Careers in public health

If you want to make a meaningful difference to the lives of others, public health may be a perfect fit. There are copious roles available in this sector, designed to tackle a range of health problems and make the world a safer place.

What is public health?

Public health is the science of preventing illness and promoting wellbeing. While medical teams treat individuals who are sick or hurt, public health workers are population-focused, aiming to prevent sickness and injuries within a community.

New public health threats are constantly emerging: a good example is the COVID-19 pandemic that challenged the healthcare sector in unprecedented ways. From understanding the spread of the virus to promoting vaccine acceptance, public health workers were at the forefront of the fight against the disease.

Public health might find solutions to problems in:

• mental health
• chronic disease
• environmental health
• lead contamination
• climate change
• immigrant health
• maternal and child health
• racism and health
• prescription drug overdose

Public health requires the expertise of a multidisciplinary workforce because it spans a variety of issues. Subjects that workers need to know can range from anthropology to computer science.

Individuals who want to work in public health are usually motivated by a desire to contribute to society. There is also significant earning potential. Two years after graduation, the average master’s of public health degree holder earns $56,145.

How hard is it to get into public health?

Many public health careers require a minimum of a master’s degree. Graduates might find themselves in high demand due to the current paucity in public health workers.  Areas facing the worst shortages include epidemiology, nursing, laboratory science, and environmental health.

How long does it take to get started in public health?

A career in public health begins with an undergraduate degree. Most jobs require a master’s in public health (MPH) or a related field, some even necessitate a doctorate. Entry-level jobs do exist, but typically it takes a minimum of 6 years to start working in the field.

» Read: 5 up-and-coming healthcare jobs you can get with an online degree

Where do public health professionals work?

Public health professionals work in a wide variety of settings. These include, but are not limited to:

• state and local health departments
• hospitals and health clinics
• laboratories
• universities
• schools

Public health professionals also work in the non-profit sector. There is a great demand for global public health experts in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Here, public health professionals work on projects that range from refugee coordination to HIV/AIDS education.

What do public health professionals do?

There are a wide range of public health jobs. The list below includes some of the most common professions in the field.

Other interesting public health careers include:

• public policy worker
• hospital administrator
• clinical trials scientist

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in public health or a related field

A bachelor’s degree in public health lays the foundation for a public health career. It can also qualify graduates for entry-level positions, where they can contribute to research, consult on disease prevention, or work on public health marketing campaigns.

A bachelor’s degree in public health takes 4 years, and can be completed in person, online, or a mixture of both. While there is no universal curriculum, most undergraduate public health programs include coursework in:

• biostatistics
• epidemiology
• health education and promotion
• the U.S. healthcare system
• research training

Students may also need to complete laboratory practice, fieldwork, an internship, or a capstone project.

» Read: Online vs. on-campus courses

Not all entry-level public health careers require a bachelor’s degree specific to the field. Other majors can also lead to a Master’s in Public Health (MPH), such as biology, chemistry, and statistics. There are no universal coursework requirements to apply for a master’s in public health, but studying biology, statistics, epidemiology, and health policy are standard in many cases.

Accreditation

Regardless of the major, it is critical to choose a program backed by an accreditation body, such as the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Accreditation demonstrates that you have attended a well-respected program. Many graduate schools and employers only consider candidates with degrees from accredited schools.

Step 2: Complete a master’s degree in public health or related field

The master’s in public health (MPH) is a graduate-level degree that prepares students to improve community health through research, awareness, education, and policy.

The average MPH takes approximately 2 years, although part-time options take longer. MPH degrees are available via in-person, online, and hybrid programs.

An MPH prepares students for a wide range of careers in public health. The curriculum typically includes coursework in:

• biostatistics
• epidemiology
• environmental health
• policy advocacy
• health education
• institution administration
• treatment delivery
• disease prevention

Many MPH programs allow students to focus on a specific concentration, such as health analytics or community health. Students may conduct research or gain hands-on experience through an internship or similar opportunity.

An MPH is not the only option for aspiring public health professionals. A master’s degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, infectious diseases and vaccinology, or public policy, can help you gain an inside edge in the job market if you know which area you want to specialize in. If you are interested in business, there is also the option of completing an MBA with a concentration in public health.

Step 3: Get licensed and certified

While no single national-level credential can qualify you to work in public health, specific certifications, credentials, and programs can demonstrate your competence and qualifications. These include:

• Certified in Public Health (CPH)
• Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
• Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS)
• Certified Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (CPAPHS)

Public health credentials are offered by organizations to demonstrate competence within a particular public health field. While certificates are proof of the completion of coursework relevant to a particular public health field.  Certificate programs are offered by schools with MPH programs, and cover a specific aspect of public health, such as health administration, biostatistics, and world health.

Step 4: Earn work experience in public health (optional)

Work experience is not a prerequisite for admission to an MPH or doctoral program, but schools prefer you to have accrued some. Even if not required, work experience can improve the chances of admission by demonstrating your commitment to the field.

Step 5: Complete a Ph.D. in public health (optional)

Individuals who want to enter academia, or acquire high-level positions in industry or government, often choose to pursue a doctoral degree in public health. Although many roles do not require a doctoral degree, this advanced qualification can provide a competitive edge in the job market.