Public Health – Online Schools & Degree Programs

Online Bachelor’s Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management / Public Health
This degree program teaches students the current trends and best practices in public health and at the same time, it helps them to have a fundamental understanding towards the society they live in.
Request more information from Ashford University

Online Master’s Programs

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Walden University’s Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) online degree program gives you the real-world skills and knowledge you need to promote community wellness, disease prevention and health. By understanding the unique factors influencing public health, you’ll be able to use your increased knowledge and confidence to make a difference in your community.
Request more information from Walden University

About Public Health Careers

Public health covers a wide array of career paths that share a common goal: the creation of healthy communities using education, research, and promotion of a balanced approach to nutrition and fitness. Public health differs from traditional medical approaches in that it is focused on preventing various diseases through a healthy lifestyle rather than treating symptoms of illness after its onset. Professionals working in the public health sector, sometimes called health educators, are charged with designing and implementing plans that address health related issues within communities. Individuals who are interested in fitness and nutrition are ideally suited to a career in public health. Advocating for healthier lifestyles is a great way to gain work experience while laying the groundwork for a strong, healthy society.

Duties

Public health professionals come from all educational and work backgrounds. Similarly the duties of health educators will vary based on their own expertise and the community they are serving. In all cases, public health professionals will work with their patients or students to better understand the health problems facing those individuals. The overarching theme in public health is the teaching of information concerning nutrition, exercise, and other habits that promote wellness in the body, however the information will be tailored to meet the needs of the community. For example, health educators who work with college students might discuss the danger of substance abuse while educators that supervise a group of school children will focus on the basics of good nutrition and physical exercise.

Public health professionals always act as advocates for health in every work environment. They might be asked to teach classes, design menus, organize activities, or develop a new fitness curriculum to get the word about good health out. In certain cases, data collected by public health educators can influence public policy on the federal level.

Education and Certification

As stated, public health education professionals come from every type of background. However, to gain an entry-level position in the field it is usually required that the candidate have a bachelor’s degree in Health Education. A bachelor’s degree takes 4-years to complete. Students of health education will learn the techniques necessary to craft and promote health programs in a variety of community. Other subjects covered within the major include psychology, anatomy, physiology, and nutrition. Some employers want to see field work along with a degree, so it is advisable to investigate internship options with local businesses. A master’s degree in health education is usually required for advancement into management positions within the field.

After graduation, health educators can choose to become a Certified Health Education Specialist. This credential is offered by the Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Certification may be a requirement to work for certain employers, such as State-run agencies.

Employment Opportunities and Salary

As mainstream awareness of a healthy lifestyle grows, so do job opportunities for public health educators. The field is expected to increase by 26% over the next few years; much faster than average. Public health professionals can find work in both public and private sectors. State agencies are one of the biggest employers of public health educators, but it is also possible to work for hospitals, consulting firms, private schools, and retirement homes. Earning potential varies based on position and experience, but the base salary for an entry-level health educator is around $31,000. Public health program managers and other high level health executives can make over $100,000 per year.