A career in public health encompasses a variety of occupations which are concerned with the social, psychological and physical welfare of the public. Public health or community health educators examine conditions in industry, the environment and in housing and educate the public about communicable diseases and health care. In addition, they may develop community health services specifically tailored to the area's special needs.
Public health is the science and practice of improving the health and welfare of all people by promoting health and preventing and controlling disease. The work of public health professionals protects our water and food supplies, controls the spread of diseases such as whooping cough and polio and provides the government and public with essential information on health threats. Public health professionals are dedicated to educating people about protecting their health. Masters and doctoral degrees are available.
Major fields of study in public health include administration or practice, aerospace medicine, audiology and speech, behavioral sciences, biochemistry, biostatistics, demography, chronic diseases, gerontology, comprehensive health, drug abuse and alcoholism, environmental health, environmental health engineering, environmental physiology, environmental toxicology, epidemiology, health education, health policy and management, human genetics, immunology, infectious diseases, international health, maternal and child health, mental health, microbiology, bacteriology, mycology, virology, nutrition, occupational and environmental medicine, occupational health and industrial medicine, occupational health nursing, population studies, family planning, reproductive biology, public health nursing, radiation health sciences, social work in public health, tropical medicine, and others. The need is especially acute for epidemiologists and biostatisticians.
Required Courses
Required courses depend on the area of study in the MPH degree. Consult the graduate school of interest. Many undergraduate majors are acceptable. Many programs also require some experience in the health field, often work experience.
Standardized Test
Most programs require the GRE.