Get a Degree in Public Health

Public health professionals work in a wide variety of fields and settings with a diverse set of educational backgrounds. Although it's possible to work in the public health sector without a specialized degree, most positions require a degree in public health to ensure that professionals have the proper training and knowledge. Degrees in public health vary in time commitment and requirements, beginning with a two-year associate’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree. If you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree, you may choose to go on to pursue a master’s degree or a doctorate degree. With so many options, it is important that you determine your career goals so that you can pursue and earn the degree that is right for you.

Steps

Deciding on a Public Health Degree Program

1. Get an associate’s degree if you’re interested in entry-level or administrative work. An associate’s degree in public health qualifies you to work in many entry-level and administrative positions within the public health field. This degree can be completed in two years, during which you learn the basic foundations of the public health field, including healthcare systems, sociology, psychology, health and wellness.
   • An associate’s degree in public health is the shortest time commitment for any public health degree, so if you are looking to start working as soon as possible, this could be the right degree for you.
   • Most bachelor’s degree programs will allow you to transfer the credits you earned in an associate’s degree program. This gives you the option of going on to earn your bachelor’s degree if you choose without having to spend the entire four years on your degree.
2. Earn a bachelor’s degree for more specialized training. A bachelor’s degree in public health is a four-year degree that provides more in-depth information and training than an associate’s degree. In addition to the foundational courses offered in an associate’s degree program, bachelor’s degree programs often provide the opportunity for you to tailor your coursework to specialize in a particular area of public health.
   • If you know you want to work in epidemiology, for example, earning a bachelor’s degree in public health might be the best choice for you. During your degree program, you can specialize in epidemiology, making yourself more attractive to potential employers in that field upon graduation.
   • If you decide to pursue an advanced degree in public health, you will first need to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
3. Pursue a master’s degree to increase your career options. A master’s degree in public health greatly expands your career options and increases your earning potential. There are several master’s degrees that you can earn in public health, but the most common are the Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Public Health. Both of these master’s degrees prepare you for leadership and management roles in the public health field.
   • While the options vary from one program to another, most public health master’s degree programs offer students the opportunity to pick an area of focus from the following: biostatistics, environmental health, social and behavioral social sciences, epidemiology, and health services administration.
   • Public health master’s degree programs generally take two years to complete and require that you earn a bachelor’s degree first.
4. Get a doctorate degree to compete for the highest level public health jobs. As with a master’s degree, there are several types of doctorate degrees in the public health field. The most common degree is the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, which qualifies recipients for high level and generally high paying careers in research, information systems, and data analysis.
   • If you are looking to attain the highest level of education in the public health field, and be competitive for the most lucrative jobs, then a doctorate degree program is likely the right public health degree program for you.
   • Public health doctorate degree programs generally take four to five years to complete and require that you earn a bachelor’s degree first.

Applying for Your Degree in Public Health

1. Select the public health degree programs you will apply to. Once you have decided which public health degree to pursue, you can search and select which programs you want to apply to. Begin your search by looking at the list of programs accredited by the Council on Public Education for Public Health (CEPH). Every year, the CEPH releases an updated list of accredited public health degree programs, which you can find online.
   • Take into consideration all the factors involved in choosing a program, including location, course offerings, schedule, and financial concerns.
   • Narrow down the list of programs you will apply to by doing additional research on each program’s website to see which degree programs align with your needs and goals.
2. Check the prerequisites for program applications. The prerequisite requirements for public health degree programs vary depending on which degree you decide to pursue. For every degree program, however, you will need a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED).
   • While all associate’s degree programs require that you have earned a high school diploma or GED, some associate’s degree programs will have additional prerequisites such as the completion of particular health and sciences high school courses.
   • As with an associate’s degree, the prerequisites for bachelor’s degree programs vary. In most cases, programs require that you have earned the minimum high school GPA determined by the program and the minimum score on a standardized test such as the SAT or ACT.
   • Most master’s degree programs in public health will require that you have earned a bachelor’s degree, a minimum GPA, and have earned a minimum score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). In most cases, it is not required that your bachelor’s degree be in public health, though it may help your chances for admission if you majored in public health or a related field.
   • Prerequisites for a doctorate degree in public health also require that you have earned a bachelor’s degree, a minimum GPA, and a minimum score on the GRE. Some programs also require that you have earned your master’s degree with a minimum GPA.
3. Gather together any required application materials. Once you have determined that you have fulfilled all the prerequisites, you are ready to put together your application. To begin, check the application deadline and the list of required materials. The materials required for public health degree programs vary and can take some time to get together, so make sure that you are aware of the due date and plan accordingly.
   • As a rule of thumb, start gathering your materials together at least two months in advance.
   • Programs will require some, if not all, of the following materials: your high school or college transcripts, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, writing samples, and/or a statement of purpose.
4. Complete your Fill out a College Application and pay the application fee. Most applications are completed online. Fill out the application completely and honestly, and attach any required materials. While some public health programs may waive the application fee, in most cases, you will be required to pay a $50 application fee.
   • If you have questions about the online application or the application fee, check the program’s website or contact the school’s admissions office.

Earning a Degree in Public Health

1. Complete the required coursework. All public health degree programs will have a specified number of credit hours and courses you will need to complete. As you go through the program and select your courses, make sure that you are always aware of the credit hour and course requirements.
   • While the required coursework will vary depending on your program, in most public health degree programs, you will be required to take classes on epidemiology, environmental health, global health, and health policy. In an associate’s or master’s degree program, you may also be required to take introductory science courses, including Biology and Anatomy.
   • Consult with your academic advisor regularly to make sure that you are fulfilling all requirements. Whether you choose an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree program, you will most likely be assigned or asked to choose an advisor. Their job is to help you stay on track, so it is helpful to maintain consistent communication with your advisor.
2. Do any internships or practicums required of your program. Public health degree programs at any level may require that you do an internship or practicum while enrolled to gain hands-on experience in the field. Check with your advisor and your program’s website to ensure that you find out what you need to do to fulfill such requirements.
   • If you need help learning how to find an internship or practicum position, you might want to begin by reaching out to current or former students to get a better grasp on what types of positions students in your program are expected to land.
   • The type of internship or practicum you need may vary depending on your program requirements. Common internships or practicums for public health degree students include those at government agencies, health departments, mental health facilities, local health clinics or hospitals, community-based agencies, or in various research-based facilities.
3. Complete your final project, thesis, or dissertation. While the requirements vary, for most public health degree programs, you will need to submit a final project, thesis, or dissertation as the final requirement of your degree program. The nature of your final project may vary depending on your program or your specialization.
   • Make sure that you communicate with your advisor and the heads of your department to ensure that the nature of your project fits the criteria required for graduation.
4. Reach out to public health professionals before and after you graduate. Networking can be intimidating, but it can also be an essential part in determining your career. Meeting people that work in various professional settings in the public health field will help you learn more about your job options, create professional associations, and help you determine how you want to make the transition from school to work.

Tips

• The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is a great resource for finding public health degree programs. CEPH gives accreditation to schools that meet high academic standards, including coursework in the core areas of health services administration, health education, environmental health, biostatistics, and epidemiology.

References

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