of Financial Management - This course covers budgeting and some of the sources of revenue and expenditures associated with health services organizations, including those that provide clinical services. It gives a high-level introduction to Financial Management concepts and skills like managing a budget, and it will also expose you to financial performance improvement tools in more depth.  It is intended for public health professionals in all settings, including governmental public health, non-profits, and health systems, including financial management.  The instructor for the course is Matthew Stefanak, College of Public Health Ambassador.  Click here to register for this course hosted by the Region V Public Health Training Center.  There is no cost for this self-paced course.
  3. Leadership and Whole Systems Change The goal of this course is to understand why the whole-systems process is often so much more effective than top-down organizational change. This course starts with a podcast primer on leadership before introducing participants to whole-system change methods which can be utilized in their workplace. The instructor for this course is Ken Zakariasen, Professor, College of Public Health.  Click here to register for this course hosted by the Region V Public Health Training Center.

CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS

Foodborne Illness: A Historical Perspective

This course explores the history of food production in human communities, foodborne illness, and the evolution of food safety standards and has been approved for 2.5 hours of Registered Environmental Health Specialist credit by the Ohio Department of Health.

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The 2022 FDA Food Code and The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

This course explores the requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration 2022 Food Code and the provisions of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)and has been approved for 2.5 hours of Registered Environmental Health Specialist credit by the Ohio Department of Health.

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COURSES TO BE OFFERED AGAIN SOON - PLEASE CHECK BACK:

  1. OSHA 30-hour General Industry Outreach Training
  2. OSHA 10-hour General Industry Outreach Training
  3. Grantwriting for Public Health Professionals - The course provides in-depth instruction on the "how-to's" of identifying grant opportunities and preparing grant applications, including those from private foundations and government funders.  The cost for the course is $120.
  4. Conducting Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) - The course provides an overview of methods used to conduct community health needs assessments.  It is intended for the local health department and hospital staff charged with meeting the PHAB prerequisites or the new IRS requirement regarding CHNAs.  The steps and techniques involved in CHNAs are covered in detail with real-world examples and links to various helpful resources.  The cost for the course is $120.
  5. Affordable Care Act (ACA) - The course provides an overview of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  It is intended for the local health department and hospital staff charged with meeting the ACA requirements.  The primary activities required of the health sector under the ACA are overviewed with real-world examples and links to various helpful resources.  The cost for the course is $120 and registration. 

Mental Health Awareness Trainings are offered by the College's Center for Policy and Health Division of Mental Health and Substance Use.  Mental Health Awareness (gatekeeper) training increases mental health knowledge, reduces mental illness stigma, and develops skills needed to make referrals to appropriate mental health professionals. Click here for a link to a list of mental health awareness training. https://www.kent.edu/mhsu/MHAT.

The College also offers NIH-approved Biosafety & Biocontainment Training for BSL-3 Workers training. Participants are trained to handle BSL-3 biohazards in a controlled BSL-3 laboratory.  Non-virulent agents are used to simulate proper handling, protection, testing, and disposal procedures.  The cost is $1,200 ($400 if from a state or local health department) plus a lab fee with a minimum enrollment of 10 persons for the week-long (40 hour) training.