October 6, 2025

Starting this month, Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health is offering five targeted micro-credentials for professionals working in long-term care, infection control, and public health.

Originally developed by a multidisciplinary team as part of a pilot project to support long-term care facility staff in Pennsylvania, these micro-credentials are now available for individuals and groups nationwide.

The micro-credentials are short, affordable online courses that equip learners with knowledge that can be directly applied in practice. They are especially relevant for staff and leaders at skilled nursing facilities, senior living centers, and veterans' homes.

"The Dornsife School of Public Health is pleased to offer these micro-credentials as a way to ensure that long-term care professionals are prepared to meet current and emerging challenges," said Melissa Kaufman, EdD, associate dean for education, who led the project with Ericka Kalp, PhD, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, associate clinical professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and program director for Dornsife's online Master’s in Infection Prevention and Control and online Certificate in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control.

Long-term care workers play a vital role in protecting vulnerable residents, who are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases. Keeping up with the latest knowledge in vaccines, infection prevention, and emergency management helps staff reduce the risk of outbreaks, protect vulnerable residents, and ensure compliance with public health standards.

"Past graduates have praised the courses for teaching new techniques and presenting in-depth content in a clear way," said Kaufman.

Drexel Dornsife's Public Health Micro-Credentials:

Infection Control and Prevention: Learn evidence-based strategies to reduce infection risk in healthcare and community settings.

Infectious Disease in Long-Term Care: Understand how infectious diseases spread and are managed in long-term care environments.

Emergency Management in Long-Term Care Facilities: Prepare for and respond to emergencies—from outbreaks to natural disasters—within long-term care settings.

Clinical Knowledge in Long-Term Care: Strengthen your understanding of clinical practices and patient care in long-term care facilities.

Vaccines: Explore vaccine science, policy, and communication strategies to improve uptake and public trust.

Features of the micro-credentials include:

Fully online
Self-paced
Can be completed in approximately 12 hours
No application required
Affordable cost of $250
Designed for working professionals

Whether you're a healthcare provider, administrator, nurse, social worker, or public health practitioner, these programs offer tools to increase effectiveness and protect vulnerable populations.

Registration is open now.

Learn more about how to register.