The University of Florida (UF) is a public research university that was founded in 1853, and is located in Gainesville, Florida. With over 50,000 students, UF has the resources to offer one of the broadest catalogues for students looking to study in the field of Public Health, so there is a good chance prospective students will find the degree and concentration that meets their professional and academic expectations. Students at UF receive one of the best educations in Public Health, as UF ranks first on the list of the The 5 Best Public Health Degrees in Florida. Let’s take a closer look at the program choices for Public Health students at UF.
Bachelor’s in Public Health
Undergraduates at UF have the option of earning a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Public Health. UF’s BPH program is designed for students who want to want to go on to attain an advanced degree in Public Health. If students decide they want to earn their Bachelor’s and their MPH at UF, the university offers a Combined Bachelor and MPH degree program that allows students to get a 15-credit head start by taking courses that will go to their MPH while they are still an undergrad.
Master’s in Public Health
UF offers a variety of MPH concentrations and formats for students to choose from, as students can earn their MPH either online or on campus, and students who have already earned a Doctoral degree in a health-related field have the option to take an accelerated program which allows them to earn their MPH in about one year. MPH students that are taking courses on campus have the option of choosing from six different areas of concentration: Biostatistics; Epidemiology; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Environmental Health; Public Health Policy and Management; and Public Health Practice. Online MPH students are limited to choosing from Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health Practice for their concentration. Students are required to complete 48 total credit hours to earn their MPH, 5 credits of which will come from a Public Health Internship, which is meant to give students the hands-on experience that will prepare them for their future profession. For reference to some of the top earning jobs for students with an MPH degree, check out our list of the The Highest Paying Careers with a Masters in Public Health.
Ph.D. in Public Health
UF also has one of the best programs for students to earn their Ph.D. degree in a field of Public Health. UF offers three specializations for their Ph.D. in Public Health: Environmental and Global Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and One Health. The Environmental and Global Health track prepares students to analyze specific communities by understanding the cultural and environmental dynamics that influence their public health issues; the Social and Behavioral Sciences track looks at how psychology plays a role in issues of public health; the One Health specialization provides students with a holistic education that goes beyond the boundaries of human health to incorporate animal and plant health as well. UF’s College of Public Health and Health Professions also offers a number of other health-related Ph.D. degrees including Audiology, Biostatistics, Clinical and Health Psychology, Epidemiology, Health Services Research, Rehabilitation Science, and Speech-Language Pathology.
