Program Highlights & Accreditation

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the University of North Florida (UNF) is designed for individuals seeking leadership positions in public health. It prepares graduates to tackle community health challenges and advocate for policies that enhance population well-being.

The program focuses on developing skills in epidemiology, planning and managing health promotion and disease prevention programs, conducting public health research, and advocating for public health policy. It is aligned with the Council on Education for Public Health’s (CEPH) 22 Foundational Competencies.

The UNF MPH Program is nationally accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) .

Delivery Modes

The MPH program is offered in a hybrid format, combining approximately 50% face-to-face instruction with 50% online instruction. Students typically attend classes on campus 1-2 evenings per week.

This flexible format is designed to be accessible for students working full-time. The program can be completed full-time in 2 years or part-time in 3 years, with courses offered in fall, spring, and summer terms.

Curriculum Overview

Students can choose between two concentrations: Epidemiology or Social and Behavioral Science.

The curriculum includes core public health courses such as Epidemiology I, Public Health Biostatistics I, Environmental Health, Public Health Policy and Advocacy, Health Communication, Public Health Planning, Public Health Research, and Leadership & Management.

Each concentration has specialized coursework. For example, the Social and Behavioral Science concentration includes Applied Social Behavioral Science and Theoretical Foundations of Behavioral Change, while the Epidemiology concentration includes Public Health Biostatistics II, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, and Epidemiology II. The program also includes elective courses.

A key component is the Applied Practice Experience (APE), fulfilled through a two-course sequence: PHC 6940 Public Health Capstone (APE planning in the spring semester) and PHC 6945 Public Health Internship (150 field hours completed in the summer semester). This experience allows students to apply CEPH foundational and concentration competencies in a real-world setting.

The program culminates in an Integrative Learning Experience (ILE), where students individually complete a comprehensive research paper during their final spring semester. This paper demonstrates the synthesis of overarching public health competencies with concentration-specific knowledge.

Admissions Requirements

Detailed admission requirements and application instructions can be found on the UNF Graduate School's Website .

Application deadlines for Fall admission are March 1 for Early Decision and July 1 for Regular Decision.

Cost & Financial Aid

Information regarding tuition and fees for the MPH program is available on the UNF Controller's Tuition & Fees website .

Non-Florida residents may be eligible for an out-of-state tuition waiver; prospective students should contact the Program Director for more details. Information on assistantships and scholarships can be found on the BCH Assistantships website and the BCH Scholarship website .

Career & Practical Experience

MPH graduates are equipped to integrate and apply their knowledge to address public health problems, possessing skills and competencies for practice in a wide range of public and private institutions. Typical employment settings include governmental or non-profit health agencies, health care facilities, and worksite wellness programs.

Graduates are eligible to become Certified in Public Health (CPH) by passing the exam offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) , and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) by passing the exam offered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) .

The program's Applied Practice Experience, including a 150-hour internship, provides valuable hands-on experience. For insights into career paths, see Where our MPH Alumni Work .