[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]COVID-19 has drawn a lot of attention to public health, but public health is more than infectious disease control.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Public health careers can involve improving health equity and addressing social factors in health. You can achieve this by creating health education plans and helping to build healthy communities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn about public health programs and public health degrees that will prepare you for this potentially rewarding field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is Public Health?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and communities on an institutional level.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are three main functions within public health. [hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Assessment[/hen-ui-text] refers to identifying and measuring community health problems and needs. [hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Policy development[/hen-ui-text] refers to designing solutions. The third part, [hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]assurance[/hen-ui-text], means making sure people have access to these solutions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The coronavirus pandemic highlighted how public health brings together medicine and the social sciences.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, during the COVID-19 crisis, public health professionals researched who is affected and how, developing government and organizational responses to the crisis, and making sure everybody has access to the vaccine. They also educated people about vaccination and other preventive measures.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Are the Different Types of Public Health Degrees?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Associate Degree in Public Health[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some associate degrees in public health build towards a very specific role, such as a medical coder or medical transcriptionist. Others prepare you for entry-level work in a field like community health, largely as a stepping-stone to a bachelor’s degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about what you can do with an [hen-ui-link href=”#associate-bachelors”]associate degree in public health[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Bachelor’s in Public Health[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/healthcare/public-health/bachelors/”]bachelor’s degree in public health[/hen-ui-link] prepares you for a wide array of public health careers, like community health specialist, prevention specialist, entry-level public health program manager, public health investigator, or health educator. Most public health positions require at least a bachelor’s in public health.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-secondary-dark”]Does it matter if you get a BA or BS in public health?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can pursue either a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS) in public health. A BA in public health focuses more on nonclinical areas such as the social sciences, education, and policy. A BS focuses on the natural sciences and medicine.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]BA graduates tend to find work in government agencies or nonprofits. In a field like infectious disease prevention, a BS degree would emphasize epidemiology, statistics, and the logistics of vaccination distribution.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A BA looks at modifying human behaviors to reduce risk factors for chronic disease and injury. A bachelor of arts in public health also teaches how to apply strategies to reduce public health disease or injury burdens.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about what you can do with a [hen-ui-link href=”#associate-bachelors”]bachelor’s degree in public health[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Master’s in Public Health[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/healthcare/public-health/masters/”]master of public health[/hen-ui-link] (MPH) can lead to a management role in public or [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-online-community-health-nursing-programs/”]community health[/hen-ui-link]. It can also lead to more specialized, advanced roles outside management.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many master’s in public health degrees offer a specialization, such as epidemiology, health management, public policy and health, or health promotion. You can earn either an MPH or a master of science in public health (MSPH).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-secondary-dark”]What is the difference between an MPH and MSPH?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both MPH and MSPH students learn public health practice. MSPH students may have more biostatistics and epidemiology coursework.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Those who pursue an MSPH often view it as preparation for a doctorate in public health. Learners in [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-online-mph-programs-for-nurses/”]MPH programs[/hen-ui-link] often must complete an internship or project in their specialization.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about what you can do with an [hen-ui-link href=”#graduate-degree”]MPH degree[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Doctorate in Public Health[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”https://requestinfo.nursejournal.org/app/experience/?degree=doctorate&category=nursing-and-healthcare&subject=public-health” target=”_blank”]doctorate in public health[/hen-ui-link] is the terminal public health degree. It prepares you for a high-level administrative public health career, or one focused on research and academia.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in public health requires original research and a doctoral thesis. The curriculum varies by program, and often involves courses in public policy, disease prevention, healthcare systems design, biostatistics, and behavioral sciences.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-secondary-dark”]What is the difference between a DrPH and Ph.D. in public health?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A doctor of public health (DrPH) is for professionals who want to work directly in public health, while a Ph.D. in public health is often for researchers and academics.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you plan to teach at a college, university, or research institution, you will need a Ph.D. If you wish to work in government or agencies that don’t require original research, you will need a DrPH.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about what you can do with a [hen-ui-link href=”#graduate-degree”]doctorate in public health[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Can You Get a Public Health Degree Online?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many schools offer online public health programs whose quality is on par with on-campus programs. Students can earn the same degree online or on campus.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many online programs do require some on-campus orientation or on-campus work. Programs requiring a practicum should arrange placement in your community, but ensure they do before enrolling.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In general, assistant positions, certain technical jobs, and entry-level public health careers require associate degrees.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A bachelor’s in public health may allow for more professional autonomy, but you will likely work under someone with a master’s or doctoral public health degree. For a high-level role in academia or a think tank, you need a Ph.D.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most public health careers are in government, public health organizations, and hospitals or health systems. Yet, a growing number of community development organizations — foundations, grant programs, and groups prioritizing community well-being — are hiring public health professionals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]“In general, I find that people who are drawn to public health tend to be community-oriented and service-oriented. They want to make an impact on a lot of lives.”. — Christopher Lee, MPA / Is a Public Health Degree Worth It?[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b5″ weight=”bold”]— Christopher Lee, MPA[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Careers With an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-dark”]Health Information Technician[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health information technicians handle health records and health data. They collect data, perform basic quality assurance, and generate reports. They must be comfortable with technology.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum degree required:[/hen-ui-text] Associate degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Certification required (if any):[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certification-exams/rhit/” target=”_blank”]Registered Health Information Technician Certification[/hen-ui-link] is a common employer requirement.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Average salary:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Health_Information_Technician/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]$42,926 [/hen-ui-link]per December 2022 Payscale data[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-dark”]Medical and Health Services Manager[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medical and health services managers perform administrative duties in settings such as hospitals, health systems, clinics, military bases, and other healthcare facilities. Their role might include technology and personnel management or program logistics.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum degree required:[/hen-ui-text] Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Median salary:[/hen-ui-text] $101,340 per 2021 data[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-dark”]Occupational Health and Safety Specialist and Technician[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Occupational health and safety specialists and technicians help ensure the safety of workplaces like factories and construction sites. They may work directly on site or in government offices that regulate worker health and safety.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum degree required:[/hen-ui-text] Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Certification required (if any):[/hen-ui-text] The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.bcsp.org/” target=”_blank”]Board of Certified Safety Professionals[/hen-ui-link] offers several certifications, none of which are legally required.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Median salary:[/hen-ui-text] $74,870 per 2021 data[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-dark”]Social and Community Service Manager[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Social and community service managers design and administer social services programs, including public health programs. In a small organization, they may oversee general public health initiatives. In larger organizations, they often specialize in a particular type of program, such as prevention, or a program task, such as assessment.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum degree required:[/hen-ui-text] Bachelor’s degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Certification required:[/hen-ui-text] Specialty areas may have certifications, but these are not required.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Median salary:[/hen-ui-text] $74,000 per 2021 data[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-dark”]Health Educator and Community Health Worker[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health educators and community health workers both offer services directly to the public. Health educators create and carry out educational plans. These can be online, in print, or in person. Community health workers help connect people to health services.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum degree required:[/hen-ui-text] Bachelor’s degree for health educator or associate degree for community health worker[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Certification required:[/hen-ui-text] Being a certified health education specialist from the [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nchec.org/” target=”_blank”]National Commission for Health Education Credentialing[/hen-ui-link] is often an employer requirement, though it is not legally required.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Median salary:[/hen-ui-text] $48,860 per 2021 data[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Careers With a Graduate Degree in Public Health[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-dark”]Healthcare Consultant[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare consultants provide expertise to healthcare organizations in management, technology, strategy, or specialty topics. In public health, they provide guidance on designing facilities, ethics, interventions, or programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most healthcare consultants need both advanced education and experience in the field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum degree required:[/hen-ui-text] Master’s degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Certification required:[/hen-ui-text] Some employers prefer certification from the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nschbc.org/” target=”_blank”]National Society of Healthcare Business Consultants[/hen-ui-link], but it is not a legal requirement.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Average salary:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Healthcare_Consultant/Salary” target=”_blank”]$81,000 [/hen-ui-link]per January 2023 Payscale data[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-dark”]Public Health Analyst[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Public health analysts gather, analyze, and report on public health data. They work in government or healthcare facilities. This position requires considerable experience with data and analytics, including statistics and demographics.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum degree required:[/hen-ui-text] Master’s degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Certification required:[/hen-ui-text] Many employers prefer certification as a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certification-exams/chda/” target=”_blank”]certified health data analyst[/hen-ui-link], though not legally necessary.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Average salary:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Healthcare_Consultant/Salary” target=”_blank”]$80,33[/hen-ui-link]1 per January 2023 Payscale data[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-dark”]Postsecondary Teacher[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Postsecondary teachers teach at any level beyond high school. In most schools, they also serve as academic advisors and on academic committees. In addition to teaching, four-year colleges and graduate programs often require instructors to do research and publish academic papers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum degree required:[/hen-ui-text] Master’s degree (though many four-year programs may require or prefer a Ph.D.)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Median salary:[/hen-ui-text] $79,640 per 2021 data[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-primary-dark”]Epidemiologist[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]COVID-19 has put epidemiology and epidemiologists in the spotlight. Epidemiologists study how contagious diseases are transmitted, how other diseases are contracted, and how injuries and other health risks happen. Epidemiologists must understand medicine, statistics, and the social sciences, depending on their specialty.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Minimum degree required:[/hen-ui-text] Master’s degree (though research institutions often require a Ph.D.)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Median salary:[/hen-ui-text] $78,830 per 2021 data[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Common Questions About Public Health Degrees[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is public health a good degree?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]That depends on your career goals. If you are interested in the intersection of medicine and the social sciences, public health careers can be very rewarding. Public health degrees can be an option for those who enjoy challenges like designing health interventions or improving community health.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salaries depend largely on education and experience. In many communities, public health jobs are growing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is public health a difficult major?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Public health careers often require you to excel in the natural sciences, social sciences, medical concepts, mathematics and statistics, and technology. Whether or not you think public health is a difficult major will depend on your specialization, the program, and your skill set.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What’s the difference between a public health degree and a health science degree?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare/public-health/”]health science degree[/hen-ui-link] prepares you to work in a medical field and to focus on treating patients clinically. A public health degree prepares you to work on the health of a specific population through multiple approaches, not just medical ones. Health science degrees emphasize biology, chemistry, and medicine; public health degrees emphasize the social sciences and medicine. Lastly, health science degrees focus on treating people, while public health degrees focus on treating communities or populations within a community.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What public health jobs are in demand?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Since COVID-19, there has been a growing awareness of the benefits of disease prevention and understanding the social factors of health. In addition, knowing the dangers of highly infectious conditions like COVID-19 has increased demand for many public health jobs. Some [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare/public-health/jobs//”]in-demand public health jobs[/hen-ui-link] include epidemiology, health education specialist, and community health worker. Other popular jobs are community service manager and health information or medical records specialist.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Articles[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”/healthcare/public-health/salary/,/healthcare/public-health/is-a-public-health-degree-worth-it/,/healthcare/public-health/reasons-to-get-a-job-in-public-health/,/healthcare/health-science/”][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page last reviewed December 18, 2022[/hen-ui-text]