How to find and get into a public health graduate school

Public health is a field that offers many opportunities for people who want to make a positive impact on the world. Although an advanced degree is not necessary for many entry-level positions in public health, it will allow you to access amazing and well-paid opportunities. This is where public health graduate school come in. A majority of public health professionals will opt to further their careers by pursuing a master’s program. A Master’s in Public Health (MPH), provides students the education and skills necessary to be able to assume higher-ranking leadership positions and thus, earn more.

It is not an easy decision to decide whether you want to go to public health graduate school. It is important to take time to think about the whole process. How do you research, apply to and commit to a public-health grad school? There are four things to keep in mind:

Consider whether a master’s degree in public health would be beneficial to your career.

Although this seems like a simple first step, it is important to consider your professional goals. A Master’s degree in Public Health is not required depending on the type of position you hold or desire to hold. A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health is sufficient for many important roles in public health. Some positions, like an Epidemiologist and Biostatistician, require a graduate degree. Graduates have more opportunities for advancement. Before you commit to an MPH degree program, ensure that you understand the requirements and what your career goals are.

Get a clear picture of what you want from your public-health grad program.

After you’ve made the decision that public-health grad school is the right next step, you can start to visualize your career goals. You will be able to select the right program for you if you have a clear idea of what you want. If you are interested in a career as a global health professional, community health worker, or manager of health policy and management, ensure that the curriculum is geared towards these areas. These courses should build upon the foundations that you have established with your bachelor’s and relevant experience, and add value and value to your existing knowledge and skills.

Determine if the public-health program offers learning formats that suit your lifestyle and needs:

Public health graduate schools offer many degree options that can be tailored to individual learning styles and needs. Many public health programs offer in-person and online courses. You may want flexibility and convenience when choosing a school. This will allow you to work on your own time and save you the commute. If traditional in-person classes are more suited to your learning style, you should look for programs that offer this format.

It is also important to evaluate how much time you are able to dedicate to the public health grad program based on your other commitments. A full-time, accelerated course load is best if you want to finish the program quickly. If you have family obligations or work commitments and cannot commit full-time, you might consider part-time programs.

Learn the requirements to be admitted and the degree they require: