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Tobacco Control Research Methods Certificate

Tobacco consumption continues to be a major public health challenge both globally and in the US. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 4.2 million deaths are attributable to tobacco use annually. In the US, more than 400,000 persons (30 percent of cancer mortality) die from tobacco related causes each year. Although a variety of strategies are being used to address the tobacco problem, there are few academic programs to educate public health professionals who will function as effective tobacco control researchers who can design effect research programs to identify areas for prevention and treatment.

The purpose of this certificate program is to train participants in tobacco control research methods. Loma Linda University School of Public Health (SPH) has developed this certificate program to train public health professionals in tobacco research and control methods by integrating coursework and field-based experience. To date, this certificate program has been administered to SPH on campus degree students, SPH online students at domestic and international locations, and NIH funded trainees from Southeast Asia who were enrolled in the Tobacco Control Leadership Training program. Certificate program graduates have participated in the design and validation of tobacco surveys, qualitative studies of tobacco users, and the writing of successful grant proposals to conduct large sample tobacco surveys.

This is the only graduate-level certificate of its kind in the field of tobacco control offered in the US. The program is offered as a mix of online courses, on-campus courses, and a mentored research project. The online coursework on tobacco control epidemiology, prevention, and treatment is made possible through a grant from the Association of Schools of Public Health and the American Legacy Foundation.

Outcome Objectives

Upon completion of this certificate, participants will be able to:

1. Design a survey to measure prevalence of tobacco use, knowledge and attitudes about tobacco use, and health behaviors associated with tobacco use, and population based variables that are pertinent to tobacco policy.
2. Conduct qualitative studies to assess tobacco use, knowledge and attitudes about tobacco use, and health behaviors associated with tobacco use, and population based variables that are pertinent to tobacco policy.
3. Design research programs to establish a national and regional baseline and subsequent compliance with conditions set forth by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Treaty (WHO) and MPOWER initiative (WHO).
4. Interpret the findings from qualitative and quantitative research on tobacco use for the purpose of planning tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
5. Write focused grant proposals for tobacco control research.
6. Write reports of original research in tobacco control research.
7. Be familiar with the authoritative sources of national and global tobacco control data on the internet and in the published literature (scientific, policy, governmental).

Admission Requirements

This certificate program is primarily designed for MPH and DrPH students and is offered in conjunction with these programs. Master's and Doctoral students from related disciplines can also apply. Health professionals who have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater may also be admitted into the program.

Pre-requisites

STAT 509, EPDM 509 or the equivalent. Competencies from related masters, doctoral, or health professional coursework can be used by permission of the instructors and the certificate program coordinator.

Required courses

• GLBH 561 Epidemiology of Tobacco Use and Control I (online) (3)
• EPDM 562 Epidemiology of Tobacco Use and Control II (online) (3)
• EPDM 568 International Epidemiology (3)
• EPDM 699 Research* (3)
• HPRO 589 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
• HPRO 565 Tobacco Use: Prevention and Interventions (online) (3)
• RELE 534 Ethical Issues in Public Health (3)
• STAT 515 Grant and Contract Proposal Writing (3)
• STAT 564 Survey and Advanced Research Methods (3)

* A research project is to be selected by working with the certificate program coordinator after completion of at least 12 units of certificate coursework.