Project Details
Graduate Studies in Behavioral Health Program
Description
The USF Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute and the USF College of Public Health (COPH) jointly offer a specialty concentration in behavioral health as part of the Master’s and Doctoral programs in the COPH Department of Community & Family Health (DCFH). The Graduate Studies in Behavioral Health Program examines community and family issues in policy, evaluation, systems performance, and outcomes of alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services. Students with psychology, education, counseling, social work, nursing, medicine, and public health backgrounds analyze current trends and research in behavioral health services. Graduates are prepared to work in mental health, alcohol, drug abuse, and public health organizations, as well as in research and consulting firms. Examples of sub-specialization areas include children’s mental health, policy and behavioral health services delivery; the behavioral health needs of at-risk populations, and mental health planning, evaluation, & accountability.
The Graduate Studies in Behavioral Health includes four graduate degree options:
- The Master of Public Health (MPH) Concentration in Behavioral Health is a non-thesis degree program that prepares students for a professional career in behavioral health services.
- The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) Focus in Behavioral Health is a thesis degree program that prepares students for careers in applied behavioral health research and outcomes evaluation.
- The Masters of Social Work/Masters of Public Health Dual-Degree Program (MSW/MPH) (Behavioral Health Concentration) is an advanced dual degree program for students interested in combining clinical social work with public health and a concentration in behavioral health (including mental health and substance abuse services)
- The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Focus in Behavioral Health is an advanced research degree program for students intending to pursue academic, research, or high-level administrative careers in behavioral health services.
Behavioral Health graduates will be able to:
- Summarize the history and philosophy of behavioral health services field;
- Relate fundamental principles of epidemiology to incidence of mental and substance use disorders;
- Examine behavioral health programs for cultural and age specific populations;
- Examine ethical issues involved in the care of individuals with mental substance use disorders;
- Acquire general knowledge related to the etiology, prevention, and early intervention of individuals with mental health and substance abuse problems;
- Assess the social, political, and environmental context of behavioral health in relation to public health practice; and
- Critically evaluate the extant literature related to population-based behavioral health services research.
For additional information on specific programs and their admission requirements, visit: http://home.fmhi.usf.edu/Education/GraduateStudiesBeHealth.cfm
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