Certificate in One Health

In ancient times, the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment was believed to be interconnected. Now, we know that they are also interdependent. Our globalized world serves as a multiplier for these dependencies, positives, and negatives, and provides the platform for local issues to become global.

The One Health Certificate has been created to bring together graduate students and professionals interested in expanding their knowledge around the complexity of health in the era of big data. The program is composed of a 4-course 12 credit curriculum with a flexible structure and is tailored to accommodate the interests of multidisciplinary students while grounding training in one health systems thinking. The certificate may be taken fully online.

• Overview

  The certificate consists of 2 required core courses PHC 6446 Systems Thinking in One Health (3 credits) and PHC 6326: Environmental and One Health (3 credits).  The Systems Thinking in One Health course aims to give students a structured space for dialogue, in order to master the transversal tools that are essential for every professional who engages in understanding the complexity of health. Sessions will be delivered by expert speakers on cross-cutting topics and coupled with specific problems and how these can be viewed and approached through a One Health lens of embracing complex systems thinking. The Environmental and One Health course will approach complex issues through an environmental lens, so students learn how to consider the influence and impact the environment has on human and animal interfaces.

  The remaining 6 elective credits aim to deliver basic knowledge in different areas of health within several tracks. These courses will allow students to explore different viewpoints, increase their understanding of interdisciplinary convergence, and enhance their awareness of how different disciplines can intersect health.

  The objective is to enroll a group of students with a broad array of professional backgrounds, ranging from philosophy to biotechnology.

• Learning Objectives
  • Describe genetic, physiological, social, environmental, political, and economic factors that contribute to health issues that can be solved using a One Health approach.
  • Develop an understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of the One Health paradigm.
  • Implement a systems thinking-based approach to complex health problems that span across human, animal, and environmental health.
  • Communicate with stakeholders and communities on the direct and indirect human, animal, and ecological impacts of major environmental hazards.
  • Identify and create collaborative relationships and research networks in One Health
• Certificate Requirements

  A total of 12 graduate credits are needed for this certificate. Students in the certificate program will take a combination of core and elective courses that provide applied and theoretical training.

  We offer four tracks (i. Communication, behavior and health; ii Urban development and health; iii. Ecosystems and health; iv. Pathogens, contaminants, and health) to build the next generation of professionals capable of identifying interdisciplinary opportunities around health.

  Each student is required to take the following two core courses as part of the certificate: PHC 6446 Systems Thinking in One Health (3) and PHC 6326: Environmental and One Health (3). Students will then track into one of the options below or, choose two courses from any of the tracks.

  Track 1: Communication, Behavior, and Health, Choose 2

  • PHC 6410 Psychological, Behavioral and Social Issues in Public Health (3)
  • FOR 6005 Conservation Behavior (3)
  • VME 6051 Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence (3)
  • FNR 6061 Conflict and Collaboration in Natural Resources (3)
  • HUM 5357 Creativity and Health: Foundations of the Arts in Medicine (3)
  • MMC 5708 Foundations of Intercultural Communication (3)

  Track 2: Urban Development and Health, Choose 2

  • DCP 6931 International Sustainable Development (4)
  • DCP 6205 Ecological Issues in Sustainability and the Built Environment (3)
  • ENV 6617 Principles of Green Engineering Design and Sustainability (3)
  • URP 6042 Urban Economy (3)
  • FOR 6543 Natural Resource Economics and Valuation (3)

  Track 3: Ecosystems and Health, Choose 2

  • SWS 5246  Water Resource Sustainability (3)
  • WIS 6576   Human-Wildlife Conflict (3)
  • FAS 5051   Introduction to Aquaculture (3)
  • ALS 5155* Global Agroecosystems (3)
  • ALS 6935  Topic in Biological Invasions (3)

  Track 4: Pathogens, Contaminants, and Health, Choose 2

  • PHC 6515 One Health; Applied Techniques in Public Health Entomology (3)
  • SWS 5551 Soils, Water and Public Health (3)
  • PHC 6520 Introduction to Foodborne Diseases (3)
  • PHC 6018 Environmental Ecology of Human Pathogens (3)
  • PHC 6304 Environmental Toxicology in Public Health (3)
  • PHC 6301 Aquatic Systems and Environmental Health (3)
  • PHC 6424 Environmental Policy and Risk Management (3)
• Admissions and Cost

  Deadlines to apply for the One Health Certificate are rolling. Participants may choose to begin their program at the start of fall, spring or summer terms as defined by the University of Florida schedule. The Department of Environmental and Global Health will begin offering the certificate program in Spring 2020.

  Tuition costs for the program range from approximately $6500-$7800. For more information about this certificate program, please feel free to contact the Department of Environmental and Global Health at egh-programs@phhp.ufl.edu.