Students and health care professionals can benefit from earning a master's degree in public health.
Public health is the branch of the health care field that deals with improving the health and safety of the community at large through health education, disease prevention and the monitoring of potential environmental health hazards. A master's degree in public health can prepare students and health care professionals for a wide range of career opportunities.
Time Frame
Depending on the student's enrollment status, a master's degree in public health typically takes two years to complete. This time frame is similar for students enrolled in online programs and for those in the traditional classroom settings. Some universities and colleges also offer accelerated programs or dual degree programs in public health and another subject area.
Curriculum
Graduate students enrolled in public health programs should expect to take courses in environmental health, epidemiology, public health management and policy, biostatistics and social and behavioral sciences. Specialty areas of concentration include maternal and child health, nutrition, public health policy and international or global public health.
Cost
According to the Association of Schools of Public Health, the median cost of tuition and fees for a master's in public health in 2008-09 was $12,426 for in-state students and $22,134 for students enrolled in programs out-of-state. Tuition rates for accelerated and distance education programs tended to be slightly lower, with residents paying less per credit hour than non-residents.
Employment
A master's degree in public health can prepare graduates for careers in many different areas including public health policy, public health research, health education, health care administration and management or community practice. Potential job titles include epidemiologist, environmental health specialist, dietitian or nutritionist or public health program director.
Earning Potential
According to the 2010-11 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median income for public health managers and administrators was $80,240. Epidemiologists earned a median of $61,360 while environmental health specialists earned a median of $59,750. The range of salaries for public health careers with a master's degree in 2008 ranged from $33,000 to $161,400.
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