Healthcare is a broad and varied career field, with many opportunities to consider in both clinical and non-clinical roles. No matter your interests, it’s likely you can find a specialization that suits you. If you enjoy working with data and are passionate about preventive wellness, for example, you may wish to consider master’s in public health jobs.

Public health is a healthcare specialization that promotes wellness through the prevention of injuries and diseases. While clinical professionals typically treat patients who are already suffering from medical problems, a public health professional works to prevent those medical problems from arising in the first place, focusing on communities and populations rather than individual patients.

Is a master’s in public health worth it? Explore some possible career paths in this specialization area to determine if it’s a good choice for you.

MPH stands for Master of Public Health. An MPH degree is a graduate-level program that emphasizes evidence-based practices for preventing the spread of disease, reducing the risk of injuries and promoting overall health.

The curriculum can vary from one school and program to the next, but in general, an MPH degree may cover topics such as:

• The relationship between human health and the natural and built environment
• Communication strategies that positively influence health behavior, with a look at cultural competence and health literacy
• The influence of biological and social factors on population health
• Strategic leadership and management for the public health space

The curriculum will review specific issues that populations and communities face today, such as quality of life and longevity. You will also have the opportunity to examine quantitative and qualitative analytical research skills.

A master’s in public health could be worth it for you if you’re passionate about improving patients’ quality of life through better health. If you are interested in healthcare but prefer not to work directly with patients, this could be an ideal subfield. Consider the following four key benefits of working in public health:

1. Job Opportunities

There are many career paths in the public health field. You may prefer to focus on health research, for example, or you might be interested in managing medical and health services for a clinic or community organization.

Some careers in the field are expanding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth rate for medical and health services managers is expected to be 23% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average, indicating a need for about 142,900 new professionals during that time period.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

2. Work in Varied Environments

If you are looking for a career that will allow you to pursue work in a variety of different environments, then a degree in public health may be ideal for you. Per the CDC, public health professionals may pursue work in the following settings:^{(See disclaimer 2)}

• Global health organizations
• Local, state and federal governmental agencies
• Hospitals and other healthcare facilities
• Nonprofit companies
• Private corporations
• Universities

3. Community Impact

With a master’s degree in public health, you may be qualified to pursue work at a governmental health department.^{(See disclaimer 2)} In these roles, public health professionals may help influence policies and advocate for increased access to health resources for the community. Some professionals further serve their communities by addressing disease outbreaks. It can be a meaningful role with a significant impact on society.

4. Job Satisfaction

Many public health workers experience high job satisfaction, as working to save lives and teaching others healthy habits can be rewarding.^{(See disclaimer 3)} In fact, a de Beaumont Foundation survey found that 86% of public health professionals were satisfied with their careers.^{(See disclaimer 3 )}Should you join the public health field, viewing your work as meaningful and understanding the impact it can have may bolster your own satisfaction with your career.

There is a range of opportunities available for individuals with strong competencies in the public health field. Consider the following opportunities:

Medical and Health Services Manager

Some public health professionals go into management and administration. One role to consider is that of medical and health services manager. These professionals are responsible for the planning, implementation and coordination of a healthcare facility’s services and activities.

Examples of specific tasks include:

• Developing the objectives of the department or facility
• Identifying ways to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services, patient care and patient outcomes
• Developing a budget and managing the finances
• Maintaining department or facility records of the available healthcare services
• Liaising with medical staff and other administrators

Some health services managers are heads of departments within hospitals, while others serve as head of an entire facility. All serve the healthcare needs of the local community, seeking to optimize healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes while improving operational efficiency.

Health Education Specialist

If you’re interested in promoting health and helping people prevent disease and injury, you may enjoy working as a health education specialist. These professionals develop programs and services that help teach people about health conditions, preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyles.

Health education specialists can collect and analyze data to identify community needs before developing and launching programs designed to encourage preventive wellness. They also partner with health systems, health providers, insurers and patients to address individual and population health needs. They may also serve as a resource to help individuals, other health professionals or the community with health education and health promotion programs.

As an example, imagine you are newly diagnosed with diabetes. You may not have a good understanding of what the disease is or what you need to do to keep this disease from getting worse. A health education specialist can help by providing information about the disease, teaching you how to check your blood glucose levels and enrolling you in programs that offer continuing support while you adjust to life with your condition.

Community Health Worker

A community health worker improves wellness in the community by empowering individuals to make healthy choices. They also advocate for resources for underserved populations, such as low-income and unhoused individuals.

A community health worker may:

• Engage in outreach activities, including home visits
• Handle case management and encourage access to care
• Coordinate care
• Participate in advocacy to address the social determinants of health, including housing, food security and clean water
• Provide health coaching
• Encourage community members to undergo preventive health screenings

After reflecting on career options in the public health field and determining what interests you, the next step is to find open jobs and submit your applications. Follow these five tips when applying for master’s in public health jobs:

1. Set Aside Time To Search

Finding and applying for jobs can be time-consuming. Set enough time aside for a thorough review of job openings. After finding some positions that sound interesting to you, tailor your resume and cover letter to each job so that your application stands out, even if it takes a bit longer than applying with a generic resume.

2. Be Persistent in Applying

It can take time to receive interview offers. Be persistent and make use of online resources, such as professional networking websites and job databases. Many websites with job listings also have a feature that allows you to apply easily to similar jobs once you have submitted your resume. You may also be able to set up automated alerts to notify you when new jobs become available that fit your specifications.

3. Look for Internships or Work Opportunities While Earning a Degree

If you are still earning your degree, you should take advantage of your school’s resources to find an opportunity to get your foot in the door in the public health field. The career services department may be able to connect you to relevant internship opportunities. Talking to your professors and other faculty at your school may also lead to opportunities.

4. Network With Public Health Professionals

Ask professionals from your local clinics or other people you may know in the public health field about possible job openings. This will not only broaden your search but also help you build a network of connections in public health.

5. Find Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering at local hospitals, clinics, community services centers or similar organizations can be a great way to expand your network and meet professionals in the field. It's possible you may meet someone in this way who has the perfect job for you. Additionally, you can add the volunteer experience to your resume.

Every school and program is a little different. At GCU, the Master of Public Health degree teaches a wide range of competencies in areas such as the social and behavioral principles of health, environmental effects on health and best practices in epidemiology.

Additional skills taught in GCU’s MPH degree include:

• Advocacy for public health policies and resources at the local, state and federal levels
• Strategic leadership skills in healthcare
• Ethical communication skills to promote healthy changes
• Statistical analysis and the interpretation of public health data

Students have opportunities to gain skills not only through the coursework but also during the practicum experience, which involves applied practice experience in a public health setting.

Grand Canyon University proudly contributes to the public health field by striving to graduate practice-ready professionals who are prepared to make a positive impact. In addition to our Master of Public Health, we offer a variety of other public health degrees so you can choose the one that best fits your career interests.