Public health: Graduate programmes that solve world issues

COVID-19 vaccines. Disease outbreak control. Food and water safety.

These are just a few ways public health professionals are helping communities around the world keep safe, healthy and strong.

Indeed, public health is about the science and systems designed to promote optimal community health conditions through good policies and awareness programmes. Cultural and social factors on top of administration planning can make these policies and programmes more effective across the communities too.

As public health encompasses a diversity of fields — biostatistics, community health, epidemiology, among others — your roles can be varied and interesting. Whatever you may be working as — your job can potentially save many lives.

Little wonder that the demand for public health professionals in the US is on the rise now. With a master’s degree in public health, your salary can average US$111,410.

If making a difference in global health equity interests you, check out these master’s programmes at the four US universities below:

University of Minnesota: School of Public Health

For a first-class education, look no further than the University of Minnesota. Today, its commitment to providing a world-class education, conducting groundbreaking research and facilitating community-engaged outreach continues to attract the brightest minds. In fact, there are currently 67,000 students from 130 nations, spread across its five vibrant campuses.

Many of them can be found in the School of Public Health, consistently ranked among the country’s top 10. Here, four academic divisions offer 19 graduate degrees — each nurtures students through comprehensive training while instilling the skills needed to make world-changing discoveries. Its reputation for research excellence means a robust funding stream that gives students countless opportunities to work with faculty on important projects. The school also boasts strong connections to local communities and industry-leading organisations.

Three pathways provide access to the full experience. The two-year Master of Public Health (MPH) trains students to become practitioners capable of providing key solutions in a rapidly changing world. Graduates progress into rewarding roles related to population health and community awareness, with keen knowledge on environmental health, epidemiology, maternal and child health, public health nutrition, public health data science, and more.

The top-ranked Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) is an ideal pick for those keen on management. It trains and supports students to become more effective leaders within the healthcare sector by emphasising deep institutional knowledge in healthcare delivery, financing, population health management, business literacy, problem-solving, as well as professional development.

The School of Public Health sparks doctorate success too. It offers four Master of Science (MS) degrees: Biostatistics; Clinical Research; Environmental Health; as well as Health Services Research, Policy and Administration. All paths lead to rewarding careers in research or analysis; and of course — the ability to succeed in a PhD programme. Click here to learn more about one of the premier schools of public health in the world.

University at Buffalo: School of Public Health and Health Professions

Source: University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

Ranked amongst the world’s top 1%. 31st among the US’s finest public universities. A proud member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. These are the traits that make the University at Buffalo, a flagship campus of The State University of New York, the dynamic institution it is known for being.

Its School of Public Health and Health Professions is just as impressive. It is one of only a handful of public health schools in the country to also include health-related professions, offering important opportunities to learn about different health disciplines you might work with in your career. Within its classrooms, students learn from expert faculty and enjoy access to over 30 research centres, laboratories, and facilities. Students can also participate in hands-on experiential learning including practical training like health department internships, field placements, and clinical assignments.

Every postgraduate programme at the school unlocks these offerings — however, to solve urgent world health issues, it doesn’t get more relevant than a Master of Public Health (MPH). The school offers several concentrations, among them Biostatistics; Community Health and Health Behaviour; Environmental Health; Epidemiology; and Health Services. One of the best parts? A customised MPH programme can be completed entirely online — a rare perk for MPH aspirants.

The field experience is the cornerstone of this programme, followed by a culminating project — the final requirement for graduation. With such hands-on experiences, it’s no wonder why 100% of MPH graduates achieve job placement.

Outcomes for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics MS students are equally fulfilling. After working on methodological, theoretical and applied research projects related to public health issues during the programme, they go on to follow in the footsteps of thriving alumni — many of whom are currently employed at Georgetown University Medical Centre, University of Pittsburgh, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Baystate Medical Centre, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Blue Cross Blue Shield, among others. Want to be counted among the best public health professionals? Find out more.

The George Washington University: Milken Institute of Public Health

Source: Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University

In its 25-year evolution, The George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWSPH) has built an impressive research enterprise and continuously launched cutting-edge postgraduate and doctorate programmes — both accomplishments have grown its student body exponentially.

Apart from being the U.S. Capital’s only school of public health, GWSPH is also the largest of its kind in the United States, located in Washington, D.C.  — an epicentre of world politics — with unrivalled access to both US and world leaders. Nearly 3,000 students are already here rubbing shoulders with pros and prepared to change the world by bettering lives and improving public health. Upon successful completion of a robust programme, they go on to join an impressive global alumni of 290,000 changemakers.

The School offers several specialised programmes that fill a public health skills gap that is only growing. The Master of Public Health (MPH) Biostatistics nurtures the necessary skills to successfully apply statistical methods to the biological, biomedical, and health services sciences. The Master of Public Health (MPH) Environmental Health Science and Policy[1]  was designed to develop professionals who spearhead the reduction of risks posed by environmental and occupational hazards.

Meanwhile, the Master of Public Health (MPH) Epidemiology teaches the application of critical and analytical skills for a better understanding of disease and human health. Upon successful completion, graduates improve communities by developing, implementing and evaluating innovative health practices and policies.

Those keen on working in resource-poor settings have more to gain from the Master of Public Health (MPH) Global Environmental Health. A joint programme between the Environmental and Occupational Health and Global Health departments, the programme sets out to prepare students to apply analytical skills to prevent or lessen problems associated with environmental hazards for human health.

In a world plagued by pandemics, obesity, food scarcity, antibiotic resistance and too many healthcare inequities; there’s never been a better time to join one of the above programmes. Click here to secure your place.

UC Berkeley Public Health

Source: UC Berkeley

With beginnings that date back to 1868, the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) has centuries of experience in providing quality academic programmes. Today, it has catapulted it to the very top of prestigious rankings. It is currently the number one public university in the world, according to the US News and World Report 2021.

UC Berkeley Public Health is just as historic with over 75 years of experience. It has graduated more than 18,000 changemakers who are currently improving the health and welfare of local communities, states and everywhere else. Each expresses gratitude to the institution that made them.

The UC Berkeley Public Health experience entails rubbing shoulders with industry leaders that specialise in key science and humanities disciplines — such as engineering, computer science, social welfare, public policy, journalism, international development, business, law and more.

It also means enjoying an interdisciplinary education of a lifetime. Students here are encouraged to customise programmes to match their personal interests. They can even opt to explore the offerings of other schools and departments. Joint graduate degrees, offered alongside other esteemed institutions, are up for grabs too. However, the Online MPH is a popular choice for many reasons.

This route offers a 27-month world-class Master of Public Health education that’s just as flexible as it is relevant –– making it an ideal pick for mid-career professionals vying for career advancement or an overall switch. The programme’s aim is to equip aspirants with the knowledge, skills and experience they need to create their own paths. Discover it here.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International