Many public health jobs require a graduate degree in public health. A graduate degree gives public health professionals a competitive edge over other professionals and enables professionals to:

• gain knowledge of the factors which influence local, national and global legislative and social polices
• apply broad-based, state-of-the-art quantitative and qualitative skills needed for problem solving
• develop multidisciplinary and collaborative strategies for solving health-related problems
• enhance communication skills by working with diverse populations and be positioned for a leadership role in health promotion and disease prevention

The U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics lists jobs in the public health sector as some of the fastest growing occupations, and occupations projected to have the largest numerical increases in employment between 2002 and 2012.

A career in public health offers something for almost everyone. Health administration and community health sciences are careers which involve being with people. Health education is a teaching field. Health policy includes a political component and covers a wide range of areas. Epidemiology and biostatistics involve math and modeling. Environmental health includes a wide range of science skills.

Public Health Career Options and Salaries
While there are dozens of specialties in public health, most career opportunities are found in the following fields. Also note the salaries earned (adjusted for inflation using the national CPI - Bureau of Labor Statistics) within one year of graduation as reported by the most recent nationwide survey of graduates conducted by the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH).

Health Policy and Management - MPH
The CEPH accredited Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from the School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York Medical College provides students with an understanding of the business, programmatic, planning and policy areas of health care and public health. The program prepares graduates to be leaders in a wide range of heath care services, public health and research. The MPH in Health Policy and Management requires 46 credit hours to complete. Within the required 46 credits to complete the program, students must complete 19 credits in core courses, 15 credits in concentration courses and 12 credits chosen for electives, and a practicum (structured public health practice experience).

Environmental Health Science - MPH
The CEPH accredited Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Science provides the conceptual framework and practical tools to recognize and address environmental hazards. Required concentration courses familiarize the student with air and water quality, pollution, waste management, environmental law, and risk assessment issues. Students must complete core courses, concentration courses, electives, and a practicum (structured public health experience). An individual program plan will be developed for each student based on his or her previous, education, experiences, and career goals.

Public health programs of School of Health Sciences and Practice and Institute of Public Health are fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

• Emergency Preparedness - Graduate Certificate
• Industrial Hygiene - Graduate Certificate

Public Health - MPH
Benedictine University's Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program is the second largest in the State of Illinois. The Online Master of Public Health program prepares professionals for the rapidly changing world of health care in a format that allows for continuation of work and outside obligations. Recognizing that the most desirable students are often the most professionally committed, the MPH program is designed for the working adult. Our program features flexible Web-based courses and online collaboration with faculty and fellow students. Students become broadly educated in the core disciplines of public health, and investigate the current needs of the profession as well as emerging trends. Public health professionals are at the forefront of the global effort to combat poverty, inequities, disease and epidemics. Dynamic and capable leaders are needed to guide communities toward a healthy future. Public health managers need to develop leadership in their fields today, and build their competencies as their careers progress.

Concentrations are available in: Administration of Health Care Institution, Disaster Management, Health Education, and Health Policy.

• Administration of Health Care Institution - MPH
• Disaster Management - Certificate
• Disaster Management - MPH
• Health Administration - MBA
• Health Education - MPH
• Health Policy - MPH

Public Health - Master (MPH)
Walden University's Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) online degree program gives you the real-world skills and knowledge you need to promote community wellness, disease prevention and health. By understanding the unique factors influencing public health, you'll be able to use your increased knowledge and confidence to make a difference in your community. This practice-oriented online degree program will connect you with international faculty, as well as a worldwide community of peers who are dedicated to the promotion of health and prevention of illness. The Master of Public Health features a sequentially designed curriculum developed to provide the most collaborative learning experience while engaging you in foundational studies in areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy and administration, social and behavioral sciences, and environmental health.

U.S. News & World Report identified Walden as the largest online, graduate-level public health program by enrollment.

Walden University also offers:

• Health Services / Health Management and Policy - PhD
• Public Administration / Health Policy - MPA
• Public Health - PhD
• Public Health / Community Health Promotion and Education - PhD
• Public Health / Epidemiology - PhD
• Public Policy and Administration - Health Services (Mixed Modal) - PhD

"...what leaders do, they have dreams, and they conceive of something that other people cannot quite see, and then they help to encourage, cajole, persuade others to build something, and that is what is happened here with Capella, and you built it marvelously well." David Gergen, CNN political analyst, best-selling author, and director of the John F. Kennedy School of Government Center for Public Leadership recently spoke in honor of Capella's School of Public Service Leadership.

Public Health / Health Management and Policy - MS
Offered by Capella's School of Public Service Leadership, the Health Management and Policy master's specialization features a multidisciplinary curriculum that combines the study of public health issues and concepts with public health-focused course work in such areas as management, organizational and financial theory and practice, strategic planning, economics, and communication. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management or director positions in government, private, or community-based public or environmental health organizations.

Public Health / Social and Behavioral Sciences - MS
Offered by Capella's School of Public Service Leadership, the Social and Behavioral Sciences master's specialization provides an overview of public health issues and administrative systems, as well as focused course work on such topics as social and behavioral theory, research, assessment and surveillance; health disparities; international public health; and public health information for diverse populations. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing management or director positions in public health or social welfare organizations that focus on research, community assessment, or program development and evaluation.

Public Health - MPH
ATSU's School of Health Management offers an online Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) program that will prepare you for leadership in public health. A 15-course program, you may choose a concentration best fitting your interests: health planning, health policy, and environmental health. General areas of focus are epidemiology, education, administration, ethics, and financial management. A dental M.P.H. track is also available.

• Health Administration - MHA
• Health Education - MHEd
• Health Education - DHEd

Epidemiology & Biostatistics - Certificate
The Certificate in Epidemiology & Biostatistics program offers research-oriented training for public health professionals from diverse backgrounds: policy makers, physicians, nurses, clinical research professionals, health educators. The program provides research-oriented training in the theory and tools of core public health disciplines. Students build the statistical background needed to conduct research and learn how to develop hypotheses, analyze data, interpret and communicate results.

Toxicology & Industrial Hygiene - Certificate
This unique, 4-course certificate is specifically designed for students at the post-baccalaureate level in industrial or governmental settings. Program content provides a strong foundation in both toxicology and industrial hygiene to enhance the student's "on-the-job" performance in the areas of health and safety. Students completing all four courses will be awarded a certificate indicating their completion of this program of study. Graduates may also use these courses credits as a basis for more advanced study at the master's or doctoral level in these areas.

Drexel University has again made the "up-and-coming" short list of national universities that have achieved "the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus, or facilities," according to top college officials polled by U.S.News & World Report for the 2010 edition of "America's Best Colleges."

• Clinical Trials Research - Certificate
• Clinical Trials Research - MSN
• Leadership Health Systems Management - Certificate
• Leadership Health Systems Management - MSN

Drexel SPH is a member of the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH)

Drexel SPH is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)