Public Health Graduate Programs

Public Health Graduate Programs and Curriculum

Since public health encompasses so many areas, it has the potential to be the right fit for a variety of personalities and learning styles. A successful public health graduate student may have the following characteristics:

• Genuine interest in helping other people
• A sense of the larger picture
• Curious and driven to find answers
• Successful and motivated
• Resourceful and imaginative with “outside the box” thinking
• Able to keep up with an ever-changing field
• Technologically minded

A comprehensive graduate degree program for a master’s in public health will typically include the following coursework:

• Maternal and child health
• Biostatistics
• Environmental health
• Public health practice
• Epidemiology
• Behavioral science
• Public health policy
• Health services administration
• Health education
• Nutrition

In addition to basic science and specific health courses, public health master’s degree students may also be required or choose to take courses in the following areas:

• Urban planning
• Ethics
• Advocacy
• Communications
• Organizational management
• Social work
• Budgeting and finance

Most programs also require a practicum or internship experience, as well as a capstone project. Public health master’s degree programs are accredited by the Council of Education for Public Health. The Council accredits schools of Public Health as well as Public Health Programs. In addition, The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) offers a certification program for Public Health practitioners. This test is not yet a required certification for the field.

Public Health Career Paths

With such a diverse education base, there are many industries and career paths available to those holding master’s degrees in public health. Often they involve assuming leadership roles as members of multidisciplinary health care teams. Hospital administrator, professor and researcher are some of the possible job opportunities.

Data according to

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.

Public Health Future Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of public health educators is expected to grow by 18 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Growth will result from the rising cost of healthcare. The BLS also reports that job prospects for health educators are expected to be favorable, but those who have acquired experience through internships or volunteer jobs will have better prospects. A graduate degree is preferred by employers in public health and for non-entry-level positions. Median annual wages of health educators were $44,000 in May of 2008.

Data according to

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.