Is a Master's in Public Health Needed for My Career Growth?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that healthcare professionals will dominate job growth in the next several years. Of the 20 fastest-growing occupations, 12 are healthcare-related roles—and several are positions you could qualify for with a master's degree in public health (MPH).¹

Why the significant need for public health expertise? Factors such as an aging population and escalating retirements contribute to the demand. As turnover increases and more people require care for chronic diseases, employers are looking for professionals to fill in the gaps.²

Whether you're looking to advance from a clinical role into leadership, pivot toward meaningful policy work or deepen your impact on community health, understanding what an MPH program offers is essential. This post explores how the degree expands your career options, the skills you'll gain and whether pursuing an MPH aligns with your professional aspirations.

Why Consider a Master's in Public Health?

Why pursue a master's in public health? If you want to protect communities, prevent disease and address health inequities, this degree prepares you for that crucial work. Earning an MPH opens the door to career options that promote and protect community health. Your work could improve public health education and contribute to the prevention of chronic disease.³

Employers in a range of sectors seek health professionals with an MPH. You'll find job opportunities in federal, state and local governments. Hospitals often hire individuals with an MPH for certain roles. Positions are also available in the private sector through pharmaceutical and other health-oriented companies.³

Public health professionals stand at the intersection of science, policy and human welfare. With an MPH, you can pursue meaningful work that serves both local communities and global populations, addressing challenges from infectious disease outbreaks to environmental health threats to healthcare access disparities.

Salary and Advancement Potential

A bachelor's degree in a health-related field can qualify you for entry-level and mid-career positions in healthcare. However, employers seek individuals with an MPH for more advanced roles that offer greater responsibility and higher salaries.⁴

With an MPH, you could pursue a career as an epidemiologist, health policy advisor or hospital administrator. According to recent data, a healthcare policy advisor earns an average salary of $91,439.⁵ Hospital administrators and epidemiologists earn an average of $97,958 and $74,449, respectively.^6,7

Beyond the immediate salary increase, an MPH creates a career trajectory toward senior and executive positions. As you gain experience in management, research or policy roles, you'll qualify for positions with even greater influence and compensation.

Job Market Demand

Many roles for which an MPH can be beneficial are expected to remain in high demand in the coming years. For example, the BLS anticipates that medical and health services managers will see 23% growth, with a total of 142,900 new jobs, between 2024 and 2034.⁸ Demand for epidemiologists is expected to increase by 16% as current professionals retire.⁹

Those interested in health promotion and education may see more opportunities. The BLS predicts 11% growth for community health workers between 2024 and 2034, while openings for health education specialists may increase by 4%.^10,11

Leadership and Communication Skills

An MPH can lead to employment in which you interact frequently with other health professionals, patients, policymakers and the public. For example, as an epidemiologist, you may collaborate with other researchers and government officials. In a hospital management position, you would interact with staff, health practitioners and patients. Developing clear communication and confident leadership skills is central to an MPH education; these competencies strengthen your qualifications for career advancement.

MPH programs build these skills through collaborative coursework, presentations and applied practice experiences in which you work with community partners and healthcare organizations. You'll learn to translate complex health data for diverse audiences, lead teams toward common goals and navigate the organizational dynamics of healthcare settings. These skills will allow you to convey information effectively, motivate staff and form strong connections with your colleagues.¹²

Specialized Tracks or Concentrations

Some universities offer specialized MPH tracks for students seeking employment in a particular area. This may be preferable to a generalized MPH, especially if you’re working toward a targeted role.

A specialized curriculum includes courses that are highly relevant to particular positions. For example, an MPH in Epidemiology would prepare you for research roles in government or healthcare settings. Courses in that program would focus on statistical analysis and research rather than general health policy.

How Does an MPH Program Prepare You for Impactful Work?

An MPH program equips you with the essential skills and knowledge necessary for a career in public health. You'll learn how to implement and evaluate programs and policies. Courses provide in-depth training in organizational management, clinical research and data analysis.

MPH programs include practical opportunities that translate directly into career advantages. Applied practice experiences, internships and research positions allow you to build your skills in real-world settings—whether at health departments, hospitals or community organizations. You'll graduate with hands-on experience to discuss in interviews and professional connections that can lead to job opportunities.

Choosing the Right MPH Program

Enrolling in an MPH program is a big commitment. With many options available, it's important to select the one that best fits your long-term objectives. Keep these factors in mind during the decision-making process:

Accreditation
Look for a program with a Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) accreditation. CEPH is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit public health programs.¹³

Curriculum
Compare school curricula and decide whether you'll seek a general MPH or a specialization.

Faculty Expertise
Choose a program with distinguished faculty who actively participate in research and bring real-world experience to their teaching.¹⁴

Kent State University's online MPH programs hold CEPH accreditation. The three specialized degree options enable you to target your education precisely to your career goals:

• MPH in Health Policy and Management
• MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences
• MPH in Epidemiology 

Kent State's faculty members bring frontline experience directly into your online classroom. They help shape and inform government health policy, advise the U.S. Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency, and conduct research in critical areas such as opioid addiction, COVID-19, mental health and suicide prevention. With more than $23 million in secured funding from prestigious organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they're tackling today's most pressing health challenges and preparing you to do the same.

Transform Public Health Outcomes—and Your Career

Imagine yourself overseeing policy and administration in a major hospital. Picture leading the investigation of a severe disease outbreak affecting multiple countries. Envision your research contributing to public health policy in your community. With an online MPH from Kent State University, you'll develop the skills for a successful long-term career in public health.

Kent State University is a leading R1 research university—a designation held by fewer than 200 institutions nationwide—renowned for educational excellence. Our online MPH programs connect you with distinguished faculty who actively shape public health policy and practice through research in critical areas such as opioid addiction, COVID-19, mental health and suicide prevention. The College of Public Health works with more than 300 community partners throughout Northeast Ohio's thriving healthcare corridor, home to the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and other leading health systems. This robust network provides rich opportunities for applied practice experiences and professional connections.

You can earn your online Master of Public Health in as few as 24 months while maintaining your current work and family commitments. Study from anywhere, on your schedule, in focused courses designed specifically for working professionals. You'll collaborate with public health experts from across the country, building a network that lasts well beyond graduation and opens doors throughout your career.

To explore how an online MPH from Kent State University can help you reach your career goals, schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.