Why Pursue a Master’s in Public Health?
While the field of medicine aims to treat diseases and injuries, public health works to proactively prevent them and keep populations healthy. Wondering if a Master of Public Health (MPH) will turn your passion into a meaningful career?
We sat down with Jacqueline A. Vernarelli, Ph.D., director of the Master of Public Health program at Sacred Heart University, to discuss this growing field and answer your questions on how an MPH can open doors to a variety of future educational and career opportunities.
Why pursue a public health degree?
Public health plays a critical role in promoting wellness and disease prevention and empowering individuals to manage illness and disability through interventions that ensure health and equity. Incorporating research, inquiry and action, the field’s scientific findings, awareness campaigns and policy advocacy have positively impacted the lives of millions of people around the world.
A public health degree offers the foundational, transferable skills you need to analyze, assess, plan and lead on a wide range of issues – from disaster relief management and pandemic health policy to firearm safety, social justice and access to health care. You’ll be at the forefront of research, practice and service in nonprofits, community organizations, higher education, government, private industry and health care.
Dr. Vernarelli in discussion with public health students at Sacred Heart University
Which field is best in public health?
As you consider pursuing your master’s degree in public health, you may be wondering what some of the career options are, and which might be a good fit for you. You’ll want to consider your interests and strengths, your goals, professional growth opportunities and of course, the salary.
Some public health fields include:
- Biostatistician or Public Health Informatics Specialist
- Public Health Officer of Educator
- Environmental Scientist
- Infectious Disease Consultant
- Occupational Health Specialist
- Food and Water Quality Assurance
- Hazardous Waste Specialist
- Epidemiologist
- Health Care Management
- Family and Youth Nutrition Consultant or Health Specialist
- Community Health Worker
What are the highest-paying jobs with an MPH?
According to Indeed, the highest-paying public health jobs (and their national average salaries) are:
- Medical Director: $199,877
- Biostatistician: $121,137
- Environmental Health and Safety Officer: $108,451
- Health and Safety Engineer: $92,972
- Nonprofit Executive Director: $83,899
Public health is a solid career choice. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17% job growth for health educators and community health workers by 2030–much faster than most other industries.
What does a community health worker do?
Community health is one of the most popular career choices for those pursuing an MPH. While other fields rely heavily on analysis and data gathering, community health focuses on social and cultural issues and directly improving the health of individuals, families and communities. Careers here often include understanding behavioral and cultural factors that influence health and teaching and promoting behaviors that boost wellness. For example, a community health educator might work in a public health department, college or nonprofit developing and implementing educational programs for disease prevention and treatment.
Does an MPH look good for medical school?
Medical school applications hit an all-time high in 2021. More than 62,000 people applied to medical school that year, a 17.8% jump from 2020, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Getting in is still competitive, but if you are interested in a long-term career in public or global health, talk about it in your application, especially in the personal statement. Having the added credentials of an MPH will go a long way to showing you are both talking the talk and walking the walk.
Why should I get my MPH at Sacred Heart University?
With an array of hands-on experiences and individualized mentorship from faculty, the master’s program in public health at Sacred Heart University leverages close mentorships and guidance to ensure you have the skills and knowledge you need to change lives and impact health on a broad scale. The program cultivates what Forbes calls “triple threat graduates,” who enter the workforce with:
- Experience engaging in long-term projects
- Extensive academically linked work through internships and co-ops
- Industry-recognized credentials
The SHU MPH curriculum–whether full time, part time or accelerated, fully on-campus or hybrid–and nationally recognized faculty emphasize community health grounded in a philosophy of social justice, providing students with the opportunity to work with health partners to enhance the local community. First-year undergraduate students can get a jump on their career aspirations with two dual degree options: the BS-MPH program and the BA/BS-MPH Accelerated & Combined Degree program. The Pioneers in Public Health Scholarship Program offers up to $20,000 in support to eligible enrolled MPH students.
Our graduates’ 100% placement rate in either field-related careers or continuing education programs attest to our excellence.
Think the Master’s in Public Health at Sacred Heart University might be for you?
Curious about earning your MS in public health? Talk to Cristin Meehl, associate direction of graduate admissions & recruitment at 203-416-3031, meehlc@sacredheart.edu or schedule a virtual appointment today!