You can earn bachelors, masters and doctorates in public health. Bachelors degrees are usually broad in focus, and will provide an overview of the entire public health field. A bachelors degree in public health qualifies you for some entry-level positions in the field. A masters degree will qualify you for most jobs in public health. Masters degrees in public health often require specialization in a core area such as epidemiology, maternal and child health, public health education or global health. Doctoral degrees require further specialization in a narrow area of research. Doctoral degrees are not common in public health, and are typically only required for jobs as professors or at the highest levels of leadership in public health organizations. These degrees generally require that you work in the field before attaining a DrPH.
Bachelors Degree
A bachelors degree will prepare you for entry-level jobs in public health or for an advanced degree in public health. Majoring in public health will provide you with a broad introduction to the field of public health. However, public health professionals hold bachelors degrees in many other subjects as well, including mathematics, sociology, business, biology and chemistry.
What are the different types of bachelors degrees that I can earn in public health?
Bachelors of Arts BA
The BA is oriented toward social services and public policy. This option is a good choice for students interested in public health policy, health services administration and behavioral science in public health. It is similar to the BS.
Bachelor of Science BS
The BS is oriented toward the scientific basis of public health. This option is a good choice for students interested in research, statistical analysis, environmental health and infectious disease control. It is similar to the BA and identical to the BPH.
Bachelor of Public Health BPH
The BPH degree is the same as a BS in public health and focuses on the science used in public health.
How long will I have to study to earn my bachelors degree in public health?
It takes 4 years or 120 credit hours to complete a bachelors degree in public health.
What types of courses will I take while studying for my bachelors degree in public health?
A bachelors degree program in public health will require core courses in the fundamentals of public health, public health, statistics and biology. Additional course requirements depend on the focus of your degree program. In a degree program concentrated in health science, you will be required to take additional courses in subjects such as chemistry, environmental health, epidemiology and global health. In a program focusing on social science and public policy, you will take courses in health policy, behavioral science, anthropology and economics. Many degree programs in public health also require a practicum or an internship working with a community health organization, public health agency or public healthcare provider.
Besides a bachelors degree in public health, there are many other undergraduate majors available which will prepare you for work or graduate study in public health. Some examples are mathematics for students interested in epidemiology and biostatistics, sociology for students interested in health education and chemistry for students interested in environmental health. These options are described in the article What should my undergraduate major be if I want to work in public health? by the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH).
What types of jobs can I hope to secure with a bachelors degree in public health?
With a bachelors degree in public health, you are qualified for entry-level positions such as community outreach coordinator, research assistant, public health educator or environmental health scientist. If your bachelors degree focuses on nutrition or dietetics, you can work as a public health nutritionist. Working as a public health educator may require a degree program specifically focused on public health education.
What should I consider when deciding on a school to earn my bachelors degree in public health?
There are not many schools offering bachelors degrees in public health. For a current list and map, see Schools with Undergraduate Public Health Programs on the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) website. If a degree in public health is not available in your area, you may need to consider other majors, described in the ASPH article What should my undergraduate major be if I want to work in public health?
What about getting an online bachelors degree in public health?
An online public health bachelors degree has several drawbacks. Work in public health requires a high level of personal interaction. If you pursue a public health bachelors degree online, you will not have the opportunity to learn interpersonal skills that you would have in a traditional degree program. In addition, as of 2012 there are no schools that are members of the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) offering a public health bachelors degree online. Therefore, an online public health bachelors degree is not recommended because employers may not recognize degrees from unaccredited schools.
Masters Degree
A masters degree will qualify you for most jobs in public health. Many employers and public health departments prefer to hire applicants who have a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, although for some jobs another type of masters degree may be acceptable. Masters degrees allow you to concentrate your studies in an area of public health such as child health, nutrition, global health, policy, epidemiology or health leadership.
What are the different types of masters degrees that I can earn in public health?
Master of Science MS
The MS degree is research oriented. Coursework focuses on research methods and analysis of health data. This degree is a good choice for students seeking careers in research.
Master of Public Health MPH
The MPH is a professional degree focusing on the factors that affect population health. This option is a good choice for students who want to manage public health programs and services.
Master of Health Services Administration MHSA
The MHSA is a business degree oriented toward the management, organization and financing of healthcare services. This option is a good choice for students who want to work in areas such as emergency services management, planning, policy analysis or consulting.
How long will I have to study to earn my masters degree in public health?
It takes 2 to 3 years to complete a masters degree in public health. Programs vary in requirements. Typically, an MS, MPH or MHSA requires 45 to 60 credit hours. Some MPH programs require as much as 80 credit hours.
What types of courses will I take while studying for my masters degree in public health?
While studying for your masters degree in public health, the courses you take will depend on the focus of your degree program. You will be required to pick a concentration when you enter a masters program. Traditionally, schools of public health offer 5 areas of concentration for an MPH program. You may have to take classes related to each concentration. The 5 core disciplines are health policy and administration, social and behavioral sciences, biostatistics, epidemiology and environmental health. However, many schools offer concentrations that cut across these disciplines, such as global health.
An MHSA program will include many of the same courses as an MPH program, but will also include subjects such as accounting, finance and organizational theory. Both MPH and MHSA programs will include a practicum or internship, during which the student works full time or part time in a public health or healthcare organization. At the end of the internship or practicum the student may be required to present to their college and compose a report based on their work.
An MS program will focus more on research methods and statistics. It will also include a thesis based on independent research. A thesis is not typically required for an MPH or an MHSA.
What types of jobs can I hope to secure with a masters degree in public health?
A masters degree will qualify you for most positions in public health. The specific jobs you can obtain will depend on your professional experience and the focus of your masters degree. New masters degree graduates without much professional experience can obtain entry-level jobs in health departments and nonprofit organizations. Graduates interested in research can work as research study coordinators.
With more work experience or specialization, you can work as an epidemiologist or a health educator. Public health graduates also work in consulting firms, injury prevention or industrial hygiene. Public health professionals with expertise in epidemiology or infectious disease control work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as public health advisors.
Public health professionals with additional degrees have other job opportunities open to them. Doctors, dentists, nurses and veterinarians often go into public health and can use a masters degree program as a way to transition into the field.
What should I consider when deciding on a school to earn my masters degree in public health?
If you are considering an MPH degree, consider whether the school or program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). There are several advantages to CEPH accreditation. Some public health employers such as the U.S. Public Health Service require job applicants to have completed a CEPH-accredited MPH program. Some internships and fellowships are only available to students at accredited programs and schools. And if you want to continue on in academia and pursue a doctorate in public health, graduation from a CEPH-accredited masters degree program may allow you to transfer credits to the doctoral program.
However, it is a long process for a school or program to become accredited, so a new program that is of good quality may not have had the chance to become accredited. The American Public Health Association has a thoughtful discussion of this issue in the October 2011 issue of Careers in Public Health.
If you are considering an MHSA, choose a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). CAHME-accredited programs meet commonly accepted standards for health administration education.
What are the requirements for admission to a masters degree program in public health?
A bachelors degree is required for admission to a masters degree program in public health. The bachelors degree does not need to be in public health, but it will help your application if there is some relevance to public health, such as science, mathematics or social science. You may choose to take classes in order to fulfill the requirements of a graduate program even if you do not have a degree related to public health.
The admissions process for MPH programs is very competitive. Many individuals applying already have a masters or doctorate in a related field, or have 2 to 3 years of relevant work experience. Some MPH programs are specifically designed for health professionals with medical doctor or veterinary medicine degrees. Most programs require test scores from the GRE or from the MCAT.
What about getting an online masters degree in public health?
Obtaining an online public health masters degree is an acceptable option, but has some drawbacks to consider. Masters degree programs in public health teach many hands-on skills such as collaboration, negotiation and cultural sensitivity. If you attend an online public health school, you will not have the same opportunities to learn these skills as you would in a traditional school. Some online public health degree programs require students to be present on campus for workshops, seminars or capstone courses to gain skills in public speaking and working in groups. Other masters degree programs are offered completely online.
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accredits several online public health masters degree programs. As of 2012, there are 72 masters degree programs accredited by CEPH that have an online component. Some of the most respected schools in the field offer a public health masters degree online, so there is no stigma associated with having obtained your degree online. You may face more difficulty in pursuing your degree, however, due to limited support from teaching assistants. Pursing an online MPH requires that you be highly motivated and seek out educational experiences independently.
Doctorate
Doctorates in public health are useful for students seeking to become professors or for experienced public health professionals preparing for advancement to high-level positions in policy and administration. Doctoral degree programs provide advanced training in a specialized area of public health.
What are the different types of doctorates that I can earn in public health?
Doctor of Philosophy PhD
The PhD is a research degree. It is oriented toward conducting research and analysis in a narrow area of specialization. If you are interested in becoming a researcher or professor of public health, the PhD would be an advisable route.
Doctor of Public Health DrPH
The DrPH is a professional degree. It is focused on training public health professionals in creating, implementing and assessing public health programs and policy. This degree is advisable for experienced public health professionals seeking high-level positions in policy and administration.
Doctor of Science ScD
The ScD is a research degree that is equivalent to a PhD in the United States. It is offered by only a few schools of public health in the U.S.
How long will I have to study to earn my doctorate in public health?
PhD, DrPH and ScD programs in public health take 4 to 7 years to complete and require between 60 and 90 credit hours beyond the bachelors degree. For students who have completed a masters degree in public health, a doctoral program may require 30 to 60 credit hours.
What types of courses will I take while studying for my doctorate in public health?
While studying for your doctoral degree in public health, the courses you take will depend on the type of degree and your area of specialization. In a DrPH program, you can expect to take courses in public health law and ethics, financial management, leadership, research and development of public health programs. In addition to coursework, you will be required to complete a practicum and a dissertation. Depending on the requirements of your DrPH program, your dissertation may be based on independent research or on program evaluation or design.
In a PhD or ScD program, you will be required to take courses in research methodology and statistical analysis. Most of your course requirements will be customized to your research interests. For example, a doctoral program in biostatistics will require mathematics courses while a program in environmental health will focus more on chemistry.
What types of jobs can I hope to secure with a doctorate in public health?
A doctoral degree in public health qualifies you for jobs at the highest level in public health. You can become a professor, high-level policy analyst, consultant or director of a public health organization.
What should I consider when deciding on a school to earn my doctorate in public health?
When deciding on a school to earn your doctorate in public health, consider whether the program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Some fellowships are only available to graduate students in CEPH-accredited programs. Some employers require job applicants to have graduated from programs accredited by CEPH, but if you already hold an MPH, that requirement will not be a concern for your doctoral program.
What are the requirements for admission to a doctorate program in public health?
Doctoral programs in public health vary in their admissions requirements. A bachelors degree is required for admission to a PhD or ScD program in public health. Most programs do not require a masters degree, although having 1 may allow you to complete your doctoral program in a shorter amount of time. Some DrPH programs require applicants to hold an accredited MPH degree and 2 years of work experience.
What about getting an online doctorate in public health?
There are significant drawbacks to obtaining an online public health PhD or ScD. Earning your public health degree online will not give you the opportunity to form a close relationship with your faculty advisor. This relationship is important to your success in graduate school and to a career in academia, if you choose to become a professor.
However, if you do not plan to become a professor and intend to pursue a DrPH, an online public health degree may be an acceptable option. As of 2012, the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) has accredited 2 schools offering the DrPH online. You will not have the same opportunity to learn hands-on skills in an online public health school as you would in a traditional classroom. But if you are already working in public health, particularly if you are located in a remote area or travel for your job, an online DrPH may be a good choice for obtaining additional credentials.