Public health is a sector of the economy that spans various related disciplines that include administration, research, education, healthcare, and law enforcement. It is a sector that provides for both the investigation of and the tracking of:
- Community Health Problems.
- Educating the Public.
- Developing Health Policies.
- Enforcing Regulations.
Academic degrees at various levels are available for those who wish to become professional health providers, health advocates, and research professionals, among others. These professionals take on leadership roles when implementing or monitoring public health missions.
A baccalaureate degree in public health is a great way to gain access to entry-level positions within the field. However, many of the more advanced, specialized, and leadership roles require the completion of a Master’s in Public Health online or in-person degree program.
A Master’s in Public Health (MPH) program underscores public health’s practical aspects that cover these topics, among others –
- Disease investigation
- Health program development and evaluation, and
- Community education
Graduates of a Master’s in Public Health online or in-person degree program have the qualifications for advanced positions that often include lucrative compensation packages. According to the statisticians at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 429,000 medical and health service managers working in 2021 with a median annual wage of $101,340, which translates to $48.72 per hour.
Even more impressive is the expected job growth through 2030, which is anticipated to expand by 32%, or the creation of 139,000 new public health positions for medical and health services managers.
Graduate programs in public health allow students to study an area of specialty that meets their interests. A Master’s degree program develops a student’s research skills, program development talents, and analysis skills to ensure proper implementation and evaluation of policy decisions.
Potential Jobs for MPH Graduates
After completing a graduate degree in public health, you can choose to re-enter the public health workforce or pursue more advanced educational opportunities. Further education opportunities for MPH graduates include a doctoral degree, graduate certificates, or professional industry certifications.
Opportunities for graduates who hold a Master’s in Public Health will find they span sectors that include management, education, research, the medical field, or government agency work, to name a few. The following offers a few examples of public health careers for those with an earned MPH –
An Epidemiologist
- Median Annual Salary – $78,830 (2021)
- Job Outlook (2020-2030) – 30%+ Job Growth
Epidemiologists are tasked with identifying/investigating potential patterns or causes of public health issues. Their work may be done in offices or labs within many levels of government or private industry. An epidemiologist –
- Researches Ways To Slow Or Prevent the Spread of Disease
- Seeks to Improve Disease Treatment
- Aids In Public Policy/Program Development
An Occupational Health & Safety Specialist
- Median Annual Salary – $77,560 (2021)
- Job Outlook (2020-2030) – 7%+ Job Growth
Professional occupational health specialists work to evaluate and analyze environments to determine factors that may cause chemical, ergonomic, and physical injuries. Work may also include inspections to enforce relevant health and safety laws.
A Healthcare Policy Analyst
- Average Annual Salary – $63,674 (2022)
- Job Outlook (2020-2030) – N/A
A Professional Healthcare Policy-Analyst implements, promotes, and then evaluates the efficacy of public health and community policy and health laws, policies, and regulations. Policy analysts find rewarding work in a variety of government agencies as well as lobbying organizations advocating for public health policy changes to benefit society.
A Public Health Education Specialist
- Median Annual Salary – $48,860 (2021)
- Job Outlook (2020-2030) – 17%+ Job Growth
A public educator may work for a non-profit organization or health department in the development of education materials, policies, and programs for use by the media and other public forums. A public health educator works directly with health officials and the overall community to promote –
- Health
- Safety
- Wellness, to name a few
The Take-Away
A Master’s of Public Health online or on-campus program is a great way to advance to a rewarding career in public health. Online degrees offer tremendous flexibility, which allows working learners to finish a graduate public health degree at their convenience.
