Online Master’s Degree in Public Health

An online Master’s Degree in Public Health is designed to equip health care professionals with advanced practical knowledge and skills applicable in the working environment. Generally, these programs focus on practice rather than research. However, as with any online master degree program, an online master’s in public health can also provide foundations for work in higher education or doctoral research in programs such as an online PhD in public health. Originally treated as a supplement to other advanced medical qualifications, online master’s degree programs in public health are now accepted as stand-alone qualifications and can lead to many employment opportunities within a variety of health-related industries.

Online Master’s Degrees in Public Health Requirements

It is vital that students have a dedicated interest in the prevention of disease and the promotion of healthy living. They should be good team workers, since there is usually an emphasis on group work in our online master’s programs in public health. At the same time, they must be able to work independently. Online master’s programs in public health are multidisciplinary, so students will need to posses, and will have the opportunity to foster, a diverse set of skills.

To gain admittance to an accredited online master’s degree in public health, students will normally be required to already hold a bachelor’s degree in the same subject (i.e. an online bachelor’s degree in public health) or in another health-related discipline. Appropriate degrees include:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Health Science
• Bachelor of Health Administration
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Bachelor of Health Studies

Typically, students will also have at least two years of relevant work experience prior to commencing their online master’s degree in public health studies. Career backgrounds that are applicable to an online public health master’s degree may include work as a nurse, health educator or health care facility administrative assistant .

Online Public Health Master’s Degree Education

Online master’s degree programs in public health typically take between two to three years to complete. The types of public health degrees offered by the best online public health master’s programs include:

• Master of Science in Public Health (MS in Public Health)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)

Information on Public Health Courses

As public health professionals often need to work with people, technology, medicine and numbers, coursework will range across a variety of disciplines. Core curriculum of online master’s programs in public health will normally involve courses including:

• Social and Behavioral Sciences
  Helps students tackle challenges to positive health behavior by focusing on research, theories and methods in the social and behavioral sciences. .
• Epidemiology in Public Health
  Provides instruction in epidemiology, the study or tracking of how diseases can spread through a population, while developing research skills appropriate to this discipline.
• Economics of Health
  Students are introduced to relevant economic theories and health care policy issues through exploration of the current market for health care and how it is and may be addressed in different states.
• Environmental Health
  Introduces students to the relation between health outcomes and chemical, biological or physical agents in a community’s environment. Health hazards connected to food, water or air quality as well as the effects of solid waste are studied.
• Statistical Methods for Health Science
  Statistical information is ever-present in public health. This course verses students in the language of statistics and provides them with an understanding of how to collect and interpret data.

Specializations and Concentrations

Because public health is a broad field, in order to become an expert in a specific niche, some online master’s in public health students will pursue specialties or concentrations in areas including:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health Program Development
• Environmental Health
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Emergency Preparedness
• International Public Health
• Health Promotion and Education
• Public Health Practice
• Public Health Management and Policy
• Biostatistics

Careers in Public Health

A online public health master’s degree qualifies students for a variety of positions in the public and private health care industry, as well as in NGOs operating both at home and abroad. An online master’s in public health graduate can expect to find work in a wide range of health-related careers. Possible careers include:

• Epidemiologist
  Epidemiologists study the reasons for the spread of disease, suggest preventative measures and other ways to counter further contagion. Their annual earnings can range from $40,860 to $92,610. Higher paid jobs in any research role will usually require an advanced qualification, such as an online master’s degree in public health. Growth for this occupation will likely remain steady as disease remains a global concern.
• Nutritionists
  Nutritionists conduct research for, as well as plan and administer, programs that promote proper nutrition and healthy living. Annual salaries range from $33,230 to $74,690. Governments, companies and individuals are becoming more aware of the benefits, such as savings in health care costs, of good nutrition. Therefore, job prospects for nutritionists are growing.
• Environmental Health Scientist
  Environmental health scientists (or analysts) determine and share information on health risks connected to environmental factors. They make an average of $36,310 to $102,610 per annum. Projections for growth in this career are much higher than average.
• Health Educators
  Health educators prepare and deliver educational schemes aimed at helping communities and individuals prevent disease by living healthily . Per year, they may earn anywhere from $26,210 to $78,260. Health educators with an accredited online master’s degree in public health will have a competitive advantage in attaining the new positions expected to arise at a steady rate over the next several years.
• Health Services Managers
  Health services managers plan and direct health services. They earn an annual average of $62,170 to $104,120. Job prospects for qualified managers are steady.

There are many careers where the knowledge and skills developed in a top online master’s in public health program can be applied. In the competitive field of public health, an online public health master’s degree can facilitate progression to positions with higher pay and higher levels of responsibility.