Public health professionals apply their knowledge in healthcare to help the whole population achieve complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Public health specialists work with a varying degree of healthcare professionals at the individual, family, and community level. If you are interested in helping society better themselves through reducing diseases and sicknesses, then obtaining an online degree in public health is a great way to go about doing it. Online classes are great for students who are unable to attend regularly scheduled classes and need flexibility so that they can work at their own pace. You can achieve an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and even certificates all online from accredited learning institutions across the nation.
When choosing a school, be sure they are properly accredited, which typically means being accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. This is the gold standard for public health degree programs in the US. You will learn how to make a lasting difference in your community by helping to reduce the spread of transmittable diseases like STDs through large scale initiatives. Depending on the college you decide to go to, courses will include biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, public health policy, biology and chemistry, behavioral science, nutrition, psychology and sociology, environmental health, and more. Upon graduation, students will be qualified to work in nearly any public health position.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is a common place for public health professionals to work. However, there are a large number of for-profit and nonprofit organizations that you can work for as well, including the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, construction sites, hospitals and healthcare facilities, and other local and international companies. Some common job titles include biostatistician, epidemiologist, health educator, health services and health policy manager, nutritionist, and social worker.
As with any career, obtaining a higher level education will promote success in the workplace. The Master’s in Public Health is a common degree that professionals will get while they work. Some companies will also pay for you to further your education to get a master’s or other health certifications. Some states also require a license from one of the many public health organizations, so be sure to do your research for what you need to do after graduation in order to be hireable.
Public health is a very rewarding and worthwhile degree to achieve as the need for quality healthcare continues to be a well-sought after endeavor. Starting a career path in public health will allow you to be successful far into retirement.
Become a Public Health Professional by Obtaining Your Degree Online | Peterson’s Online Schools
