Skip to main content

Give Now

College Overview

Established in January of 2000 by the Arizona Board of Regents, The University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health is currently the first and only nationally accredited college of public health in Arizona.

Located in Tucson, Arizona, the Zuckerman College of Public Health is one of 19 colleges of the University of Arizona, one of the nation's leading public universities. With about 900,000 multicultural citizens, Tucson is a growing economic and recreational center that reflects the richness and diversity of the Southwest and U.S.-Mexico border regions. The College is located in the Roy P. Drachman Hall facility which was completed in 2006.

The UA Zuckerman College of Public Health offers tremendous opportunities to its students for education, research and community involvement thanks to a locale rich in history, research opportunities, and university academic resources. The College consistently ranks among the top five in American Indian and Hispanic graduates and students enrolled among 64 accredited schools of public health, according to recent data from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). In addition, the University of Arizona is one of only 62 members in the Association of American Universities, a prestigious organization that recognizes universities who have developed exceptionally strong overall research and academic programs.

Academic Departments

The UA Zuckerman College of Public Health is organized into four academic departments including the Phoenix campus, that reflect the nature of their research, teaching and practice:

Departments serve as administrative units which coordinate teaching, research, and service within their areas of specialization. The units are academic homes for faculty, staff, and students and provide the central focus of collegial relationships within the College.

The UA Zuckerman College of Public Health provides both undergraduate and graduate education in population-based health disciplines designed to prepare students for professional and academic public-health careers.

Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health degree is designed to promote an understanding of health and disease based on public health principles.

Master of Public Health (MPH) Program

The Master of Public Health program offers an interdisciplinary professional degree in public health. MPH students may choose from nine areas of concentration on campus, as well as three areas of concentration online

Students achieve proficiency in one or more specialized areas through advanced coursework, then apply their knowledge as they learn to solve real community health problems during the applied practice experience. The many research opportunities in College-sponsored projects provide invaluable hands-on experiences in laboratory and field work, also.

Dual Degrees

  • MD/MPH
  • JD/MPH
  • PharmD/MPH
  • MPH/MBA
  • MPH/MA in Latin American Studies
  • MPH/MS in Mexican American Studies

Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH)

The Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH) is an advanced, professional degree program designed for the student with an existing MPH degree or its equivalent who intends to pursue a leadership career as a public-health professional. This unique DrPH program integrates knowledge and analytical skills in leadership, practice, policy analysis, research, program management, and professional communication. The DrPH program is offered in either Maternal and Child Health or Public Health Policy and Management.

SAFER at SuperbowlThe Student Aid for Field Epidemiology Response (SAFER) program and course provided "real world" experience on the basics of epidemiologic outbreaks to graduate students at SuperBowl XLII in February, 2008. SAFER is part of the Arizona Prevention Research Center (AzPRC).

MS & PhD in Biostatistics

The Master of Science (MS) and Doctorate (PhD) degrees in Biostatistics emphasizes the foundations of statistical reasoning. Biostatistics is the science of collecting and analyzing biologic or health data using statistical methods, which is used to help learn the possible causes of a disease or how often it occurs in a certain group of people. For students who have demonstrated excellence in mathematics and the sciences, this program provides rigorous training in applied probability and statistical analyses, preparing them to become top-notch research biostatisticians in academia, industry, or government.

MS & PhD in Environmental Health Sciences

The Master of Science and Doctorate (MS/PhD) degrees in Environmental Health Sciences is designed for individuals who seek training for leadership roles in environmental health research. The degree prepares individuals to evaluate and control health risks posed by chemical and biological contaminants and physical exposures (noise, heat and radiation) in occupational and non-occupational environments.

MS & PhD in Epidemiology

The Epidemiology graduate programs offer study leading to Master of Science (MS) and Doctorate (PhD) degrees. Multi-disciplinary collaborations among program faculty and university departments, as well as state and national health institutions, provide excellent classroom learning, community training, and research opportunities in epidemiology, the study of the distribution of diseases in populations and factors that influence the occurrence of disease.

PhD in Health Behavior Health Promotion

The PhD in Health Behavior Health Promotion has an emphasis on the biological, behavioral, and socio-cultural determinants of health and health behavior, and the interventions and policies aimed at improving community and population health. The PhD program includes instruction in behavioral sciences, public health practice and policy, human services, and research methods. The doctoral program offers a diverse and challenging curriculum that addresses health behavior health promotion theory, knowledge/skills in working on health issues within the diverse communities of the Southwest US, mixed qualitative/quantitative research methods, statistics, and grant development skills.

Serving the State of Arizona

The UA Zuckerman College of Public Health concentrates its efforts on realizing its mission of developing a collaborative academic network to serve the public health needs of Arizona. In every county, the College works to provide resources to local health promotion programs in areas such as tobacco control, diabetes prevention, environmental protection, or youth violence prevention. Further, our programs are committed to educating and training Arizona's public-health workforce to assure excellence in local leadership. You may read more about our college mission, goals, and values in our strategic plan.

Administrative Units

The Dean of the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health serves as its chief administrative officer and as such is responsible for strategic planning and facilitating growth of the college, the faculty and the student body. Associate Deans at the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health report directly to the Dean. More...

The University of Arizona red triangle graphic