With the emergence of health care sector in USA as one of the major revenue generating industry, government focus on the issues of public health and hygiene has dramatically increased. In a country like USA where a number of lifestyle oriented diseases like obesity or mental stress are taking the shape of epidemic, public health should duly become a major concern area for government and other public welfare agencies. Public health as a discipline mainly focuses on the gross administrative, managerial and assessing roles of the regulatory and policy making bodies in supervising the health care and services for the public in general. In this respect public health is a discipline of leadership and bigger responsibilities. For the economic growth, social and individual well being of citizens it plays a crucial and decisive roll. In keeping perfect conformity with the importance of the discipline, a career in public health demands higher standard of education, specialization and degree. Thus for the aspirants of a career in public health, a Master’s Degree in public health in USA considered to be a major value addition in comparison to other degrees or certifications.
How to choose a good Master’s Degree Program in Public health?
The specific areas of concern in regard to choosing a good Master’s degree program in public health in USA include continuous learning environment, real-life practical exposure in training, various case discussion sessions to optimize specialized learning, projects involving development of analytical and observational power, a thorough career focus and a national recognition and reputation of the program.
Career Prospects of a Master’s Degree Program in Public Health in USA
The main title areas where an aspirant of a Master’s Degree Program in public health can find a well focused professional career include education, administration or management, policy making, community practice and research. Each of these categories offers multiple job opportunities in public health, below a shortlist of those jobs are mentioned.
Education Sector
- Public Health Advisor or Instructor in Colleges and Universities
- Consumer Advocacy
- Public Health Advisor in state legislative committees
- Public Health Advisor in International Organizations
- Public Health Advisor in community, state and public health agencies
Administration or Management
- Public Health Advisor or Instructor in hospitals and clinics
- Public Health Advisor in program evaluation and planning
- Public Health Evaluator in Insurance Companies
- Public Health Advisor in pharmaceutical and consulting firms
Policy and Decision Making
- Regulatory Bodies
- Advocacy Groups
- Government agencies
- Industry and Corporations
- Professional Associations and consulting firms
Community Practice
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Relief Agencies
- Health services delivery organizations
- Substance abuse centers and agencies
- Voluntary Organizations
- International Missions
A shortlist of top recommended institutions offering Master’s Degree in Public Health in USA
The best five universities and institutions offering Master’s degree in public health in USA are Harvard University, Washington University (Saint Louis), John Hopkins University(Bloomberg School of Public Health), Colorado School of Public health and University of Michigan.
Though the above mentioned guidelines in regard to a public health career and Master’s degree in public health in USA leaves a lot of room for further discussion, at least it can provide the basic required knowledge in regard to education and career prospect of Master’s degree in public health.