An Introduction to Masters Degree Program in Public Health

By definition, public health is the science of preventing diseases and improving the all round health of communities by educating them on the importance of healthy lifestyles through extensive studies on disease research, injury prevention and personal choices that affect the overall well-being of their families and communities.

What Public Health Professionals Do

Public health professionals concern themselves with preventing problems from taking place or repeating with the help of proper development & implementation of educational programs and policies, regulating health systems, reducing environmental hazards, controlling the spread of infectious diseases, conducting research and administering services and much more. As a result of these efforts, Public Health professionals have come a long way in increasing awareness about healthy lifestyles, reducing the spread of communicable diseases, reducing child mortality and increasing overall life expectancy, to name a few.

Education in Public Health

A career in public health is a good option for those students who wish to work towards improving people’s lives and alleviate health problems. Students choose varied educational routes in establishing themselves in the public health sector. For example, a student might want to enroll in an undergraduate program straight from school followed by a master’s program right after. Another student might want to gain experience by working for a few years before returning to school to continue.

Degree Programs in Public Health

Today, a large number of accredited educational institutions offer varied professional postgraduate degree programs in Public Health. Here are examples of a few of those degrees.

· Master of Public Health

· Master of Science in Public Health

· Master of Health Administration

· Master of Health Services Administration

· Doctor of Public Health

· Doctor of Philosophy

A master’s degree in public health is a recognized credential which aids the student in finding employment in public health as well as private sectors. The coursework of a master’s degree will be in the five core disciplines in public health, namely:

· Epidemiology

· Health Services Administration

· Environmental Health

· Biostatistics

· Behavioral Science or Health Education

An example of an accredited college that offers an online master’s degree in public health is Independence University. Student reviews about Independence University speak of its accreditation and financial aid assistance programs. As is true with any college, reading a student review of Independence University should help make your decision to pursue an education there just a little bit easier.

Careers in Public Health

It would be difficult to put down all the careers opportunities according to the fields in public health. However, the following are examples of some of the fields with the most career opportunities along with the salary ranges according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

· Biostatistics

$39,740- $117, 190

· Epidemiology

$ 38,175 - $136,237

· Health Services Administration

$47,152- $119,000

· Health Education

$33,170- $78,260

· Environmental Health

$36,310- $102,610

Public health is a field with an abundance of job opportunities, ideal for students with diverse interests and multiple skills. If you are a person who wants to work for the betterment of the human race, while being comfortable with conducting researches and applying collaborative and qualitative skills, then a career in public health will be ideal for you.