Online Public Health Degree

Online Public Health Degree

Public health is an exciting and growing field of study. When studying Public Health you learn to confront health issues such as improving access to health care, helping to reduce environmental hazards, controlling infectious diseases and helping to reduce substance abuse and injury.


Regardless of what field you come from- research, journalism, education, social work- a degree in Public Health can help you to gain the necessary tools you need to help protect the health of the public.

The main attribute you need to consider a job in Public Health is your desire to serve others. Working in Public Health gives you an opportunity to serve local, national and international communities.

There are so many aspects to the Public Health field that no matter what your interests or skill, you'll find a place. If you prefer to work with numbers in the accounting side of the business, or work in a research capacity, or work will people and communities directly, there is a place for you in the Public Health sector.

Degree Choices

BS, Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA), Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), PhD.

BS, Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA), Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), PhD.

At the Master's level, the opportunities and possibilities become far reaching. You will be prepared to work equally with other professionals in the field. Additionally, a Master's will give you a competitive edge for some of the positions open in the Public Health field.

At the graduate level you will gain valuable knowledge of the factors which influence local, national and global health issues. Additionally, you will learn how to multidisciplinary and collaborative strategies to health-related problems. Finally, you will be able to be in a position of leadership where you will be able to promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.

At the Doctorate level, you will be able to teach in Universities and will be able to hold the top positions- Director, President, Executive Officer- in the Public Health fields. Often you will be able to work with the government and other policy makers and have a positive influence on the laws and regulations that they pass.

Career and Salary Outlook

The Public Health sector is expected to grow by 22% over the next seven years- that's almost double the national average expected for most professions. As the demand for public health professionals continues to increase, the numbers may climb even higher.

Because of the dozens of specialties that can be found in public health, salaries cannot be easily averaged. For example, if you chose to apply your Public Health degree to Health Services Administration, the salary could range from $37,050 - $161,400* (with the top end salary accounting for education and experience); working in Health Education could get you a range of $33,000 - $86,625.

Other Public Health graduates have chosen such fields as:

• Epidemiology
  $38,175 - $136,237
• Environmental Health
  $44,550 - $143,700
• International Health
  $31,500 - $86,625
• Nutrition
  $31,500 - $70,875
• Public Health Practice/Program Management
  $41,175 - $102,000
• Biomedical Laboratory
  $31,500 - $78,750

*Salary ranges obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics