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  • Public Health

    The Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) program prepares students for advanced education in public health or related fields. It also provides students with foundational public health skills to succeed in the dynamic public health workforce.

    About this Major

    To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.


    Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan

    A primary goal of the public health bachelor’s degree program is to prepare students for advanced (master’s) training in the health professions and in public health specifically, considered the entry level degree for the field. Students interested in a specific area of public health have the opportunity to organize some of their electives around a cohesive public health topic. In addition, interested students have the opportunity to explore a combined-degree program in public health.

    Upon successful completion of the public health program, students receive the Bachelor of Public Health degree. While the majority of students pursue graduate or professional training in public health or a related field, some students seek employment in not-for-profit and for-profit agencies, or related community health organizations after completing the B.P.H.

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    Course Sequence

    The public health program is designed primarily for students who want to pursue advanced degree work in public health or a related field. It is also appropriate for those who want to acquire foundational public health knowledge before continuing to graduate or professional school or who will work in a health-care setting after graduation. In order to be on track for pre-public health at the junior level, students must meet the critical-tracking criteria listed below, beginning with their first fall or spring term.

    To be considered for admission at the junior level, students must:

    • Complete these prerequisites: General college biology BSC2005 or 2010; STA 2023; 6 credits of social and behavioral sciences, including PSY2012 as the state core; ENC1101 and ENC1102; Advanced Professional Writing (ENC 2210 or ENC 3453)
    • 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 prerequisite GPA
    • AA degree or 60 transferable college level credits
    • Completion of all general education and university writing requirements
    • Apply formally to the college by February 1. The college application packet is available online. Transfer students must apply separately to UF and to the college so they must submit two different applications.

    Off-track UF freshmen and sophomores must speak with a college advisor before registering for the next semester and prior to applying for junior-year admission consideration.

    The program accepts AP or IB credit for one prerequisite course. All other prerequisite courses must be completed with minimum grades of C at the university level. Students should consult a college advisor if they need assistance or have questions about a specific course schedule.

    Students must apply by February 1 for Summer B and fall admission. All prerequisites must be completed by the end of Summer.

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    Critical Tracking

    Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

    Semester 1

    • Complete ENC 1101 or ENC 1102 with a minimum grade of C
    • Complete 9 credits of general education courses, including ENC 1101 or higher, with minimum grades of C
    • 2.3 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

    Semester 2

    • Complete STA 2023 with a minimum grade of C
    • Complete PSY 2012 with a minimum grade of C
    • Complete 9 additional credits of general education courses for a total of 18, and including the university writing requirement
    • 2.7 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

    Semester 3

    • Complete BSC 2005 or BSC 2010 with minimum grade of C
    • Complete Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) with a minimum grade of C
    • Complete 9 additional credits of general education courses for a total of 27
    • 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
    • 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

    Semester 4

    • Complete all general education courses, including IUF 1000, GE-B/P, GE-S, and all state core courses
    • Complete the university writing requirement, which must include ENC 3453 Writing in the Health Professions or a substitution approved by a PHHP advisor
    • Complete Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B) with a minimum grade of C
    • Complete 60 cumulative credits
    • 3.0 critical tracking GPA and minimum grades of C on all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
    • 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions
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    Model Semester Plan

    To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

    This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

    Semester 1 Credits
    ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing or
    ENC 1102 Argument and Persuasion
    State Core GE-C; WR
    3
    IUF 1000 What is the Good Life
    GE-H
    3
    Biological or Physical Science (GE-B or P)
    3
    Mathematics
    GE-M
    3
    Elective 3
    Total 15
    Semester 2 Credits
    ENC 1102 Argument and Persuasion
    GE-C; WR
    3
    HSC 2000 Introduction to Health Professions 3
    PSY 2012 General Psychology
    State Core GE-S
    3
    STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1
    State Core GE-M
    3
    Humanities
    State Core GE-H and N; WR
    3
    Total 15
    Semester 3 Credits
    BSC 2005 Biological Sciences or
    BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1
    State Core GE-B
    3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences
    GE-S
    3
    Elective
    WR
    3
    Electives 6
    Total 15
    Semester 4 Credits
    ENC 3453 Writing in the Health Professions
    WR
    3
    Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B) 3
    Social and Behavioral Sciences
    GE-S and D
    3
    Electives
    Complete the university writing requirement
    6​
    Total 15
    For semesters 5-8, students must enroll in all semesters and take all core courses in the term and order indicated.
    Semester 5 Credits
    HSA 3111 U.S. Health Care System
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    HSC 3502 Survey of Diseases and Disability
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    PHC 3603 Critical Issues in Public Health
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    PHC 4094 Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Science and Public Health
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    PHC 4101 Public Health Concepts
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    Total 15
    Semester 6 Credits
    HSC 3057 Research Methods and Issues in Health Science
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    HSC 4558 Survey of Diseases and Disabilities 2
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    PHC 3440 Global Public Health
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    Approved college elective
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    Specialty elective
    3000/4000 level
    3
    Total 15
    Semester 7 Credits
    PHC 4024 Applied Epidemiology
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    PHC 4320 Environmental Concepts in Public Health
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    Approved college elective
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    Specialty elective
    3000/4000 level
    3
    Elective
    3000/4000 level
    3
    Total 15
    Semester 8 Credits
    PHC 4117 Public Health Management and Leadership
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    PHC 4943 Service Learning Practicum 1
    Minimum grade of C required
    3
    Specialty elective
    3000/4000 level
    3
    Electives
    3000/4000 level
    6
    Total 15
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    Related Health Science Programs

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majors: public-health