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Graduate Program

Master of Public Health

The MPH degree is the most widely recognized professional credential for leadership positions in public health. This degree is appropriate for those who wish to pursue careers in epidemiology; in developing, planning, managing, or evaluating health promotion and disease prevention programs, or in conducting public health related research. The UNF MPH Program prepares students with a broad understanding of the core areas of public health combined with a focus on one of two concentrations: epidemiology or health promotion/health education. MPH graduates will be able to integrate and apply their knowledge to address public health problems, and will possess skills and competencies necessary for public health practice in a wide range of public and private institutions. Graduates are typically employed in governmental or non-profit health agencies, health care facilities, work site wellness programs or school settings. See our list of the Top 10 Reasons to Choose UNF's MPH Program!

Program Accreditation & Professional Certification

The UNF MPH Program is nationally accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Graduates are eligible to become Certified in Public Health (CPH) by passing the CPH exam offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). Graduates are also eligible to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) by passing the exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC).

MPH Curriculum

The curriculum includes coursework in the five core areas of public health (Health Behavior, Biostatistics/Research, Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management, and Environmental Health), and the Epidemiology or the Health Promotion/Health Education concentration. The curriculum focuses on knowledge and skills for assessing, understanding, and modifying factors that influence population health including socio-economic conditions, political systems and policies, cultural beliefs and practices, behavioral risk factors, and environmental exposures.

Applied Practice Experience

CEPH accredited programs are required to provide an Applied Practice Experience APE). The UNF MPH Capstone and Internship consists of two 3-credit courses taken over 2 semesters. Students set up the APE in the spring semester (PHC 6940 Public Health Capstone) and complete the 150 internship hours in the summer semester (PHC 6945 Public Health Internship). The internship is the final culminating field experience required for the MPH degree and serves as an opportunity for the student to demonstrate competency attainment through applied practice experience. To accomplish the internship objectives, practice experiences must focus on selected competencies from CEPH’s 22 Foundational Competencies for all MPH students and Concentration Competencies for either Health Promotion/Health Education or Epidemiology.

 

Integrative Learning Experience

 

CEPH accredited programs are required to provide an Integrative Learning Experience. Students enrolled in PHC 6940 Public Health Capstone, will individually complete an online, comprehensive case study assignment. This written product will serve as a culminating experience focusing on integrating the overarching public health competencies with the concentration specific competencies. It will address selected Competencies from CEPH’s 22 Foundational Competencies for all MPH students and Concentration Competencies for either Health Promotion/Health Education or Epidemiology.

 

Program Format

The MPH Program is offered in a hybrid format - students can complete the program in two years meeting on campus one night per week on average. The Program admits one cohort of students each fall semester. Students may opt for the full time or part-time sequence. The full time program can be completed in 2 years (including fall, spring, and summer terms). The part-time sequence can be completed in 3 years. Each course is offered in one of three ways: 1) face-to-face; 2) distance learning (DL); or 3) hybrid. Face-to-face courses meet on UNF campus, typically one night per week, 6:00-8:45pm. DL courses are offered online. Hybrid courses are a combination of the first two methods, with no more than half of classes meeting face-to-face. This format makes the UNF MPH Program very accessible to those working full time while still providing meaningful interaction with faculty and peers.

Program of Study

Degree: Master of Public Health

Major: Community Health

Core Requirements (21 credits)
  • PHC6102 Public Health Policy and Manag (3 Credits)
  • HSC6215 Environmental Health (3 Credits)
  • PHC6000 Epidemiology I (3 Credits)
  • PHC6050 Public Health Biostats I (3 Credits)
  • HSC6603 Soc/Behavior of Public Health (3 Credits)
  • HSC6735 Health Science Research (3 Credits)
  • PHC6103 Public Health Practice (3 Credits)

Concentration: Choose one of two

1. Health Promotion/Health Ed

Concentration Requirements (15 Credits)
  • HSC6585 Hlth Promo/Hlth Edu Strategies (3 Credits)
  • HSC6587 Program Plan Hlth Promo/Edu (3 Credits)
  • HSC6716 Health Program Evaluation (3 Credits)
  • PHC6940 Public Health Capstone (3 Credits)
    • Prerequisite: Completion of or current enrollment in all required MPH courses and permission of the PHC6940 Public Health Capstone Instructor
     
  • PHC6945 Public Health Internship (3 Credits)
    • Prerequisite: PHC6940 and Permission of the Capstone Instructor
     
Major Electives (9 credits)
  • Select 3 courses with an HSA, HSC, or PHC prefix. A list of additional approved electives is posted on the MPH website. Other graduate level courses may be taken with approval of the MPH Program Director.

2. Epidemiology

Concentration Requirements (18 Credits)
  • PHC6011 Epidemiology II (3 Credits)
  • PHC6002 Infectious Disease Epidemiology (3 Credits)
  • PHC6003 Chronic Disease Epidemiology (3 Credits)
  • PHC6051 Public Health Biostatistics II (3 Credits)
  • PHC6940 Public Health Capstone (3 Credits)
    • Prerequisite: Completion of or current enrollment in all required MPH courses and permission of the PHC6940 Public Health Capstone Instructor.
     
  • PHC6945 Public Health Internship (3 Credits)
    • Prerequisite: PHC6940 and Permission of the Capstone Instructor.
     
Major Electives (6 credits)
  • Select 2 courses with an HSA, HSC, or PHC prefix. A list of additional approved electives is posted on the MPH website. Other graduate level courses may be taken with approval of the MPH Program Director.