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2023-2024 University Catalog
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Brooks College of Health Graduate Admission & Degree Requirements

School of Nursing

Department of Health Administration

Department of Public Health

Department of Clinical and Applied Movement Sciences

Department of Physical Therapy

Department of Nutrition

School of Nursing

BSN to DNP Anesthesiology Nursing (DNP)

Nurse Anesthesiology is a clinical specialty track within the School of Nursing. The nurse anesthesiology curriculum is an extremely rigorous academic and clinical undertaking. It consists of a nine-semester continuous program of full-time graduate study. Graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (C.R.N.A.) as well as to obtain the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) credential from the Florida Board of Nursing. This program admits for the spring term.

This program now requires application through the UNF Graduate School as well as through the NursingCAS platform.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the program must meet general University requirements for admission to graduate studies. In order to be considered for the Anesthesiology Nursing track, the interested applicant must meet these additional requirements:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an institution accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor with a nursing curriculum based on AACN's Essentials of Baccalaureate Education (or other appropriate discipline from a regionally accredited institution*)
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from undergraduate nursing major (generally the last 60 hours)
    • 153 verbal, 150 quantitative, and a minimum of 3.5 out of 6 on the essay portion GRE test scores within the last five (5) years
  • A minimum of two (2) years' experience as a Registered Nurse in a critical care setting (resume or CV 1-2 pages in length that includes professional work experience with a brief explanation of each position’s responsibilities)
  • Personal statement of 500 words (1 page only) or less describing one's purpose in seeking admission to the CRNA program and preparations made for such academic studies (typewritten in no smaller than 12pt font with 1” margins)
  • Current licensure as a Registered Nurse; out-of-state applicants will need to obtain FL licensure as a RN or have a license that is from a compact state upon admission to the program (copy of actual RN license)
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation addressed to the NAP Selection Committee (but submitted to the Graduate School) from individuals qualified to render an opinion regarding your qualification to undertake the study of anesthesia and nursing at the graduate level
  • Admission Interview

Applicants who have met the minimum admission requirements may be invited for an interview. Applicants will not be admitted without an interview.

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BSN-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP)

The purpose of the BSN-DNP Family Nurse program is to prepare family care nurse practitioners to become skilled in meeting healthcare needs of individuals and families across the lifespan. Family nurse practitioners concern their practice with the treatment of common, uncomplicated problems and the prevention of disease and disability. Program graduates will be eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner certification examinations. Graduates will also be eligible for licensure as Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners by the Florida Board of Nursing.

The School of Nursing offers full- and part-time enrollment in this track. The Program-of-Study reflects the full-time option; please contact the program for information regarding the part-time track.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the BSN-DNP FNP track must meet general University requirements for admission to graduate studies. In order to be considered for the Family Nurse Practitioner track, the interested applicant must meet these additional requirements:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an institution accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor with a nursing curriculum based on AACN's Essentials of Baccalaureate Education
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from undergraduate nursing major (generally the last 60 hours)  
  • One (1) year experience as a Registered Nurse in a clinical setting (resume no longer than 2 pages in length to only include professional RN work experience with a brief explanation of each position's responsibilities, indication if the position was FT or PT, & an estimate of the hours worked overall in the position).
  • Clear and active licensure as a Registered Nurse in Florida; out-of-state applicants will need to obtain FL licensure as a RN upon admission to the program (copy of actual RN license)
  • An interview may be requested of the applicant at the discretion of the program

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BSN to MSN Nursing Education

The purpose of this Master of Science in Nursing Education is to prepare nurses at the graduate level for the role of nurse educator in the academic or clinical setting. This program will provide learners with the teaching and research skills necessary to effectively lead students, clinical staff, and patients in various settings. The curriculum integrates core graduate level concepts such as patient safety and research with advanced clinical concepts and evidence-based pedagogy to prepare nurses for roles in education within the community, college settings or healthcare agencies. The program curriculum includes all nurse educator competencies to prepare students to obtain Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credentials upon graduation (must meet NLN eligibility criteria).

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the BSN-MSN Nursing Education track must meet general University requirements for admission to graduate studies. In order to be considered for the Nursing Education track, the interested applicant must meet these additional requirements:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an institution accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor with a nursing curriculum based on AACN's Essentials of Baccalaureate Education  
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from undergraduate nursing major (generally the last 60 hours)
  • One (1) years' experience as a Registered Nurse in a clinical setting (resume no longer than 2 pages in length to only include professional RN work experience with a brief explanation of each position's responsibilities, indication if the position was FT or PT, & an estimate of the hours worked overall in that position)
  • Clear and active licensure as a Registered Nurse in FL; out-of-state applicants will need to obtain FL licensure as a RN upon admission to the program (copy of actual RN license required)
  • An interview may be requested of the applicant at the discretion of the program  

For assistance with self-uploads of materials, please contact the UNF Graduate School at (904) 620-1360.

 

BSN to MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration

The purpose of this Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Administration is to prepare nurses at the graduate level to successfully manage and lead healthcare services across a variety of settings. Graduates will be equipped with the skills to incorporate evidence-based knowledge into practice to improve healthcare outcomes in response to emerging trends and issues in practice and health care. The curriculum builds on leadership, evaluation, and organizational management methods to improve healthcare delivery in today’s complex care settings. Graduates are prepared with the requisite knowledge to take the ANCC Nurse Executive certification exam upon graduation (must meet ANCC eligibility criteria).

 

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the BSN-MSN Nursing Leadership & Administration track must meet general University requirements for admission to graduate studies. In order to be considered for the Leadership track, the interested applicant must meet these additional requirements:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an institution accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor with a nursing curriculum based on AACN's Essentials of Baccalaureate Education
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from undergraduate nursing major (generally the last 60 hours)
  • One (1) years' experience as a Registered Nurse in a clinical setting (resume no longer than 2 pages in length to only include professional RN work experience with a brief explanation of each position's responsibilities, indication if the position was FT or PT, & an estimate of the hours worked overall in that position)
  • Clear and active licensure as a Registered Nurse in FL; out-of-state applicants will need to obtain FL licensure as a RN upon admission to the program (copy of actual RN license required)
  • An interview may be requested of the applicant at the discretion of the program  

For assistance with self-uploads of materials, please contact the UNF Graduate School at (904) 620-1360.

Post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (Generic)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) generic track is a post-professional degree that prepares nurses at the highest level of practice. The 48-credit program includes a clinical residency as well as a nursing doctoral project. The purpose of the program is to enhance the preparation of advanced practice nurses by giving them the cutting-edge skills and education necessary to engage in an evidence-based practice while conducting research related to their practice. The program has specific admission requirements above and beyond the ones currently required by the university.

Admission Requirements

The post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of North Florida is designed as a program for those who already possess, at a minimum, a Master of Science in Nursing and specialty certification. This program is only offered in online format.

The program will require specific admission requirements above and beyond the ones currently required by the University. Admission requirements for the Post-MSN DNP track include:

  • Masters degree in Nursing from an institution accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor and program accredited by the ACEN (formerly NLNAC) or CCNE
  • Active national certification** in one of the following roles: CNM, CNS, CRNA, or NP (copy of actual certificate showing expiration date is required) for the practice track of this degree program (certification is not required from MSNs seeking the administrative track of this degree program);
  • Minimum graduate GPA of 3.30;
  • Current licensure as a Registered Nurse or advanced practice registered nurse in the candidate's state of practice (copy of actual licensure is required);
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae of all nursing roles/experiences
  • *International graduate education in Nursing may be considered; however, transcripts must be submitted as official course-by-course foreign college evaluations from an approved U.S. agency such as World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates. For a full list of approved evaluation agencies, please contact the Graduate School directly.**Additional supplemental items must be provided in English.

Post-MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP

The post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice PMHNP DNP program at the University of North Florida is designed as a program for those who already possess, at a minimum, a Master of Science in Nursing and are certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who wish to obtain their DNP and become certified as a PMHNP. This program will lead to the completion of a Doctor of Nursing Practice. This program is completed online.

Admission Requirements

The track will require specific admission requirements above and beyond the ones currently required by the University. Admission requirements for the Post-MSN PMHNP DNP track include:

  • Masters degree in Nursing from an institution accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor and program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN (formerly NLNAC);
  • Active national certification as a nurse practitioner (copy of actual certification showing expiration date is required). We will also accept applications from those nationally certified as a CNM, CNS, or CRNA with a B or better in graduate-level coursework for pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and assessment;
  • Minimum graduate GPA of 3.50;
  • Current licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the candidate's state of practice (copy of actual licensure showing expiration date is required);
  • 2,000 hours in clinical practice as a licensed nurse practitioner (1 year full-time experience);
  • Current resume or curriculum vitae of all nursing roles/experiences;
    • Describe your future career plans and how UNF's PMHNP program will help you achieve those career goals;
    • Describe the changes you will make in your personal and professional lives to ensure success in the program given its rigor as a graduate track;
    • Identify one significant contemporary mental health-related issue or problem in U.S. healthcare and explore how members of the nursing profession can help address that issue or solve that problem; and,Entrance essay in APA format not to exceed 500 words to address each of the following areas:
  • Admission interview.

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Department of Health Administration

Master of Health Administration

UNF's Master of Health Administration Program, accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management (CAME), develops early-career individuals in the southeast United States to serve as effective managers and leaders in health services organizations. This is achieved by offering full and part-time students the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for success in entry-level health management positions. The Program's focus reflects the University's mission of excellence in education, scholarship and community-based service. Our 45-credit-hour program includes a combination of classroom instruction and real-world experience; providing students the opportunity to learn and interact with some of the southeast's largest health care organizations. To accommodate student schedules, courses are offered in the evenings from 6:00-8:45pm. Graduates are typically employed in hospitals, integrated delivery systems, academic medical centers, physician practices, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient care centers, and insurance companies.

Admission Criteria

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. No specific undergraduate major is required. However, applicants must have met prerequisite course requirements. Prerequisite coursework includes: Principles of Financial Accounting and Statistics, or their equivalent. Additionally, students are expected to be proficient in word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Each applicant must submit the following:  

  • Personal Statement: This is a brief essay (2-3 pages) outlining the candidate's reasons for pursuing graduate education in health administration, career objectives, and any other information he or she would want the UNF MHA Admission Committee to know.
  • Resume: Education and work background; honors; memberships in professional, school, and service organizations; etc.
  • Letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation that address the following: 1) Characteristics that make you an ideal candidate for the UNF MHA Program, and 2) How the MHA degree will help you achieve your career goals.
  • Undergraduate Transcripts: An official transcript, indicating graduation from a college or university that has been accredited by a recognized U.S. accrediting organization. Competitive candidates should have at least a 3.0 grade point average in all undergraduate upper division work. However, the Admission Committee may consider the entire application for admission.
  • GRE Waiver Option: Applicants that feel they qualify for one of the waiver options below will need to email the Graduate Program Director at applyhma@unf.edu with a statement identifying how you qualify for a GRE waiver. If approved for a waiver, the Graduate Program Director will notify the Graduate School. GRE waiver options:
    • Applicants with an earned bachelor's from a US accredited institution with at least a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 credit hours from an accepted institutional accreditor.
    • Applicants who have earned a B or better in three (3) quantitative-based courses from a U.S. accredited institution. Examples include Statistics, Accounting, Finance, Chemistry, and Biology courses from an accepted institutional accreditor.
    • Applicants with an earned advanced degree (defined as a Master Degree at the minimum) from an accepted institutional accreditor.
     
  • Applicants not qualifying for a GRE waiver may be admitted based upon a composite score consisting of an index formula that includes both the last 60 undergraduate hours GPA, and test score (taken within the last 5 years) from either GRE (minimum of 300) or GMAT (minimum of a 470). Based upon an evaluation of the applicants' transcripts, the UNF MHA Program will determine the accepted student's program of study.
  • The appropriate formulaic score for admission is as follows:
    • GRE: (200 x GPA) + GRE total score = 900 or higher
    • GMAT: (200 x GPA*) + GMAT total score = 1070 or higher
     
  • Minimum TOEFL Score: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language, or for an applicant whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution must meet University requirements for scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 500 paper-based (61 internet-based) is required.
  • The UNF MHA Program embraces holistic admission practices by considering multiple sources of information when making an admission decision, including a statement of interest, recommendation letters, academic transcripts and test scores. All admission materials are reviewed and while no one item is determined to be the sole indicator of academic potential, the Committee will focus on the academic rigor of an applicant’s curriculum and their ability to successfully convey that they are prepared for graduate education. Admission decisions are made based on evaluation of all admission materials. Applicants are assessed primarily by a critical evaluation of their demonstrated academic ability and potential. Consideration is given to candidates who can effectively communicate their motivation for earning their MHA and their leadership potential in the field of healthcare administration.

Master of Health Administration

UNF's Executive Masters in Health Administration is uniquely designed to focus on the academic and leadership imperatives that enable highly talented mid-career professionals to excel in our rapidly changing health care delivery environment. Our 30 credit-hour program provides contextual and leading-edge concepts to provide you with the critical-thinking skill-sets and necessary competencies to succeed in complex and challenging business situations.

To accommodate the unique needs of working student, our courses are offered online. Graduates are typically employed in hospitals, large integrated delivery systems, academic medical centers, physician practices, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient care centers, and insurance companies, medical devices and supply companies and other healthcare related industries.

Admission Criteria

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. No specific undergraduate major is required.

Each applicant must submit the following:  

  • Healthcare experience.
  • Currently employed in the health or human services field and have, or expect to have, managerial or supervisory experience.
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Allowances may be made when justified by exceptional work experience and letters of recommendation.
  • Letter of Interest.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation.

Master of Science in Health Informatics

UNF's Master of Science in Health Informatics is designed to prepare individuals for careers that intersect between healthcare delivery, information technology, and health information and analytics. This 33-credit-hour program is primarily online, with an annual workshop on the UNF campus that provides students the opportunity to learn the latest trends in health informatics and network with leaders in this industry. The exponential growth of technology and the availability of health data over the last several years has created a significant demand for jobs that require the application of healthcare data to inform health and medical practices. The job prospects for students in health informatics is extremely promising. Students will be able to pursue careers working with health data, electronic health records, clinical systems, health information standards including privacy, and medical coding applications.

Admission Criteria

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any of the following areas of study:  a) a clinical discipline such as nursing, medicine, nutrition, health science, laboratory science, pharmacy, or physical therapy; b) computer science, information technology, information management, or data science/analytics; or c) business, health administration, or related degree.  Prerequisites include undergraduate courses in statistics (UNF equivalent STA 2023 or STA 2014), basic computing (UNF equivalent CGS 1570, CGS 1100), general business such as management or marketing (UNF equivalent MAN 3025, MAR 3203), and a medical terminology course for applicants with non-clinical undergraduate degrees (UNF equivalent HSA 2530).  Students are expected to be proficient in word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Each applicant must submit the following:  

  • Personal Statement: This is a brief essay (2-3 pages) outlining the candidate's reasons for pursuing graduate education in health informatics, career objectives, and any other information he or she would want the UNF Health Informatics Admission Committee to know.   
  • Resume: Education and work background; honors; memberships in professional, school, and service organizations; etc.  
  • Letters of recommendation: Two letters of recommendation that address the following: 1) Characteristics that make you an ideal candidate for the UNF Master of Health Informatics Program, and 2) How a degree in Health Informatics will help you achieve your career goals.     
  • Undergraduate Transcripts: An official transcript, indicating graduation from a college or university that has been accredited by a recognized U.S. accrediting organization. Competitive candidates should have at least a 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 credits of undergraduate upper division work. However, the Admission Committee may consider the entire application for admission.   
  • Minimum TOEFL Score: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language, or for an applicant whose bachelor’s degree is not from an accredited U.S. institution, must meet University requirements for scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 500 paper-based (61 internet-based) is required.
  • Admission decisions are made based on evaluation of all admission materials. Applicants are assessed primarily by a critical evaluation of their demonstrated academic ability and potential. Consideration is given to candidates who can effectively communicate their motivation for earning an MS in Health Informatics and their potential in the field of health informatics.

Department of Public Health

Master of Public Health Program

The MPH Program 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; in conducting public health related research; or advocating for public health policy. The UNF MPH Program is aligned with the Council on Education for Public Health’s (CEPH) 22 Foundational Competencies and offers concentrations in Epidemiology and Social & Behavioral Science. 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, or work site wellness programs.

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).

The UNF MPH program is hybrid and requires approximately 50% face-to-face instruction and 50% online instruction. Students spend approximately 1-2 evenings per week in class. This format makes the Program very accessible to those working full time while still providing meaningful interaction with faculty and peers. The full-time program can be completed in 2 years and the part-time in 3 years (fall, spring, and summer terms).

Admissions Process

MPH Program admissions are handled by the UNF Graduate School. The UNF MPH Program only accepts applications for the fall term of each year. The following information must be submitted to the UNF Graduate School by the published deadline.

Admission Criteria

Minimum admissions requirements for the MPH Program are listed below. Each student shall submit:

  • Official transcripts from all attended institutions documenting a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from a foreign institution with a GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale or higher on all work attempted as an upper division undergraduate student (normally the last 60 hours) and any graduate level work or degree.
  • GRE test scores (verbal and quantitative) dated within the past five years. Other standardized exams will not be accepted in lieu of the GRE
  • Letter of intent describing: 
    • reasons for seeking an MPH degree;
    • short and long-term goals; and
    • what makes you a great candidate for our program.
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendations

NOTE: Students should be aware that admission into any graduate program is granted on a competitive basis. Students meeting minimum requirements may be denied admission based on such factors as program capacity or academic discretion. Likewise, students may be considered for admission as an exception if stated admissions criteria are not met.

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Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree program is designed to provide comprehensive training for individuals who wish to facilitate counseling with diverse populations in a variety of mental health settings. This program provides students with an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment, which encompasses academic rigor and promotes excellence, ethical and professional integrity, and effective interpersonal communication and therapeutic skills. Curricular experiences include opportunities to explore the life span and social and cultural foundations of behavior; practice empirically supported psychotherapeutic and diagnostic skills; engage in personal growth and self-care; and complete extensive clinical field experiences in order to apply knowledge and skills in professional settings. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates have received the necessary course work to apply for the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential in the state of Florida.

Admission Criteria

All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. No specific undergraduate major is required.

Each applicant must submit the following:

  • Complete the UNF online application for graduate admission.
  • Pay the UNF $30 application fee.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended. A GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale or higher on all work attempted as an upper division undergraduate student (normally the last 60 hours) and any graduate level work or degree is required. Admission into the CMHC program is competitive and often exceeds the minimum GPA requirement.
  • Letter of Intent: Your responses should be typewritten, double spaced,12-point font, and should not exceed 3 pages: (1) What motivates you to pursue a degree in clinical mental health counseling at UNF? (2) Describe your work and/or volunteer experiences in a helping role (3) What are your short-term and long-term educational, research, and professional goals?
  • Resume: Your professional resume should summarize your education, employment, and volunteer work history related to mental health counseling, research activities, and any counseling-related presentations, or poster sessions you have facilitated at professional conferences.
  • Three references are required. References consist of completion of a required brief applicant rating form with the option of submitting a letter. It is preferable to have at least one reference from a current or previous professor. Other references can be from counseling professionals, employers, supervisors, or an individual who can recommend your suitability for graduate study and for the profession of clinical mental health counseling.

**An interview is also required. On-site interviews are preferred; however, video conferencing or telephone interviews may be conducted for applicants living outside of the greater Jacksonville area.

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Department of Clinical and Applied Movement Sciences

Master of Science in Health: Kinesiology and Lifestyle Medicine

The Master of Science in Health (MSH) in Kinesiology and Lifestyle Medicine (KALM) is a life sciences degree that integrates an evidenced-based curriculum in an applied research environment. Students pursuing the MSH in KALM are required to take 11 core courses in exercise physiology, epidemiology, biostatistics, research methods, and behavioral medicine for a total of 33 credits hours. The remaining credits will be satisfied with either a three or six credit internship/project or six credit thesis option. Elective coursework is available for students who choose the three credit internship/project option in the areas of strength and conditioning, epidemiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nutrition and ethics. Students must declare a thesis or non-thesis option upon acceptance in to the program. The MSH in KALM requires the completion of 39 graduate credit hours and should be completed in two years.

The MSH in KALM curriculum will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work and provide leadership in the areas of health and fitness, preventive medicine, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, diabetes education, strength and conditioning, lifestyle coaching, and clinical research. Thesis option students will begin preparation towards becoming independent investigators by developing the skills necessary to conduct original research. Thesis option students may be exposed to both primary data collection (human subjects) and secondary data analysis (existing data sets). Students planning on pursuing a terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D.) are strongly encouraged to pursue the thesis option. Thesis option students will be accepted each fall on a competitive basis and contingent upon graduate assistantship funding. Students are encouraged to sit for the national certifications offered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). The internship option culminates in a 150 or 300-hour experiential internship working under the direct supervision of a graduate degreed professional in fields including Exercise Physiology/Kinesiology, Epidemiology, Public Health and Medicine.

Admission Criteria  

UNF admits 15-20 students into the MSH in KALM program each fall semester. To be considered for admission, students must apply to the program by August 1st (postmark) of the year for which they wish to be admitted. Prior to enrolling in MSH courses, students must have the following credentials:

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of North Florida. The MSH program does not require a specific undergraduate major. Applicants who apply while still enrolled in an undergraduate degree program will be admitted contingent upon successful completion of the bachelors’ degree and prerequisite coursework prior to enrolling in graduate courses.
  • Completion of all prerequisite courses. Applicants who apply while still enrolled in prerequisite courses will be admitted contingent upon successful completion of all courses.
  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher in the last 60 semester hours taken during the last two years of undergraduate study.
  • Interview with MSH Program Director. Telephone or Zoom interviews are options for applicants who are not able to come to the UNF campus; however, visiting the campus for an in-person interview is encouraged.

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Master of Science in Athletic Training

The Department of Clinical & Applied Movement Sciences (CAMS) offers a Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT). This degree program offers a challenging pathway for post-baccalaureate students to pursue a career in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and conditions among patients and athletes. The MSAT program will prepare students for the Board of Certification Examination to become a Certified Athletic Trainer. The UNF MSAT program provides students the opportunity to gain valuable clinical experience in a variety of settings, including secondary school, college/university, professional, clinic, and industrial.

Admission Criteria

Students with a bachelor's degree in any academic area and meet the admission requirements below may be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT). Admitted students will begin classes during the Summer B semester.

The admissions requirements are as follows:

  1. A bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by an acceptable institutional accreditor.
  2. A minimum of a 3.0 overall GPA in undergraduate coursework. Students must complete all prerequisite courses prior to successfully matriculating through the MSAT. Failure to submit final transcripts by June 30th will result in dismissal from the MSAT.
  3. GRE recommended but not required. GRE Institution Code: 5490
  4. Meet the technical standards for admission (Technical Standards Form).
  5. 50 hours of observational experience under the supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer (UNF Athletic Training Observation Form).
  6. Three (3) letters of recommendation. One letter of recommendation must be from an Athletic Trainer who supervised you during your observational experience.
  7. Personal statement describing prior experiences, accomplishments, and career goals.
  8. Interview (on campus preferred) with the UNF Athletic Training Faculty.

Prerequisite Courses (35 semester credit hours)
The requirements listed below are prerequisites for the MSAT. Course numbers listed below are for courses in the Florida State University System. Any substitutions to these requirements are made at the time of evaluation for admission into the MSAT program. Applicants must demonstrate completion with a minimum grade of “C” at the undergraduate or graduate levels in each of the following courses:

  • CHM 2045/2045L General Chemistry I with Lab
  • PHY 1028/1028L Introductions to Physics with Lab
  • BSC 2085C Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
  • BSC 2086C Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
  • BSC 1010C General Biology I with Lab
  • PSY 2012 Introduction to Psychology
  • PET 3312C Biomechanics or PET 3310 Kinesiology
  • HSC4612 Exercise Physiology for Health Science
  • HUN2201 Basic Prin Human Nutrition
  • STA2014 or STA2023 (GM) Elem Statistics for Health & Social Sciences or Business

How to Apply
Applicants should follow each of the steps below:

  1. Application submitted through ATCAS ($93 for first application, $55 for each additional program).
  2. Application and admission to UNF ($30 Non-refundable application fee). If you are a current UNF student, you can complete the Express Application.
  3. Submit hard copy, official, sealed transcripts from all institutions at which you were ever enrolled (this includes AP, CLEP, IB, dual enrollment, transient enrollment, military, and foreign transcripts) to the Graduate School at the following address: University of North Florida, Attn: Graduate School, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224. Institutions can submit transcripts via email to the graduate school (graduateschool@unf.edu) from an approved vendor such as ScriptSafe, Credentials, or Parchment.

*Applicants who do not complete both UNF Graduate School and ATCAS applications will be disqualified. You are required to submit all transcripts to BOTH locations as the systems are completely separate.
*The receipt of materials submitted to the UNF Graduate School may be confirmed online in the myWings student portal or with the Graduate School at (904) 620-1360.

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Department of Physical Therapy

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who work with individuals in preventing, evaluating, and treating physical dysfunction and injury. An understanding of human movement serves as the foundation for the practice of physical therapy.

The DPT program at UNF provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to become generalist practitioners of the highest caliber. Physical therapists are graduates of an accredited physical therapy program who have passed a licensure examination. UNF's DPT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and graduates are eligible to take the national licensure examination. The professional curriculum, all of which takes place at the doctoral level, consists of approximately 104 credit hours taken over eight semesters. Applicants must comply with all requirements and procedures of the University of North Florida related to admission to graduate level programs.

The number of students admitted each year will be determined by the Brooks College of Health in consultation with DPT faculty and with consideration given to the resources available to the program, the quality and size of the applicant pool, and current market conditions. Students who meet minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program. Normally, 30 students will be admitted to the program each year for the fall semester.

Admission Requirements

Below you will find the basic requirements for admission to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) at the University of North Florida (UNF). Please note that satisfaction of the below factors does not guarantee an interview or admission to the program as the application process is highly competitive. Only applicants meeting the following requirements will be considered for admission:

  • Application
    • Completion of PTCAS application is required to be considered for admission. All required documents must be sent by the application deadline. We are not responsible for receiving and processing times so please plan accordingly. Go to  PTCAS Application website for additional information.
    • Applicants who are admitted into the UNF DPT program will also be required to complete an admissions process with the UNF Graduate School to enroll. Information on how to complete this process will be provided upon acceptance into the DPT program.
  • Degree
    • A baccalaureate degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited college or university.
    • All official transcripts must be received by PTCAS for grade verification by the application deadline.
  • GPA
    • 3.0 Cumulative GPA or higher for all terms consisting of the last 60 credit hours of degree-earning course work (undergraduate and/or graduate) is required to be considered eligible for admission.
    • 3.0 Cumulative GPA or higher in all work attempted toward UNF DPT Science Prerequisite Courses is required to be considered eligible for admission.
    • 3.0 Cumulative GPA or higher in all work attempted toward UNF DPT Non-Science Prerequisite Courses is required to be considered eligible for admission.
    • Please note that all attempts at a prerequisite course will be averaged together when calculating the prerequisite GPA score.
  • GRE
    • An AnalyticalWriting Score of 3.5 of higher is required to be considered eligible for admission.
    • GRE test scores must be within 5 years of application submission.
    • GRE General Test scores, including the analytical writing portion, are required to be sent directly to PTCAS. GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code 0994.
    • GRE scores must be received by PTCAS prior to the application deadline. Please take this into consideration when selecting your test date as it can take a minimum of 14 days for GRE scores to be received by the recipient institution. We strongly recommend you take the GRE no later than October of the year you plan to apply. Consult ETS (the testing agency administering the GRE) on the frequency limits of testing.
    • UNF DPT does not super-score the GRE.
    • Competitive Verbal and Quantitative scores are generally in the 151 range. There is no minimum for these sections.
  • Observation Hours
    • It is highly recommended that aminimum of 40 hours of observation under the direct supervision of physical therapists be completed before the application deadline. It is recommended hours be in at least three types of settings.
    • Verification of observation hours should be submitted directly to PTCAS.
    • UNF DPT does not have a specific document to be signed for observation hours. Any verification documentation provided by the organization you are conducting observation hours with should be sufficient and will need to be uploaded to your PTCAS application.
  • Recommendation Letters
    • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation are required using the PTCAS recommendation forms and should be submitted through the PTCAS evaluation system.                
    • Recommendation letters should come from the following individuals: 
      • At least one (1) from a Course Instructor/Professor/Assistant Professor/Associate Professor in your major and identify the associated course you took.
      • It is preferred if the letter comes from your instructor in one of the following courses: Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
      • At least one (1) from a Licensed Physical Therapist with whom you did Observation Hours. 
    • Letters of recommendation are subject to our application deadline. Give your recommenders plenty of time to write and post the letter.  We recommend you start working on this in the summer and ask for the letter to be submitted at least 2 weeks before the deadline.
    • Make sure you communicate to your recommenders that they need to respond to the following questions in the "Evaluator Information" section:
      • Evaluator Detail Occupation
      • Select the role that best describes your primary action with the applicant.
      • If the evaluator is any type of instructor (see acceptable categories above), they must include either the course title or course # in the space for "If you selected 'Professor' or 'Professor in Major'; above, list all courses in which you have had the applicant." It is also a good idea for evaluators to reference the course in their actual letter.
      • If the evaluator answers 'yes' to, "Are you a licensed Physical Therapist?", they need to enter their PT licensure number in the space provided.
    • Essential Functions
      • Applicants are required to have the ability to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, each of the physical therapy essential functions in order to fully participate in the program and successfully complete the degree requirements.
    • Interview
      • An interview may be required for competitive candidates. Candidates selected for an interview will be assigned by the admissions chair.
    • Prerequisite Course Work
      • Completion of all prerequisite coursework must be within 7 years prior to application.
      • We will accept online coursework from any 2 or 4 year U.S institution accredited by an accepted institutional accreditor, however we STRONGLY RECOMMEND completing science and lab courses in-person and at a 4 year university.
      • Applications with pending (in-progress) prerequisite course work will be accepted under the following conditions:
        • No more than three (3) UNF DPT Prerequisite Courses can be pending (in-progress or to be taken in upcoming term) at the time of application with no more than two (2) of the pending (in-progress) courses coming from the UNF DPT Science Prerequisites.
        • Applicants who apply while still enrolled or plan to enroll in prerequisite courses may be admitted contingent upon successful completion of all courses with a grade of B or higher in each course (a grade of a B- is not acceptable).
      • All prerequisites must be completed, and final transcripts received prior to the start date of the DPT program, if admitted.
      • Introduction courses are not accepted in place of any Science Prerequisite Courses.
      • We only accept Test Credits toward the first sequence prerequisite courses.
      • Courses need to be taken within the department of the corresponding prefix.
      • It is strongly encouraged to take courses of a sequence at the same institution.  

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission, students must submit all application materials following the below steps by the application deadline (received by) listed on the Important Dates page. We are not responsible for receiving and processing times so please plan accordingly.

Applicants should follow each of the steps below: 

  • Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) Application
    • Complete the PTCAS application and submit the application fee at ptcas.org.
    • Submit all necessary items/documentation directly to PTCAS. Materials submitted to PTCAS may be confirmed online at ptcas.org. 
    • Submit official transcripts from all institutions at which you were ever enrolled (this includes AP, CLEP, IB, dual enrollment, grade forgiveness, transient enrollment, military, and foreign transcripts)to the PTCAS application.
    • Submit official GRE scores to PTCAS; scores are only kept by ETS for a 5-year period. GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code 0994.
    • Submit Two (2) Letters of Recommendation using the PTCAS recommendation forms. These should be submitted to PTCAS.   
    • Submit Observation Hours verification documentation provided by the organization to PTCAS.
  • If you are having issues uploading materials to PTCAS you will need to reach out to PTCAS Applicant Customer Support. You can reach them via phone or email: (617) 612-2040 or Ptcasinfo@ptcas.org
  • PTCAS material checklist:
    • All official college transcripts
    • Official GRE scores
    • 2 Letters of Recommendation
    • 40 Observation hours (highly recommended)

Applicants who do not complete the PTCAS application will be disqualified.

All required documentation listed above must be submitted to PTCAS by the application deadline. 

Official GRE Scores should be submitted in applicants PTCAS application using GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code is 0994.

Do not submit any materials directly to the UNF DPT program unless specifically directed to do so. Official transcripts sent here or to PTAdmissions@unf.edu will not be reviewed. 

Be aware electronic submissions of information are not instantaneous and can often take 48 hours to populate.

The following are exceptions to admission requirements due to COVID-19:

  • Pass/Fail coursework: Prerequisites for the DPT program taken as pass/fail during the Spring, Fall, Summer 2020 and/or 2021 semesters will be accepted and will not negatively impact admissions decisions for prospective students.
  • GRE Testing: We will accept scores from GRE testing done remotely or on-site at a testing center.

Important Notice

Applicants who are admitted into the UNF DPT program will also be required to complete an admissions process with the UNF graduate school to enroll. Information on how to complete this process will be provided upon acceptance into the DPT program 

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Department of Nutrition & Dietetics

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship

The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/Dietetic Internship is a face-to-face designed program for those students who can think critically and wish to focus on the application of advanced nutrition knowledge in clinical or community practice. Fifteen students are admitted each fall to this 4-semester, full-time program. The Master of Science and Dietetic Internship program participates in the matching system and uses DICAS online applicant portal. Students must complete both the Master’s Degree and Dietetic Internship experience simultaneously in order to receive a verification statement and be eligible to take the National Registered Dietitian Examination. The Dietetic Internship at the University of North Florida has been granted Accreditation by: The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association: (Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; Phone: 312-899-0040 ext. 5400; Email: ACEND@eatright.org; Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend).

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Professional Studies Option

The online Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Professional Studies option is for Registered Dietitians who wish to pursue graduate training. The program is 35 credit hours and is completely online. Applications for the professional studies concentration are accepted for Fall and Spring starts. The concentration allows students to pursue an independent research project as a culminating experience in their master's program or 6 pre-approved credits through a series of projects, field experience, and independent study courses, respectively.

View admission and program of study degree requirements for the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics Professional Studies program

View graduate application deadlines.

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics/Future Education Model (FEM)

The Future Education Model Graduate Program is a 20-month program that prepares both nutrition major students and non-nutrition major students to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. The program integrates online didactic coursework with 1000 hours of onsite supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice. The program admits 15 students every Fall semester and once the student completes the 44-credit hour program, the student will earn a Master of Science degree and is eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The FEM Graduate Program at the University of North Florida has been granted Accreditation by: The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association: (Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; Phone: 312-899-0040 ext. 5400; Email: ACEND@eatright.org; Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend).

Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition

The Department of Nutrition & Dietetics now offers an online Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN). The DCN program is an advanced practice doctoral program with emphasis on leadership, advanced evidence-based practice, and outcomes-based research. In contrast to a Ph.D. in Nutrition, which is generally focused on bench research, this degree focuses on practice and emphasizes production of applied scholarship and evidence-based outcomes in practice settings. The DCN will prepare practitioners for leadership roles in clinical, community or higher education settings through the course work, advanced practice residency, and dissertation.

Graduates will gain expertise and skills in leadership and public policy, medical nutrition therapy, and outcomes research to become advanced level nutrition and dietetics practitioners and researchers. The curriculum will integrate evidence-based practice in nutrition and dietetics to provide the foundation for completion of an outcomes-based research project. The significance of developing an advanced practice Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition is evident from the increasing prevalence of dietary-related chronic diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, certain cancers, and renal disease). Graduates of the program will be rigorously trained to provide leadership in dietary prevention, intervention, and treatment of chronic disease at the individual and population level.

View admission and degree requirements for the DCN program.

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