This 15-credit Public Health Certificate contains courses that will build a foundation in public health with a focus on its application in the field of veterinary medicine. This certificate can expand your job opportunities, or enhance your current degree program!
Overview
This 15-credit Public Health Certificate contains courses that will build a foundation in public health with a focus on its application in the field of veterinary medicine. This certificate can expand your job opportunities, or enhance your current degree program.
This program is designed for:
- Practicing Veterinarians
- Students seeking their Veterinary degree
- Professionals working in animal care
Successful completion of this certificate will be denoted on a student’s transcript by “Completed Graduate Certificate in Public Health.” A paper certificate with the same notation will be mailed to the students home 8-12 weeks after final grades are posted.
Features of the Graduate Certificate in Public Health
- can be completed in 2-5 semesters
- consists of 15 credits
- requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA and have no grades lower than a “C”
- requires a final exam covering the 10 Essential Services of Public Health
- courses in this certificate program may be transferred into the University of Florida’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program upon admission with a B or better grade, provided that the courses were completed less than 7 years prior.
Courses
Applicants will choose their specific plan of study and course schedule when completing the departmental application. Schedules can be found on our Course Schedule page.
Required:
- PHC 6600 Foundations of Public Health
- PHC 6326 Environment and One Health
- PHC 6519 Zoonotic Diseases in Humans and Animals
Select Two:
- PHC 6195 Health Information for Diverse Populations: Theory & Methods
- PHC 6605 Social Determinants of Health
- PHC 6183 Public Health Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response
- PHC 6304 Environmental Toxicology Applications in Public Health
- PHC 6702 Environmental Monitoring and Exposure Assessment
Course Descriptions
PHC 6600, Foundations of Public Health, 3 Credits
Description: This foundational course introduces public health and healthcare within the US and globally, emphasizing the ecological perspective and the interconnectedness of population and individual health. Course topics include public health history and impact, the role of ethics and evidence, and the importance of health equity and human rights.
PHC 6326, Environmental and One Health (3-credits)
Description: Many health challenges face complex and inextricable links between human, animal, and environmental health, necessitating a systems approach to One Health. This course introduces concepts, theories, and applications of environmental health sciences in the context of one health. The course combines lectures, discussions, and a class project.
PHC 6519, Zoonotic Diseases in Humans and Animals
Description: The purpose of this online course is to introduce graduate and professional students to major zoonotic diseases. We will discuss both the human and animal presentations, epidemiology, means of prevention and control, available diagnostics, available treatments, and associated human and animal regulations for each disease. The diseases presented in class will be chosen based on their significance to public health practitioners.
Pick 2 of the following courses:
PHC 6195, Health Information for Diverse Populations: Theory & Methods (3-credits)
Description: This is an introductory course; as such, we will be examining basic concepts and social scientific research in persuasive communication to gain an understanding of how individuals process and respond to public health information.
PHC 6605, Social Determinants of Health (3-credits)
Description: Using established conceptual frameworks on the Social Determinants of Health, students will map the interrelationships among the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and Health Inequalities (HI) / Health Disparities (HD); and discuss the social origins of illness, disease, and suffering that contribute to HD in people’s health.
PHC 6183, Public Health Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response (3-credits)
Description: Introduction to the basics of disaster preparedness and responding to disasters, while developing a foundation for further development in responder training. Topics include the Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS), support of animal owners, livestock farmers, and care providers as well as guidance for emergency management personnel in preparing community disaster plans that include animals.
PHC 6304, Environmental Toxicology Applications in Public Health (3-credits)
Description: Environmental toxicology examines exposure to chemical, biological, and physical agents and associated health effects in humans and wildlife. Students will analyze environmental fate of chemicals, exposure routes, mechanisms of toxicity, and critique common approaches used by public health professional when dealing with toxicants.
PHC 6702, Environmental Monitoring and Exposure Assessment
Description: Exposure to hazardous chemical, physical and biological agents occurs through inhalation, ingestion, or contact with a variety of environmental media including air, water, food, or soil. Students will acquire and apply the key knowledge needed to perform environmental monitoring for exposure assessment in environmental health research and practice.
Learn More
For more information, please check out our FAQs or specific program contacts below.
For information about certificate eligibility, admission, or the application process, please contact Brittany Gibson.
For information about registration, courses, designing a plan of study, or transitioning from the Certificate in Public Health to the UF MPH program, please contact Telisha Martin.