The Rising Value of a Public Health Degree
Miller School Online M.P.H. program director Dr. Elahe Nezami discusses the increasing demand for public health professionals in the U.S.
The public health profession anticipates robust growth in the coming years.
According to research from the University of Louisville, employment for health education specialists and community health workers is projected to grow 17% from 2020 to 2030, with an average of more than 16,000 new jobs openings each year. That’s considerably faster than the average for all occupations.
This outlook is driven by the increasing demand for professionals in health education, epidemiology, environmental health and policy.
With global challenges such as pandemics, the mental health crisis, climate change, natural disasters, income and social inequality, and the rise in chronic diseases, public health professionals are seeing growing opportunities to positively impact communities while advancing their careers.
Where are Public Health Professionals Needed?
Public health professionals can contribute to a broad range of functions at the intersection of health and wellness and community-based policies and services.
Beyond hospitals, clinics and private medical practices, public health workers are in growing demand in a variety of sectors, including government, health care law and non-profit organizations. With the right education and training, these professionals are increasingly critical in industries not traditionally associated with health and wellness, such as data analytics, business consulting and urban planning.
Preparing the Next Generation of Public Health Change Makers
Framing the Future: Public Health 2030, an initiative led by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, aims to streamline and elevate how we educate, train and prepare graduate students in the U.S. to effectively meet the evolving needs of this field. By focusing on equitable, quality education, we’re creating learning environments that are relevant, inclusive and attuned to the real-world needs of communities worldwide.
As a result of these advancements, we can establish a responsive system that integrates health care, public policy, resources and expertise to address tomorrow’s health challenges.
This initiative advocates for education competencies that equip students to address modern society’s pressing health needs. By incorporating insights from field experts, public health curricula should reflect core themes, including health equity, sustainability and community resilience.
Miller School Expanded Public Health Degrees
We now offer an innovative Online Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree program, in addition to our well-established Master of Public Health program and M.D./M.P.H. dual-degree program.
The online M.P.H. program integrates the principles outlined in the Framing the Future initiative to foster interdisciplinary approaches, strengthen the connection between public health education and practice and promote lifelong learning. Its curriculum embraces these recommendations to ensure that our graduates enter the job market — and rise within it — armed with the knowledge and skills to effectively lead in this ever-evolving public health landscape.
M.P.H. Curriculum for the 21st Century
The Miller School’s Online M.P.H. program introduces students to the expertise and experience of practitioners, scientists, educators and local community leaders to collaborate and improve communication across industries and communities.
This online degree program enables students to gain competency in fundamental public health disciplines, including:
• Research design and conduct
• Data and policy analysis
• Communications
• Program planning and administration
• Public health systems
• Organization of health services in the U.S. and Latin America
• Recognition and analysis of ethical issues in public health and professional practice
• The needs of special populations
Students take core courses and select electives from five divisions, allowing the flexibility to focus on subject areas that reflect each student’s academic and professional goals. The program culminates with a capstone project for which students apply public health fieldwork and academic theory to a project with a public health impact.
In combination with the Miller School’s spectrum of public health education programs for graduate and doctoral students as well as practicing professionals, the new online M.P.H. program is designed to train the next generation of public health leaders. These professionals are prepared to work across diverse sectors with the versatility to thrive in nontraditional settings. Students develop soft skills, practical experience and professional connections so they can meaningfully contribute to the dynamic and diverse field of public health.
Tags: Dr. Elahe Nezami, M.P.H., medical education, public health, public health sciences