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 combination-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.

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:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Credits
  BSC 2005	Biological Sciences	3
  or BSC 2010	Integrated Principles of Biology 1
  STA 2023	Introduction to Statistics 1	3
  Select 6 credits of social and behavioral sciences, including the following as the state core:		6
  PSY 2012	General Psychology
  ENC 1101	Expository and Argumentative Writing	3
  ENC 1102	Argument and Persuasion	3
  ENC 2210	Technical Writing	3
  or ENC 3453	Writing in the Health Professions

• 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.

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 IDS 1161 GE-B/P, GE-S, and all state core courses
• Complete the university writing requirement, which must include ENC 3453 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

SEMESTER 5

• Complete PHC 4101 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete PHC 4094 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete PHC 3603 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete HSC 3502 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete HSA 3111 with a minimum grade of C
• 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
• 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

SEMESTER 6

• Complete HSC 4558 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete HSC 3057 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete PHC 3440 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete 1 Approved college elective with a minimum grade of C
• Complete 1 Specialty elective (3000/4000) with a minimum grade of C
• 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
• 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

SEMESTER 7

• Complete PHC 4024 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete PHC 4320 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete 2 Approved college electives with a minimum grade of C
• Complete 1 Specialty elective (3000/4000) with a minimum grade of C
• 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
• 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

SEMESTER 8

• Complete PHC 4943 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete PHC 4117 with a minimum grade of C
• Complete 1 Specialty elective (3000/4000) with a minimum grade of C
• Complete General electives (3000/4000) with a minimum grade of C
• Complete a minimum of 6 college approved electives
• Complete 60 upper division credits
• 3.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, based on all attempts
• 3.0 cumulative GPA on work from all institutions

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

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.

For semesters 5-8, students must enroll in all semesters and take all core courses in the term and order indicated.

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Public Health will be prepared for careers in health care systems or organizations addressing the health or more general human service needs of communities and populations. They will learn the foundational skills necessary to enter post baccalaureate academic programs in public health or complementary fields and success in the dynamic public health workforce.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Earn minimum grades of C in all public health core courses.
• Pass a BPH capstone exam and service learning experience.
• Complete requirements for the post baccalaureate degree, as determined by the faculty and the university.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Explain the five major areas of public health (biostatistics, environmental health services, epidemiology, health services administration, and social behavioral science), and each area’s contribution to public health.
2. Identify, describe, and explain the ways that social determinants of health impact disability, disease and illness in populations.

Critical Thinking

3. Identify, critically evaluate, and propose solutions to public health challenges.

Communication

4. Communicate in oral and written forms public health concepts and their relationship to policy, communities, organizations, interpersonal dynamics and individual perspectives.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• Assignment
• The Bachelor of Health Science capstone exam
• The degree candidate's exit survey