Wondering if you should advance your public health career? The field of public health is vast, encompassing hundreds of positions in everything from health education and policymaking to clinical research and disease prevention. Many people are drawn to the fulfillment that comes from helping others recognize health risks and equipping them with the knowledge and tools to combat those risks.

But apart from the altruistic ideals inherent in public health occupations, professionals in the field—or those aspiring to enter it—must also consider their own personal objectives and how a public health job affects their own lives. They might ask themselves: “Is this career path going to provide for my family? Am I satisfied in my current role, or do I want something more? Should I earn an advanced degree, and if so, what can I do with it?”

This blog seeks to answer the latter question—particularly what you can do with a master’s in public health (MPH) [link to WGU degree page when ready]. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of an MPH, the types of jobs it can prepare you for, and whether the degree is right for you.

Diverse Career Options with a Master’s in Public Health

Below are 11 different public health roles in which you could thrive with an MPH. While not all of these jobs require a master’s degree, many allow room for ample career growth and advancement.

Community Health Worker

Community health workers spread awareness of good health habits and forge connections with individuals and groups that need access to physical, mental, or social care. Many community health workers help those who are disadvantaged to overcome healthcare obstacles. Other community health workers focus on developing outreach programs and campaigns that promote public health.

Whatever their primary duties, community health workers typically share an affinity with the people they serve, possessing a keen awareness of their needs. Some workers may even have lived experience of their clients’ socioeconomic or health backgrounds.

Community Health Manager

A community health manager oversees the efforts of health promotion, education, and counseling in communities both large and small. These managers ensure there are lines of communication between members of a community and relevant healthcare providers. Many community health managers advocate for underserved groups, lobbying for basic and advanced healthcare services and catering to essential health needs.

Managers who hold an MPH degree or a similar credential may be able to exert more influence in their role thanks to their specialized skill set and advanced knowledge of healthcare and public health leadership principles. Community health managers are usually proficient at interpersonal communication and delegation, able to mobilize workers and spearhead any number of programs geared toward individual, family, and community well-being.

Patient Educator

Some public health professionals balance their expertise in health education with patient care. These patient educators work closely with physicians, nurses, and therapists to help their patients feel at ease and inform them of treatment plans. Patient educators may have a background in public health education, clinical counseling, social work, or another relevant area.

In addition to discussing treatment outcomes and expectations, these educators might help patients navigate complex healthcare systems and policies so that they can receive the best care possible.

Public Health Educator

Public health educators teach the general public how to maintain or improve their well-being. Sometimes called “health education specialists,” public health educators devise programs that promote health and warn against health risks. This may involve planning training activities, distributing written materials, or raising awareness of common dangers to individual and societal wellness.

To effectively reach their intended audience, public health educators often collaborate with healthcare workers, community leaders, and government officials. They usually work for public health departments, private nonprofit organizations, and healthcare centers.

Public Health Consultant

Public health consultants play an important role in assisting healthcare organizations, agencies, and businesses in their efforts to administer services to populations both large and small. These consultants research health trends, survey and interview individuals affected by disease, draft reports, and more.

Many public health consultants have experience in data analysis, healthcare management, health policy, or another similar public health field. A typical work day for a public health consultant could include providing business advice to hospital administrators, aiding statisticians in data-gathering, or reviewing the effectiveness of health education reform.

Health Promotion Specialist

Like community health workers, specialists in health promotion focus on developing health programs that improve participants’ quality of life. Whether it’s combating substance abuse, improving fitness and nutrition habits, or advocating for better healthcare equality, health promotion specialists take a holistic approach to nurturing healthy and safe populations.

Because they engage often with members of any given community, health promotion specialists are adept at communication and interpersonal skills.

Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical research coordinators are responsible for managing drug trials, recruiting trial participants, and recording trial results. They are usually employed by healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical companies, working intensively in laboratory environments. Clinical research coordinators are instrumental in testing whether drug treatments and health procedures are successful or viable for the population at large.

Naturally, clinical research coordinators communicate with relevant doctors and healthcare providers as they determine the best methods of treating illnesses, injuries, and infectious and chronic diseases. It’s the job of these coordinators to provide evidence-based data about the efficacy of the drugs and other treatments in their clinical trials.

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians collect, assess, and record data that impacts the health of individuals and other living organisms. They monitor patterns of potential health risks to populations and determine ways to prevent such risks. Biostatisticians then share their research findings with public health leaders to influence resulting policy.

Biostatisticians use dedicated software to track and evaluate health trends related to everything from diabetes and obesity to environmental dangers like pollution and climate change.

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists research the behavior of infectious and non-infectious diseases and other sicknesses. One of their primary goals is to prevent the spread of disease and curb the effects of illness throughout different kinds of populations. Some epidemiologists study communicable diseases like the flu while others study chronic diseases like dementia or colon cancer.

The majority of epidemiologists work for state and local government agencies while others are employed by private hospitals, clinics, or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Public Health Officer

Public health officers administer and enforce public health measures. They are often referred to as “environmental health officers,” “occupational health officers,” or “public health inspectors.” These professionals help to keep public facilities like restaurants and gas stations safe for individuals and communities. They also perform routine inspections of workplaces, sewage systems, transportation hubs, and other establishments to ensure compliance with safety laws.

Without the intervention of public health officers, many people would be at higher risk of disease, injury, or death due to myriad environmental factors.

Public Health Researcher

Public health researchers share similar duties to biostatisticians and epidemiologists in that they conduct comprehensive research into the causes of health risks among populations. These types of researchers rely on scientific data and empirical evidence to inform their findings. Public health researchers typically use methods like data analytics, cohort studies, and drug and vaccine trials to better understand overall population health.

Successful public health researchers regularly exercise skills in problem-solving, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analysis.

Embracing the Versatility of a Master’s in Public Health Degree

These jobs and many others are viable, enriching avenues for MPH degree holders to effect positive change in public health. A master’s in public health is a great foundation for furthering your knowledge and skills and positioning you for lifelong success in a growing, dynamic field. No matter what area of public health you’d like to dedicate your career to, an MPH can set you apart from job market competition and show potential employers that you are well studied and committed.

Ready to reach the next level? Consider WGU’s online, accredited Master of Science in Public Health program. Our MPH curriculum is designed with input from industry experts, and our competency-based learning model means that you advance through coursework as quickly as you show mastery of the material, so you can potentially graduate faster and save money. Get started today.