Program Questions
- What is psychiatric epidemiology?
- Who is the target audience of the CPE program?
- What is unique about the Department of Epidemiology?
- How does the University of Florida compare to other universities?
- How many credits are required for the CPE program?
- What is included in the CPE program curriculum?
- May I complete the prerequisite courses after enrolling in the program?
- What will the CPE cost me?
- What financial assistance is available for CPE students?
Application Questions
- What are the criteria for admission into the CPE program?
- When should I apply?
- What are the application procedures?
- Where should I send my official transcripts?
- Do I need to submit GRE scores?
- Do I need to submit English proficiency examination scores?
- How can I check my application status?
- How long does it take to process my application?
- What is the review process for CPE applications?
- What are the criteria being used to evaluate my application?
- When should I expect to hear about my admissions decision?
- If my application is denied, can I apply for the program again?
Don’t see your specific question listed here? Please fill out a contact form and our academic program staff will be in touch with you soon.
What is psychiatric epidemiology?
Psychiatric epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of mental health-related states or events (including mental illness), and the application of this study to the control of mental health problems.
Who is the target audience of the CPE program?
While anyone may enroll in the CPE, the program is ideal for professionals and academics who cannot interrupt their position to gain additional expertise and skills. The CPE prepares professionals to address the critical mental health challenges of our time from an epidemiological perspective.
What is unique about the Department of Epidemiology?
The mission of the Department of Epidemiology is to improve health globally through education, training, research, and service. We were established in 2011, and we are thus a young and rapidly growing department. Faculty in epidemiology are committed to multi-disciplinary research, are leaders in their respective fields, and are committed to teaching and advising. Each has a strong research portfolio with access to diverse populations and data sets. Our faculty publish prolifically and have numerous grants and contracts from local, state, and national agencies.
The Department of Epidemiology is jointly housed in the College of Public Health and Health Professions and the College of Medicine, two of the six colleges of the university’s Academic Health Center. The Department of Epidemiology thus benefits from rich collaboration across the Health Science Center, which also encompasses the Colleges of Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine; seven major research institutes focused on health issues of importance to Floridians; and more than 100 specialized centers of clinical expertise, including the Southern HIV and Alcohol Research Consortium (SHARC) Center for Translational HIV Research, which is housed in the Department of Epidemiology.
The department is committed to reducing health disparities through HealthStreet, a community engagement program at the University of Florida that aims to improve the health of the Gainesville community by bridging gaps in healthcare and health research. HealthStreet’s Community Health Workers assess health concerns, conditions and research perceptions of community members. They also provide referrals to community members for medical and social services, as well as opportunities to participate in health research, relevant to their health concerns and health conditions. Research and volunteer opportunities abound at HealthStreet.
Faculty in epidemiology have spearheaded a number of landmark studies, including the Haiti Health Study, the Florida component of the national NIH- and CDC-funded Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, and the Medication Use, Safety, and Evidence (MUSE) Study.
How does the University of Florida compare to other universities?
The University of Florida is a major public, comprehensive, land-, sea-, and space-grant university. It is Florida’s oldest and most comprehensive institution of higher learning. With an enrollment of over 52,000 students, the University of Florida is the 5th largest university in the United States. More than 7,000 international students from over 120 countries attend the University of Florida.
The University of Florida ranks 5th among the top U.S. public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report. The University ranks among the nation’s 51 leading research universities as categorized by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, and it holds membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, thus being ranked among the top 60 U.S. research institutions.
Three institutions — the University of Minnesota, the Ohio State University, and the University of Florida — offer more academic programs on a single campus than any of the other approximately 3,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. The University of Florida has 19 colleges and schools and over 60 interdisciplinary research and education centers, bureaus, and institutes. The Graduate School coordinates programs in approximately 90 academic departments leading to over 100 master’s degrees and 60 doctoral degrees.
Three institutions — the University of Minnesota, the Ohio State University, and the University of Florida — offer more academic programs on a single campus than any of the other approximately 3,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. The University of Florida has 19 colleges and schools and over 60 interdisciplinary research and education centers, bureaus, and institutes. The Graduate School coordinates programs in approximately 90 academic departments leading to over 100 master’s degrees and 60 doctoral degrees.
May I complete the prerequisite courses after enrolling in the program?
Yes. If you do not have previous graduate coursework equivalent to the required prerequisite courses, you may complete them in the first or second semester of your program. Prerequisite courses are charged the standard UF tuition and fee rate, which is dependent on your Florida residency status.
Do I need to submit GRE scores?
The GRE is not a requirement for admission into the CPE program.
Do I need to submit English proficiency examination scores?
An English proficiency exam is not a requirement for admission into the CPE program. Please keep in mind that all courses are conducted in English.
How can I check my application status?
You will be notified by program staff when you begin submitting your application materials. You will be sent a confirmation email indicating receipt of the application and indicating any missing documents. You will also receive a confirmation email when your package is completed. You may always complete a contact form to ask about the status of your application.
The Department of Epidemiology does not monitor the status of official transcripts and test scores that are sent to the Office of Admissions. Be sure to monitor the application status portal available to you once you submit your application, and contact the Office of Admissions by using this contact form or by calling 352-392-1365 with any questions about the status of your official transcripts and test scores.
How long does it take to process my application?
It takes some time to process your application and to make sure that all required documents have been submitted to the appropriate places. It is recommended that you start your application as early as possible, and make sure that you leave enough time to have all paperwork submitted from your institutions. The Office of Admissions cannot forward an application to a certificate program to the department until all materials and transcripts have been received.
What is the review process for CPE applications?
In the certificate application process, the Office of Admissions must complete the following review before your application is referred to the department:
- Determination of satisfactory conduct record
- Validation of transcripts and degrees
- Verification of residency classification
If you are currently enrolled as a student at the University of Florida, the application must be approved by your primary department or college.
The application is then forwarded to the Department of Epidemiology, where application review is carried out by the Director of the CPE Program.
What are the criteria being used to evaluate my application?
The Department of Epidemiology looks at all submitted application documents when making an admissions decision. You will be evaluated on the basis of your stated career goals, relevance to our mission, and credentials.
When should I expect to hear about my admissions decision?
Please allow two weeks after receipt of all application materials, including official transcripts, for an admissions notification.
If my application is denied, can I apply for the program again?
If admission is formally denied to you, then you may wait and reapply for the next admissions cycle. Please be advised that you will have to reapply to the Office of Admissions as well, and pay another application fee.