Program Overview

UBC Infection Prevention and Control Certificate

The UBC Infection Prevention and Control Certificate is a professional development course designed for individuals with experience in the healthcare field and interest in expanding their knowledge in infection prevention and control. It is practically oriented and relies heavily on the individual having background knowledge in healthcare.

Program Overview

• Duration: 25 weeks
• Delivery: Online, mostly asynchronous
• Start Date: January 5th, 2026
• Application Deadline: December 19th, 2025
• Tuition:
  • Canadians and permanent residents: $2,000 CAD
  • International students: $3,500 CAD

Admission Requirements

The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Certificate is designed for individuals with experience in the healthcare field and interest in expanding their knowledge in infection prevention and control. Those without this background are not excluded but may have a much more difficult time with the courses if they are unfamiliar with basic healthcare practices, equipment, and terminology.

Course Format & Tuition

• The 25-week program will be delivered part-time and asynchronously online through Canvas, utilizing a problem-based learning format.
• Course content includes:
  • Video lectures
  • Reading material
  • Instructor-facilitated online discussions
  • Virtual lab tours
  • Interviews with infection prevention and control professionals
• Learning Objectives:
  • Identify the core competencies of an infection prevention and control professional and the continuous lifelong learning process.
  • Understand and apply the core principles of infection prevention and control including epidemiology, microbiology, antimicrobial stewardship, common pathogens of concern, cleaning and disinfection, and sterilization basics.
  • Define how the infection prevention and control professional works alongside and communicates effectively with essential partners in promoting safe care and continuous quality improvement across all healthcare service settings.
  • Describe quality improvement concepts and actively participate and work in partnership with front-line staff and clinicians to identify and support quality improvement initiatives.
  • Critically appraise the validity and reliability of research and other resources.
  • Mitigate the risk of the transmission of infections in healthcare service settings by:
    • Effectively sharing knowledge and rationale about infection prevention and control best practices based on interrupting the chain of infection and application of routine practices (including hand hygiene and point of care risk assessment).
    • Applying transmission-based additional precautions using a syndromic approach.
    • Using critical thinking to apply the principles of infection prevention and control and epidemiology to conduct surveillance, identify healthcare-associated infections, and manage outbreak situations.
    • Applying knowledge of infection prevention and control to collaborate with essential partners in creating and/or maintaining safe care spaces during construction, renovation, and facility design.

Dates & Deadlines

• Registration Deadlines:
  • September 26th, 2025: Registration for January 2026 intake opens
  • October 14th, 2025: Information session #1
  • October 21st, 2025: Information session #2
  • December 19th, 2025: Registration for January 2026 intake closes
• Course Schedule:
  • Module # | Topic | Dates
    • • | Getting Started | January 2nd, 2026
    • 1 | Week 1: Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control | January 5th – 11th, 2026
    • 2 | Weeks 2 & 3: Basic Microbiology for Infection Prevention and Control | January 12th – 25th, 2026
    • 3 | Weeks 4 & 5: Infection Prevention and Control Basics | January 26th – February 8th, 2026
    • 4 | Weeks 6, 7 & 8: Basic Epidemiology and Critical Appraisal | February 9th – March 1st, 2026
    • 5 | Weeks 9 & 10: Surveillance of Healthcare-Associated Infections | March 2nd – 15th, 2026
    • • | SPRING BREAK | March 16th – 22nd, 2026
    • 6 | Weeks 11 & 12: Outbreaks | March 23rd – April 5th, 2026
    • 7 | Weeks 13 & 14: Emerging Pathogens | April 6th – 19th, 2026
    • 8 | Weeks 15 & 16: Occupational Health and Safety and Public Health | April 20th – May 3rd, 2026
    • 9 | Weeks 17 & 18: Medical Device Reprocessing (MDR) and Environmental Services (EVS) | May 4th – 17th, 2026
    • 10 | Weeks 19 & 20: Facilities, Construction, and Renovation | May 18th – 31st, 2026
    • 11 | Week 21: Quality Improvement and Communication | June 1st – 7th, 2026
    • 12 | Week 22: Teaching and Learning | June 8th – 14th, 2026
    • 13 | Weeks 23 & 24: Specialized Settings | June 15th – 28th, 2026
    • 14 | Week 25: Final Exam | June 29th – July 5th, 2026

Our Team

• Instructors & Support Team:
  • Dr. Ghada Al-Rawahi, MD, DTM&H (London), D(ABMM), FRCPC, Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
  • Dr. Elisa Lloyd-Smith, PhD, Senior Epidemiologist, Quality, Patient Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
  • Dr. Aleksandra Stefanovic, MD, FRCPC, Medical Microbiologist, Infectious Disease Specialist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
  • Dr. Titus Wong, MD, MHSc, FRCPC, Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist
  • Genevieve MacMillan, Director, Human Resources and Administration
  • Annie Lin, Sr. Program Assistant, Infection Prevention and Control Program
• Course Instructors:
  • Dr. Ghada Al-Rawahi, MD, DTM&H (London), D(ABMM), FRCPC, Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
  • Dr. Amir Hadzic, MD, MSc, CIC, FRCPC, Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist
  • Dr. Miguel Imperial, MD MHSc FRCPC, Medical Microbiologist and Infection Prevention and Control Physician
  • Dr. Elisa Lloyd-Smith, PhD, Senior Epidemiologist, Quality, Patient Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
  • Dr. Shazia Masud, MD, FRCPC, D(ABMM), Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist
  • Dr. Nancy Matic, MD, FRCPC, D(ABMM), Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
  • Angeli Mitra, Course Instructor
  • Dr. Michael Payne, MD, CIC, FRCPC, Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
  • Kelsi Rivers, BNSc, MPH, RN, CIC, Infection Prevention and Control Professional
  • Dr. Inna Sekirov, MD, PhD, D(ABMM), FRCPC, Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
  • Dr. Aleksandra Stefanovic, MD, FRCPC, Medical Microbiologist, Infectious Disease Specialist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
  • Dr. Diana Whellams, MD, MPH, Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist
  • Dr. Titus Wong, MD, MHSc, FRCPC, Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can anyone take the course?
  • The online course is designed for individuals with experience in the healthcare field and interested in the area of infection control. The course is practically oriented and relies heavily on the individual having knowledge of how a hospital operates. Those without this background are not excluded but may find the course more challenging if they are unfamiliar with basic nursing practices, hospital equipment, and terminology.
• Does completing the UBC IPAC Certificate lead to certification as an Infection Control Practitioner?
  • Completion of the UBC IPAC Certificate is not certification as an Infection Control Practitioner and does not guarantee employment in the field of Infection Control. It does not confer CBIC certification.
• How do I qualify to receive the UBC IPAC Certificate?
  • To qualify to receive the IPAC Certificate, a student must complete the program with a minimum average of 60%.
• How does a person become certified in Infection Control?
  • Visit the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology or the Infection Prevention and Control Canada for information on certification as an Infection Control Practitioner.
• What is the refund policy?
  • Students can withdraw from the course within 14 days of the course start date. Course fees will be refunded (less a $300 library and administration fee). If cancellation occurs prior to the start of the program, only the administration fee (~$50) will be retained.

Technology Requirements

• Required Technology for Online Learning:
  • Access to a laptop or desktop computer
  • A video camera and microphone
• Visit the UBC Student’s Guide to Canvas webpage for more information.

UBC Resources

• UBC Student Academic Resources & Policies:
  • Academic Honesty
  • Academic Misconduct
  • Disciplinary Measures
• Additional resources for learning with integrity can be found on the UBC Academic Integrity website.
• Program Appeals Process:
  • Learners who wish to appeal a grade or program standing should first discuss their concerns with the instructor(s) of the relevant course module(s) and program coordinator and provide any supporting documents and information. If the issue is not resolved, the appeal will be reviewed by the clinical faculty leads. A final decision will be communicated within 20 business days.