The Competencies for Applied Epidemiologists in Governmental Public Health Agencies (Applied Epidemiology Competencies, or AECs) were created in collaboration with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).
Goal
To improve the practice of epidemiology in public health agencies.
Objectives
To create a comprehensive list of competencies that
- Defines the discipline of applied epidemiology
- Describes the skills of four different levels of practicing epidemiologists working in government public health agencies
Tiers of Practicing Epidemiologists
- Tier 1: Entry-Level or Basic Epidemiologist
- Tier 2: Mid-Level Epidemiologist
- Tier 3a: Senior-Level Epidemiologist, Supervisor, or Manager
- Tier 3b: Senior Epidemiologist, Senior Scientist/Subject Area Expert
Intended Uses
Epidemiology practitioners can use the AECs to assess current skill level, identify areas for training, and as a career-development plan.
Employers can use the AECs to create career ladders for epidemiology positions, write job descriptions aligned with the competencies, and assess overall epidemiologic capacity.
Educators can use the AECs to design competency-based education and training, and enhance existing coursework.
National organizations can use the AECs to further develop the epidemiology workforce by mapping the AECs to curricula.
Applied Epidemiology Competencies
An introduction to the new standards of practice for epidemiologists working within the U.S. public health system.
- AECs
(42 pages) - Competencies for 4 levels of epidemiologists organized into eight skill domains.
- AEC Executive Summary and Preface (13 pages)
- An overview of AECs and how they were developed.
Short Summaries
Two-page summaries of the competencies for each tier.
- Short Summary—Tier 1 (2 pages)
- Short Summary—Tier 2 (2 pages)
- Short Summary—Tier 3a (2 pages)
- Short Summary—Tier 3b (2 pages)
Sample Position Descriptions
Brief job descriptions for each tier, based on the competencies.
- Sample Position Description—Tier 1 (5 pages)
- Sample Position Description—Tier 2 (6 pages)
- Sample Position Description—Tier 3a (7 pages)
- Sample Position Description—Tier 3b (6 pages)
Competency Assessment Forms
Assess your status on selected AEC competencies.
- Competency Assessment—Tier 1 (2 pages)
- Competency Assessment—Tier 2 (2 pages)
- Competency Assessment—Tier 3a (2 pages)
- Competency Assessment—Tier 3b (2 pages)
Related Materials
More Information
- Brochure: Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs): An introduction to the new standards of practice for epidemiologists working within the U.S. public health system (2 pages).
- Public Health Reports has devoted an entire supplement to Competency Based Epidemiologic Training in Public Health Practice, including an article that describes the development process.
- The Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) has completed a project mapping curricula to AECs. See the Applied Epidemiology Competencies Curriculum and Practicum Project (34 pages).
References
- Editorial: Professional Competencies for Applied Epidemiologists: A Roadmap to a More Effective Epidemiologic Workforce. Birkhead GS, Koo D. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice 2006;12(6):501–504.
- Page last reviewed: December 17, 2008
- Page last updated: December 17, 2008
- Content source: Scientific Education and Professional Development Program Office
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
8am–8pm ET/Mon–Fri
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
