Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in Florida

Students who wish to pursue a Master of Public Health program in Florida have many options to choose from. Not only is Florida home to 83 MPH programs (as of December 2025) on campus and online, but many of the state’s public health schools also offer research programs that may offer valuable opportunities to students. 

With Florida’s serious overdose burden and higher-than-average rates of HIV-related deaths in the nation, there are plenty of opportunities for MPH students and graduates to make a difference in the state.

There are many concentrations to choose from the above CEPH-accredited MPH programs in Florida. These specialties may help prepare you for various kinds of public health careers.

Public Health Schools and Highlights in Florida

With 9 schools offering a variety of CEPH-accredited MPH programs in Florida, you’ll have plenty of programs to choose from. Programs are available in on-campus, online, and hybrid formats to accommodate various scheduling needs. Many of these schools also offer dual-degree programs that may help you save time as you progress toward your career. 

Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

Tallahassee, FL 32307

Established in 1887, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University offers an affordable education with the goal of fostering social and economic opportunity for students who might not have otherwise had the chance to earn a college degree. 

The Florida Legislature created the Florida A&M University Institute of Public Health in 1995. In 2020, Dean Johnnie L. Early II led the charge towards a name change to reflect the heightened significance of public health in the College. The name of the College is now the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Institute of Public Health. 

Students are able to receive specialized training, field placements and the ability to participate in collaborative projects with faculty at the university’s Florida Public Health Training Center. 

Florida International University Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

Miami, FL 33199

Florida International University (FIU) opened in 1972, and has since become renowned for its research. According to the University, Washington Monthly recognized FIU as a top-50 national public university, and its research has received more than $227 million in awards each year. 

At FIU, the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work supports a broad research agenda spanning health disparities, asthma, public health policy analysis, health economics, health systems analysis, HIV/AIDS, and more. In terms of federal support, the college reports that it ranks among the top public schools of public health for NIH funding (per the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research), including more than $15.2 million in NIH grants in FY 2024.

Florida State University College of Social Sciences & Public Policy

Tallahassee, FL 32306

Founded in 1851, Florida State University holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating institution of higher education in the state. Today, it supports a student body of more than 44,000, and offers over 280 degree programs. 

The College of Social Sciences & Public Policy offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to a traditional MPH program, which trains students primarily as health policy analysts, the university offers a combined BS/MPH program that allows students to save time while earning their MPH degree. 

Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

Nova Southeastern University was chartered as a graduate institution in 1964. It has since evolved to encompass colleges of Pharmacy, Allied Health, Medical Sciences and more. The Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine offers an online and in-person Master of Public Health program, as well as doctoral degree programs in multiple fields. 

The college is staffed by over 100 full-time and 1,200 adjunct professors, and community-based partnerships give students additional learning opportunities. With the Consortium for Excellence in Medical Education, students can explore internships, residencies and fellowships to prepare them for their careers.

University of Florida College of Public Health & Health Professions

Gainesville, FL 32610

The University of Florida was founded in 1858 as the Gainesville Academy. Today, the university encompasses a 2,000-acre campus and attracts $1.2 billion in research annually. The College of Public Health & Health Professions offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The college has a thriving research base and has $46 million in research awards. This research spans topics like sports-related concussion recovery, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and suicide risk in different populations.

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Public Health Sciences 

Miami, FL 33136

The University of Miami is a private research university founded in 1925. Today, the university encompasses 12 schools and colleges that offer more than 180 majors and programs to more than 17,000 students. According to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, the Miller School of Medicine is the state’s No. 1 NIH-funded institution. The school comprises over 20 departments and has 40+ full-time faculty members involved in global research projects on topics such as cancer epidemiology, justice system reform, and tobacco control.

University of North Florida Brooks College of Health

Jacksonville, FL 32224

Established in 1969, the University of North Florida is a public university situated on a 1,381-acre campus. Nearly 4,000 students graduate from the university annually, and they can choose from over 60 undergraduate, 45 graduate, and 8 doctoral programs. 

The Brooks College of Health prepares students to work in both public and private settings, and public health students may pursue both field experience and study abroad opportunities. 

The Our Campus, Our Health health behavior assessment is conducted every two years and gives students the opportunity to help with data analysis, compile and present the results, and to help promote behavior change on campus.

University of South Florida College of Public Health

Tampa, FL 33612

The University of South Florida (USF) was founded in 1956 and has campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee. Nearly 50,000 students from 68 countries attend the university’s 14 colleges.

The College of Public Health includes 13 centers and institutes to address essential public health areas, including violence prevention, behavioral health and maternal and child health. In addition to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, the College of Public Health offers 19 certificate programs. The college also offers nearly 140 online courses.

University of West Florida Usha Kundu, MD College of Health

Pensacola, FL 32514

Established in 1963, the University of West Florida (UWF) has a student body of more than 14,500. The university has two campuses: a 1,600-acre UWF Pensacola Campus and a UWF Emerald Coast campus in Fort Walton Beach, which offers curricula specifically for students who have already earned 60+ semester hours.

 The Usha Kundu, MD College of Health offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificate programs in public health and health sciences and administration fields. Graduate degrees include public health specialties (Generalist MPH, Global Health, and Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior), as well as programs in healthcare administration, nursing, psychology, movement sciences and more.

Bethune-Cookman University Petrock College of Health Sciences

Daytona Beach, FL 32114

In 1904, Mary McLeod Bethune opened the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls with just five students. During Dr. Bethune’s lifetime, the school underwent several stages of growth. In 2006, the first master’s program was added, and in 2007, the school achieved university status. Today, Bethune-Cookman University offers over 40 degree programs and has a student body of over 3,000 students and a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. 

Dedicated to promoting wellness across diverse communities, the Petrock College of Health Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs. In addition to the MPH program, the university also offers a B.S. in Aging Studies and a B.S. in Health and Exercise Science. Students can pursue research opportunities, such as a study that examines the health disparities between African American and non-Hispanic white women living with knee osteoarthritis.

Accreditation note for MPH seekers: CEPH reports that Bethune-Cookman’s MPH program accreditation ended July 1, 2025 (voluntary withdrawal). The program is now CAATE-accredited. Prospective MPH students should weigh this status when comparing Florida programs.

Online MPH Programs in Florida

In addition to offering on-campus programs, the University of West Florida, University of South Florida, Florida International University Florida A&M University, along with others offer online MPH programs. An online MPH in Florida may offer flexibility and convenience to help you pursue your education while still meeting your work and life obligations, and without having to relocate. There are many concentrations available in online MPH programs.

Public Health Careers Outlook in Florida

As you can see below, public health career salaries in Florida are slightly lower than the U.S. average, but they vary significantly from one location to another.

As you can see below, public health career salaries in Florida are slightly lower than the U.S. average, but they vary significantly from one location to another. For more Florida public health career salary and job growth data, take a look at the table below. All information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024).

Job TitleMedian Salary in FL, 2024 (Yearly)Median Salary in U.S., 2024 (Yearly)Projected Job Growth in U.S., 2024–2034
Statisticians
$104,160
$103,300
9%
Health Education Specialists
$53,460
$63,000
4%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
$59,510
$80,060
4%
Epidemiologists
$76,300
$83,980
16%
Medical and Health Services Managers
$106,280
$117,960
23%
Health Education Specialists
$53,450
$63,000
4%
Occupational Health Specialists
$77,250
$78,900
12%
Medical Records Specialists
$45,990
$50,250
7%
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$71,890
$73,850
6%
Health Informatics Specialists 
$72,230
$67,310
15%

Specializations to Consider in Florida

While it may be helpful to choose a specialization that you’re passionate about, certain specializations may also qualify you for higher-paying positions. Pursuing a healthcare organization and management or health policies and programs specialization might prepare you for a career as a medical and health service manager or in healthcare administration. 

These are some of the highest-paying MPH-related fields in Florida. Additionally, employment of medical and health services managers is expected to increase 23% through 2034 in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That growth is driven by increased demand for healthcare services as the baby boomer population ages, according to the BLS (May 2024).

Organizations to Work for With a Public Health Degree

There are many organizations in Florida related to public health. These might be potential employers after you graduate with a public health degree. 

  • Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA): A leader in behavioral health policy and practice in Florida, FBHA is the state’s largest trade association representing community treatment providers. The organization trains professionals, promotes legislation and educates the public on behavioral health. 
  • Florida Department of Health: The department includes a state health office, 67 county health departments, all working together to promote a culture of health throughout the state.
  • Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: This association of dietetic and nutrition professionals is the largest in the state and for over 80 years has worked to help its members promote nutrition and health to residents of Florida.
  • Florida Health Care Association (FHCA): Founded in 1954, FHCA’s membership includes more than 85% of the state’s nursing centers, along with long-term care facilities and more than a thousand individuals working to ensure quality elder care in the state. 
  • Florida Health Justice Project: Dedicated to advocating for expanded healthcare access and health equity for vulnerable residents, the Florida Health Justice Project focuses on non-partisan research, policy advocacy, outreach and education.
  • Florida Institute for Health Innovation: This non-profit organization focuses on innovation and collaborative change as means of improving community health. 
  • Florida Medical Association: The state medical association advocates for physicians and patients, promoting public health and high medical practice standards and representing more than 25,000 members in legislative and public health matters.
  • Florida Network of Youth and Family Services: The Florida Network supports homeless, runaway and troubled youth ages six and older and their families, working to keep families together and providing early intervention services. 

State Health Information

With its large population and several specific health risks, Florida has a ways to go in improving public health. According to the Census Bureau, Florida’s estimated population as of July 1, 2024 was over 23 million people. 

In 2023, Florida experienced a drug overdose rate of 31.7 deaths per 100,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 31.3 deaths. Florida also has higher-than-average rates of HIV and AIDS diagnoses among adults and adolescents. In 2023, Florida reported 20.8 HIV diagnoses per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 13.7. 

This data suggests opportunities for public health professionals to improve health and wellness throughout the state of Florida.

Information last updated: December 2025