FAQs about careers in public health
This page answers some frequently asked questions about public health careers. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/publichealth or the University of Bath’s National Health Interview Centre.
How do I get into a career in public health?
If you’re interested in a career in public health, there are a variety of options available, as well as many more roles within the larger public health workforce that may be of interest to you. Learn more about public health and consider visiting our career planning section.
How do I get a degree in public health?
The entry requirements and specific content for public health degrees vary greatly depending on the studying institution, so it’s important to double-check before applying for a degree in public health.
What qualifications or experience do I need to be a health trainer?
Each position will have slightly different requirements, so make sure to read the person specification for the position you’re interested in applying for. Click here for more information on our health trainer role page.
Can I use my qualification in sports and fitness in a public health career?
A qualification in sports science or fitness will not qualify you for any specific role in public health, but it may qualify you for many roles in the field of sport and fitness. When applying for vacancies, make sure to check the requirements of the person specification.
I already have a Master’s in Public Health, what are my next steps?
When applying for jobs, make sure to check the training requirements in the person specification; experience is almost always required in addition to qualifications, so keep an eye out for relevant work experience.
What is the public health specialty training programme?
Successful candidates will be able to apply for a role as a public health consultant or other senior-level roles after completing a specialty training in public health with or without a degree in medicine. More detailed information can be found on our public health consultants and specialists page.
How do I train to be a health visitor?
If you want to work as a health visitor, you’ll need to be a registered nurse or midwife and complete an approved program in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing or Health Visiting. You can learn more about health visitor training on our health visitor page.
How do I find out more about careers in environmental health?
On our course finder, you can learn more about courses that lead to professional registration in environmental health, as well as careers in the field, in our explore roles section and from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).
Is public health a good career?
People are drawn to public health for a variety of reasons, including job security, opportunities for growth, and versatility. For example, some of the top public health careers include: Community Health Worker, with an average annual salary of $36,890.
Are public health jobs in demand?
While demand for each job varies, data suggests that overall demand for public health workers is increasing: jobs for epidemiologists are expected to grow by 9% over the same time period, while jobs for medical and health services managers are expected to grow by 20%.
What can you do with a career in public health?
The following are some examples of public health jobs identified by Amler of the New York Medical College:
- Epidemiologist, Biostatistician, Health Educator, Sanitarian, Public Health Advisor, Public Health Nurse, Program Director, Environmental Health Scientist
What are the best jobs in public health?
Public Health Jobs with the Best Pay
- Professionals in this field study the causes of disease and how to prevent future outbreaks.
- Natural Sciences Manager.
- Epidemiologist.
- Medical and Health Services Manager.
- Health Service Administrator.
- Biomedical Engineer.
- Biostatistician.
Is public health a useless degree?
Yes, bachelor’s degrees in public health aren’t worth much in today’s job market.
Is public health hard?
With the exception of those who attend a very well-known school in the STEM fields or related, it is more difficult in public health. For entry-level public health jobs, you must obtain certain credentials that your college classes only hint at, and without those credentials, you are not qualified for the job.
Is public health a growing field?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this field will grow by 16% between 2016 and 2026, with nurses working in public health experiencing a much faster rate of growth than the national average.
Is a public health degree worth it?
Indeed, many jobs in the field of public health that require an advanced degree (such as an MPH ) pay six figures, but there are certainly better options if your goal is to make a lot of money in the health sector. A Master in Public Health degree empowers you to promote health across entire populations.
Can I become a nurse with a public health degree?
Public health nursing programs are also known as community health nursing programs, and it is critical for students, especially those who choose to study online, to ensure that their program is fully accredited, as only accredited programs will be able to take the RN licensure exam.
Why should I study public health?
A public health degree provides you with the professional foundation and transferable skills you need to understand and work on a wide range of issues in a variety of industries and fields, such as COVID-19, health care policy, firearm safety, and racism.
What is a public health degree good for?
You could work in emergency preparedness, become a health education specialist, or work as an advocate to reduce health inequities after earning your bachelor’s in public health. These are just a few examples of what you can do with a bachelor’s in public health.
How much money can you make with an MPH?
Earning an MPH typically correlates with an average of $64,000 (versus $54,000 for bachelor’s degree holders in the field), according to PayScale. However, many factors influence how much Master of Public Health holders earn, the most important of which is likely job title and specialization.