The °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ is home to the highest-ranked public health degree program in °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ (U.S. News and World Report, 2025). The university is also home to a new (CPH) recipient .
“ (COPH) Dean Vermund is a trailblazer in academic public health known for his visionary leadership and commitment to advancing the field,” said , COPH professor and associate dean of academic affairs. “Dean Vermund’s decision to pursue the CPH credential sends a powerful message about the importance of professional standards in today’s public health landscape.”
USF president Rhea Law (center) and Rocky D. Bull (front) celebrate the spring public health graduates earning their CPH designation.
The CPH, administered by the (NBPHE), affirms a practitioner’s mastery of core public health competencies, as well as their dedication to ethical practice and lifelong learning. The CPH is a symbol to both the public and the workforce that a certified public health professional is not only well-educated, but also deeply committed to a shared standard of excellence and professional identity.
“As the field faces growing complexity and public scrutiny, the CPH serves as a vital tool for ensuring professionals are equipped with the knowledge and accountability needed to meet today’s challenges,” said Corvin, who also serves as chair of NBPHE’s certification committee.
“Doctors, nurses and barbers need certification to practice their professions, and I’ve always wondered why public health does not have a credentialing process,” Vermund said. “Given that our students take the CPH exam, I thought that their dean should also be vetted. Plus, my distinguished predecessor , insisted!”
Vermund’s example aligns with a growing movement among academic institutions to embed certification into public health curricula. In the COPH, all master’s students are required to earn the CPH, reinforcing the college’s commitment to preparing graduates who are not only well-trained, but also professionally recognized. A growing emphasis on certification is also being reflected across the public health workforce, with health departments and public health agencies increasingly recognizing the value of the CPH in hiring, advancement and professional development.
Spring graduates show off their CPH stole at commencement.
As the (ASPPH) continues to advocate for excellence in education and practice, the CPH remains a cornerstone of that vision—ensuring that public health professionals are equipped to lead with integrity, expertise and purpose.
“At USF, the CPH is another example of how we practice our passion,” Covin said. “Dr. Vermund hopes that his leadership and example send a powerful message to students, faculty and practitioners alike—certification matters!”
“Now is the time to lead by example,” Vermund said. “If you haven’t earned your CPH, consider joining the growing community of certified public health professionals who are shaping the future.”
Learn more about the CPH designation at .