What is a Master’s Degree in Public Health?
The Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) is an advanced professional degree that equips students with the knowledge and skillset needed to work in public health. The MPH encompasses advanced disciplines like epidemiology, biostatistics, and health policy making; giving graduates the capacity to be effective leaders within their organizations.
Students, graduates and leaders in public health collaborate with practitioners, policymakers, patients and professors to make communities healthier. Public health practitioners help children get an early start in life; save lives; and promote health awareness and education.
A Master’s degree in Public Health is an ideal investment for anyone who wishes to make a positive contribution to healthcare policy and research. A Master’s degree can open doors to rewarding careers that promote health and enhance people’s quality of life.
What is the distinction between a Master of Science in Public Health and a Master of Public Health?
A Master’s degree in Public Health differs from a Master’s of Science due to the concentration. A Master’s in Public Health offers students practical, transferable skills that can be applied in many community-based careers; on the other hand, a Master’s of Science in Public Health prepares individuals for doctorate programs or careers as academic educators or researchers.
Master’s in Public Health students must finish a capstone project prior to beginning their studies. Master’s of Science in Public Health students are also required to write either a thesis or research paper in order to graduate.
What can you achieve with a master’s degree in public health?
Students pursuing a Master of Public Health may find employment in various sectors of health care:
- Social and behavioral sciences
- Biostatistics
- Health in the community
- Management of emergencies
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Global health
- Medical practice
- Education in public health
Public Policy
Graduates with a Master’s degree in Public Health can find employment in community clinics, state, local and federal health agencies, hospitals as well as private foundations and non-profits. Public health professionals strive to find solutions for global well-being through research, program policies, community partnerships and partnership mechanisms.
Here are eight potential MPH career paths to explore if you’re interested in what a master’s degree could do for your professional future.
Eight Excellent Career Paths in Medical Physics
1. Biostatistician
Health Care Sector: Biostatistics
Career Salary: As of May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median annual wage for biostatisticians and statisticians to be $95,570.
Projection of Job Growth: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 33% job growth for statisticians between 2020 and 2030, adding 5,200 positions annually across America.
Potential Employers Research institutions and the federal government.
Summary: Biostatistics, which draws upon biology but also incorporates mathematics, is an increasingly important field within biomedical research.
Biostatisticians collect and analyze data from medical procedures and clinical trials, then turn it into crucial insight for evaluating health programs, interventions and public health policy. Although they do not directly interact with patients or data subjects, their work involves indirect work that catalogs test results and examines risk factors. This research can have a major impact on public health.
Biostatisticians, also referred to as data and research scientists and researchers, excel in working with numbers and possess an in-depth knowledge of database systems.
2. Disaster Specialist
Health Care Sector: Emergency Management
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, emergency managers and disaster specialists earn an average yearly salary of $76,730.00.
Projection of Job Growth: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% job growth for disaster professionals between 2020-2030, adding 1,000 positions annually.
Employers Available locally and state governments, hospitals, colleges, non-profit organizations, private companies and more may all be potential employers.
Summary: Disaster experts are often on the front lines of epidemics and natural disasters, terrorist attacks and other public health crises.
3. Environmental Policy Analysts
Health Care Sector: Global Health.
Career Salary: As of May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median annual wage for environmental policy analysts/environmental scientists and specialists to be $76,530.00.
Promising Job Growth: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% job growth in environmental policy analysts between 2020 and 2030, creating 9,400 new positions annually.
Potential Employers Services, consulting, local government/state and federal governments, engineering firms and more may all offer these opportunities.
Summary: An environmental policy analyst’s role is to analyze and interpret data, develop solutions, and advise government officials.
4. Epidemiologist
Health care sector: Epidemiology
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, epidemiologists earn an average yearly salary of $86,740.00.
Projection of Job Growth: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 30% rise in job opportunities for epidemiologists between 2020 and 2030, with an additional 900 new positions created annually.
Potential Employers Include Local and State governments, academia and consulting agencies, hospitals and research facilities, among many others.
5. Public Health Director
Healthcare Sector: Public Policy.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for public health directors/medical and health service managers was $101,340.00 as of May 2021.
Projection of Job Growth: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 32% job growth between 2020-2030 for public health directors/medical/health services managers, adding 51,800 new positions annually.
Potential Employers Hospitals and physician’s offices
Summary of Occupation: The consequences of policymakers and public health regulations on large populations, such as COVID-19 travel restrictions or smoke-free laws, are of great concern.
6. Public Health Educator/Healthcare Consultant
Health Care Sector: Public Health Education
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, public health educators earn an annual median salary of $56,500.00.
Projected Job Growth: The U.S. Department of Labor anticipates 12% job growth for public health educators between 2020-2030, adding 7,400 positions annually.
Potential Employers Include the U.S. government, hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient treatment facilities, non-profit organisations, universities and many more.
Summary: Public health educators and consultants engage the public in order to educate them about the emotional, mental, spiritual, social, and other lifestyle factors that can adversely impact health outcomes.
7. Public Health Inspector
Healthcare Sector: Environmental Health
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for occupational health and safety inspectors/public health inspectors is $74,870.00 as of May 2021.
Projection of Job Growth: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 7% job growth between 2020-2030 for public health inspectors/obficial health and safety specialists, adding 9,600 positions annually.
Potential Employers Include Government, manufacturing and construction companies, consulting services and hospitals – to name a few!
Summary: Public health inspectors’ role is to evaluate the effects of natural and artificial factors on human health. They assist in creating interventions that have a major influence on large populations, such as improvements to air quality and sanitation practices.
8. Public Health Social Worker
Health Care Sector: Community/Behavioral Sciences
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, public health social workers/social service managers earn a median yearly salary of $74,000.00.
Projection of Job Growth: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 15% rise in public health social workers/social service managers between 2020 and 2030, creating 18,300 additional job openings annually.
Employers could include Individual and Family Services, Non-Profit Organizations, Residential Care Facilities, Local Government, Community Rehabilitation Services, and More.
Summary: Public Health Social Workers strive to improve human behavior. They advocate on behalf of marginalized communities, analyze data, engage with individuals and communities on issues such as domestic violence or addiction, and implement public health programs that link people with appropriate healthcare providers.
Additional Resource:
https://ajph.aphapublications.org/
https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/