Public health professionals work to maintain healthy living conditions throughout their community. They are responsible for collaborating with community officials and local governments to address community health and wellness needs. They focus on preventative and wellness care and are trained in all aspects of disease prevention, human nutrition, and environmental safety.Ideal candidates for a career in public health are analytically inclined problem-solvers with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. A bachelor's degree is required for many entry-level jobs, and MPH programs can provide additional training for professionals seeking managerial responsibilities in the field.Increasingly, public health students are turning to online programs. As distance education opportunities have expanded in recent years, those interested in pursuing a public health degree have more opportunities to pursue bachelor's and master's programs online than ever before. Read on to learn more about the online opportunities available to students in the field.
Meet Our Expert: Jennifer Dunphy
Director of Population Health, Regal Medical Group. Online MPH Graduate
LinkedInOnline Public Health Degree Overview
| Degree Level | Average Cost | Loan Default Rate | Time Commitment | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | $12,744 | 14.5% | 2 years | $33,100 | $46,200 | Not reported |
| Bachelor's | $15,422 | 10.36% | 4 years | $37,500 | $60,500 | 4.1% |
| Master's | $17,977.49 | 6.57% | 2 years | $52,900 | $75,600 | Not reported |
Pursuing a public health degree online can prepare you for a variety of career options in public health and wellness, social services, and community engagement. However, because there is no formal licensing requirement at the undergraduate level, employers in many industries prefer candidates with a master's degree. Students who complete online MPH programs often also choose to earn the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credentials or other voluntary specialty certifications, increasing their marketability in the workplace.
Online Public Health Degrees
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Online Public Health Choose Your Career
| Career | Median Salary | Projected Growth | 2014 Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health Administrator | $92,810 | 17% | 333000 |
| Nutritionist | $56,950 | 16% | 66700 |
| Community Health Worker | $34,870 | 14% | 54000 |
| Epidemiologist | $65,270 | 10% | 5100 |
Online Public Health Degree in Action
Meet Our Expert: Jennifer Dunphy
Director of Population Health, Regal Medical Group. Online MPH GraduateJennifer Dunphy is a director of population health at Regal Medical Group. The flexibility offered by an online program allowed Dunphy to earn her master's degree in public health from Berkeley College while she continued working.
LinkedInOnline Public Health Professional Requirements
Public health workers may choose from a variety of credentialing opportunities in both general public health practice and individual sectors in the field. Though not required, common general certifications demonstrate your expertise and may make you a more marketable job candidate. Depending on your area of expertise and education, prospective licensees may opt to pursue a specialized credential (emergency management, wellness coaching, tobacco treatment etc).
Certified in Public Health (CPH)
The CPH is the most general certification for public health professionals. The test covers fundamental concepts in the field, including health policy and management, along with social and behavioral sciences. The CPH exam addresses the same basic skills students learn in an undergraduate public health degree program. To take the test, you must hold at least a bachelor's degree and have five years of work experience in public health. The cost of the test is $385; international students must pay an additional $125 fee.
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
The CHES is a common specialty certification that assesses seven primary skills in prospective entry-level health education positions. CHES exam candidates must hold at least a bachelor's degree in a major related to health education. If their major is not in health education, they must submit an official transcript to demonstrate they have completed at least 25 semester hours (37 quarter hours) preparing for the exam's Seven Areas of Responsibility and Competency for Health Education Specialists. The cost of the test for non-students begins at $240, and is $210 for students. As a form of standardizing high-quality health education across the country, more states are adopting policies encouraging health educators to become CHES-certified, though currently this credential is not required.
Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)
The MCHES is an advanced certification that can be obtained as a stand-alone credential or as an extension of the CHES. Like the CHES, the exam assesses your understanding of the Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists. The MCHES delves deeper into both advanced and sub-level competencies within this framework. MCHES exam candidates with a CHES credential must have at least five continuous years of experience as a certified health education specialist. Candidates who do not have prior CHES certification (or who have CHES certification but fewer than five years as an active-status CHES) must have a master's degree or higher in public health or a related field, or must show evidence of at least 25 semester hours preparing for the exam's Seven Areas of Responsibility. Non-public health majors must also have five years of experience as an active-status CHES. The test costs $250 for students, and $300 for non-students. Job-seekers aspiring to senior-level educator positions or government work may be required to obtain MCHES certification.
Career-specific Certifications
In addition to the common general certifications listed above, there are more than 25 available certifications spanning the primary sectors of public health, including occupational, environmental and first aid, and safety and emergency professions. Many employers will require first aid, CPR, and AED training for professionals providing direct health care to patients. If you are working with children, you may also need to obtain Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician certification. Wellness coaches and personal trainers may opt to obtain specialized credentials to improve their credibility and increase their advantage over competitors in their line of work. Other categories of public health that offer career-specific certifications include physical activity, nutrition and obesity, and drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.