university of florida phd public health

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College of Public Health

Quick links, doctoral training, doctor of philosophy (phd).

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is designed to prepare public health professionals to make substantive contributions to public health inquiry and practice. Public health professionals are focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and programs aimed at specific problems that disproportionately affect minority and economically disadvantaged groups. The PhD is a research degree and is granted after the student has shown proficiency and distinctive achievement in a specific field, has demonstrated the ability to do original, independent investigation, and has presented these findings with a high degree of literary skill in a dissertation.

• Granted in recognition of high attainment in a specified field of knowledge.
• Is a research degree and is not conferred solely upon the earning of credit or the completion of courses.
• This degree requires a minimum of 55 credits post-masters.

Doctoral Milestones are a set of target activities that PhD students work towards during their 4-5 years of training. Starting with the most basic levels of achievement in each category, students gain experience and skills in Research, Teaching and Professional Development to prepare them for their next steps after completing their PhD. This may be a post-doctoral fellowship, an academic position as an Assistant Professor, or an entry position in a research or corporate setting. Students who graduate from the USF College of Public Health doctoral program are better prepared for these next steps because they have built a consistent and impressive portfolio of Doctoral Milestones – and our program helps them achieve these skills right from their first day of the program!

Examples of Doctoral Milestones:

Research skills – Grant writing, manuscript preparation, authorship of published manuscripts, presentations at professional conferences, experience on research studies

Teaching skills – Teaching assistantships, Instructor of Record experience, extensive teaching preparation and skill-building programs

Professional development – Preparation of materials for post-graduate positions, such as professional CVs, teaching and research statements, research presentation materials, cover letters, interviewing skills

The College of Public Health PhD students are supported by fellowships, which include tuition waivers and health insurance, research assistantships and graduate teaching assistantships, for which they apply and are appointed.

Additional opportunities are available for graduate students to obtain funding for graduate education. These options can typically be classified into three areas:

• National Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants:  These are funds that are awarded by national, regional, or private agencies to individual graduate students.
• College, Department or Program Scholarships and Fellowships:  Students are also encouraged to review their specific college website, and also the USF Foundation Scholarships page.
• USF Office of Graduate Studies Scholarships and Fellowships:  The USF Office of Graduate Studies offers fellowship opportunities for new and continuing students. Some of these fellowships are only available to students through nominations by their Major/Department, while others are available by direct submission from students who meet the eligibility requirements outlined below.

For more information on these and other funding opportunities please visit the Office of Graduate Studies website .

On average, the doctoral program requires four to five years for completion following the Master’s or other advanced degree. The College of Public Health PhD program is delivered primarily on-campus. Students are required to be in or regularly commute to the Tampa for the duration of their program.

Concentrations

Below are concentrations in the College of Public Health in which a PhD can be earned.

• Biostatistics
• Community and Family Health
• Environmental and Occupational Health
• Epidemiology
• Global Communicable Disease
• Health Services Research

University of Florida

Public Health (M.P.H.)

Program information.

Director : Julia Varnes, PhD

The Master of Public Health degree is offered as a non-thesis program and is designed to prepare students to become effective public health practitioners, scientists, and educators. Students select one of six concentration areas:

• Biostatistics
• Environmental health
• Epidemiology
• Population health management
• Public health practice 
• Social and behavioral sciences

Both a 48-credit program for students without terminal health science degrees and a 42-credit program for students with a terminal degree are offered. A combination bachelor’s/master of public health program is available, as well as a 15-credit college certificate program. Students interested in collaborative programs may pursue joint MPH and DVM, MD, JD, PharmD, DPT, or DMD degrees, or concurrent master’s and PhD programs. The MPH degree program and the Public Health certificate are available on campus and online. For program descriptions and information on applying, visit the website: www.mph.ufl.edu . 48-credit Master of Public Health: Students who do not hold a terminal degree in a health science discipline are eligible to apply for the 48-credit program. The program provides comprehensive coverage of core public health content and allows selection of a concentration. Students must complete 18 credits of core public health course work, 12 to 15 credits of concentration core courses, up to 12 credits of elective courses, and three credits of applied practice experience. The course work representing these requirements is described below. 42-credit accelerated Master of Public Health: Students who hold a terminal degree (usually a doctoral degree) in a health science discipline may be eligible for the 42-credit accelerated program. This program requires completion of 16 credits of core public health course work, 21 credits of concentration and elective course work, and a five-credit internship. Combination degree program: The College offers a combination degree program to allow qualified undergraduates to earn both a bachelor’s degree and the Master of Public Health degree efficiently. Seniors with any undergraduate major are eligible for the combination degree program as long as they have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 and competitive scores on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE, and their career interests match the MPH program. Students accepted into the combination degree program complete 15 credits of public health course work while still undergraduates, leaving only 33 credits after admission to graduate school. Students must achieve a B or better in public health courses taken as an undergraduate and be accepted to graduate school to complete the program. Core Courses: All MPH students take five public health core courses. The core courses in environmental health, epidemiology, public health management and policy, and social and behavioral sciences are taken by all students. The core biostatistics course varies across concentration areas. Students in the biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology and social and behavioral sciences concentrations must take PHC 6052: Introduction to Biostatistical Methods.  All other MPH students must take PHC 6050: Statistical Methods for Health Sciences Research I.  In addition, all students must take a three-credit Master of Public Health Capstone course and three credits of PHC 6946: MPH Applied Practice Experience.

Applied Practice Experience (APE): Each student completes an internship during their APE course, which provides an opportunity to apply knowledge acquired in the classroom to a real public health problem in a practice setting.  Students may engage in many activities during an internship, but each student must produce at least two portfolio products that demonstrate achievement of at least five Public Health Competencies.

MPH Capstone: This course serves as the required integrative learning experience for students in the MPH program. Students will demonstrate synthesis of foundational and concentration competencies through an individual or group project that addresses the needs of a public health agency. Students will produce a high-quality written report for their agency and present their project on Public Health Day near the end of the semester.

Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Biostatistics

The contribution of biostatisticians is far reaching and includes both core public health research and consultation with other health professionals. The biostatistics concentration is designed primarily for students with a previous graduate degree (particularly in the health sciences) who want to obtain a solid background in quantitative and analytical methods for public health research. The course work exposes students to methodology typically used to analyze different types of public health data and gives them opportunities to apply these methodologies themselves. Graduates of the MPH program with a concentration in biostatistics return to their careers with an improved understanding of quantitative methods for public health research. This increased knowledge will facilitate their own research programs and will enhance their ability to critically read the literature in their field. The biostatistics concentration requires completion of four concentration core courses: Regression Methods for the Health and Life Sciences, Epidemiology Research Methods I, Public Health Computing, and Survival Analysis. Remaining courses include the public health internship and electives in statistics and public health. Visit the biostatistics concentration website for the most up-to-date information about course options: http://mph.ufl.edu/programs/master-of-public-health/biostatistics.

See the department Biostatistics website for information about other programs offered by the department: http://biostat.ufl.edu/ .

Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Environmental Health

Professionals trained in environmental health study the impact of our surroundings on our health. They understand how environmental risk factors can cause diseases like asthma, cancer, and food poisoning. Environmental health professionals make up approximately half of public health personnel and the field accounts for about half of public health expenditures. Students interested in environmental health typically have a background in biological or physical sciences, engineering, nursing, medicine, and veterinary medicine. Prior experience in chemistry, biology, statistics, and Microsoft Excel software is desirable. Please note the prerequisites for Environmental Health courses and speak with the instructor if you have not successfully completed the prerequisites. The following courses are required for all students pursuing the environmental health concentration: Environmental Toxicology Applications in Public Health, Environmental Policy and Risk Management in Public Health, Exposure Measurement and Assessment, Environmental Ecology of Human Pathogens, Global Health and Development I, and MPH Capstone. Students may also choose from elective course work listed on the department website below. Environmental health students complete their programs with an internship and electives on a wide variety of environmental health and public health topics.

Visit the environmental health concentration website for the most up-to-date information about course options: http://mph.ufl.edu/programs/master-of-public-health/environmental-health . And visit the Website of the Department of Environmental and Global Health for information about other academic programs and activities in the department: http://egh.phhp.ufl.edu .

Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Epidemiology

Epidemiology focuses on the study of the distribution and determinants of health in populations and communities. It is the scientific foundation of public health research that seeks to reduce risk factors and improve health. The discipline also contributes to public health practice and policy, and research in other health-related fields such as medicine and pharmacy. This concentration area is designed to train professionals to apply the principles and methods of epidemiological investigation in a broad range of settings. The required concentration core courses in epidemiology are Epidemiology Research Methods I, Epidemiology Research Methods I, Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology of Chronic Disease, and MPH Capstone. Epidemiology concentration students complete their programs with an internship and electives in epidemiology and public health.

Additional detail and options for epidemiology elective course work are at the website: http://mph.ufl.edu/programs/master-of-public-health/epidemiology . Please also visit the website of the Department of Epidemiology for up-to-date information about other epidemiology programs and activities: http://epidemiology.phhp.ufl.edu .

Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Population Health Management (PHM)

This concentration focuses on the structure and administration of health organizations and the policies that impact health programs and reimbursement of health services. The concentration encompasses two of the major roles of leaders in public health. Essential skills for managing a health agency or organization include accounting, financial management, human resource management, strategic and program planning, operations research, economics, and monitoring outcome measures. Development, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of government policies require analytical skills and social skills, as well as a deep understanding of politics.

The required concentration core courses in PHM are Evidence-Based Management of Public Health Programs, Health Economics, Public Health Quality & Outcomes, Survey Research Methods, Systems Thinking and Public Health, and MPH Capstone. PHM students complete their programs with an internship and electives in population health management. Visit the population health management concentration website for the most up-to-date information about course options: http://mph.ufl.edu/prospective-students/mph/traditional-mph-degree/concentrations/public-health-management-and-policy/.

The website of Department of Health Services Research, Management, and Policy provides additional information about activities and other academic programs in the department: http://hsrmp.phhp.ufl.edu .

Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Public Health Practice

This concentration provides the opportunity to develop breadth in public health by taking coursework in two, three, or four of the core public health concentrations. Such breadth is often required of professionals who assume positions of leadership in public health. It is available to students in joint and concurrent degree programs, medical and other health scientists, and working professionals. The Public Health Practice concentration is available on-campus and online.

The campus curriculum for this concentration follows the same model as the other concentrations. Students pursuing public health practice begin their programs with the five core courses required of all MPH students. Instead of a specified set of concentration core courses, however, these students may choose two or more courses from advanced course options in two to four of the other concentrations. Students complete their degree with a capstone course and an internship. All students in this concentration must hold a prior health professional degree or be enrolled in a joint or concurrent graduate program. To be eligible for the accelerated option, applicants must hold a terminal degree in a health or health-related field.

The online Public Health Practice curriculum begins with the five core courses and then offers two or more courses in epidemiology, environmental health, public health management and policy and social and behavioral sciences. Students complete their degree with a capstone course and an internship. Online students are not available to pursue the MPH on campus in Gainesville, either due to employment or geographic distance.

Master of Public Health with a Concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The social and behavioral sciences concentration is based on the understanding that health and health behavior are influenced by multiple psychological, behavioral, social, and cultural factors. Central to addressing health problems and eliminating health disparities and inequalities, these factors must be understood and addressed using a framework exploring multiple levels (individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and population) and the interactions among them. Through classroom instruction, research, and field practice, MPH students who concentrate in social and behavioral sciences explore the unique issues faced by diverse groups and populations and acquire skills to achieve social and behavioral change. Students in the social and behavioral sciences concentration are required to take six courses: Assessment and Surveillance in Public Health, Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation, Social and Behavioral Research Methods, Public Health Information for Diverse Populations: Theory & Methods, Theoretical Foundations of Public Health, and MPH Capstone. Social and behavioral science students complete their programs with an internship and elective courses in public health or related fields.

Visit the social and behavioral science concentration website for the most up-to-date information about course options.

Campus program: http://mph.ufl.edu/prospective-students/mph/traditional-mph-degree/concentrations/social-and-behavioral-science/.

Online program: http://mph.ufl.edu/prospective-students/mph/online-mph-degree/concentrations/social-and-behavioral-sciences/.

Degrees Offered with a Major in Public Health

• without a concentration
• with a concentration in Biostatistics
• with a concentration in Environmental Health
• with a concentration in Epidemiology
• with a concentration in Public Health Management
• with a concentration in Public Health Practice
• with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Public Health Courses

Environmental health courses, epidemiology courses, public health management and policy courses, social and behavioral sciences courses, college of public health and health professions courses, public health (mph)      .

SLO 1: MPH Core Knowledge & Skills Demonstrate competence in the practice of public health.

SLO 2: Public Health Concentration Knowledge Communicate a thorough understanding of one public health core discipline

SLO 3: Professional Behavior Display professional conduct

SLO 4: Public Health Integration Demonstrate synthesis of core and concentration competencies. 

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Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

Cdc public health scientist fellowship.

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*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: public health scientist (program evaluation) opportunity is available in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the Science and Evaluation Unit (SEU), Division of Partnership Support (DPS) within the National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, located at Atlanta, Georgia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC works to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.

The DPS leverages partnerships to support CDC in developing the capacity of the public health system and state, tribal, local, and territorial departments of health to sustain and strengthen public health foundational, infrastructure, and workforce capabilities. The SEU sits in the Office of the Director in DPS. The function of the SEU is to make all division products and activities scientifically strong, clear, compelling, and leading to action. The DPS SEU promotes excellence in science and evaluation through data quality, scientific integrity, health equity, and innovation to advance public health priorities and outcomes.

Research Project: The participant will train with the Public Health Infrastructure Center, Division of Partnership Support, focusing on evaluation studies and projects.

Learning Objectives: The selected participant will train with public health program professionals in various roles in the following diverse activities:

• Participate in evaluation design and planning, performance measurement, quantitative and qualitative survey design and administration, data collection, data quality assurance processes, data management, data analysis, and data dissemination. • Train on how to translate evaluation science into public health actions and results, and collaborate with public health professionals both inside and outside the organization. • Search, synthesize and interpret information relevant to public health. • Identify and analyze public health issues and their impact on public health systems, partnerships, and programs critical to the public health community. • Train in using scientific information to engage partners. • Assist with the development of organizational objectives and strategies using key information and lessons learned • Collaborate on the development of manuscripts for publication. • Train on strategic partnership engagement and communication with colleagues, key partners, and other public health professionals inside and outside the agency to identify and address public health issues related to partnership support. • Train on assisting with the day-to-day operations of the Division of Partnership Support science and evaluation activities.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Cassandra Frazier ( [email protected] ). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: April 22, 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Questions: Please visit our Program Website . After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email [email protected] and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills:

• Skills in public health monitoring and evaluation planning and design, planning and implementation of science-based data collection activities (qualitative and quantitative) and data analysis.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Experience in logic modeling, strategic planning, program planning, and implementation science is desirable.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).

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Michael Hicks, MSW. (Photo courtesy of Hicks)

Transforming lives with social work + public health

• Liz Bannon, College of Public Health
• March 25, 2024
• Student Life

March is Social Work Month.

USF College of Public Health (COPH) graduate student Michael Hicks learned early on from his parents, both nurses in behavioral health care services and the Florida state prison systems, about the values of compassion and service. 

After earning his associate of arts degree at Sante Fe College in Gainesville, Fla., Hicks moved to Tampa to attend USF for his bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in management and finance. 

“In business, I did very well and was director of a successful smaller insurance company,” Hicks said. “But then I noticed changes in spending habits of consumers that would eventually lead to uncertainty in the future for the company. Knowing my wife and I were planning a family and hearing the first rumblings of a global pandemic, I wanted to find something more stable that I knew I would be doing for a long time.”

Hicks returned to higher education at the University of Central Florida in 2020 for his undergraduate psychology degree. “After starting classes I thought back to a really fulfilling job I had right out of high school at a state mental hospital that never felt like a job,” he said. “I decided I wanted to bring my skills to the behavior health care realm to help people instead of just helping companies earn profits or my clients to earn money.”

It was during this time Hicks said he learned about the social work profession and was accepted to USF’s master of social work (MSW) program.

 “I also learned about the concurrent degree program with the COPH and knew it was the perfect complement to what I wanted to achieve in my graduate education and future career aspirations.”

Hicks began his time at the COPH during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, he said he was faced with many obstacles and barriers causing him and his wife to make many sacrifices as a family.

Hicks, right, pictured with wife Katy and two-year-old son Camden. (Photo courtesy of Hicks)

“I stepped away from a well-paying career to “reinvent myself” which came at a financial toll on my family when I started classes,” he said. “My wife and I were also expecting our first child which proved to be difficult given the restrictions in place with maternal health providers at the time, and then she developed preeclampsia and delivered our son prematurely, which resulted in in a month-long stay in the NICU. This stress jeopardized my ability to continue with both programs. However, all my professors were very compassionate during this time and helped me develop a plan to continue.”

Along with the support of his wife and the compassion his professors showed, Hicks said he was also impressed by how the college adapted to the public health crisis.

“Faculty from the college were tasked with providing professional insights into a vast number of public health concerns,” he said. “We were able to use this global public health issue in the subjects we were learning about in class. It was a unique time for everyone and especially interesting for those studying public health.”

Hicks graduated from the MSW program in the summer of 2023 and anticipates earning his MPH with a concentration in behavioral health care this spring.

“Although I found myself in the MPH program after originally starting in a different path, I’m so proud to be part of a program that is a leader in the profession,” Hicks said. “I believe the COPH is one of the best programs in the country because of the faculty's knowledge and research resources available to the students. The concepts I have learned in this program will allow me to be a very valuable asset to any employer.”

Hicks said his first public health career experience was with his applied practice experience internship with the Florida Mental Health Advocacy Coalition.

“This was a great opportunity to learn about the politics that govern behavioral health in Florida and the actions citizens can take to influence lawmakers to push agendas that benefit behavioral health care in the state,” Hicks said. “One of our main initiatives was to promote and gain funding for the 988 Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Helpline. This is a very important resource for many people in our country. They need to access it if they are in crisis, experiencing substance use issues or are thinking about suicide.”

Currently, Hicks works as a counselor at a substance use and co-occurring disorder residential treatment program for the Agency for Community Treatment Services.  

“I’m able to significantly impact the lives of many individuals who have suffered from behavioral health issues for most of their lives,” Hicks said. “It is no understatement to say that we save lives. I provide individual and group therapeutic services for adults who are suffering severe substance use issues during the early phase of treatment.”

Hicks said he uses the concepts he learned in the MPH program to guide his work in his current role, along with his own life experiences. “My own experiences with substance use in young adulthood pales in comparison to those I help in our program, simply because I was able to get early intervention and I had a good support system that started me through the process of receiving help. Working with this population has been life changing for me because I see just how bad it really is for those we serve.”

“Although as a counselor I work at the individual level, I also look at population statistics to identify trends, find evidence-based practices that are proven to address the needs of my clients and advocate for people who may not have the ability to represent themselves,” he said.

In the future, Hicks said he has very high expectations for himself, including earning his clinical licensure and accreditation as a master's certified addictions professional in the next year.

“Just as in the social work profession, public health professionals play diverse roles in serving the population's health needs,” Hicks said. “I plan to combine the skills I’ve gained in my business career with my education in social work and public health and use them in a career with an organization that develops, evaluates and implements programs and policies that inform substance use and co-occurring disorder clinical practice.”

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Michael Hicks

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Welcome to the USF COPH news page. Our marketing and communications team is entrusted with storytelling. Through written stories, photography, video and social media we highlight alumni, faculty, staff and students who are committed to passionately solving problems and creating conditions that allow every person the universal right to health and well-being. These are our stories.