What is a Master’s in Public Health?
Master’s degrees in public health (MPHs) are professional credentials designed to equip students with the knowledge and abilities to promote and protect the wellbeing of society. This master’s degree covers advanced topics like epidemiology and biostatistics, providing them with valuable leadership qualities.
Public health students, graduates, and leaders collaborate with policymakers, doctors, and practitioners to help people live healthier lives. By promoting health through education, advocacy, outreach, programs, services, leadership and raising awareness about healthcare topics; public health professionals can save lives and enhance quality of life for millions across the globe.
For those aspiring to make a difference in public health research, policy development or other pressing community concerns, a Master’s Degree in Public Health could be an ideal investment. A Master’s Degree can open doors for rewarding careers that promote health and enhance quality of life for many individuals.
What is the distinction between a Master’s degree in public health and one in Science of Public Hygiene?
A Master’s of Science and Public Health differs from a Master’s of Public Health due to the curriculum and concentration. A Master’s Degree in Public Health equips students with practical, transferable skills for all aspects of community work; however, those holding the latter degree are typically only prepared for doctorate degrees or careers as researchers or educators.
Master’s in Public Health students must finish either a capstone project or hours of applied practice before beginning their program. Furthermore, Masters of Science in Public Health students are also required to complete either a capstone project or applied practice hours prior to graduation.
What Are the Career Prospects for a Master’s in Public Health?
Masters in Public Health graduates can pursue rewarding careers within various healthcare sectors:
- Social and behavioral sciences
- Biostatistics
- Community health
- Evacuation plans
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Global health
- Medical practice
- Public education
Public Policy
Master of Public Health graduates may find employment in hospitals, community clinics or state, federal or local health agencies. Public health professionals strive to promote human wellbeing around the world through program policies, research and community partnerships.
If you’re uncertain of the potential benefits of a master’s program in medicine, here are eight highly desirable career options that might interest you.
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) estimated the median annual wage for biostatisticians/statisticians to be $95,570.
- Projected Job Growth: Between 2020 and 2030, the BLS projects 33% growth among statisticians nationwide – adding 5,200 new positions annually.
- Potential Employers: Research Institutions, the Federal Government, Academic Institutions, Biotechnology Companies, Insurance Carriers and many more.
Biostatistics is an occupation that draws from both biology and mathematics.
Biostatisticians collect and analyze clinical trial and medical procedure data, then use it to create critical insights that can be applied to health programs, interventions or public health policy decisions. Although biostatisticians don’t directly interact with patients or subjects, their work involves analyzing test results and recognizing risk factors – indirectly impacting community health in a positive way!
Biostatisticians, also referred to as scientists or data analysts, take great pleasure in working with numbers. They possess expertise in databases systems and stay abreast of scientific advancements.
2. Disaster Specialist
- Health Care Sector: Emergency Management
- Job Salary: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, disaster managers and emergency management directors made on average $76,730.00 annually as of May 2021.
- Projected Job Growth: From 2020 to 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 6% job growth among disaster specialists, with 1,000 new job openings annually.
- Potential Employers: Local government, colleges, hospitals, non-profit organisations, private companies and many more can be potential employers.
Disaster specialists are often on the front lines when epidemics, natural disasters, terrorist attacks and other public-health crises strike.
3. Environmental Policy Analysts
- Health Care Sector: Global Health Strategies
- 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: Between 2020 and 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an 8% job growth among environmental policy analysts – creating 9,400 new positions annually.
- Potential Employers: Consultancy services, local and state governments, engineering services and many more.
- Environmental Policy Analyst Occupational Summary Environment policy analysts study environmental problems and devise practical global solutions. This includes devising data collection techniques, examining samples, surveys, advising officials, and much more.
4. Epidemiologist
- Health care Sector: Epidemiology
- Job Salary: As of May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual wage for epidemiologists was $86,740.00.
- Projected Job Growth: Between 2020 and 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 30% job growth for epidemiologists. Each year there will be 900 new job openings.
- Potential Employers: Local, state and federal governments; academia; consulting agencies; hospitals; research organisations; and others.
5. Public Health Director
- Health care sector: Public policy.
- Job Salary: As of May 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual income for public-health directors/medical/health services managers was $101,340.00.
- Projected Job Growth: Between 2020 and 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 32% growth in employment for public health directors/medical or health service managers; this would result in 51,800 additional positions annually.
- Potential Employers Hospitals, Physician’s offices, Residential care facilities, government, outpatient and other care centers could all be potential employers.
- Summary: Policymakers and Public Health Policies Have an Impact on Large Populations, From COVID-19 Travel Restrictions to Smoke-Free Laws Related to COVID-19 Travel Restrictions.
6. Public Health Educator/Healthcare Consultant
- Public Health Educator/Healthcare Consultant: This position requires expertise and knowledge of public health policies and programs, along with expertise and knowledge of healthcare management issues.
- Health Care Sector: Public Health Education
- Salary of a Career: As of May 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reported that public health educators earned an annual median income of $56,500.00.
- Projected Job Growth: Between 2020 and 2030, the U.S. Department of Labor anticipates 12% job growth for public health teachers, adding 7,400 new positions annually.
- Potential Employers include the U.S. government and hospitals, doctors’ offices, outpatient care facilities and non-profit organizations.
- Job Description: Public Health Consultants and Educators engage directly with people to educate them on the social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and spiritual components that could negatively affect their health.
7. Public Health Inspector
- Health Care Sector: Environmental Health
- Job Description: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, public health inspectors/occupational health and safety specialists earn on average $74,870.00 annually.
- Projected Job Growth: Between 2020 and 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 7% job growth among public health inspectors/ occupational safety specialists; this would result in 9,600 additional positions annually.
- Potential employers: Governments, construction and manufacturing firms, consulting services, hospitals and other organizations.
Public Health Inspectors investigate natural and synthetic factors that impact human health. They develop interventions that have a wide-reaching impact, such as improvements to air pollution control practices or sanitation methods.
8. Public Health Social Worker
What can a Public Health Social Worker do?
- Health Care: Community/Behavioral Medicine
- Job Description: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for social and community service managers/social workers in public health is $74,000.00 as of May 2021.
- Projected Job Growth: Between 2020 and 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 15% job growth for public health social workers/social-community service managers, with 18300 new positions opening each year.
- Potential Employers: Individual and family services, non-profit organizations, residential care centers, local government, community rehabilitation services and many more.
Summary of Duties Public-health social workers strive to find solutions to human behavior problems. They advocate for marginalized communities by conducting analysis, educating and engaging their members, intervening with issues like domestic violence and implementing programs designed to enhance public health outcomes.
Additional Resource:
https://www.apha.org/what-is-public-health
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_health
https://www.cdcfoundation.org/what-public-health