masters public health

masters public health

The Importance of a Master’s Degree in Public Health

1. Overview of Public Health

Public health is a diverse and vibrant field. It is a field that is ideal for people who are interested in the welfare of others. This is a field which seeks to prevent disease and promote health in the population. Public health is perhaps best understood by differentiating it from other medical fields. Public health is a field concerned with the health and welfare of the population. Since 24/7 internet access is readily available and the fact that technology and science is always improving, the field of public health has recently started to merge with bioinformatics and informatics. With these recent advancements, the scope and definition of public health has expanded. However, the most recent definition is the long-standing definition provided by the World Health Organization in 1948 which states that “Public health is the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society.” This means the focus is now shifted on community-based work as well as evidence-based work. With emphasis on prevention, there is a large scope of work for health educators, biostatisticians, and community health workers among others. Public health seeks to improve the health and quality of life through prevention and treatment of disease represented by research in epidemiology and health sciences.

2. Advantages of Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Health

Finally, the terminal practice degree in the field has become the Master’s in Public Health (MPH) or professional Master’s (MSPH). The goal of these degrees is to prepare a public health workforce that is more reflective of the diversity in American society. During the 20th century, research and doctoral degrees (e.g., DrPH) were considered the primary means of training public health professionals, educators, and researchers. The bulk of these individuals were white males. This method of training has left a disparaging shortage of professionals in the US trained in public health. Currently, there are not enough public health professionals to meet the health needs of American society, and the shortfall is expected to increase.

Healthcare is a sizable and rapidly growing industry. It is also an industry currently seeing a shortage in the workforce, meaning there are many jobs available. For many years, the MSPH and DrPH were considered top degrees for public health professionals. However, the MPH is quickly becoming the standard for the 21st century. With the current job shortage, many employers are now placing a preference on master’s degrees. In the future, the difference in job availability and pay between those holding a master’s degree and those with other degrees is expected to widen.

Improved employment opportunities, advancement in current positions, and preparation for further academic study set the master’s degree apart from the alternate graduate program options. The public health workforce is diverse, and individuals may find themselves working in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, research, hospitals, and community organizations. “It is the primary professional degree in the field. The MPH leads to a number of practitioner and academic jobs”. Currently, the master’s degree is the most common educational trajectory for public health professionals. It provides a vast array of career opportunities from which one can choose.

3. Specializations in Public Health

The two most common types of degrees for public health professionals are the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Master of Health Science (MHS, MS). The MPH degree is designed for people who wish to practice in a real-world setting, either through direct health services, research, or policy analysis. The MPH program typically requires a 2-year commitment and is slightly more advanced than the bachelor’s level. Some fields of public health also require a professional degree beyond the MPH, such as the Master of Social Work (MSW) or even a medical degree. These are considered as advanced MPH degrees since their curriculum is very similar to the general MPH with an added focus on a specific area of study.

There are a few aspects to consider when deciding on a program of study, or specifically, what kind of degree to pursue. Primarily, you will need to have a strong understanding of what your career goals are and which area of public health you would like to work in. Next, you will also want to consider how much time and money you are willing to invest in a degree. Public health programs are offered at the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD level, each with a different scope of curriculum and career outlook.

In addition to a variety of career options, there are many different degree programs for you to choose from. Each degree has a different focus and is designed to prepare you for a different role within the field of public health.

There are a very wide variety of specializations in public health. While some public health professionals focus on preventing diseases, others work to establish health education programs. Public health could be a protective force in almost any kind of disaster. This could mean providing storage and treatment facilities for drinking water and wastewater. Or it could be in the form of medical teams establishing field hospitals for those displaced by a natural disaster. Public health could also be involved in the medical advocacy of certain laws and regulations that help create safer and healthier working and living conditions. All these examples provide a glimpse of the role and scope of public health, and it is evident that every single one of those efforts has a significant impact on the health and well-being of populations.

4. Career Opportunities with a Master’s Degree in Public Health

2. Epidemiology Epidemiologists work on the spread of diseases in populations. It is a common misconception that epidemiologists only work on infectious diseases. Actually, the methods used in epidemiology can be, and often are, applied to the study of the spread and control of various diseases and health issues. They design studies which identify whether a particular exposure increases or decreases the risk of a disease. They also identify trends in disease occurrence and investigate ways to control and prevent diseases. Epidemiologists are employed at all levels of government, in a wide range of industries, and at academic institutions.

1. Biostatistics Biostatisticians are trained in mathematics and its applications to the biological sciences. They design and conduct experiments to test theories on anything from how a certain drug interacts with cancer cells to whether the higher speeds on automobile freeways result in an increased rate in traffic accidents. Biostatisticians are the designers of research investigations and the analyzers of the results from those investigations. They are employed in a wide range of industries, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

The number and diversity of career opportunities in public health has never been greater. A Master’s Degree in Public Health can offer an even broader range of career options. Public health professionals are employed in many different fields. The following are a few of the major fields in which public health professionals work. This is only a small sample of the various employment settings in which public health professionals can practice their trade.

5. Steps to Pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Health

Financial Aid Once a student has received acceptance to the program of their choice, it is time to consider how to fund their education. It is important for students to apply for financial aid as soon as possible by completing the FAFSA. Students can also check to see if the schools they were accepted into may offer them a chance for a graduate assistantship. Under this type of employment, students can receive a stipend and/or tuition remission in exchange for working part-time within the university. Another possibility is to apply for scholarships. The UIC SPH offers 21 different scholarships for admitted students every year.

Applying to Schools The application process for public health graduate school programs is similar to that of any other graduate school program. The student will need to gather information on each specific program about their deadlines, their admissions criteria, and the required materials. Applying to at least 3-5 schools is a safe number to ensure acceptance into a program of the student’s preference.

Researching the best program for the student? This step involves gathering information on graduate schools offering Master of Public Health degrees. The research will involve looking into the schools’ faculty, the programs offered, the location of the school, the size of the school, the reputation of the school, and the cost. The best place to look for this information is the internet. Another great resource for comparing different programs is the APHA’s “Graduate Education for Public Health” site. The Program Finder allows students to find the right school to fit their professional and academic goals. Other resources for finding the right program include current or former professors, a career counselor, and potentially a healthcare professional whose position the student would like to obtain post-graduation.