Campus Life

Master in public health program meets regional needs

There's no doubt that public health is one of the main concerns facing the nation. In spring of 2006, the University of West Florida launched the online Master in Public Health (MPH) program within the School of Allied Health and Life Sciences to provide opportunities for people who aspire to work in the fields of public and allied health. The program now has full accreditation for five years from the Council on Education for Public Health, an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

There’s no doubt that public health is one of the main concerns facing the nation. In spring of 2006, the University of West Florida launched the online Master in Public Health (MPH) program within the School of Allied Health and Life Sciences to provide opportunities for people who aspire to work in the fields of public and allied health. The program now has full accreditation for five years from the Council on Education for Public Health, an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

“The Master in Public Health is the preeminent professional degree in public health,” said George Stewart, director of School of Allied Health and Life Sciences. “It is estimated that nearly 20 percent of the current local health department’s public health workforce is going to retire in the next five years, which will result in a shortage of competent professionals. The public health masters is well positioned to address the regional needs by working with our partners in the field who share our vision of a vibrant and economically sound Northwest Florida.”

The mission of the public health program is to empower a generation of public health professionals with skills, knowledge and competencies to contribute creatively and ethically to education, research and service to promote public health and disease prevention. Since its inception, the program has admitted 67 students, and there has been an influx of applications since the program received its accreditation.

“Students enroll in the program to refine their skill set in order to meet the needs of the local aging and increasing population as well as growing challenges from chronic diseases, including immerging and re-emerging infectious diseases,” said Stewart.

Graduates of the program have a number of career options. Many go on to work in county health departments as health promotion program planners, epidemiologists and environmental health specialists who perform a multitude of tasks, such as disease investigations associated with H1N1 and food borne illnesses; disease surveillance for HIV/AIDS, seasonal influenza, cancers and diabetes; public health preparedness; disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery. Graduates may also use the degree as the basis for entry into advanced or professional degrees, such as public health dentistry and other doctoral pursuits.

“A master’s in public health is an extremely valuable degree which is increasing in value in the public health job market due to projected retirements in the field and to dramatic increases in public health problems in the U.S. and abroad,” said Stewart.

To learn more about the Master in Public Health program, visit uwf.edu/sahls/masters-ph. For more information, contact Stewart at gstewart@uwf.edu.

Written by Lauren Smith, University Marketing Communications