Charting Your Course: A Guide to UCF Health Careers Programs

The University of Central Florida (UCF) stands as a prominent institution for students aspiring to pursue careers in the diverse and expanding field of healthcare. As Florida's leading engineering and technology university, UCF is a significant producer of talent ready to address the complex challenges of modern healthcare. With a range of programs designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for success, UCF offers a multifaceted approach to health education. Degree programs cover healthcare professions that address prevention through diagnosis, to long-term treatment and rehabilitative care. In our college, students from different programs learn together-just like they will in the real world as members of a healthcare team.

Foundational Programs

Department of Health Sciences

The Department of Health Sciences at UCF offers one of the university’s largest majors, health sciences. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences includes a science-based curriculum which emphasizes practical application of knowledge and skills. As the second largest major at UCF, many students start their path to a health career by majoring in Health Sciences. Often referred to as pre-med, our science-based, application-oriented curriculum is designed for students with an interest in human health who plan to pursue careers in medicine, other health professions, clinical/behavioral health research, health promotion and public health. The program’s core curriculum includes courses such as human disease and pathophysiology, nutrition, pharmacology, preventive health care, epidemiology, and research in the health sciences.

Career-Focused Tracks

The curriculum is divided into two career-focused tracks, Pre-Clinical and Health Promotion. These tracks provide students with the flexibility to prepare for multiple careers in the health sciences including medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, public health, health education and wellness, and others.

Pre-Clinical Track: This track is a good option for pre-med students who are pursuing careers as a physician, physician assistant, dentist, pharmacist and other healthcare careers.
Health Promotion Track: Designed for students pursuing careers as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, clinical/behavioral health researcher, public health specialist and other health-related fields. Explore health promotion principles and concepts through courses such as preventative health care, epidemiology of chronic diseases and medical self assessment.

Read also: Comprehensive overview of Riverside College programs

As a health sciences student, you will have opportunities outside of the classroom that will expand your knowledge and skills and help you achieve your career goal. Experiences like engaging with faculty in research, internships, community service projects, study abroad and professional development, allow you to explore a wide range of career opportunities and build your professional resume in preparation for applying to professional/graduate schools or entry-level employment. Our expert faculty are invested in your success and provide you with the foundation of knowledge, skills and experiences you need to advance your studies and provide a foundation for your next steps in pursuing a health or medically-related career.

College Choice ranked UCF’s program No. 17 of the 35 best Bachelor’s in Health Sciences degrees. Occupations in health sciences are projected to grow roughly 15% through 2029. Build a professional portfolio full of extracurricular experiences to aid in applying to graduate programs or seeking employment. The Department of Health Sciences in the College of Health Professions and Sciences at the University of Central Florida offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences, a minor in Health Sciences, and a Master of Science degree in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science. The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree program provides students with a comprehensive educational background in health-related sciences including foundational courses required for admission to graduate and professional degree programs in the health professions.

School of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at UCF is home to the largest bachelor’s and one of the largest master’s degree programs in communication sciences and disorders in the country. The faculty includes nationally honored scholars with research programs in all areas of the discipline. This degree is the first step in speech-language pathology education and prepares students for the master’s in communication sciences and disorders and a career as a speech-language pathologist. The master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders is one of the largest programs in the country and the top supplier of speech-language pathologists in Florida. Students in this program serve under the supervision of faculty clinicians to provide direct services to clients in the UCF Communication Disorders Clinic. The PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) at UCF prepares the next generation of researchers, innovators, and educators to advance healthcare and technology.

School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences

The School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences at UCF includes the Athletic Training Program, Division of Kinesiology (comprises programs formerly known as sport and exercise science) and Division of Physical Therapy. The school is home to specialized teaching labs and equipment, such as an Anatomage; dedicated facilities for research on exercise performance, human physiology and mobility; and the UCF Go Baby Go! Kinesiology is the scientific study of the mechanics of human movement to improve function and performance as it relates to human health and wellness. The Master of Science in Kinesiology allows students to obtain advanced knowledge in the exploration of human movement and applied exercise physiology.

Advanced Degrees in Kinesiology

Career Opportunities: A master’s in kinesiology prepares students to pursue a career in exercise physiology, sport science, strength and conditioning, or to pursue a doctoral degree in a related field. The Kinesiology, PhD program is designed to develop the next generation of teacher-scholars and professional leaders to advance the broad discipline of kinesiology through exploration of human movement, applied physiology, sports performance, sports medicine and clinical rehabilitation. The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program educates students to become competent, compassionate and ethical physical therapy practitioners. Students participate in extensive full-time clinical training, working under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist at affiliated clinical education facilities, including acute care hospitals, sports medicine facilities, pediatric facilities, neurologic rehabilitation units and veteran/military hospitals.

School of Social Work

The School of Social Work at UCF offers accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, including a popular Online MSW program. The Field Education Office coordinates internships for students at 850 non-profit, government, healthcare, and educational facilities across the nation. Social Work is an academic discipline focused on enhancing human well-being and helping individuals, families and communities address challenges and improve quality of life. Students in the MSW program can take courses in the campus-based track or through an online track. The online MSW offers convenient solutions for those looking to earn their degree through distance education.

School of Global Health Management and Informatics

The School of Global Health Management and Informatics prepares students to manage, analyze, and lead within today’s complex healthcare systems by combining expertise in health data, technology, and administration. From health informatics and information management to health services and executive leadership, graduates gain the skills needed to improve care delivery, protect health information, and guide healthcare organizations through data-driven, patient-focused decision-making. The school provides flexible learning options, including face-to-face, online and hybrid classes to suit each student’s unique needs. A health informatics degree emphasizes the development, maintenance, and appropriate use of health data and technology to improve the delivery of care to patients. This degree focuses on the people and processes around health data. This degree is designed to educate future health services administrators and healthcare managers on how to effectively plan, direct, and coordinate the delivery of healthcare. The program prepares students for an advanced degree in health services administration or other related disciplines. This advanced degree prepares graduates for leadership roles managing public health systems, hospital networks and healthcare facilities. Designed to meet the growing demand for highly trained health care informatics professionals, this program provides students with a thorough grounding in the clinical, management and business aspects of the health informatics field. Graduates can work as practitioners, managers, analysts and researchers.

Advanced Programs

Master of Science in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science (HPBS)

The Department of Health Sciences in the College of Health Professions and Sciences at the University of Central Florida offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences, a minor in Health Sciences, and a Master of Science degree in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science. A Master of Science in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science prepares students for a career helping individuals and communities maintain and maximize healthy lifestyles. The program trains students to conduct systematic reviews, translate scientific research into evidence-based practice, and design and implement innovative health education and promotion programs aimed at reducing the risk of chronic disease and its associated impacts. Students also gain skills in behavior modification, health coaching, and health communications. The Master of Science in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science includes thesis and non-thesis options. The HPBS program trains students to conduct systematic reviews, translate scientific research into evidence-based practice, and design and implement innovative health promotion, education, and advocacy programs and campaigns aimed at preventing and reducing the risk of chronic disease and its associated impacts. Students also gain skills in behavior modification, health coaching, and health communications. The curriculum includes coursework required to achieve competencies needed for specialty certification eligibility as a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and a Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

The College of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS) launched the Master of Science in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science (HPBS). This is the first graduate program within the Department of Health Sciences. “Our graduates will be capable of designing, implementing and directing programs in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, long-term care, government, health-related service organizations, nonprofit organizations, and businesses that address human health and wellness. The curriculum is designed to achieve competencies required as a first step in achieving eligibility to become a certified health education specialist, a certified health and wellness coach, and certified in lifestyle medicine. Jillian Weathington ’23 is one of 10 graduate students in the program, after obtaining her bachelor’s in health sciences in the pre-clinical track. “All of the classes combined are helping me to understand how to implement different health policies and health initiatives and why it is important,” says Weathington, who is also a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Health Sciences. “I think this is a good degree for CHPS to offer for people to learn the more preventative side of medicine. “People who are interested in the program don’t have to be committed to doing research,” Weathington says. While the HPBS master’s program is very new, plans are already in place for future expansion.

Additional Resources and Support

Facilities and Business Operations

The Facilities and Business Operations team at UCF is committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. The Facilities and Business Operations at UCF is dedicated to fostering a conducive educational environment for our faculty, staff, students, and the broader community.

Graduate and Research Information Technology (GRIT)

Graduate and Research Information Technology (GRIT) is the dedicated information technology organization supporting UCF’s research enterprise.

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD)

The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) is the largest of the seven regional autism programs in Florida.

Research Office

The Research Office supports faculty, staff and students through the Research Project Lifecycle. The lifecycle includes Pre-Award, Post-Award, and Project closeout.

UCF Registrar’s Office

The UCF Registrar’s Office maintains accurate and secure student records. We issue academic transcripts and prepare and publish the UCF Undergraduate Catalog.

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