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The UBC Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC) Certificate Program is a professional development course for current healthcare professionals or those considering a career in IPAC. This practical course is designed by experienced IPAC professionals and physicians.
Program at a Glance
25 weeks
Online, part-time, and asynchronous
January 4, 2027
June 8, 2026
• Canadian/PR: $2,100 CAD • International: $3,700 CAD
Content aligns with
CBIC Exam topics
Endorsed by
IPAC Canada
CBIC Infection Prevention
Units (IPUs) provider
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Certificate is a professional development certificate 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. 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.
The 25-week program will be delivered part-time and asynchronously online through Canvas, utilizing a problem-based learning format. The course content includes, but is not limited to:
- Video lectures
- Reading material
- Instructor-facilitated online discussions
- Virtual lab tours
- Interviews with infection prevention and control professionals
Upon completion of the revised Infection Prevention and Control Certificate, participants should be able to:
- 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 on 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.
Program Costs:
- Canadians and permanent residents: 2,100 CAD
- International students: 3,700 CAD
Registration Deadlines
The next intake will start on January 4, 2027. Registration will open on June 8, 2026.
2027 Course Schedule
| Module # | Topic | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Week 1: Introduction to Infection Prevention and Control | January 4 – 10, 2027 |
| 2 | Weeks 2 & 3: Basic Microbiology for Infection Prevention and Control | January 11 – 24, 2027 |
| 3 | Weeks 4 & 5: Infection Prevention and Control Basics | January 25 – February 7, 2027 |
| 4 | Weeks 6, 7 & 8: Basic Epidemiology and Critical Appraisal | February 8 – 28, 2027 |
| 5 | Weeks 9 & 10: Surveillance of Healthcare-Associated Infections | March 1 – 14, 2027 |
| – | SPRING BREAK | March 15 – 21, 2027 |
| 6 | Weeks 11 & 12: Outbreaks | March 22 – April 4, 2027 |
| 7 | Weeks 13 & 14: Emerging Pathogens | April 5 – 18, 2027 |
| 8 | Weeks 15 & 16: Occupational Health and Safety and Public Health | April 19 – May 2, 2027 |
| 9 | Weeks 17 & 18: Medical Device Reprocessing (MDR) and Environmental Services (EVS) | May 3 – 16, 2027 |
| 10 | Weeks 19 & 20: Facilities, Construction, and Renovation | May 17 – 30, 2027 |
| 11 | Week 21: Quality Improvement and Communication | May 31 – June 6, 2027 |
| 12 | Week 22: Teaching and Learning | June 7 – 13, 2027 |
| 13 | Weeks 23 & 24: Specialized Settings | June 14 – 27, 2027 |
| – | Week 25: Final Exam | June 28 – July 4, 2027 |
To stay informed and be the first to receive updates, we encourage you to join our mailing list.
The next intake will start on January 4, 2027. Registration will open on June 8, 2026.
Our team is committed to providing guidance and support throughout your journey in the Infection Prevention and Control Certificate program.
MD, DTM&H (London), D(ABMM), FRCPC
Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
PhD
Senior Epidemiologist, Quality, Patient Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
MD, FRCPC
Medical Microbiologist, Infectious Disease Specialist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
MD, MHSc, FRCPC
Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist
Director, Human Resources and Administration
Sr. Program Assistant, Infection Prevention and Control Program
Click to view all instructors
MD, DTM&H (London), D(ABMM), FRCPC
Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
MD, MSc, CIC®, FRCPC
Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist
MD MHSc FRCPC
Medical Microbiologist and Infection Prevention and Control Physician
PhD
Senior Epidemiologist, Quality, Patient Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
MD, FRCPC, D(ABMM)
Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist
MD, FRCPC, D(ABMM)
Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
Course Instructor
MD, CIC®, FRCPC
Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
BNSc, MPH, RN, CIC®
Infection Prevention and Control Professional
MD, PhD, D(ABMM), FRCPC
Medical Microbiologist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
MD, FRCPC
Medical Microbiologist, Infectious Disease Specialist, Infection Prevention and Control Physician
MD, MPH
Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist
MD, MHSc, FRCPC
Infection Prevention and Control Physician, Medical Microbiologist
If we didn’t answer your question, please email us at infectioncontrol@pathology.ubc.ca
The online course is designed for individuals with experience in the health care 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.
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.
To qualify to receive the IPAC Certificate, a student must complete the program with a minimum average of 60%.
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.
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.
This is an online course offered through Canvas. To take this course, you will need:
- Access to a laptop or desktop computer
- A video camera and microphone
Visit the UBC Student’s Guide to Canvas webpage for more information.
To help you learn your responsibilities as a UBC student, please refer to the following links for UBC’s expectations for academic honesty:
Additional resources for learning with integrity can be found on the UBC Academic Integrity website .
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.
If you have read the website information and still have not found the answer to your question, please contact us using the form below or email us at infectioncontrol@pathology.ubc.ca.
IPAC Course