What can you use a public health degree for?

Master's in public health degrees can lead to careers in public health research, policy, clinical practice, and leadership.

Is public health in the medical field?

Public health focuses on disease and injury prevention, rather than on direct provision of medical care.

What does a career in public health look like?

Public health professionals work to protect the public from various harms, hazards, and diseases. This career often entails research or advocacy supporting effective public health policy and practice.

What are examples of public health?

Public health fields include environmental health, global health, epidemiology, and health promotion.

Best Master’s in Public Health Degrees 2021

April 26, 2021 | CollegeChoice Staff

Are you ready to find your fit?

Master’s in public health degrees provide specialized knowledge and skills for careers promoting and protecting population health. These interdisciplinary programs often combine coursework in public health research, health education, health science, and leadership.

Admission to a good public health master’s program typically requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school. Many programs also require prerequisite coursework in biology and mathematics. Some programs look for candidates with relevant professional experience. Application requirements may include recommendation letters, curriculum vitae or resumes, GRE scores, and essays.

Master’s degrees in public health can prepare graduates for various high-level careers or doctoral programs. Common career paths for graduates include epidemiologist, public health analyst, community health program or facility director, and medical and health services manager. The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites a median annual salary of $100,980 and a projected 32% job growth for medical and health services managers from 2019 to 2029.

Top 5 Best Master’s in Public Health Degrees

Rank	School	Location
1	University of Florida	Gainesville, FL
2	University of California-Los Angeles	Los Angeles, CA
3	Ohio State University	Columbus, OH
4	University of California-Berkeley	Berkeley, CA
5	University of Wisconsin-Madison	Madison, WI

FAQ

What can you use a public health degree for?

Master’s in public health degrees can lead to careers in public health research, policy, clinical practice, and leadership.

Is public health in the medical field?

Public health focuses on disease and injury prevention, rather than on direct provision of medical care.

What does a career in public health look like?

Public health professionals work to protect the public from various harms, hazards, and diseases. This career often entails research or advocacy supporting effective public health policy and practice.

What are examples of public health?

Public health fields include environmental health, global health, epidemiology, and health promotion.

Recommended Schools

What Are the Goals of a Public Health Degree?

Public health students can pursue various master’s degree options, including a master of arts in public health (MPH), a master of science in public health (MSPH), and an MBA/MPH dual degree. The MPH typically serves professionals interested in policy or community health work, while the MSPH often prepares graduates for research careers. MBA/MPH students typically use this degree to qualify for advanced management or administration careers.

Most master’s in public health programs include courses on public health data collection and analysis, clinical practice, and disease prevention. Enrollees typically choose a specialization such as environmental health, health policy, community health education, or epidemiology. Some programs include concentrations in niche fields such as bioethics or biostatistics.

Why Get a Public Health Degree?

Earning a master’s degree in public health can yield many potential personal and professional benefits, including career and salary advancement, specialized knowledge, and professional networking. See below for descriptions of various advantages associated with a public health master’s degree.

Promotion: Many MPH graduates use their public health degree to qualify for upper-level administrative careers such as medical and health services manager or director.
Salary Advancement: Master’s degrees typically lead to higher salaries. PayScale salary data indicates that master’s in public health graduates earn nearly $10,000 more annually than bachelor’s graduates in the same field.
Specialization: Master’s-level public health programs typically encourage enrollees to specialize their degree in preparation for work in a particular role, niche field, population, or employment context. Specialization can increase graduates’ chances of acquiring desired positions.
Networking: Master’s in public health programs introduce enrollees to accomplished public health peers and professors. Internships and cohort-based programs increase opportunities for professional networking.
Research Skills: Graduate students usually take required research courses and create capstone theses or projects involving high-level research. Master’s-level research skills can support research-focused careers such as public health analyst or epidemiologist.

What Are the Requirements for a Public Health Degree?

Master’s programs typically require at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Public health master’s programs may expect math and science prerequisites. Applicants with public health-related bachelor’s degrees or relevant professional experience may receive precedence.

Competitive candidates for master’s in public health programs typically need a minimum 3.0 GPA. Application requirements usually include essays, official transcripts, recommendation letters, and resumes or curriculum vitae. Some programs also require GRE scores.

Once accepted, MPH students in full-time, semester-based programs complete 42-45 credits over 2-3 years. Most MPH programs require internship or practicum experiences focused on community health, policy, or research. Enrollees choose field experiences that align with their interests and career goals. Many programs also require a thesis, capstone project, or examination.

What is Accreditation and Why Does it Matter?

Professional Organizations for Public Health Students

Professional organizations can provide valuable advantages to members, including continuing education, career resources, and networking opportunities. Many professional organizations also advocate for associated professions and work on various equity and public education initiatives. The following professional organizations support public health professionals and students.

American Public Health Association APHA focuses on public health policy and advocacy, professional development, and networking. Founded in 1872, this professional organization has served public health professionals for nearly 150 years. APHA provides continuing education, webinars, a public health report, and various significant publications.

Society for Public Health Education A nonprofit, international professional association, SOPHE serves almost 4,000 health education students and professionals. SOPHE supports educators and students employed in healthcare settings, schools, and federal agencies. This society also offers a career hub, volunteer opportunities, continuing education, and various financial awards.

Scholarships for Public Health Students

Many college students qualify for scholarships offered by schools, private funders, government, or professional organizations. Scholarships often serve learners from particular backgrounds or in a specified field of study. Additional requirements typically include a minimum 3.0 GPA and full-time enrollment in an accredited program. Many scholarships look for students with financial need. See below for three scholarships available to qualifying public health students.

Indian Health Service Scholarships

Who Can Apply: This scholarship supports Alaska Native or American Indian students who belong to a federally recognized tribe and seek full-time clinical public health careers in tribal communities. Qualified applicants have enrolled in eligible health profession programs. Recipients commit to a period of service after graduation.
Amount: Varies

Vivian Drenckhahn Student Scholarship

Who Can Apply: This SOPHE scholarship goes to full-time students in health education. Eligible candidates demonstrate academic merit, financial need, SOPHE membership, and completion of at least one-third of their program. Scholarship recipients must assist with a SOPHE initiative, committee, or task force for at least one year.
Amount: $2,500

Bobbi Ryder Migrant Health Champion Award

Who Can Apply: Funded by the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH), this scholarship supports community health center staff in pursuing their healthcare education goals. NCFH selects recipients based on career goals, personal experience, and commitment to serving agricultural communities. Applicants with a family history of agricultural work receive precedence.
Amount: $1,500