Overview

The largest and most comprehensive continuing education program among the schools of public health in the United States, the Office of Continuing Education (OCE) is part of the North Carolina Institute for Public Health, the service and outreach arm of the UNC School of Public Health. Through OCE, the School of Public Health extends its resources to public health practitioners with the intent of maintaining firm practice links through well-designed and well-targeted training programs.

OCE's goal is to strengthen the professional practice of health and human service practitioners, researchers and educators through the transfer and diffusion of knowledge gained from:

• research
• basic public health concepts and principles
• theories, concepts and skills related to leadership, communication, management and policy development

OCE presents programs in a variety of instructional formats such as teleconferences, computer-based instruction, seminars, workshops and conferences. Programs are presented throughout the year and in all regions of North Carolina.

The staff of OCE, including continuing education specialist and program managers, have years of experience in successfully planning and presenting continuing education programming.

OCE draws on the expertise of School of Public Health faculty and other professionals from a variety of agencies. Continuing education faculty also come from other schools and departments in the University, other educational institutions, private organizations, state and federal agencies, and institutions.

History

Continuing education has been a part of the mission of the School of Public Health since it opened in 1939. The School actually began in 1936 as a continuing education effort in the School of Medicine. Throughout the years, the School has supported continuing education as part of its instructional mission.

For many years prior to 1962, continuing education in the School was coordinated through what was referred to as the Department of Field Training. After this Department was abolished in 1962, an Office of Continuing Education was established. Continuing Education has been part of various units of the School of Public Health throughout the years.

Since 1999, the Office has been part of the North Carolina Institute for Public Health, the service and outreach arm of the School of Public Health. It continues to provide quality programming for health and human service professionals in North Carolina and across the nation.