What is a Master’s in Public Health and is it Right for You?

Do you envision yourself overseeing a large hospital or state health department? Shaping critical health policies for government organizations and agencies? Performing valuable research that contributes to disease containment and saves lives? These leadership responsibilities are often the purview of public health professionals, and you can become one with graduate education and experience.

Earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) can prepare you for a meaningful career in a dynamic, growing field. You'll hone the skills and expertise to develop informed health policies and conduct clinical research. Your degree could lead to influential roles with government agencies or private employers.¹

If you're attracted to a career in which your work can make a genuine difference in society and community well-being, public health may be a strong fit. This post will help you determine whether this powerful credential aligns with your career aspirations and values.

What Does a Master’s in Public Health Entail?

What is a master’s in public health program and what can you expect to learn in it? Most MPH programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) include core courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy and management, environmental health and social or behavioral sciences. Programs may integrate additional coursework in policy development and evidence-based approaches to public health—developing key skills you can apply in a range of careers.²

While generalist MPH degrees are available, you may opt for a specialized track that aligns with your career objectives. Kent State University offers three specialized online MPH degree programs: in Epidemiology, Health Policy and Management and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Skills Developed in a Master’s in Public Health Program

An MPH program equips you with vital skills applicable to your career, whether you choose a research, management or education track. They include:

• Epidemiology: Methods and data analysis techniques for clinical research and disease monitoring
• Policy analysis: Frameworks for understanding health policy development and public health advocacy
• Planning and management: Strategies for implementing health programs and strengthening health equity within healthcare systems

These areas of expertise have real-world applications in health settings. For example, you may apply your epidemiology knowledge in tracking disease outbreaks, like the COVID-19 pandemic, and identifying prevention opportunities.³ Planning and management skills would serve you well in a career as a healthcare administrator, in which you'd oversee a medical facility's staff and compliance activities.⁴

How Do MPH Graduates Apply These Skills?

The COVID-19 pandemic is a potent example of exactly how these skills save lives. Throughout the worst of it, public health researchers helped inform government policy. They determined that social distancing and isolation slowed the spread of the illness.⁵ Governments around the world adopted their findings to set mandatory lockdowns and encourage mask use. These practices reduced disease transmission and saved lives while medical professionals developed vaccines to prevent the illness.⁵

Career Paths and Opportunities with an MPH

A master of public health degree opens the door to career opportunities in research, policy development and health education. Here's a look at several roles you can qualify for with an MPH, including their potential earnings and projected industry demand.

Epidemiologist
Potential Salary Range: $53,000-$113,000⁶ 
Projected Growth 2024-2034: 16%⁷

Health Educator
Potential Salary Range: $42,000-$83,000⁸
Projected Growth 2024-2034: 4%⁹

Healthcare Administrator/Policy Advisor
Potential Salary Range: $51,000-$131,000¹⁰
Projected Growth 2024-2034: 23%¹¹

Emerging Public Health Careers

Advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), are rippling through nearly every industry. They stand to make a clear impact, however, on the public health profession. For example, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is embracing AI and ML to detect disease outbreaks and outline response plans.¹² Public health graduates with an understanding of AI and ML may find their skills in high demand as employers seek professionals with strong backgrounds in technology and data analysis.

Graduates of Kent State University's MPH program are currently integrating AI and ML into their workflows. For example, Taylor Alexander is a surveillance program coordinator with the Metro Public Health Department of Nashville. She cites AI's potential to revolutionize public health through improved data collection and analysis. Those benefits could lead to improved outbreak tracking and prevention methods.

Comparing the MPH to Other Graduate Public Health Degrees

Students considering careers in public health have several graduate degree options, including a master of science or a doctorate. Those programs share some similarities with an MPH but are distinct from it in several ways.

A master of science in a public health discipline, such as epidemiology, is highly research-focused. Some courses may overlap with those in an MPH program, but others emphasize scientific writing, clinical research methods and common tools used in research settings. Students interested in scientific applications of public health may benefit from such a program.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) programs are open to students who already hold a master's degree. They prepare students for careers in research and public health education. Graduates may work as public health professors or conduct advanced research in their chosen field, such as epidemiology.

Build a High-Impact Health Career With an MPH

An MPH prepares you for a transformative career in the expanding field of public health. Whether you envision yourself leading investigations into disease outbreaks or overseeing the administration of a medical facility, your degree equips you with the skills you need to advance your career and improve population health outcomes.

Kent State University offers an online Master of Public Health for students eager to make a difference in their communities. Ranked as the #10 Best Online Master's in Public Health program by Fortune, Kent State is an R1 research institution that offers a comprehensive curriculum accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).13 The faculty has received over $23 million in funding from distinguished organizations, including the CDC and National Institutes of Health (NIH), to research current health concerns. They actively shape and inform public health policy by advising the U.S. Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our College of Public Health collaborates with more than 300 community partners throughout Northeast Ohio's thriving healthcare corridor, including the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals.

Study around your work and family commitments. Designed for working professionals, each specialized program is offered 100% online and can be completed in as few as 24 months with a 150-hour practicum. We offer three annual start dates each year and, as a first-time program enrollee, you can qualify for a $3,000 tuition offset to support your educational goals.

Throughout your studies, you'll build a professional network of public health experts and peers nationwide—connections that will support your career advancement for years to come. If you're ready for a fulfilling career in public health, learn more about the MPH program requirements and schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.