So, you found you are passionate about the field of public health. In order to advance in this field, you are considering a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) degree. It is no secret that earning your Master’s in Public Health will allow you to thrive in a rewarding and growing field, with a vast array of potential career outcomes in epidemiology, administration, and more. Before getting started, however, it is crucial to know the exact requirements for an MPH degree.
First, there are specific prerequisites to get into a credible MPH program. After that, you need to take the required classes and steps to complete your MPH degree. Then, you must assess whether you possess the required skills that are necessary to succeed in the public health field. Once you have successfully met all these requirements, you can enter into the many career fields available to those with their MPH. Understanding the requirements for your MPH degree is your first step in this journey. After reading below, you will have a better idea of how you can best meet these requirements and begin your career with your MPH in hand.
Requirements for Getting into an MPH Degree Program
The first step in earning your MPH degree is to be accepted into a reputable graduate program. At institutions such as Goodwin university, there is no requirement for you to have GRE scores, a letter of recommendation, or an interview with the program director for admission. This means that getting into an MPH degree program is easier than ever. Every MPH applicant must complete a graduate application for admission, as well as submit a resume and immunization records. Beyond the standard requirements for those pursuing a graduate degree, there are a few extra MPH requirements for admission. You must obtain a bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). To prove that you have this degree, you will have to submit an official or unofficial transcript.
Class Requirements for an MPH Degree
The journey to complete your MPH degree requires a comprehensive education, covering a range of topics that will be applicable to your future field. As such, you can expect to take many exciting and informative classes as a part of the MPH curriculum. Some of the course requirements for MPH students include:
- Introduction to Public Health
- Principles of Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health
- Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases
Taking these core requirement classes will give you a wide range of health information. You can also elect to take more specialized courses, in addition, and can choose a concentration in either Global Health, Community Health, or Health Policy in Goodwin’s MPH degree program. These specific classes will allow you to master the concentration of your choice so you can go into a more specialized field of work.
Skills Requirements for MPH Degree Success
Beyond being accepted into a public health school, and taking the required classes, you need to ask yourself whether you possess the skills needed to succeed in this line of work. There are five main public health skills that you will need to master if you want to set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling career.
- Research and Analytical Skills
Research is essential in the public health field, and you will need to conduct proper research and analyze the results. You must also be able to take your research a step further and put it into action.
- Ethics and Empathy
A high standard of ethics and public health go hand and hand. The ultimate goal in the public health field is to do good for individuals and their communities, which you can accomplish through integrity and empathy. The Public Health Code of Ethics highlights the importance of having a high moral standard with values such as human rights, civil liberties, health justice, and safety.
- Effective Communication
Being able to communicate effectively is crucial to succeeding in the public health field. You will need to be able to properly communicate about areas such as research findings and health education. With your MPH degree, you can take on a leadership role where communication will be needed to support and help others.
- Critical Thinking
Do you thrive at solving problems? Once you earn your MPH you will be able to solve core health issues. You will use your critical thinking to diagnose problems, create plans, and implement new strategies and health problems.
- Politics and Policy Management
Whether developing, implementing, evaluating, or improving policy, it is clear you will need specific skills. Politics and policy are a vital part of the public health field. By taking classes such as public health policy you can gain the skills needed to succeed.
Examples of Careers that Require an MPH Degree
So what can you do with your MPH degree? The careers you can obtain with your MPH degree are both fruitful and rewarding. One career that may interest those with a love of public health and mathematics is a biostatistician. By using statistics and analysis they can aid health professionals to see potential risks and insights. This is a growing field with a median salary of $93,290. With your MPH degree, you can also work as an epidemiologist. Similar to a biostatistician, they work to find patterns within data and lab results. Their focus is to understand how health relates to environmental contaminants. It is a profitable career with a median income of $74,560 per year.
If you enjoy leadership and teaching others, you may be interested in the career of a public health educator or public health director. As an educator, you can work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, universities, and nonprofit organizations and will seek to promote health consciousness. This field is growing at more than double than average, with an annual salary of $48,140.
Another job for those with an MPH degree is a sanitarian or public health inspector. They ensure local businesses follow regulations and investigate waste management, food protection, product safety, housing, and hazardous substance regulation. With your MPH degree, you may also be able to work as a disaster specialist. They work with the government or nonprofit organizations to figure out how to respond to natural disasters. They can make an average of $76,250 annually with an optimistic job outlook. All those considering pursuing their MPH degree can be encouraged by the many job opportunities available after graduation.
Now that you know exactly what is required to earn your MPH degree, and the career opportunities available, it is time to begin your journey. Earning your MPH has never been easier with online classes that offer flexibility. Goodwin University has an MPH program with tuition that can be affordable to you through scholarships and grants. If you think you can meet the requirements needed to earn your MPH degree, then begin your path today to a rewarding career in public health.
If you are ready to start your exciting journey towards earning your MPH, reach out to Goodwin University today! For more information call 1-800-889-3282 or visit us online.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.