What is a Master of Public Health (MPH) Degree?

Learn more about the Master of Public Health degree and why you may be a good candidate for pursuing the professional degree.

You know you’re interested in the healthcare profession, but aren’t exactly sure what area to specialize in or how to get there. You want to advance your education and obtain a professional degree so that you will be more knowledgeable in the field in which you are focusing your career and so that you can appear most suitable to prospective employers. It sounds like you’re a great candidate for a Master of Public Health degree. But, what exactly is a Master of Public Health degree, and why should you get one?

What is an MPH degree?
A Master of Public Health degree (or MPH degree for short) is a graduate-level degree in the medical field through which students learn how to promote the health of their community and ensure public safety through advancing awareness on public health issues. Many students choose to pursue this degree because they have a strong interest in a career within the health industry, and because the professional degree will help them attain this goal more quickly and efficiently.

Why consider an MPH degree?
One of the main focuses of the MPH degree program is specialized education in promoting awareness on disease prevention and other health issues that are prevalent in a given community. The degree emphasizes the hands-on, practical elements of the public health industry so that students feel most prepared when they enter the profession. Students who graduate with an MPH degree can expect a higher salary compared to their peers without the professional degree upon entering the workforce.

What can you do with an MPH degree?
Because the MPH degree is relatively versatile and not necessarily industry-specific, there is no direct answer to this question. Instead, students can expect to have many options upon graduation. Among the most common industries in which MPH degrees are sought include hospitals and other such health care settings, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. An MPH degree can help you land a managerial position in a hospital, an assistant position in a research center or university setting, or a role in shaping legislative policy concerning public health.

Why choose an online MPH program?
Our online MPH program is flexible, realistic, and well-recognized by employers. Because the master’s degree is completed entirely on the computer, students often work part-time while getting their MPH degree. Whether you have just finished your undergraduate degree, have worked in the healthcare profession for a while, or are coming to the MPH degree from an entirely unrelated career, the opportunities that an MPH degree affords are endless. Currently, there are over forty accredited programs for obtaining your MPH degree online. For more information on our online Master of Public Health program, feel free to fill out a contact card by clicking here.