Public health focuses on entire populations while they're healthy rather than on an individual after they've become sick. It's a pro-active, preventive approach to health care that involves education, the promotion of health lifestyles, developing policies, and research.

Over the course of the 20th century, public health professionals increased life expectancy by 30 years. Some of their other great achievements include:
•    Vaccinations
•    Motor-vehicle safety
•    Safer workplaces
•    Control of infectious diseases
•    Better family planning

What Training Will I Get with a Public Health Degree?

Most jobs in public health require you receive a degree from an accredited program. You will learn:
•    What factors influence local, national, and international legislative and social policies
•    Quantitative and qualitative problem solving skills
•    Multidisciplinary and collaborative strategies for health-care problems
•    Communication skills necessary to work with diverse populations
•    Health promotion and disease prevention

Career Outlook and Salary Information

Public health professions can earn a wide range of salaries depending on their specialty, but the career outlook in all of these fields is expected to remain excellent and grow rapidly over the next decade. Health Service Administrators earn between $37,050 - $161,400; those in biostatistics can earn anything from $33,000 to $63,000; Epidemiologists earn between $38,175 and $136,237; and those in international health might earn between $31,500 - $86,625, to name just a few career possibilities.

To advance in this field, you generally need a Master of Public Health degree and the corresponding training. To prepare for this, you should take certain courses during your undergraduate program such as biology and mathematics.

Online Degrees in Public Health

Walden University

Walden University offers students a comprehensive Bachelor's or Master's degree program in an exclusive online environment. The online tools and resources available allow students to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of independent learning, structured class curriculums, and easy access to instructors. more

Public Health Degrees Offered:

Master of Public Health
As a student in this program, you will draw knowledge from the social, behavioral, and health sciences to help address many of today’s public health challenges. Whether you are new to community health or an experienced practitioner in the field, this online graduate program will inform and advance your understanding of best practices in public health.
Ph.D. in Public Health
With a learning model that integrates an interactive, online learning environment with in-person academic residencies, the doctoral program culminates in a dissertation showcasing original research you will contribute to the field. This program focuses on community health, including medical, political, and economic factors, combines academic theory with practical expertise, features respected scholars and practitioners in the field, and provides faculty mentors to provide support from your first day through your dissertation.

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A.T. Still University of Health Sciences

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences includes four universities that offer graduate-level degrees based on the principles of osteopathic medicine. While A.T. Still University's campus-based programs offer students a traditional learning environment, the flexibility of their online campus programs are most enticing to those already employed in the health care field. more

Public Health Degrees Offered:

Public Health
The Master of Public Health (MPH) prepares its students to solve public health problems and apply their knowledge and expertise to specific areas of public health. Graduates of the MPH program are recognized in the field for their success as practitioners and managers in a variety of health care settings.

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ChathamOnline

ChathamOnline is the web-based campus of Chatham College. Founded in 1869, Chatham College is dedicated to enabling its graduates to make an impact on the world around them. Graduates of Chatham College leave with a social consciousness, an awareness and understanding of the environment, an interest in public service, the ability to communicate effectively, and a strong grounding in liberal arts and science education. more

Public Health Degrees Offered:

Wellness (MAW)
The Master of Arts degree in Wellness program is designed for working health care professionals who wish to learn skills that help a patient's spiritual, nutritional, physical, social, intellectual and emotional wellness. This 36-credit post-professional degree program prepares clinicians to develop personally and professionally, with possibilities for advancement in clinical medicine, academics, research, administration, or public service.

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UMassOnline

The University of Massachusetts has been providing high quality educational opportunities for Massachusetts residents and for students and faculty from all over the world for more than 140 years. The University of Massachusetts President and Board of Trustees created UMassOnline in 2001 to meet the online educational needs of people locally, nationally, and internationally by offering accredited educational programs via interactive, Internet-based learning systems. more

Public Health Degrees Offered:

MS (Nursing)/Master's in Public Health Dual Degree Program
This program is closed to new students. Only currently enrolled students may take courses. The online MS (Nursing)/MPH Dual Degree Program is offered jointly by the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health and Health Sciences. This 60-credit program (30 credits in nursing and 30 credits in public health) develops the knowledge and skills required for public health nursing leadership. Course Work and Clinical This program includes courses in bio-statistics, epidemiology, environmental health, public health education, public health practice, nursing theory, nursing research, public health nursing with special populations, ethical issues, and leadership (all under PUBHLTH). Several courses are team-taught by nursing and public health faculty members. Each student will gain experiential learning through several clinical internships (one each in a rural and urban setting; at least one working with a ""Healthy People 2010"" priority issue; at least one involving service to low-income or underserved populations) and one policy internship in a state or federal legislative office. Program Highlights: offers a full-time or part-time program of study, offers all courses online or through distance learning options, offers flexible options for practicum, provides links with essential support resources. Program Update All currently matriculated students in the MS/MPH Online Program are able to progress to graduation as planned. No new students will be admitted to the program, but applicants interested in Public Health Nursing should consider applying to the Public Health Nursing track of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP) in the School of Nursing. This program consists of online and live courses. Applicants interested in the DNP can visit the School of Nursing Web site (www.umass.edu/nursing) for more information and may contact Karen Ayotte (413-545-1302 or kayotte@nursing.umass.edu) if they have questions or would like to apply.
Master's Degree in Public Health in Public Health Practice
Earn your Master's Degree in Public Health while continuing your career. The MPH in Public Health Practice is a broad-based, graduate-level public health degree designed for health care professionals. The curriculum covers all public health competencies with courses in public health disciplines including biostatistics, community health education, environmental health, epidemiology, and health policy and management. The curriculum takes an interdisciplinary approach that melds economic, socio-cultural, health services research, and organizational management theories with the real world practice of public health professionals. The MPH in Public Health Practice program is designed to provide a superb grounding in public health and accommodates the demanding schedule of the working health care professional.

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