What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree?

If you're considering a career that allows you to significantly impact the well-being of communities and populations, a degree in public health might be the perfect choice for you. But what exactly is public health, and what can you do with a degree in this field? 

Public health focuses on disease prevention, health promotion and population protection. It's a multidisciplinary field that combines knowledge from various disciplines, including biology, sociology, psychology and environmental science.

As a public health professional, you'll be at the forefront of a growing field that addresses some of the most pressing health challenges facing our world today.

Understanding Public Health Degrees 

Institutions typically offer public health degrees at three levels:

1. Bachelor's Degree
2. Master's Degree
3. Doctorate

Each level of education provides a deeper understanding of public health principles and practices, with advanced degrees often leading to more specialized roles and higher-level positions.

Regardless of the degree level, public health programs generally aim to develop core competencies essential for success in the field. These competencies typically include epidemiology and biostatistics, health policy, environmental health sciences, management, social and behavioral sciences, program planning and evaluation.

Outside of learning these competencies, Dr. Mary Bynum, department chair of public health at Franklin University, says that there are additional reasons why you may choose to pursue a public health degree, including:

1. Stability. Public health is a field that's in high demand, offering increased job security.
2. Benefits. Many public health positions offer excellent benefits packages, especially in government agencies.
3. Healthcare Career. Public health offers an alternative path for those interested in healthcare but not necessarily in direct patient care.
4. Potential Career Advancement. The field offers numerous opportunities for specialization, as well as position and salary growth.
    

The Growing Importance of Public Health Professionals

As we face increasingly complex global health challenges, from emerging infectious diseases to the impacts of climate change on health, the demand for public health expertise is on the rise.

Lightcast notes that jobs in public health are expected to increase by 20% through 2032—much faster than the average for all occupations, which is only 2.6%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This growth is primarily driven by the increasing focus on preventive healthcare to reduce healthcare costs, the growing awareness of health disparities and the need for equitable health policies and the impact of environmental factors on health.

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Skills Developed Through a Public Health Degree

A public health degree typically covers essential areas such as policy development and implementation, communication and advocacy, community engagement and public safety. You'll also gain proficiency in medical terminology, research methods and foundations as well as disaster planning and response.

Dr. Bynum emphasizes that successful public health professionals often possess a unique blend of skills and qualities that they can elevate through the pursuit of this degree.

These include a deep understanding of disease prevention and population health, coupled with the ability to communicate effectively. Problem-solving and decision-making abilities are crucial in this field, too, as is proficiency in research methodologies. Expertise in community and partnership engagement and strong advocacy skills in areas such as mental health and public health education are also important to bolster.

 
Career Paths with a Public Health Degree

Alongside an average advertised salary of $92,000, as denoted by Lightcast, one of the most exciting aspects of pursuing a public health designation is the wide range of career paths that become available to you. 

Below, we'll explore some of the different sectors and jobs a public health degree can help you achieve.

Clinical Healthcare 

In this branch, you'll work closely with healthcare providers and patients to improve health outcomes. Some of the most popular career options include the following.

• Epidemiologists. Study patterns and causes of diseases in populations.
  • Median Advertised Salary: $81,370 per year
  • Projected Growth: +41.9% (through 2032)
• Health Education Specialists. Teach people about behaviors that promote wellness.
  • Median Advertised Salary: $62,691 per year
  • Projected Growth: +14.5% (through 2032)
• Health Services Managers. Manage healthcare facilities and improve healthcare delivery.
  • Median salary: $109,741 per year
  • Projected growth: +39.1% (through 2032)
• Clinical Research Coordinators. Oversee and coordinate clinical trials.
  • Median salary: $157,740 per year
  • Projected growth: +5.2% (through 2032)

Source: Lightcast™ 2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Government and Policy

Consider these roles if you're interested in shaping health policies and regulations.

• Public Health Policy Analysts. Analyze and develop health policies.
  • Median salary: $99,410 per year
  • Projected growth: +10.1% (through 2032)
• Health Inspectors. Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Median salary: $ 85,570 per year
  • Projected growth: +6.5% (through 2032)
• Emergency Preparedness Directors. Develop plans for responding to public health emergencies.
  • Median salary: $83,960 per year
  • Projected growth: +3.9% (through 2032)
• Public Policy Manager. Oversee public health organizations and programs.
  • Median salary: $101,920 per year
  • Projected growth: +15.7% (through 2032)

Source: Lightcast™ 2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Environmental Health

Consider these potential career paths if you're passionate about the intersection of environment and health.

• Environmental Health Specialists. Investigate environmental health hazards and disease control.
  • Median salary: $78,980 per year
  • Projected growth: +6.0% (through 2032)
• Environmental Health Officer. Carry out measures and enforce protocols to protect public health.
  • Median salary: $97,092 per year.
  • Projected growth: +13.1% (through 2032)
• Sustainability Consultants. Advise organizations on sustainable practices.
  • Median salary: $91,520 per year
  • Projected growth: +10.3% (through 2032)
• Epidemiologists. Investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury.
  • Median salary: $81,390 per year.
  • Projected growth: +27.0% (through 2032)

Source: Lightcast™ 2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Non-Profit and International Operations 

Consider the following positions if you're drawn to global health issues or community-based work.

• NGO Program Specialist. Manage health programs for non-governmental organizations.
  • Median salary: $98,580 per year
  • Projected growth: +6.0% (through 2032)
• Global Health Specialists. Address health issues, such as disease and natural disasters, on an international scale.
  • Median salary: $161,035 per year
  • Projected growth: +17.1% (through 2032)
• Community Health Workers. Engage communities in health initiatives to boost education.
  • Median salary: $48,069 per year
  • Projected growth: +13.1% (through 2032)
• International Health Communications Specialists. Develop and implement health communication strategies.
  • Median salary: $ 114,490 per year
  • Projected growth: +6.8% (through 2032)

Source: Lightcast™ 2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Research and Academia

For those interested in advancing public health knowledge, viable career paths may include the following.

• Public Health Researchers. Conduct studies to improve public health.
  • Median salary: $100,890 per year
  • Projected growth: +10.2% (through 2032)
• Biostatisticians. Analyze health data using statistical methods.
  • Median salary: $104,860 per year
  • Projected growth: +30.1% (through 2032)
• University Professors. Teach public health at the college level.
  • Median salary: $84,380 per year.
  • Projected growth: +8.3% (through 2032)
• Health Data Analysts. Interpret health data to inform decision-making.
  • Median salary: $62,990 per year
  • Projected growth: +15.9% (through 2031)

Source: Lightcast™ 2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Looking Toward the Future of Public Health  

As you consider a career in this field, it's important to be aware of future challenges and opportunities that may present themselves. Public health is continuously evolving, with some areas likely to see increased focus in the coming years, including:

• Preparedness for future pandemics
• Addressing health inequities
• Mitigating the health impacts of climate change
• Leveraging big data and artificial intelligence in public health
• Addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases

With this in mind, Dr. Bynum suggests that having a public health degree can benefit students who want to make a difference in their communities or tackle complex global health issues that are on the horizon. She states that this designation allows students to make key decisions within the field that affect communities locally, nationally and worldwide.

Explore Public Health at Franklin University 

A degree in public health opens doors to many exciting and impactful career opportunities. Whether you're passionate about disease prevention, health policy, environmental health or global health issues, there's a place for you in this dynamic field.

Franklin University offers a comprehensive B.S. in Public Health program to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to make a difference in your community and beyond.

Take the first step toward a fulfilling career in public health – request more information about Franklin University's B.S. in Public Health or apply today!

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