As a health professional, you have skills that are already changing and saving lives close to home. What if your medical expertise could extend beyond your local hospital or clinic to benefit a whole community or even an entire population? If the idea of improving and protecting the health of patients on a national or global scale appeals to you, you may consider earning your Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. Besides the obvious perks the industry has to offer, you may be surprised to learn of several other important benefits that earning an MPH degree can bring.
Distinguish Yourself
The medical field is always growing, but it remains a competitive job market to crack. Earning your MPH degree quickly turns you into a distinguished candidate for a variety of employment or educational opportunities from employers looking to hire or do research with the best and most qualified applicants. Public health courses teach valuable critical thinking skills, and they afford students a keen understanding of how even the smallest decisions shape a patient’s and, by extension, a community’s, health.
Enjoy Job Security
Those who choose the path of public health stand to gain more than just a sense of pride for contributing to the betterment of the world. Unlike so many other careers in our economy, public health’s future is bright and steady. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that employment in health care occupations, including positions in public health, are projected to grow by 16% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than what’s projected for all other occupations. Approximately 2.6 million new health care jobs are expected to be added during that period.
Additionally, careers in public health have competitive salaries, and professionals in this field have the added bonus of being able to find a position just about anywhere in the country or, if they’re so inclined, the world.
Public Health and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the need for qualified, knowledgeable public health professionals. From epidemiologists to community health workers and public health education specialists, the need for workers who understand how to promote healthy behaviors, such as wearing a mask and getting vaccinated; combat COVID-19 vaccine misinformation; and identify and trace new variants, remains strong. An online MPH degree can help students develop the expertise and skills needed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic as it exists today, and as the virus evolves in the future, and help prepare the world for the next global health crisis.
Become a Specialist or a Generalist
One of the most appealing aspects of the public health industry is the way it provides its workers the opportunity to master one field or branch out into many others. If your passion is environmental health, you’ll have every resource necessary to master it, or if you prefer to educate others about many different social health issues, you can work as a health educator. Public health is one of the most diverse fields to work in, and every role is critical to community and world health.
Cater to Your Interests
For some, a job’s appeal goes beyond the salary and the number of paid vacation days. Perhaps you’re interested in travel, experiencing other cultures or learning new languages. An MPH degree can offer all of that should you choose to take your skills abroad. Countries all over the world are in need of public health workers, giving you the chance to see foreign lands and interact with their citizens, immersing yourself in their culture and seeing firsthand how your efforts affect their lives.
For decades, public health initiatives have been solving health crises all over the world. From stifling cholera in Haiti to combating malaria in Tanzania, public health workers have fought tirelessly to promote healthy lifestyles across the globe. With an online MPH from USC, not only can you join that battle and make an impact but also enjoy the many personal benefits it has to offer.
Coursework covers topics such as Principles of Biostatistics, Principles of Epidemiology, and Public Health Leadership and Management, and students can choose to specialize in one of six concentrations: Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Community Health Promotion, Global Health, GeoHealth, Health Services and Policy, and Public Health Generalist.
Are you ready to take the first step toward pursuing advanced roles in the field of public health? Discover how completing an online MPH degree from USC can prepare you for the job you want.
Recommended Readings
MPH Student Uses Models to Promote Public Health Awareness
The Next U.S. Drug Epidemic: Increased Opioid Usage and Alcohol Abuse
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