Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer
Home / Where,Public,Health,Degree

Where Can I Work With A Public Health Degree

  • Introduction: What is Public Health and What Jobs Can You Get With a Public Health Degree?
  • 1. Government Agencies: Work for Local, State, or Federal Government
  • 2. Nonprofit Organizations: Work for Charities, Foundations, or Nonprofits
  • 3. Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: Work in Clinical Care or Healthcare Administration
  • 4. Research and Academia: Work in Public Health Research or Teaching
  • 5. Epidemiology: Work in Disease Control and Prevention
  • 6. Global Health: Work in International Health or Public Health Abroad
  • 7. Environmental Health: Work in Pollution Control or Environmental Health Science
  • 8. Health Education and Promotion: Work in Community Health Education and Promotion
  • 9. Biostatistics: Work in Statistical Analysis and Data Management in Public Health
  • 10. Occupational Health and Safety: Work in Preventing Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Introduction: What is Public Health and What Jobs Can You Get With a Public Health Degree?

Public health is the science of promoting and protecting the health of entire populations, rather than just individuals. It involves preventing diseases and injuries, promoting healthy behaviors, and addressing environmental and social factors that affect health. A public health degree can open up various career opportunities in different sectors, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, hospitals and healthcare facilities, research and academia, epidemiology, global health, environmental health, health education and promotion, biostatistics, and occupational health and safety.

1. Government Agencies: Work for Local, State, or Federal Government

Government agencies at the local, state, or federal level are responsible for implementing public health policies, regulations, and programs to protect and promote the health of their communities. With a public health degree, you can work for these agencies in various roles, such as public health analyst, program coordinator, health policy advisor, health educator, or epidemiologist. Some examples of government agencies that hire public health professionals include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

2. Nonprofit Organizations: Work for Charities, Foundations, or Nonprofits

Nonprofit organizations are dedicated to advancing public health through community-based programs, advocacy, and research. They often focus on specific health issues, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, mental health, or maternal and child health. With a public health degree, you can work for these organizations in various roles, such as program manager, community health worker, grant writer, policy analyst, or researcher. Some examples of nonprofit organizations that hire public health professionals include the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

3. Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: Work in Clinical Care or Healthcare Administration

Hospitals and healthcare facilities provide medical care to patients and also have a public health role in preventing and controlling diseases. With a public health degree, you can work in these settings in various roles, such as healthcare administrator, infection control specialist, patient educator, public health nurse, or epidemiologist. Some examples of hospitals and healthcare facilities that hire public health professionals include the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, the Veterans Health Administration, and the Kaiser Permanente system.

4. Research and Academia: Work in Public Health Research or Teaching

Research and academia are essential components of public health, as they generate new knowledge and evidence-based practices to improve population health. With a public health degree, you can work in these settings in various roles, such as research assistant, program evaluator, data analyst, professor, or academic researcher. Some examples of research and academic institutions that hire public health professionals include the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

5. Epidemiology: Work in Disease Control and Prevention

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in populations. It plays a critical role in disease control and prevention by identifying risk factors, tracking outbreaks, and evaluating interventions. With a public health degree, you can work in epidemiology in various roles, such as epidemiologist, biostatistician, data manager, or public health informatician. Some examples of organizations that hire epidemiologists include the CDC, the WHO, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

6. Global Health: Work in International Health or Public Health Abroad

Global health is a field that focuses on improving health outcomes and reducing health inequities worldwide. It involves addressing infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, environmental health, and other global health challenges. With a public health degree, you can work in global health in various roles, such as program manager, consultant, researcher, or policy analyst. Some examples of organizations that hire public health professionals for global health work include UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, the World Bank, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

7. Environmental Health: Work in Pollution Control or Environmental Health Science

Environmental health is the field that addresses the impact of environmental factors on human health, such as air pollution, water contamination, and climate change. With a public health degree, you can work in environmental health in various roles, such as environmental health scientist, toxicologist, epidemiologist, or policy analyst. Some examples of organizations that hire public health professionals for environmental health work include the EPA, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

8. Health Education and Promotion: Work in Community Health Education and Promotion

Health education and promotion are essential components of public health, as they aim to empower individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors and lifestyles. With a public health degree, you can work in health education and promotion in various roles, such as health educator, community outreach specialist, behavior change specialist, or program coordinator. Some examples of organizations that hire public health professionals for health education and promotion work include the American Public Health Association (APHA), the Health Promotion Practice journal, and the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE).

9. Biostatistics: Work in Statistical Analysis and Data Management in Public Health

Biostatistics is the application of statistical methods to public health data, such as population surveys, clinical trials, and observational studies. It plays a critical role in designing studies, analyzing data, and interpreting results. With a public health degree, you can work in biostatistics in various roles, such as biostatistician, data analyst, research coordinator, or epidemiologist. Some examples of organizations that hire public health professionals for biostatistics work include the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the pharmaceutical industry.

10. Occupational Health and Safety: Work in Preventing Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Occupational health and safety is the field that focuses on preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace, such as exposure to hazardous chemicals or physical hazards. With a public health degree, you can work in occupational health and safety in various roles, such as occupational health nurse, industrial hygienist, ergonomist, or safety engineer. Some examples of organizations that hire public health professionals for occupational health and safety work include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).In conclusion, a public health degree can offer a wide range of career opportunities in various sectors, from government agencies and nonprofit organizations to hospitals and healthcare facilities, research and academia, epidemiology, global health, environmental health, health education and promotion, biostatistics, and occupational health and safety. Whatever your interests and skills are, there is likely a public health job that can match them and make a positive impact on population health.

People Also Ask About Where Can I Work With A Public Health Degree

What jobs can you get with a public health degree?

There are many career paths you can take with a public health degree, including epidemiologist, health educator, public health analyst, community health worker, and healthcare administrator.

Where can I work with a public health degree?

Public health professionals can work in various settings, such as government agencies, non-profit organizations, hospitals, schools, and research institutions. Some may also work in international organizations or the private sector.

Do you need a master's degree to work in public health?

While a bachelor's degree in public health can qualify you for some entry-level positions, a master's degree is generally required for more advanced roles in the field.