Online Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Communication

The online Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Promotion and Education is a graduate degree program designed for those who are interested in careers dedicated to promoting good health practices to prevent the spread of disease. The program prepares individuals to become professional health educators in their home countries and developing countries all around the world. The typical MPH in Health Promotion and Education requires the completion of 45 credit hours, regardless of whether students are pursuing a general track or an MPH with a focus on nutrition.

There are many advantages to earning an MPH online instead of the traditional route. Students have the ability to continue working in their current jobs without having to quit to be full-time students. It also gives them the ability to work on assignments during times that are most convenient to them. Online students earn the same degree their on-campus counterparts earn, and there is no distinction made on the transcript or diploma that indicates how the degree is obtained.

General Track or a Focus on Nutrition?

Students considering enrollment in an online MPH in Health Promotion and Education typically have a choice of pursuing a general track, or they can choose to specialize in Nutrition. Not all schools offer a specialization in Nutrition, and for many the general track will be the only option.

Students pursuing a general track can expect to take courses in such topics as Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Public Policy, and others. Students can also expect to take more than one health education course such as Introduction to Health Promotion, Health Promotion Planning, and Community Organizing.

Students who opt for an MPH with a focus in Nutrition can expect to take a variety of the courses previously mentioned as well as several courses specifically in Nutrition. These courses typically include Nutritional Metabolism, Public Health Nutrition, Phytochemicals, Nutrition Policy, and others.

Public Health Educator Career Path

The primary career path for those pursuing an online MPH in Health Promotion and Education is that of Public Health Educator. These are allied health professionals who teach various health issues to underserved communities in their countries as well as in developing countries around the world. Public Health Educators are employed by various governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, hospitals, and universities.

There is an urgent need for health educators throughout the world as epidemiologists work diligently to get the word out on the connection between hygiene and controlling the spread of disease. Health educators also work with communities and individuals to teach such things as safe sex and family planning, water sanitation, parenting skills, nutrition, and other critical health issues. Health educators work on the front lines in the battle against disease, poor nutrition, and other preventable health issues. Moreover, the work they do in preventing the spread of disease is every bit as important as the medical professionals who treat those who have already contracted diseases.

According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2012 the average annual pay for a health educator is $41,830. The job outlook is considered better than average with a projected increase of 21 percent from 2012 to 2022.

Sources:

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm
http://www.llu.edu/assets/publichealth/documents/2015-16%20Program%20Catalog/MPH%20Nutrition.pdf
http://publichealth.gwu.edu/programs/health-promotion-mph
http://www.umass.edu/sphhs/online/mph-nutrition
http://www.mshealthcareers.com/careers/healtheducator.htm