USF 2002-2003 Undergraduate Catalog - Pages 171 - 172
As we enter the new millennium, public health looms large at the forefront of the world’s concerns. Population pressures, environmental problems, maternal and child health care, disaster management, new emerging diseases, behavioral challenges, health care management and cost containment demand solutions from the public health professional.
To meet these challenges, the mission of the College of Public Health combines excellence in education, research and service to lead in health promotion and disease prevention in Florida and the global community. The USF College of Public Health is one of only 31 public health colleges in the nation and is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.
Undergraduate students who are seeking a career in public health can select to major in a broad range of Bachelor degree programs including engineering, business, social sciences, biological sciences, nursing, social work, pre-medicine, other allied health specialties or interdisciplinary degrees in order to be prepared for graduate work in the College. Pre-medical students seeking admission to medical school may want to consider completing a Master’s degree in public health prior to application or admission to medical schools or as an alternative to clinical degrees. Undergraduate students may consider the Undergraduate Accelerated Entry Program for Master's degree in Public Health Education which bypasses the Bachelor's for the Master's degree.
A new Fast Track for Honor ISS and INS students is available. Students in this track may select programs within one of the College's four Departments: Community and Family Health, or Epidemiology and Biostatistics, or Environmental and Occupational Health, or Health Policy and Management.
The course of study and field experiences are designed to prepare health professionals with skills to develop, implement, manage and evaluate programs which focus on health, behavioral, legal, medical and economic factors. Interdisciplinary areas include the mapping and control of infectious and chronic diseases, environmental factors that effect populations, and the methods of providing care to targeted populations including those faced with geographic, financial, cultural and other access barriers. Public health is also concerned with finding cost-effective ways to keep health care costs down while assuring quality. Career opportunities are available in a variety of work settings including hospitals and ambulatory care facilities, managed care organizations, voluntary health agencies, public and private school systems, colleges and universities, local, federal and state health agencies, private industry and international health organizations.
Undergraduate students seeking careers in public health should refer to the College website: publichealth.usf.edu, contact the College advisor through the Internet: advisor@hsc.usf.edu to request the College of Public Health Career Guide. Review the broad range of professions and plan an undergraduate program that will meet the College’s admission requirements for graduate work. Learning opportunities are provided through advanced methods and technology. College courses are offered through traditional classroom methods, distance learning via satellite, internet, television, executive and weekend programs, learning institutes, certificate and continuing education courses.
The College offers undergraduate courses to prepare students for the graduate criteria required for admission. USF undergraduate courses HSA 4120 “Introduction to Public Health” and HSC 4554 “Survey of Human Disease” (or their equivalent) are prerequisites for several concentrations prior to graduate study in public health. The College also offers undergraduate Selected Topics and Special Topics courses which target current issues in public health.
HSC 2933 Selected Topics in Public Health undergraduate courses include
HSC 4933 Special Topics in Public Health, targets public health concerns and issues. Current Special Topics undergraduate courses include:
Master’s degrees include the Master of Public Health (MPH), a professional, non-thesis degree, the Master of Health Administration (MHA), the Master of Science of Public Health (MSPH), a research thesis degree, as well as the doctoral (PhD) degree.
The Department of Community and Family Health offers an accelerated entry program that enables qualified undergraduate students to enter the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program with a concentration in Public Health Education following the completion of 90 semester hours of undergraduate study (usually the end of the junior year). It is recommended that students enroll in undergraduate programs related to the field of public health as noted above. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach of developing strategies for the efficient utilization of health services, the adoption of self-care practices, and the promotion of healthier lifestyles. Full-time students are able to complete Master’s degree requirements in 2 to 2-1/2 years. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact a health education faculty advisor during the term in which they expect to complete 60 undergraduate semester hours.
Students seeking admission to the MPH accelerated degree program must have completed 90 undergraduate semester hours, achieved at least a 3.0 GPA or a combined verbal and quantitative score of at least 1000 on the GRE, and satisfied the CLAST and Gordon Rule 6A-10.30 requirements. Students interested in this program or other public health graduate fields should contact the Office of Student Services at the College of Public Health for a career guide and college catalog, (813) 974-6665 or e-mail advisor@hsc.usf.edu and refer to the College Website at publichealth.usf.edu.
Undergraduate students in Honors Interdisciplinary Social and Natural Sciences programs will be eligible to apply for admission to selected graduate degree programs in public health during their senior year. This fast track format will allow eligible seniors to complete up to 20 graduate credits in public health which will count toward the Bachelor's degree as well as a Master of Public Health (MPH) or Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH). These graduate degrees vary from 39-44 credits (excluding field experience).
Application deadline for these programs is July 1 for guaranteed consideration. Applications will be accepted during the junior year. A minimum score of 1000 on the combined Q and V of the GRE, good standing in Honors program, senior status, and 2 letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty are required. For further information, request the Fast Track for Honor Students brochure by e-mail from advisor@hsc.usf.edu.
Students who have completed their bachelor's degree may register for certificates in Disaster Management, Health Management and Leadership, Infection Control, Social Marketing, Safety Management, Violence and Injury: Prevention and Intervention. Contact Educational Outreach for aplications forms, (813) 974-2442.
Potential applicants should prepare at the undergraduate level for careers in public health. Undergraduate public health courses present a broad range of public health issues and are offered on campus and by Internet. These undergraduate courses can be selected as part of the student's approved planned program or as electives to prepare students for graduate classes. Except for the undergraduate student selecting the Accelerated Health Education program or the Fast Track for Honor ISS and INS program, all applicants should have completed or be in their last semester of completing the Bachelor's degree prior to applying to this College. All departments accept the MCAT score in lieu of the GRE for admission. The GMAT may be submitted for the Department of Health Policy and Management. Advisors in the College assist undergraduate students with career planning and selecting undergraduate coursework. For specific information, request a College of Public Health Catalog and Career Guide followed by an appointment with the College advisor.
Advising Office: The College of Public Health is located facing Bruce B. Downs Boulevard at the Northwest corner of the USF Campus near the Fletcher Avenue intersection. Advising office is in the College of Public Health (CPH) Room 1011.
Call toll free 1-888-USF-COPH or locally (813) 974-6665 for the Public Health Career Guide, a copy of the upcoming Schedule of Classes which can also be found on the web at: publichealth.usf.edu/schedule
Non-Degree Registration: Students who have completed the Bachelor's degree may register for up to 12 hours as "non-degree" students while in the process of preparing to apply to the College. Consult with the College's Director of Student Services, (813) 974-6665 for options, course selection and enrollment process.
Address: 13201 Bruce B. Down Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612-3805; Mailpoint - MDC 56
Office Hours: 8am–5pm, Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are welcome but an appointment is recommended.
Email: advisor@hsc.usf.edu
Web Address: publichealth.usf.edu
Please send questions or comments to:
http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0203/pubheal.htm
Certificate Programs
Public Health Advising
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Karen M. Hall - webCat@ugs.usf.edu
Effective Date: Semester I, 2002