Career Tips

Public Health Degree Jobs in 2023

Public Health Degree Jobs

Before we go into the topic: Public Health Degree Jobs, let’s treat some background studies.

Disease prevention and the general enhancement of human life are the main goals of public health. The significance of public health cannot be overstated, according to research. According to the CDC, the average lifespan of a person residing in the United States increased by 30 years between 1900 and 1999. The improvements in public health, however, can be credited for 25 of those years. It should come as no surprise that many colleges have risen to the occasion. And now provide courses geared toward preparing students for careers in public health.

There are many distinct public health occupations, including epidemiologist, public relations specialist. And health educator, among others, because the area of public health is broad. The many public health degrees that are offered. And the prospective occupations that can be pursued after graduation will be thoroughly examined on this page.

Career in Public Health Degree

Public health professionals have the shared objective of enhancing both individual and societal health. This is done through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, the prevention of accidents and illness. And the management of infectious diseases. They might care about preserving and enhancing the wellbeing of a single family or the earth as a whole. Finding the source of a disease, assessing health statistics within a certain community. Educating youngsters about good hygiene, and organizing a public awareness campaign. These are just a few examples of job duties in the public health area. Public health professionals have the shared objective of enhancing both individual and societal health through the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The prevention of accidents and illness, and the management of infectious diseases.

They might care about preserving and enhancing the wellbeing of a single family or the earth as a whole. Finding the source of a disease, assessing health statistics within a certain community. Educating youngsters about good hygiene, and organizing a public awareness campaign. All are just a few examples of job duties in the public health area.

Public Health Careers In-Depth

Numerous academic fields, many of which are focused on science, medicine. Or statistics, are involved in the topic of public health. A high degree of education is therefore required. The standard is a master’s degree, typically a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH). Or Master of Public Health (MPH). A master’s degree will suffice for careers that heavily rely on research, with a doctor of philosophy (PhD) being ideal. A graduate degree is not required to work in some public health fields, though. For instance, community health workers may only need a high school diploma. Certificate, or associate degree, while health educators require a bachelor’s degree.

How To Pursue Your Public Health Degree Jobs and Career

Depending on the occupation, the qualifications for a public health career may vary. But some level of education will be required or advised. Here are the actions to do in order to pursue a profession in public health.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in public health or a related field.

For several careers in public health, a bachelor’s degree is the absolute requirement. A bachelor’s degree in public health may be provided as a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts. This is depending on the college. Students should graduate from either program with a solid foundation in public health. Enabling them to select a master’s program that best suits their needs. By using their optional options to specialize in what they want to study at the graduate level. Those who desire to advance to higher degrees can begin at the bachelor’s level.

Step 2: Earn a public health master’s degree.

A professional, practice-based degree, the master’s in public health (MPH) often prepares graduates to take on leadership positions in a range of local, regional, federal, and even international public health settings. It could be provided as a Master of Arts or Master of Science. Depending on his or her goals for the future, the student will decide which of these to pursue. Numerous positions require a master’s degree, including those for epidemiologists, advanced health educators, and health survey researchers. Those seeking a degree in advanced public health frequently pursue the MPH and MSPH.

Step 3: Get Work Experience

This is particularly crucial if a doctorate is desired. Doctoral schools in public health prefer to see applicants with prior relevant job experience. A student should aim to seek pre-professional experience while receiving their degree. The learning outcomes are improved since students will have the experience and expertise to put their learning into context, leading to graduates who are more well-rounded. Make sure the work experience you select is in line with your long-term professional objectives. A person seeking employment in epidemiology, for instance, should look for work experience that incorporates fieldwork and research in this subject.

Step 4: Consider pursuing a doctorate in public health.

A doctoral degree is nearly always required for positions as college or university teachers, advanced researchers, or medical scientists. Students will also need to choose the form of doctorate degree to pursue depending on the type of work. For individuals interested in teaching or research, the PhD is a better option. Students will likely be expected to select a specialty after that. Biostatistics, chronic disease epidemiology, environmental health, and health policy and management are some examples of public health doctoral concentrations.

Job Opportunities In Public Health Degree

Epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics, the management of health services, and a host of other professions too numerous to name here are just a few of the many subjects that fall under the umbrella of public health vocations. You can pursue a number of careers with a public health degree, including the following ones:

  • Community health worker
  • disease specialist
  • environmental health specialist
  • Epidemiologist
  • expert in global health
  • medical officer, health policy adviser
  • a public health specialist with a focus on workplace health and safety
  • teaching public health
  • Coordinator for public health emergency preparedness and response
  • Public health information officer
  • Study analyst for public health policies coordinator

Jobs You Can Get With a Degree in Public Health

“Public health” is a broad concept that encompasses a variety of subjects, such as epidemiology, public policy, nutrition, maternity and child health, and infectious diseases. As a result, if you have a bachelor’s degree in public health, you have a wide range of employment options to pursue.

The positions that you can get with a BSPH are listed below. Each item includes income information and, if available, the predicted job growth over the following 10 years from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS). Even though the roles listed below are entry-level, you could find that different companies and organizations have different experience requirements.

Health Education Specialist

Median Annual Salary for a Health Education Specialist (BLS): $48,860

Speculated Job Growth: 17% Education of individuals and communities on how to improve their health and wellbeing is a crucial part of public health.

Health education professionals usually take part in a range of community-based activities, including researching enduring health issues, implementing educational programs, assessing messaging and communication strategies, and connecting with community people directly.

This job may be a good fit for you if you enjoy conducting research, examining potential health effects, communicating with people, and teaching them new things.

Worker in Community Health

Similar to a health education specialist, a community health worker usually serves as a bridge between an organization and a community to make it easier for community members to receive essential health services.

They might even on occasion offer some of those services, including taking blood pressure. Community health professionals may also give local groups health education to enhance their general well-being.

This job may be a good fit for you if you enjoy listening, planning, collecting data, and working closely with people to find and access vital health services.

Average Annual Wage (BLS): $46,590

Researcher in public health

Each population has a unique story to tell when it comes to health. It is frequently the job of a public health researcher to determine what it is by looking at test results and other data. Public health researchers typically publish their findings in publications that have an impact on policies and programs.

They might collaborate with enterprises, NGOs, and government agencies in a variety of industries, such as epidemiology, vaccine development, and drug abuse. This job can be a good fit for you if you enjoy asking and responding to larger-scale questions, working with data, conducting interviews, and communicating your findings.

Annual Median Salary: $84,004

Officer of Environmental Health

The environment has a tremendous impact on human health and wellbeing. Environmental health inspectors assess the safety and health of the environment in a certain area. Surgeons or occupational health and safety specialists are other names for them.

They could conduct inspections for the security of nearby establishments like restaurants and public swimming pools to ensure the safety of the food, water, and facilities. This job can be a good fit for you if you enjoy doing research, analyzing what you discover, using critical thought, and communicating.

Annual Median Salary: $74,081

Health Editor

Nowadays, media websites, academic publications, and other sources make a wide range of health-related information easily accessible online. Medical editors, also referred to as health content editors, frequently review longer manuscripts and articles for grammatical accuracy and factual scientific claims. They ensure users get precise, validated information on a range of health-related topics.

This role can be a good fit for you if you enjoy working with information, fact-checking, and editing for language, use, and consistency.

Annual Salary: $88,253 on average

Writer of public policy

Public policy serves as a guide for many important decisions that affect health. Policy analysts and public policy writers perform study, analyse, and publish findings regarding enacted or proposed laws, regulations, and funding.

They frequently write in a way that gathers essential data and inspires people and organizations to follow a specific course of action. This job may be a good fit for you if you enjoy conducting research, engaging in critical thought, communicating your findings, and writing.

Average annual pay: $79,890

Demographer

Two demographic variables that can reveal a lot and have an impact on better health outcomes are birth dates and gender ratios. Demographers do research to inform larger initiatives by focusing more on the why than just the what.

They typically work for governmental organizations that are tasked with gathering information on the populace. Such as the BLS, the US Census Bureau, and other organizations. You might be able to find a junior-level demographer position with just a bachelor’s degree. Whereas associate and senior roles typically require a master’s. This job may be a good fit for you if you love math and science and have great computer skills. You enjoy accumulating information

Average annual pay: $114,929

Administrator of healthcare

Almost every medical facility requires a person working behind the scenes. To ensure that operations, including personnel and protocols, are running smoothly. When health administrators are in charge of running the business side of the industry. Medical professionals can concentrate on giving their patients excellent care.

This position might be a good fit for you if you value business but are more interested in healthcare. Have excellent organizational skills, and pay close attention to detail.

$62,576 is the average annual salary.

Coordinator for Refugees

Refugee coordinators help refugees settle into their new city by helping them with immigration, skill and language training, and other initiatives designed to help them establish themselves. Refugee coordinators can support issues like mental health while fostering cultural exchange between incoming refugees and host communities.

This job may be a good fit for you if you like working with people from different demographics. And possess a strong sense of empathy, and are good at communicating, solving problems, and listening.

Average annual salary: $65,284

Associate Degree in Public Health Jobs

Students who earn associate degrees in public health are prepared for entry-level positions in the field. Including those as health coaches, community outreach workers in public health. And coordinators of patient services, medical office coordinators, and healthcare recruiters. A bachelor’s degree in public health, community health, epidemiology, health administration, environmental health. Or health education can be attained after earning an associate’s degree in the field.

Students that enroll in a public health associate degree program learn biology. They also learn sociology, psychology, and how to conduct and apply medical research. They are educated on population health issues as well. The finest programs include internship opportunities, encourage critical thinking, involve research analysis, and are hands-on. There might not be many possibilities for students who want to attend online. That are 100% online due to the course’s significant science component. Although there are degrees that claim to be totally online, you should be aware of any in-person prerequisites. You will still have the option to take many of your courses online while completing in-person requirements on campus.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
The ability to start making an entry-level salary in the healthcare sector in just two years is one of the biggest benefits of earning an associate degree in public health. Many online and more conventional programs are available for finishing your bachelor’s degree in public health or a related field once you’re in the industry and gaining experience in the field. So, while pursuing a degree that will offer a higher level of employment opportunities and earning power, one can be making money in the industry and gaining experience.
Additionally, you have a better chance of getting hired for entry-level jobs in the industry if you have an online or traditional associate’s degree in public health than you would if you only have a certificate.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor’s degree is necessary if you want to work at a mid-level in the industry. For instance, candidates must have at least a bachelor’s degree in public health or a closely related field to be considered for positions such as community health specialists, quality improvement coordinators, public health administrators, research assistants, and prevention specialists. They frequently must also have some experience, such as through an internship or entry-level work. Consequently, obtaining an associate’s degree online may help you gain some very basic experience, but it won’t help you land the jobs you are probably hoping for.
If you want to start working in public health at an entry level as soon as you graduate from high school, you could do so by enrolling in a certificate program that only takes a year. Programs for community health workers as well as programs for medical secretaries and coordinators of patient services are examples of such certificate programs.

Certificate vs. Associates

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that students who want to work in the public health sector as soon as possible after high school can obtain a diploma. that would enable them to hold positions as patient care coordinators and medical secretaries. The certificate programs for those occupations are only one year long. Coursework for these certificates typically covers business mathematics, medical terminology, medical procedures, and computer software. The Certificate of Public Health, the broadest of these credentials, qualifies holders for entry-level positions in the sector.

A certificate program has the drawback that businesses prefer to recruit individuals with an associate’s degree in public health. Or a similar subject over those who only possess a certification. Because the training for the former applicants is more comprehensive. Additionally, associate-only students won’t be able to finish an online bachelor’s degree program. And advance to mid-level positions in their profession.

Although there are certification programs for health coaches. The candidate cannot complete these programs in a year after graduating from high school. And as well begin working as a health coach. In addition to finishing the certificate program. Candidates for the health coach certification must have many years of experience in the field.

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