What Can You Do with a Public Health Degree? Driving Change

By Dr. Carol Hoban  |  08/16/2024

Are you passionate about making a difference in communities, improving health outcomes, and advocating for policies that enhance public well-being? If so, a degree in public health might be your perfect fit.

But what can you do with this type of degree? The job possibilities are vast and impactful.

Whether you pursue a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, this degree has the potential to enable you to pursue satisfying roles in healthcare. Public health professionals are behind the scenes working to prevent disease, promote community health, and prolong life. They can shape health policies at the federal, state, or local government level; work directly with health administration professionals or educate future leaders.

What Is Public Health?

Public health involves enhancing the overall health and well-being of populations, communities, and individuals. This goal is achieved through a combination of organized efforts, policies, and strategic interventions. Unlike clinical healthcare that primarily treats individuals, public health aims to prevent diseases, extend life expectancy, and promote societal and global health.

Public health professionals work across various sectors, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and private industry. Their roles are crucial in building a healthier society, reducing health disparities, and ensuring accessible and effective health services for all population groups.

Public health efforts cover a broad spectrum of activities, including:

• Disease prevention and control – This work involves implementing vaccination programs, conducting epidemiological surveillance, and managing disease outbreaks to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• Health promotion and education – Public health workers create educational campaigns on vital health topics like nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation, and mental health to foster healthier lifestyles.
• Environmental health – To reduce environmental risks to human health, public health personnel ensure safe drinking water, manage waste disposal, and control pollution.
• Health policy and management – Public health workers develop policies and regulations that ensure health equity, enhance healthcare systems, and enable everyone to have access to quality health services.
• Research and data analysis – Researchers in public health conducting research to understand health trends, identify risk factors, and develop evidence-based strategies to address public health challenges.
• Community and population health – Health services managers work with communities to assess their health needs, advocate for necessary resources, and implement programs that address local health problems.

Types of Public Health Degrees

Public health degrees come in various forms, each designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to tackle health challenges at different levels. These degrees prepare individuals to seek public health careers at various levels and to address diverse health needs and issues.

Associate Degree in Public Health

An associate degree in public health provides a foundational introduction to the field, covering basic concepts in health science, disease prevention, and health promotion. This degree aims to prepare graduates to pursue entry-level public health careers.

Bachelor's Degree in Public Health

A bachelor’s degree in public health provides foundational knowledge in health sciences, disease prevention, and health promotion. This degree also emphasizes the principles of public health practice and the development of strategies to improve community and occupational health.

Master's Degree in Public Health

A master’s degree in public health (MPH) offers advanced education in public health disciplines such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and environmental health. An MPH program is typically designed to provide a deeper understanding of public health issues and help students to develop the leadership skills necessary for higher-level positions.

Doctor of Public Health Degree

The doctor of public health (DPH) degree is intended for professionals who wish to attain the highest level of expertise in the field. This degree focuses on advanced research, public health leadership, and policy development. The DPH program emphasizes the application of research to practice and the development of innovative public health solutions.

Roles for Public Health Degree Graduates

Public health degree graduates are typically well-prepared to enter a variety of roles that contribute to the health and well-being of communities. The specific roles available often depend on the level of education they attain.

Job Options for Associate and Bachelor’s Degree Holders

With an associate degree, graduates might choose to seek entry-level roles. For instance, a graduate might opt to become a:

• Public health technician – A public health technician can perform many tasks, such as conducting hearing and vision tests in schools or going to health-related community events. Other work might include scheduling appointments and other administrative duties.
• Community health worker – This type of health worker communicates directly with community members to provide education on health practices, support access to healthcare services, and advocate for health improvements.
• Health education specialist – A health education specialist develops and implements programs that teach individuals and communities about healthy behaviors and disease prevention.
• Public health administrator – A public health administrator assists in the planning, execution, and management of public health programs, ensuring they meet community needs and comply with regulations.
• Research assistant – A research assistant supports public health research by collecting data, conducting surveys, and assisting in the analysis of research findings.
• Health services manager – A health services manager oversees the daily operations of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes.

Roles for Master's Degree Graduates

Students with a MPH degree often pursue research-based opportunities or help to form public policies. Adult learners with this type of degree might choose to pursue any of these roles:

• Epidemiologist – An epidemiologist investigates patterns and causes of diseases and injuries in humans, aiming to reduce negative health outcomes through research, community education, and health policy.
• Health policy analyst – A health policy analyst evaluates and develops policies that affect public health, providing recommendations based on data analysis and research to improve health outcomes and system efficiency.
• Public health educator – A public health educator typically takes on more advanced roles in designing, implementing, and evaluating health education programs, often overseeing community outreach initiatives.
• Health informatics specialist – A health informatics specialist analyzes health data to improve healthcare delivery, develop health information systems, and ensure that data is used effectively to inform health decisions.

Roles for Doctoral Degree Graduates

Healthcare professionals with a DPH degree are often found in more advanced roles. For instance, they might choose to follow one of these career options:

• University professor – A university professor teaches and mentors students in public health programs, conducts advanced research, and contributes to academic literature in the field.
• Public health director – A public health director leads public health organizations or departments, sets strategic directions, manages resources, and oversees programs to ensure they achieve their health objectives.
• Research or program director – This type of director leads research projects that explore significant public health issues, often working for universities, research institutions, or government agencies.
• Policy advisor – A policy advisor provides high-level advice to government officials or organizations on public health policy, helping to shape legislation and public health initiatives based on research and evidence.

Is There a Difference Between Community and Public Health?

Yes, there is a small difference between public health and community health but there is also a lot of overlap. Public health operates on a large scale to influence health policies and practices globally or nationally. By contrast, community health targets the health needs of specific communities through direct interaction and localized initiatives.

Community health professionals often participate in grassroots efforts, tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of their communities, especially underserved communities. For example, they may organize local health screenings or provide education on nutrition and exercise through nonprofit organizations.

Public health professionals work on large-scale initiatives such as vaccination campaigns, educational programs, and policy advocacy. They might work in medical facilities or other healthcare settings.

American Military University's Public Health Programs

Each public health program at AMU is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to make a significant impact in the field, whether they are just starting out or looking to take on more responsibility in their roles. AMU's courses provide a thorough and engaging exploration of public health, preparing graduates to make a tangible impact on public health and wellness.

In addition, AMU’s online format allows for flexibility, making it ideal for those balancing other commitments.

Associate of Science in Public Health

The online associate of science in public health  is perfect for adult learners starting their public health academic journey or who want a foundational understanding of the field. This degree covers essential concepts in health science, disease prevention, and health promotion.

Courses like “Health Services Organization” provide a broad overview of the structure, function, and dynamics of healthcare systems. Similarly, “Wellness: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention” delves into the basics of public health education, disease tracking, and prevention.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

The online bachelor of science in public health is designed for students who are passionate about community health and seeking comprehensive knowledge to address public health challenges. The program offers in-depth learning in public health principles, disease prevention, and health promotion strategies.

Notable courses include “Public Health in America,” which examines national health problems, and “Epidemiology,” which investigates the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. The course “Introduction to Healthcare Administration” covers management aspects, providing students with the knowledge to seek administrative roles.

Master of Public Health

The online master of public health program is intended for professionals aiming to take on leadership roles in public health. This degree provides advanced education in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and environmental health.

Courses like “Biostatistics with Lab” teach statistical methods for public health data analysis, while “Health Policy” focuses on policy development and implementation. Similarly, “Research Methods in Public Health” offers deep insights into research design, data analysis, and the evaluation of public health interventions.

For more information about AMU’s public health degrees, visit our program page.