A master of public health is a professional graduate degree focusing on the various aspects of practice in public health. The field of public health is strongly interrelated with epidemiology, health education and administration, social and environmental sciences, and statistics. Careers in the public health sector are routinely cited as among the fastest-growing jobs. Armed with information and an understanding of the diverse careers available, a graduate with a master of public health will be able to form an effective strategy to become gainfully employed.
Epidemiology
Epidemiologists research and study the geography, transmission and distribution of disease and other health factors. They also look for ways to prevent and control illnesses, such as attempts to prevent or control epidemics or pandemics. For epidemiology, sometimes a master's is sufficient, but often a doctoral degree is preferred. Jobs in epidemiology are found in many different organizations and settings, such as national and international health organizations, public health and government agencies, research and academic settings, as well as biotech firms.
Health Education
Public health education professionals work closely with local communities to help plan and implement educational health programs. Practitioners working in public health education often work with non-profit and volunteer organizations, community agencies, local, county, and state governments, schools, or in hospitals working directly with educating patients about various general health issues and concerns.
Health Administration and Management
Health care administrators and managers work in a variety of settings, such as clinics, hospitals, public health organizations, local and county government offices, and in industries. Administration and managerial public health workers often coordinate health policy and health education plans, and perform organizational, directional or supervisory duties.
Environmental Health Science
Many factors and attributes in the natural and man-made environments affect public health. Some factors, particularly human-induced, can have detrimental effects to public health, including occupational hazards and toxicology. Environmental health scientists are also concerned with the various factors of the natural environment, including air and water quality, that affect public health. Jobs in environmental health may be found in government agencies at all levels, in industries and in consulting firms.
Statistics and Research
Statistics, particularly biostatistics, is an important tool for practitioners and researchers within the various sub-fields of public health. In addition to a master's degree, a biostatistician employer may also prefer a candidate with a doctoral degree. Biostatisticians utilize statistical analysis tools and methods in applications related to problems in health, public health and health care. Jobs in the area of biostatistics may be found in various research firms, in academia and in some industry organizations.
Sample Employers
A sampling of employers hiring persons with a master of public health degree include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, international, federal, state, county and local government agencies, such as a state or county department of health, hospitals, clinics, home health and hospice companies, universities, pharmaceutical companies and other companies and industries (within their respective employee health management divisions).
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