Public Health Careers: What Can You Do with an MPH?
What Can You Do with a Master’s in Public Health?
Because of its interdisciplinary nature, graduates from an MPH program can be prepared with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to pursue a range of roles in health policy, community health, infectious diseases, and more. You might be pleasantly surprised at the diverse career opportunities that could be available to graduates of such a program — including the possibility of advancing into leadership and health educator positions.
While no degree or diploma can guarantee a specific job in your field, graduates from MPH programs often go on to work in a variety of positions across numerous sectors. Explore some of the most common career paths for MPH graduates below as you consider which may best align with your own interests, strengths, and professional goals.
Epidemiologist
Epidemiologists are health professionals who study the spread of diseases across populations. Ultimately, the epidemiologist’s goal in studying how these diseases spread is to develop strategies for mitigating or even eradicating them. They often work for public health agencies, but some may also be employed by research institutions, hospitals, or colleges and universities.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for epidemiologists is projected to grow 19% between 2023 and 2033 alone, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations.
Health Policy Analyst
Health policy analysts are the professionals responsible for reviewing and assessing healthcare policies (along with proposing policies). From there, these analysts make recommendations for policy improvements and changes that could better benefit population health. This type of role can be a good fit for public health professionals with strong analytical, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. Most often, health policy analysts work for government agencies, but they may also be employed by healthcare and nonprofit organizations.
Biostatistician
For those who enjoy working with numbers and have solid mathematics skills, a career as a biostatistician can blend those skills with your desire to make a difference in public health outcomes.
A biostatistician analyzes data related to the fields of biology, public health, and medicine. For instance, these professionals may interpret raw data to extract meaningful insights about the spread of certain diseases or the impact of environmental factors on population health. Employed by universities, government agencies, and research institutes alike, biostatisticians are integral to interpreting health data (and the decisions made as a result of its findings).
Global Health Specialist
Public health concerns can (and often do) transcend geographical borders — which is where the work of the global health specialist comes in. These public health professionals work at a broader level to address public health issues at the global level.
Specific roles can vary greatly from one assignment to the next, but global health specialists are generally concerned with improving health outcomes in low-income or developing nations where access to routine healthcare and health education may be lacking. Global health specialists often work for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the World Health Organization (WHO), or in government health departments.
Public Health Consultant
If you’re interested in making a difference in population health at the local, state, or national level, you might consider a career as a public health consultant. These professionals are responsible for researching, designing, and implementing programs to improve population health while addressing relevant public health concerns and providing education to affected communities.
Public health consultants often take on an advisory role, working for government agencies at all levels. In some cases, they may also be hired by nonprofit organizations or even private businesses.
Environmental Health Specialist
Have you ever wondered about all the ways in which environmental issues can influence population health? Environmental health specialists study the effects of different environmental factors (such as air pollution, water pollution, and hazardous waste) on human health outcomes. They may carry out responsibilities such as conducting environmental assessments, advocating for environmental regulations, and consulting with businesses to maintain compliance with environmental health laws.
Public Health Communications Specialist
Interested in getting the word out about public health issues to local communities? Public health communications specialists are responsible for doing just that, in addition to raising awareness about disease prevention and other public health initiatives. This type of work can be ideal for those wanting to work directly in their communities to make a difference while leveraging different communication channels (like social media and news media) to share important public health information and resources.
Healthcare Administrator
Another possibility when it comes to careers with a Master of Public Health degree is that of a healthcare administrator. Specifically, healthcare administrators help oversee the operations within healthcare facilities, ranging from private practices to large hospitals.
Healthcare administrators handle everything from budgeting and staffing to training and compliance — ensuring that healthcare facilities are set up to best serve the needs of their patients while streamlining operations and achieving healthcare excellence. This behind-the-scenes role may be ideal for those with strong leadership and organizational skills as well as an excellent sense of time management.
Health Services Manager
Similar to a healthcare administrator, a health services manager also provides critical administrative and logistical support to hospitals and other healthcare facilities (including long-term care facilities and physicians’ practices). However, compared to healthcare administrators, health services managers tend to be more focused on the day-to-day operations of a facility as opposed to the big picture. Thus, their responsibilities may center more on overseeing specific departments or creating strategic plans to help healthcare facilities achieve their short-term goals.
According to the BLS, medical and health services managers will see a projected 29% increase in demand from 2023 to 2033.
Health Educator
Would you be interested in leading a class or workshop on public health initiatives? Or perhaps you would enjoy teaching about the importance of mental health awareness or even leading a nutrition and exercise class in your community. If so, then you might consider applying your MPH education to a career as a health educator.
Health educators play a pivotal part in sharing vital health information and guidance with populations. They may teach classes or lead workshops in schools, hospitals, and community health centers to spread health and wellness information that can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.
According to BLS data, the demand for health education specialists is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2033.
Is an MPH Right for You?
As outlined above, there is no shortage of public health jobs available to those with the proper level of experience, skill, and expertise in the public health field. No matter where your specific interests and strengths lie, a quality MPH program can help you prepare to make a real difference in population health while solving real-world public health challenges.
Looking for an MPH degree program that’s right for you? Boston University offers multiple formats to earn your MPH, including options that won’t force you to put other aspects of your life on hold. Our On-Campus MPH enables students to customize their education, including switching between full- and part-time. Boston University (BU) also offers a 100% Online MPH with a flexible, skilled-based curriculum focused on health equity for all.
Learn more about BU’s award-winning online Master of Public Health programs by getting in touch today. Ready to take the next step? You can start filling out your online application for admission.