CPH Blog: Top 5 reasons to get a Master of Public Health

If you are looking to implement your own health promotion programs, design research projects, and open doors to new professional possibilities, earning a Master of Public Health degree could be the answer. Master of Public Health (MPH) students are instructed in the foundational competencies and practices of public health, determinants of health, cultural competence, and health assessments for diverse populations. Upon graduation, students are prepared to be public health practitioners and leaders. George Mason University offers a CEPH-accredited MPH.

This is an exciting time for public health and jobs are expanding faster than ever before, with an expected growth rate of 11% by 2026. With an MPH, graduates go on to become public health educators, epidemiologists, health policy analysts, clinical research coordinators, and more.  

There are a vast number of reasons why obtaining an MPH is a great personal and career choice, but here are the top five benefits:

1. You will make a difference for others. Are you passionate about helping people? A career in public health is a surefire way to serve communities in need. In an MPH program, you will learn the contexts of health outside the hospital setting. In addition to being able to address the burdens of populations, there is a great sense of accomplishment in earning an MPH.
    
2. There are diverse career options at your disposal. Whether you want to explore research, epidemiology, or social justice, one thing is for sure — you will never be bored. You can specialize, transition between fields, explore different settings, and travel nationally or abroad. Earning an MPH expands your qualifications and opens higher-level leadership positions in public health.
    
3. Job security. Public health is a growing field and professionals are needed to meet that demand.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job growth for community health-related work between 2021 and 2031 is 12%, much higher than average. MPH graduates are prepared to enter the market in the private sector or governmental organizations on the city, state, or federal level.
    
4. You can solve big problems. Public health is all about improving health on a larger scale. Students in MPH programs learn what it means to investigate beyond the illness and address what affects health on social, behavioral, and environmental scales. MPH graduates are trained to undertake these challenges and develop solutions.
    
5. Location, location, location! Public health is everywhere. Graduates of MPH programs have unlimited options in terms of places to practice population health, including one of the nation’s epicenters of public health, Washington, D.C. What better place to be than Mason? With the university’s proximity to the nation’s capital, there are numerous opportunities for internships and employment.

There are many things to keep in mind when considering pursuing an MPH. There are time and financial commitments, but the rewards yielded will undoubtedly be worth it. For those who work full-time, Mason offers flexible class time and online options.

Learn more about Mason’s Master of Public Health.  

Thumbnail photo by Ian Schneider via unsplash