Public health professionals critically safeguard community well-being through preventive measures, educational initiatives and protective actions. As the CDC Foundation notes, public health focuses on “promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases. Overall, public health is concerned with protecting the health of entire populations.”
Given this definition, public health professionals wear many hats. Their responsibilities span from monitoring disease outbreaks to implementing vaccination campaigns. They also advocate for safety standards and address the emerging impacts of climate change.
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) offers an online Master of Public Health (MPH) program to prepare graduates for a rewarding and in-demand career in this vital field. These professionals work in various sectors — including government, business, healthcare, and nonprofits — and are instrumental in promoting population health and preventing illness.
Why Study Public Health?
There are many reasons to pursue a career in public health, including these examples from an assortment of esteemed sources:
Fulfilling Humanitarian Impact
One of the most compelling aspects of earning an MPH degree is the opportunity to create a real, tangible impact on the lives of individuals and communities. Public health interventions, as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), have a long history of producing significant outcomes that touch countless lives, from disease eradication to the enforcement of sanitation measures.
Some of the WHO’s most memorable milestones include:
- 1947: Creation of a global disease-tracking service
- 1961: Development of an attenuated live-virus polio vaccine
- 1977: Publication of the first essential medicines list outlining medicines that each health system needs
- 1980: Eradication of smallpox following a 12-year global vaccination campaign
- 2014: Initiative launched to tackle the Ebola virus outbreak
- 2020: Discovery of the novel coronavirus leading to the COVID-19 pandemic
Lucrative Career Opportunities
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been renewed interest in public health investments. UMHB’s online MPH program provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in various related roles including epidemiologists, health educators, environmental health specialists, and public health administrators.
Whether working for government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions or corporate entities, MPH graduates are ready to address public health challenges in many different settings. According to the American Public Health Association, this “science-based, evidence-backed field strives to give everyone a safe place to live, learn, work and play.”
Because public health touches so many areas of people’s lives, there are abundant opportunities to find a pathway that fits your unique interests. For example, the CDC outlines several public health careers MPH graduates might consider such as grant managers, statisticians, and web developers.
Job Security and Stability
Opportunities for public health professionals continue to grow, underscoring the sector’s stability and potential for long-term job security. Public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have reiterated the need for maintaining a pipeline of professionals to mitigate health threats and promote wellness. As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, the job outlook for epidemiologists is expected to increase by 27% through 2032. Students with an MPH can position themselves in a field where their expertise is in high demand.
The field of public health offers diverse job prospects with competitive salaries. According to PayScale, public health professionals with an MPH earn an average base salary of $73K annually. Those with additional experience and certifications may command even more attractive remuneration and benefits packages.
Is an Online Public Health Degree Right for Me?
Given the rising demand for public health professionals, those considering this pathway may appreciate a degree program that allows them to enter the field quickly. An accelerated online MPH degree program covers key topics like biostatistics, epidemiology, and health behavior in a convenient, flexible format. Moreover, UMHB’s MPH program graduates are eligible to sit for both the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exams. These certifications validate their expertise and enhance their marketability in the field, opening doors to advanced career opportunities and leadership roles.
An MPH sets students on a path to a rewarding career that makes a positive impact. With vital policy development and research skills, graduates can tackle local and global health challenges and improve societal well-being.
Learn more about UMHB’s online Master of Public Health program.