Master of Public Health  (MPH)  Program Mission Statement

The mission of the MPH Program at the University of North Florida is to prepare public health professionals who have the knowledge and skills necessary for careers aimed at improving the health of diverse populations. This mission is accomplished through excellence and innovation in graduate teaching and public health research, and a commitment to community and professional service that promotes healthy populations.

MPH Goal Statements and Measurable Objectives

Instructional Goal.
The MPH Program’s instructional goal is to provide students with an excellent and innovative curriculum that stresses essential knowledge and skills in the science and application of public health core areas and health promotion/health education competencies.

Instructional Objectives: To achieve this goal, the MPH Program requires students to

[1]   complete graduate courses in the core areas of public health that emphasizes knowledge and skills consistent with an         evidence-based approach to solving problems of public health significance;

[2]   complete graduate courses in the field of health education and promotion that incorporate NCHEC (National Commission         for Health Education Credentialing) recommended competencies to prepare students to be advanced health education         practitioners;

[3]   complete a capstone course with a practice field experience that allows students to demonstrate their ability to apply core         and specialization area knowledge and skills to public health problems; and

[4]   satisfy the MPH Program graduate learning outcomes (GLOs)
        (see Graduate School website http://www.unf.edu/graduatestudies/faculty/glo/index.html)

Research Goal.
The MPH Program’s research goal is to promote participation of MPH students and its primary faculty in excellent and innovative scholarship essential for addressing public health-related problems.

Note: Primary Program faculty members are defined as those with full-time faculty appointments in the Department of Public Health and who teach or could be scheduled to teach at least one MPH course per year.

[1]   requires faculty to produce scholarly work as indicated by peer-reviewed publications and presentations in fields related
        to public health;

[2]   encourages faculty to obtain external and internal funding for scholarship at a level commensurate with the UNF’s primary         mission of instruction; and

[3]  promotes students’ understanding of public health research through course work, individual research opportunities, and        field experiences.

 

Service Goal. 
The MPH Program’s service goal is to promote participation of MPH students and its primary faculty in community and professional service that promotes healthy populations and in university governance that is relevant to the performance of the Program.

Service Objectives: To achieve this goal, the MPH Program           

[1]  promotes faculty and student participation in local, state, national, and/or international public health-related organizations and efforts;

[2]  encourages faculty and student participation in community partnerships and efforts for the advancement of public health;

[3]  requires faculty participation in governance at UNF by active involvement in departmental, college and university committees and councils; and

[4] encourages student participation in the governance of the Program.

MPH Program Values

The MPH Program provides a positive learning environment that supports quality teaching, research and service through its commitment to the following values:

Mutual Respect:	We treat each individual in our diverse community with consideration and dignity.
Service:	We provide service to the University, communities and professions and promote public health through knowledge and training.
Accountability:	We are responsible for our attitudes and actions.
Innovation:	We encourage and support creativity in our teaching, research and service.
Cooperation:	We support a culture characterized by open communication, collaboration and collegiality.
Excellence:	We strive for the highest standard of performance by continually monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the Program’s goals, objectives, and outcomes.
Well-being:	We promote physical, emotional and social well-being of the community.
Fulfillment of Potential:	We are committed to professional development through lifelong learning.
Ethical Behavior:	We support fair, just and equitable treatment of individuals, families and communities.