Brooks College of Health Graduate Certificates

Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling (AAT-C) consists of 3 courses and provides specialized training and supervised practice in the ethical and humane inclusion of animals in the psychotherapeutic/counseling/social work and/or education environments by credentialed mental health professionals. The curriculum is in alignment with the American Counseling Association (ACA) AAT-C Competencies of Practice and prepares students to meet the criteria for third party certification as an Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist through the Association for Animal Assisted Interaction Professionals (https://www.aaaiponline.org). The AAT-C certificate may be completed by Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) students using the available 9 credits of elective coursework in the CMHC program of study. It is also open to School Counseling, Social Work, Psychological Sciences, and Public Health - Social & Behavioral concentration graduate students and post-graduate mental health, healthcare, and/or education professionals for whom motivational interviewing, counseling, or psychotherapy is part of their regular scope of practice.

Students who complete the UNF Graduate Certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling will be able to:

• Interpret and apply the ACA AAT-C Competencies (ACA Competencies) to practice in the community mental health, healthcare, and/or education settings.
• Articulate processes necessary to gain species-specific registrations needed for ethical practice.
• Meet the education and basic knowledge criteria for certification as an Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist with completion of the exam and portfolio requirements listed on the Associate for Animal Assisted Interaction professionals (AAAIP) website.
• Meet the educational requirements to achieve certification as a PATH International Equine Specialist in the.  Mental Health and Learning with completion of the exams, horsemanship skills test, and portfolio requirements (PATH ESMHL)
• Classify animal welfare risks inherent in the utilization of animals in mental health/education settings.
• Analyze attitudes, beliefs and acculturative experiences through experiential learning actives that foster student understanding of self, counselor identity and ethical practice especially with culturally diverse clients.
• Demonstrate ethical AAT-C practice congruent with identified evidence-based theories of counseling for assessment and interventions for treatment, education, personal growth, and wellness.

Admissions Requirements

All application materials must be submitted to the UNF Graduate School.

New UNF CMHC, MSW, School Counseling, Psychological Sciences, Public Health - Social & Behavioral program applicants:

• Meet all admissions requirements as outlined on the CMHC website, M.Ed. School Counseling website, MPS website, MPH - Social & Behavioral website.
• • Interest in the field of Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling
  • Experience in working with animals, human-animal bond and/or the inclusion of animals and/or nature in healthcare or education
  • Expectations for professional use of Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling CertificateSubmit a 1-2 page essay that addresses the following

Current CMHC, School Counseling, Social Work or Psychology graduate students:

• Submit a 1-2 page essay as described above
• Complete change of major form from your current program director approving the addition of the AAT-C Certificate to your program of study.

Post-graduate community health/mental healthcare providers:

• Meet all admission requirements of The Graduate School as outlined below:
• Submit a 1-2 page essay as described above
• Submit a copy of your current Curriculum Vitae
• One professional letter of recommendation

Applied Public Health & Medical Education Research Certificate

This 15-credit (5 courses) Graduate Certificate in Applied Public Health and Medical Education Research aims to improve the understanding and skills of medical education faculty allowing them to blend public health, research and teaching. Courses are selected based on individual needs addressing topics such as formulating research questions and designing studies, measuring health and educational outcomes with reliability and validity, competency-based evaluation, program evaluation and evaluation research, adult learning theory and training, curriculum development and assessment, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. Medical faculty will learn alongside MPH and Education graduate students to apply principles to the healthcare and medical education fields.

Admission Requirements

University requirements:

• UNF admission application and fee
• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or its equivalent from a foreign institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.
• Official transcripts, and foreign evaluations if applicable, from all post-secondary institutions attended.

Program requirements:

• Resume

• This certificate is only open to hospital academic faculty, residents or fellows

Global Health Administration Certificate

The 12 credit Graduate Certificate in Global Health Administration aims to train future global healthcare leaders through an exchange of cultural, clinical, and educational knowledge and skills. It will help students formulate global health services policies, improve quality of care and service delivery within different health systems, plan health programs within diverse cultures, and manage global health programs.

Students who complete the UNF Graduate Certificate in Global Health Administration will be able to:

• Compare and contrast differences in the U. S. Health System and other International Health Systems
• Evaluate global health programs to maximize contributions to effective policy, enhanced practice, and improved health outcomes
• Work effectively within diverse cultural settings and across national and international political landscapes
• Apply leadership theories and a system approach to health services management, including strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation

• A Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from a foreign institution with a GPA of a 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study
• Application and Application to the University by posted deadline (Incomplete applications with outstanding requirements, or those post-marked after the posted deadline, are subject to cancellation. Once an application has been cancelled, the applicant will be required to apply for the next year, or as a graduate non-degree seeking applicant (limitations apply).
• Official transcripts, and foreign evaluations if applicable, from all post-secondary institutions attended.

Global Health Certificate

The 12 credit Graduate Certificate in Global Health aims to improve understanding of topics related to emerging global health issues such as sustainability of food and water resources, disease transmission and management, epidemics, and health care delivery in compromised settings.
Global health is an interdisciplinary field that relies on a broad knowledge base to create innovative solutions to challenging health problems in resource poor settings. This online program provides graduate students an opportunity to complete one required and three elective graduate courses in global health. Electives include discipline specific courses and study abroad opportunities.

Admission Requirements

• UNF admission application
• Application fee
• A baccalaureate degree from an accepted institutional accreditor, or its equivalent from a foreign institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.
• Transcripts, and foreign evaluations if applicable, from all post-secondary institutions attended. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official copies. 

Integrative Behavioral Health Certificate

This 2-year, 18-credit hour post master’s certificate in Integrative Behavioral Health is housed within the Department of Public Health and provides specialized instruction, clinical supervision, and cohort support for emerging community mental health/social work/public health providers seeking advanced practice skills in integrative behavioral health methods to augment their professional practice and prepare for independent practice/licensure as appropriate for their discipline.  This certificate is uniquely tailored to behavioral health providers seeking advanced practice/intervention skills and specialty practice training and supervision incorporating spirituality, creativity, animals, nature, exercise, and nutrition as medicine into traditional clinical practice with a special focus on community mental health and wellness and the unique challenges of serving the needs of those experiencing health disparity.

Program Requirements  

All applicants must meet the admission criteria of the UNF Graduate School and all application materials must be submitted to the UNF Graduate School by the deadline for consideration.

• Personal essay (1-2) pages discussing:
  • Experience and/or interest in integrative and/or interprofessional health and wellness as it relates to mental health,
  • Experience and/or interest in serving those with health disparity in community mental health programs.
  • Explanation of how the certificate will support future educational and career goals
  • Identification of interest in systemic and/or organizational change to improve local, state, and national mental health service delivery.
  • Optional: Address interest in a community mental health fellowship opportunity with participating collaborative partners
• One professional letter of recommendation: 

Special Notes about the Program

• Non-degree seeking students enrolled in certificate programs are NOT eligible for financial aid.
• Current UNF CMHC, Social Work or Public Health students wishing to complete the certificate within their graduate degree program should discuss this with their faculty advisor before the summer semester of their first year. When approved by their program faculty, admission can be completed through a ‘Change of Major’ form without making separate application.
• Accepted students are eligible to apply for a limited number of supported community mental health fellowship opportunities through the JaxPERCH Collaboration. Fellowships, if awarded, provide paid employment, financial support for tuition and fees along with community agency practice in an agency committed to the values and practice standards of Integrative Behavioral Health practices. 
• Application Deadlines:

• • Fall Term: August 1
  • Spring Term: December 1

Interprofessional Certificate in Healthcare Informatics

The 12 credit UNF graduate Interprofessional Certificate in Healthcare Informatics consists of 4 courses from the Brooks College of Health, Coggin College of Business, and the College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction. It was developed by an interdisciplinary faculty group responding to community need identified by focus groups for professionals trained in HIT, community partners and leaders. It is designed for information professionals, clinical personnel and other healthcare personnel who want to increase their knowledge regarding information technology and management of the complex and organization issues which are present in healthcare at the graduate level. The objective of this certificate program is to expose students to modern health IT, including data acquisition and analysis, systems design, data security and decision processing. The UNF graduate Interprofessional certificate in health informatics focuses on electronic medical data generated and stored in healthcare organizations, ITS security and applications. For more information visit the Health Informatics website.

Admissions Requirements

• Application to the University of North Florida (Deadline: August 1 for fall admission)
• Official transcript reflecting a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or its equivalent from a foreign institution in a life science, health science, health administration, business administration, nursing or computing science
• GPA of a 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study
• Current resume
• Brief statement, no more than 250 words, describing your purpose for pursuing a graduate certificate in health informatics and how this certificate will complement your professional goals.

Mental Health Sexology

This 12-credit graduate certificate in Mental Health Sexology is housed within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and provides specialized research training to post-baccalaureate students. This graduate certificate is designed to provide students with the training necessary to knowledgeably and ethically conduct mental health sexological research within whatever field they work. This graduate certificate is research-focused, with students working closely with a member of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling faculty throughout the certificate program.

Program Requirements  

All application materials must be submitted to the UNF Graduate School

• Scientific writing sample:
  • Can be a paper for a course, a published article, or any other work that evidences scientific writing ability
   
• Personal essay1-2 pages discussing:
  • Experience and/or interest in sexual health and wellness and mental health,
  • Experience and/or interest in research activity, and
  • Explanation of how the certificate will support future educational and career goals
  • Mention satisfactorily completion of an undergraduate research course with a grade of B+ or better
   
• One letter of recommendation:
  • Professional
   

Special Notes about the Program

• Non-degree seeking students enrolled in certificate programs are NOT eligible for financial aid.
• Current CMHC students wishing to complete the certificate within their degree program should discuss this with their faculty advisor before the Summer semester of their first year.
• Application Deadlines: Fall Term: August 1 with an approximate enrollment of 6 students

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Certificate track is designed to be a post-MSN non-degree seeking option for those who do not wish to complete the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or may already have a DNP. This track is designed for those who already possess, at a minimum, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), are licensed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), hold national certification as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), and wish to become certified as a PMHNP. The curriculum prepares certificate completers to take the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Across the Lifespan) Certification through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center (ANCC). The objectives build upon those for the masters in nursing program.

Admissions Requirements

The program will require specific admission requirements above and beyond the ones currently required by the University. Admission requirements for the Post-MSN PMHNP Certificate 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); and,
• 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;
• Written essay in APA format not to exceed 500 words and submitted through a separate proctored platform to ensure security and veracity once the application is completed and received; essay to address each of the following areas:
  • 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.

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

Public Health Certificate

The Graduate Public Health Certificate consists of six required courses. The PHC Program prepares participants with a broad understanding of the core areas of public health and skills necessary for public health practice in a wide range of public and private institutions. This certificate is ideal for those students who are working on a master’s degree in another field, but have an interest in or plan to work in a public health setting, or for professionals who are working in the field but do not have a degree in public health. The PHC is offered through the Master of Public Health (MPH) program. MPH faculty teach the required PHC courses, and students take courses along with MPH students. The UNF MPH Program is nationally accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

The PHC Program admits one cohort of students each fall semester. The full-time program can be completed in 1.5 years and the part time in 2 years. The 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 UNF PHC Program very accessible to those working full time while still providing meaningful interaction with faculty and peers.

Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in any field may be accepted into the PHC Program; there are no pre-requisites. Acceptance into the PHC Program is dependent on student eligibility and space in the program. Students who have graduated from the MPH Program or are enrolled in the MPH Program are not eligible to earn the Certificate. All courses for the Certificate must be completed at the University of North Florida.

Admissions Process

PHC Program admissions are handled by the UNF Graduate School (http://www.unf.edu/apply/). The UNF PHC Program only considers applications for new students for the fall term of each year. The following information must be submitted to the UNF Graduate School by the published deadline.

Admissions Requirements

• UNF admission application
• Application fee
• A baccalaureate degree from an accepted institutional accreditor, or its equivalent from a foreign institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.