What Can You Do With a Masters in Public Health Degree?

If you are ready to move your public health career to a new level, this is the time to explore a master's in public health program. As the federal government scales back programs and funding at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,¹ state and local health agencies and non-profit health organizations will play an increasing role in health promotion, disease prevention and health education. Public health professionals will be at the forefront of building new, innovative programs and systems.

In the online Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Kent State University, you’ll delve into advanced concepts within public health research and administration, studying with expert faculty in a flexible online program designed for working professionals. Read on to learn more about how Kent State’s online MPH program will prepare you for leadership roles in developing and delivering public health programs and systems.

An online master's in public health is a graduate-level program that will prepare students to advance into upper-level public health positions in as little as two years. MPH students study how behavioral, social, economic and environmental conditions affect population-scale health outcomes. They also study disease prevention tools, health education and health promotion.

The online MPH program at Kent State University offers several different areas of concentration, including the following:

Health policy and management focuses on the planning, development and administration of health services. MPH students in this specialization learn to analyze health policies, assess and develop healthcare delivery models, manage healthcare organizations and improve services.

Students can choose from some of the following elective courses:

• Public Health Policy, Law and Ethics 
• Cost-Benefit Analysis in Public Health Programs
• Financial Management for Public Health Organizations

MPH students who choose the concentration in social and behavioral sciences study the impact of human behavior and social factors on population health. They learn to parse and analyze the myriad components that influence health outcomes and develop strategies to address health challenges linked to certain behaviors. Here are a few elective courses students can choose from:

• Quantitative Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Public Health Programs: Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
• Social and Behavioral Science Theory

Epidemiology studies patterns of health and disease distribution throughout populations. Kent State’s online Master of Public Health in Epidemiology program prepares students to investigate disease outbreaks, understand disease-causing factors, research health trends within a population and develop disease control and mitigation strategies. Students will take the following courses:

• Principles of Epidemiologic Research
• Biostatistics in Public Health
• Community Health Needs Assessment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the healthcare and social assistance sector will add jobs over the next decade. There is expected to be an increased need for qualified professionals to step into several master's in public health professions, including the following areas:

• Health policy analysis 
• Emergency management
• Occupational health and safety services
• Health education
• Administration and management in facilities such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and mental health facilities

Employment in healthcare is expanding more quickly than in other industries, which puts an MPH in high demand. Growth in healthcare support jobs is projected to be 15% between 2023 and 2033. Growth in healthcare practitioner jobs is estimated at 8.6%, and jobs in social and community services are projected to grow at 8.1% in the same decade.²

In addition to an increasing demand for highly qualified professionals in leadership positions, there’s an additional, long-term benefit of earning an MPH: Salaries for professionals with a master's degree are as much as 20% higher than those for individuals with a bachelor's degree or professional certificate alone.³

You may be wondering, "What jobs are available to those with a master's in public health?" After completing a graduate program, students can pursue a variety of MPH careers. These options all present opportunities to contribute to initiatives that will result in better health outcomes for individuals and communities.

The process of gathering and analyzing data about health, disease, behavior and environmental factors is critical to making informed decisions about public health programs. Public health careers in research and academia provide opportunities to participate in research initiatives and disseminate findings more broadly. Research and academic positions are ideal for students who have an interest in biostatistics, epidemiology and environmental sciences.

Fortune Magazine rated research scientists as a top job in public health in 2024.⁴ The job site Indeed notes that the average base salary for research scientists is $101,000 per year.⁵

Public health practitioners take a direct role in delivering programs and services within a community. In many cases, these are jobs for individuals who already have healthcare training, such as nurses or dieticians. Earning an MPH, in addition to prior certifications, is a pathway to shifting into a public health practitioner's role.

The job site Glassdoor reports that the median annual salary for a health executive director is $159,000, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median salary for medical and health services managers at $177,000 per year.^6,7

There are opportunities for public health professionals to work in the private sector or with healthcare facilities. For example, a private sector consultant may work with hospitals or healthcare agencies to develop and analyze health policies and workplace safety trends.

These jobs often command high salaries, with the job site Glassdoor reporting that the median pay rate for healthcare consultants is $163,000 per year.⁸

Public health professionals can pursue careers at federal, state or local health agencies:

• Public health surveillance: Surveillance programs involve collecting and analyzing data about specific health conditions; they may continue for many years or be limited to shorter durations
• Health promotion: Professionals in this area work to build strategies that improve health knowledge and behavior within populations 
• Health services delivery: Public health professionals create and manage programs that provide necessary health assistance to communities

There are also career opportunities in non-profit organizations, such as groups that focus on particular diseases or the health of specific populations. These organizations engage in a variety of public health activities:

• Conducting epidemiological research: Non-profits collect and publish data on disease incidence and mortality, such as the American Cancer Society's annual "Cancer Facts and Figures"⁹  
• Producing educational materials: Public health organizations create websites, videos and print materials, such as the American Diabetes Association's diabetes-friendly meal planning information, to teach people about health conditions¹⁰
• Delivering care services: Some non-profit organizations offer direct care, including clinical and social services, such as the elder care services provided by Easter Seals¹¹

An online MPH program can prepare students to engage in clinical research. Researchers can move into careers at traditional research institutions, such as colleges and universities. In addition, they may find opportunities to work at hospitals, insurance companies, government agencies or international organizations. Master's in public health careers in research include the following:

• Research epidemiologist: Studies the transmission and treatment of disease¹² 
• Research assistant: Supports lead investigators on public health research initiatives¹³ 
• Data scientist: Collects and analyzes public health information¹⁴

Deciding what jobs to pursue with a master's in public health depends on a variety of factors, most of them highly personal. Each student comes into the program with unique skills and experiences, as well as a set of goals for their professional years ahead. Here are some questions to consider as you choose a concentration and, ultimately, a career path:

• What prior education and certifications do you have (e.g., perhaps you already have a nursing degree)?
• Do you want to work directly with the public?
• Are you interested in performing clinical research?
• What public health employers are in your community (e.g., universities, non-profits, government agencies)?
• Do you have a strong interest in a particular health concern?

In addition to coursework, you can benefit from hands-on experiences and internships that will expose you to different work environments and job responsibilities. You will also have the opportunity to meet professionals already working in the field. Networking and building relationships with those in public health will help you find job opportunities and maximize your effectiveness on the job.

The online MPH program at Kent State University will help you advance your public health career. With flexible scheduling and personalized support from experienced faculty, the program is ideal for working professionals ready to expand their career options. The robust curriculum emphasizes real-world application, leadership development and interdisciplinary approaches to solving today’s most pressing public health challenges. Whether you’re looking to step into a leadership role, transition into a new area of public health or broaden your impact at the community, national or global level, this program equips you with the tools and credentials to get there.

Take the next step in shaping a healthier future. To learn more, schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.