Occupational Health (MPH)

The principal concerns of the occupational health professional are: the worker; the work environment and chemical, physical, and ergonomic and biological agents in the workplace. The curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature and scope, addressing topics in these broad areas. The MPH in Occupational Health is a 42 credit program designed for either physicians in practice who are interested in the residency but can not spend 2 years away from their practice (They complete their MPH first while maintaining their practice and then spend only 1 year in the clinical residency program), or for other practicing health professionals.

In addition to the overall Masters of Public Health degree objectives, Occupational Health for Health Professionals graduates will be able to:

• Summarize the history and social context of occupational health and their influence on workers health;
• Identify human and physical factors affecting workers health including geographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics;
• Apply principles of toxicology in the manifestation of exposure related illnesses;
• Identify the impact on workers of illnesses not related to exposures including psychological disorders;
• Describe special health related programs in industries of major importance to Florida and the nation;
• Determine the role of government regulations, insurance policies and procedures along with the ethical and legal ramifications in treatment and prevention of work related conditions and injury;
• Develop a strategy for a preventive program on a health related issue in the workplace; and
• Identify supportive agencies for dealing with occupational health.

Prerequisites

• Public health course prerequisite: None
• Suggested/preferred undergraduate majors: A clinical degree required e.g. medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy
• Prerequisite undergraduate courses: Science related courses used in preparation for clinical professional degree
• Work experience: Two years of clinical experience preferred
• Minimum undergrad GPA: 3.0 in last 60 hours of undergraduate degree OR
• Verbal GRE score: minimum 450
• Quantitative GRE score: minimum 550
• Other criteria: Two letters of recommendation, computer skills, resume, goal statement

Special Admission Requirements
None

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