USF 2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog - Pages 174-175
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 is to promote public health through research, education and services. The USF College of Public Health is one of only 38 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 that bypasses the Bachelor’s for the Master’s degree.
A Fast Track for Honor BMS, ISS and INS students is available. Students in this track may select programs within one of the College’s five departments: Community and Family Health, or Epidemiology and Biostatistics, or Environmental and Occupational Health, or Health Policy and Management, or Global Health. A college-wide area of study includes Public Health Practice (PHP). PHP requires a minimum of 3 years of health-related work experience.
The course of study and field experiences are designed to prepare health professionals with skills to develop, implement, manage and evaluate programs that focus on health, behavioral, legal, medical and economic factors. 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.
The undergraduate program in the College has cultivated into a vibrant program with over 3000 students enrolled in our courses each semester. Based on the enrollment figures and students expressing their interest in declaring a minor in public health, a General Public Health Minor (GPHM) was developed and approved by the USF Undergraduate Council in Fall 2005. Each department in the College, Community & Family Health, Environmental & Occupational Health, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Health Policy & Management, and Global Health fully support this initiative and currently offer, or are in the process of developing, undergraduate courses that will apply to the GPHM.
The purpose of the undergraduate curriculum offered in the College is to engage students in student centered learning so they are able to articulate the role of public health in disease prevention and health promotion locally, statewide, nationally, and globally. In addition, students will study the core concepts in public health, core competencies for all public health workers, core public health competencies related to essential public health practice and public health issues. Moreover, students will be able to analyze public health issues related to a particular concentration area, become knowledgeable about dynamic career paths in public health and develop an understanding of public health that serves as a foundation for the pursuit of graduate public health degrees.
Undergraduate students seeking careers in public health are invited to refer to the College website http://publichealth.usf.edu, or contact the College advisor: advisor@hsc.usf.edu to request the College of Public Health Career Guide. Students may review the broad range of public health professions and also plan an undergraduate program that will meet the college's admission requirements for graduate work. Introduction to Public Health and Survey of Human Disease (or their equivalent) are prerequisites for several concentrations prior to graduate study in public health. Below is a list of undergraduate courses. College courses are offered through traditional classroom methods, on-line courses and programs, weekend programs, learning institutes, certificates and continuing education courses.
The College offers undergraduate courses to prepare students for the graduate criteria required for admission. USF undergraduate courses HSA 4011 “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.
HSC 4933 Special Topics Courses
| Behavioral Health System Delivery | 3 | |
| Foundations of Global Health | 3 | |
| Introduction to Environmental Health | 3 | |
| Introduction to Food Safety | 3 | |
| Men's Health and Gender in Society | 3 | |
| Secret History of Death and Disease | 3 | |
| Understanding U.S. Health Care | 3 | |
| Women's Health: A Public Health Perspective | 3 |
Master’s degrees include the Master of Public Health (MPH), which is a professional, non-thesis degree; the Master of Health Administration (MHA); the Master of Science Public Health (MSPH), a research thesis degree; as well as the doctoral (PhD) degree.
The Department of Community and Family Health, in the College of Public 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. Applicants must have attained a grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a four-point scale, or received a minimum Verbal GRE score of 500 and a minimum Quantitative GRE score of 550. This special MPH program permits students to earn an MPH without first completing the baccalaureate. Applicants must have completed 90 undergraduate semester hours in a program related to the field of public health such as social sciences, natural sciences, behavioral sciences, pre-medicine, pre-dental, nursing, or education. Interested students are encouraged to consult the Department of Community and Family Health advisor upon completing 60 undergraduate semester hours. Interested students are encouraged to inquire: Dr. Robert McDermott, (813) 974-6700; email: rmcdermo@hsc.usf.edu; or (TBA), (813) 974-6505; email: advisor@hsc.usf.edu.
The goal of the General Public Health Minor is to develop in a broad range of students an understanding and appreciation of the field of Public Health.
Upon completion of the General Public Health Minor coursework, a student will be able to:
The General Public Health Minor consists of 18 credit hours. It is recommended that students follow the sequence of courses listed below. These courses will give students a broad overview of public health concepts. Departmental courses can then be selected from a wide range of College of Public Health courses in consultation with the undergraduate academic advisors. Students are encouraged to select departmental courses that provide a cohesive learning experience based on their individual interests and goals and may involve selecting courses from a department or emphasis area, assisted by academic advisors in the student’s major and College of Public Health.
Required Courses (9 credit hours):
HSA 4011 Introduction to Public Health (3)
HSC 4554 Survey of Human Disease (3)
Choose one of the following:
HSC 2100 Contemporary Health Science (3)
HSC 4531 Medical Terminology (3)
Electives (9 credit hours):
HSC 2133 Sex, Health and Decision Making (3)
HSC 3541 Human Structure and Function (3)
HSC 4211 Health, Behavior and Society (3)
HSC 4134 Prevention of Mental Illness (3)
HSC 4504 Foundations of Public Health Immunology (3)
HSC 4542 Stress, Health and College Life (3)
HSC 4579 Foundations of Maternal and Child Health (3)
Special Topics Courses
Behavioral Health System Delivery (3)
Foundations of Global Health (3)
Introduction to Environmental Health (3)
Introduction to Food Safety (3)
Men's Health and Gender in Society (3)
Secret History of Death and Disease (3)
Women's Health: A Public Health Perspective (3)
Understanding U.S. Health Care (3)
For any additional information about the College of Public Health Minor, please feel free to contact:
Dr. Kay Perrin; kperrin@health.usf.edu, (813) 974-6704
Dr. Suzanne Perry-Casler; sperryca@health.usf.edu, (813) 974-9598
Undergraduate students in Honors 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 in credit hours.
Application deadline for these programs is July 1 for guaranteed consideration. Applications will be accepted during the junior year. A minimum score of 450 for the verbal and 550 for quantitative sections of GRE, good standing in Honors program, senior status, and 2 letters of recommendation from undergraduate faculty are required. For further information: http:/publichealth.usf.edu/fasttrack.html
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, Clinical Epidemiology, Interdisciplinary Women's Health, Public Health Policies and Programs, Public Health Generalist and Humanitarian Assistance.
The GRE is not required for Certificate programs. However, Certificates may have other specific requirements. Refer to the College of Public Health website: for flyers describing certificate programs.
Contact the USF Office of Graduate Certificates, (813) 974-2442 www.outreach.usf.edu/gradcerts for application forms.
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 on-line. 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 Honors 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 1150.
Call toll free 1-888-USF-COPH or locally (813) 974-6505 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/academicaffairs/
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 publichealth.usf.edu/nondegree.html the College’s Director of Student Services, (813) 974-6505 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/0708/pubheal.htm
Certificate Programs
Public Health Advising
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Karen M. Hall - webcat@ugs.usf.edu
Effective Date: Semester I, 2007