2012/2013 College of Public Health Catalog – Programs Offered
Banner code MPH: HLE

Environmental & Occupational Health
Health, Safety & Environment (MPH)

MPH with a Concentration in Health, Safety & Environment

(This program was approved by General Council 9/2012 and will start admitting students Spring 2013)
This online MPH degree program will provide a strong foundation for students to advance their careers by providing the knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex and evolving regional, national and global challenges related to Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE). All courses in this program are offered online and there is a required ten day capstone experience on campus in Tampa, Florida at the conclusion of coursework.
This program is intended to appeal to experienced working professionals anywhere in the world who seek to broaden their understanding of the interrelatedness of these three key areas. The fundamentals of exposure assessment and analytical methods will lay the groundwork for topics that include the basics of the persistent worldwide issues of air and water quality, solid and hazardous wastes, worker safety, legal requirements, and effective management. The impact of health, safety and the environment topics will be addressed for developed and less developed countries. Students will have the opportunity to develop a major emphasis in an area of their choice.
Students work in consultation with faculty advisors to complete a program of study that best suits their primary interest and fits with their career goals. The required core courses address universal public health topics: epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health policy and management, and social and behavioral health. The required concentration courses develop the student’s mastery of the important aspects of health, safety and the environment. The electives allow a student to develop specialized knowledge in an area of interest. The field experience requirement typically is done in an area not directly related to the student’s employment and promotes broader appreciation of the field and a synthesis of different systems. With the assistance of the advisor, the student must complete a special project of his or her own design. During the on-campus capstone event students will work in teams to develop solutions for real world problems, and also will receive hands-on experience with equipment and laboratory methods.
The student may elect to attain the MPH degree either full or part time.
Following the key principles of public health training, the MPH graduate will be able to:
•
•
•
•

Provide leadership in a specific health specialty that is ethical, population focused, culturally appropriate and uses innovative approaches to pressing public health problems;
Demonstrate the application of public health skills and knowledge by completing a comprehensive special project;
Apply knowledge, practices and programs to improve the health and well being of all populations; and Demonstrate a commitment to improve the health of communities by working with others to solve pressing public health problems.

Program graduates will be qualified to serve in leadership roles in any of several areas:
• Industry
• Energy Production
• Utilities
• Consulting
University of South Florida, College of Public Health http://publichealth.usf.edu/ Section 3.2.13 |1

2012/2013 College of Public Health Catalog – Programs Offered
Banner code MPH: HLE

•
•
•

Environmental & Occupational Health
Health, Safety & Environment (MPH)

Manufacturing
Government/Military
Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs)

Graduates will have skills to apply public health principles to businesses that are responsible for the health and safety of their employees and guests and to protect the environment. The emphasis is on employers in the United States and internationally. They are also prepared to