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Public Health Certificate

Overview

The Graduate Public Health Certificate (PHC) 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 ½ 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.

Special Note

Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid. Please visit the Department of Financial Aid for more information regarding eligibility.

Program Contact

Dr. Elissa Barr

Graduate Program Director
Professor/Chair
Building 39, Room 4034
(904) 620-1479

Application Deadlines

Fall August 1 

Application Options

New to UNF or not, apply today!

 

Admission Requirements

The below Program Requirements, University Requirements, and International Applicant Requirements*, if applicable, must be submitted no later than the deadline posted above. Incomplete applications or those with required materials post-marked after the deadline are subject to cancellation. Once an application has been canceled, the decision cannot be reversed.

*International students must be fully admitted to a full-time, on-campus, in-person, degree-seeking program at the University of North Florida. Please contact the International Center for more information.

  • Application and Application Fee

    All applicants are required to use our online system to create an account and submit an application. The application opens approximately one year in advance and is only good for the term and program in which it is submitted. Applicants who have submitted their application and wish to change their admission term or major/concentration should contact us.

    A $30 (USD) application fee is required regardless of previous enrollment. The application fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived. Undergraduate application fees cannot be used for a graduate application, and vise versa. The application fee must be submitted prior to the review of an application.
  • College Transcripts

    All applicants must provide transcripts from a U.S. institution accredited by an accepted institutional accreditor or its equivalent from a non-US institution that awarded the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, if applicable, and transcripts from institutions where any post-baccalaureate and/or graduate credits were earned.

    All international transcripts will require a course-by-course evaluation by an approved third-party credential evaluation agency unless a graduate program has established an alternative credential evaluation procedure that is approved by the graduate school. To be accepted, the evaluation must be:

    1. Translated to English and be the U.S. equivalent
    2. Evaluated course-by-course
    3. Include the overall academic GPA
    4. Be from an approved third-party accredited evaluation service. Recommended evaluation agencies: 
    Important Notes
    • The UNF Graduate School cannot request transcripts on an applicants behalf.
    • Unofficial transcript copies are accepted for admissions but must clearly state the institution name, student name, course information, terms, grades, and credits. Degree audits are not accepted. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official transcripts. 
    • If currently enrolled in courses, an incomplete transcript must be submitted before the posted deadline. 
    • Applicants who also have to apply through systems such as ATCAS or PTCAS, must submit separate transcripts to UNF. 
    • When requesting college transcripts, please verify with your institution(s) whether or not they are able to submit electronic transcripts in the proper EDI format. Institutions can submit transcripts via e-mail to graduateschool@unf.edu from an approved vendor such as ScriptSafe, Credentials, or Parchment. 
    • Former or current UNF students should not request UNF transcripts. After application submission, the UNF requirement will be updated to a "waived" status.
    • If prompted to submit official transcripts they must meet the following requirements to be considered official:
      • Must be less than one year old from the date of printing
      • Must be submitted in a sealed envelope from your institution, or emailed through official electronic means.
  • Where do I send transcripts and test scores?
    Mail
    UNF Graduate School
    1 UNF Drive
    Jacksonville, FL 32224

     

    Email
    graduateschool@unf.edu

     

    Test Score Institutional Codes
    GRE: institutional code 5490
    GMAT: institutional code CF3QB51
  • Deadlines and Documents

    The immigration processing deadline is for international students who are required to submit documents for immigration processing. It is encouraged to submit all documents for immigration by the dates below. Please direct questions to the International Center.

    Fall...........May 1
    Spring......October 1
    Summer...February 1

    According to U.S. immigration regulations, F-1/J-1 students cannot pursue online degree programs, part-time enrollment, or certificate programs. Therefore, the University of North Florida is not allowed to issue F-1/J-1 student immigration documents to these applicants. Immigration documents can only be issued for students who are fully admitted to a full-time, on-campus, in-person, degree-seeking program. Please contact the International Center for more information.

    If you have a scholarship which requires you to be enrolled in face-to-face (in-person) classes each semester, contact the Graduate Program Director for more information regarding availability of face-to-face (in-person) classes.

    UNF International Center
    1 UNF Drive 
    Jacksonville , FL 32224-2659 

    intlctr@unf.edu

    Telephone: (904) 620-2657 
    Fax: (904) 620-3925
  • English Language Proficiency

    All applicants, except those from countries where English is the only official language, are required to show proof of satisfactory evidence that the applicant's competency in English is adequate. Applicants whose native language is not English must meet one of the following requirements of English Language Proficiency:

    • Indicators of Required English Language Proficiency for Foreign Applicants
    • The Duolingo English Test is an acceptable indicator of English proficiency. An overall score of 110 is recommended for admission. Individual programs may require higher scores and all sub scores will be considered.
    • Minimum score on the GRE Verbal Test based on a specific program’s GRE minimum scores will also satisfy the English language proficiency requirement.
  • Affidavit of Financial Support and Bank Certification

    The Affidavit is a legal document which is signed by the sponsor (the person who will be providing the funds) stating the amount of funds that she/he will provide for the educational expenses of the student applicant and then certified by a bank official that the sponsor does have that amount of funds in their account. This form represents an obligation on the part of the sponsor to provide the required amount of funds as indicated on the form. Please review the Estimated Costs of Attendance for International Students to determine the amount of funds needed to be written on the Affidavit.

    All documentation and immigration inquiries should be sent to the UNF International Center.
  • Immunization Documentation Form and Health Insurance

    All students at UNF are required to demonstrate that they either have been vaccinated or have immunity against measles and rubella. If students wish to resolve this requirement before they arrive, they will need to have their physician complete and then sign and stamp the Immunization Documentation Form. Students may obtain the needed immunizations once they arrive in Florida. In no case may students register for or attend classes until they have met this requirement.

    The State of Florida requires proof of medical insurance which meets a minimum standard as a prerequisite to registration. Health insurance coverage can be purchased through the UNF Student Health Services upon arrival. If a student wishes to request that UNF accept a different insurance policy, the insurance company must fax a completed, signed, and stamped UNF Student Health Services International Student Health Insurance Evaluation Form indicating that the alternate insurance policy meets all minimal requirements as outlined. Students may not register for classes until the health insurance requirement is met. 

    Please send all documentation or direct health inquiries to Student Health Services.