Careers in epidemiology and all facets of public health are on the rise despite an unsettled economy, and for those who would prefer to teach on the subject of public health a career as an assistant professor in epidemiology may be ideal! These assistant professors will help in teaching new generations of epidemiologists, researchers, and other types of public health professionals as society continues to reach new breakthroughs in public health.
A career as an assistant professor of epidemiology is one that allows a person to make a positive mark on society while enjoying a comfortable level of job security and high salary. While the educational track to become an assistant professor in epidemiology may be rigorous, it is one that is worthy of investigation for those who are looking for a worthwhile and rewarding career choice.
What Is An Assistant Professor In Epidemiology?
An assistant professor in epidemiology is a type of public health educator tasked with helping to inform and teach new generations of public health professionals. These types of professors will typically work in master’s and doctorate programs throughout a university or other public health institution, while providing insight into the world of epidemiology to various levels of students.
Some jobs that an assistant professor in epidemiology may perform are:
- Carrying out personal research projects and submitting findings to peer-reviewed journals or other publications
- Working towards grant awards for an epidemiology department either independently or with other epidemiology professionals
- Providing leadership to a group of students
- Teaching new generations of epidemiologists and public health professionals about epidemiology and various infectious diseases
- Advising students on academic tracks or epidemiology subjects specifically
- Providing service within a university or institution
- Developing teaching plans and procedures
- Grading or reviewing various pieces of coursework
Assistant professors in epidemiology will teach and help students to achieve goals as they relate to epidemiology or public health. While teaching, an assistant professor will also conduct their own independent research into the field while submitting findings to peer reviewed journals or other publications. Grant projects and service work may also be completed in and around a university by an assistant professor in epidemiology to ensure the program’s success.
Education And Training
It is recommended that assistant professors in epidemiology hold a PhD in epidemiology as well as a Master of Public Health degree, which involves 3 levels of academic study. The first level is to achieve a bachelor’s degree in public health, epidemiology, or another related scientific field, as this will help a person to best prepare for their post-graduate courses ahead. This bachelor’s degree will be earned over the course of 4 years studying at a university or other undergraduate institution, and courses will be heavily based in science, public health, healthcare, and mathematics.
After the completion of a bachelor’s degree program, a person may then go on to earn their Master of Public Health degree, or MPH. This degree is earned through the completion of a 2 year master’s degree program at the school of a person’s choosing and classes should focus on public health related subjects as well as epidemiology and infectious disease. During the course of this program a student will typically complete an internship program to gain hands on experience and this may be done in the public health field as well as the specialized field of epidemiology.
Upon completion of a master’s degree program in public health, a student may then go on to earn their PhD in epidemiology in preparation to become an assistant professor. These PhD programs can last from 3 to 5 years and will include both coursework study as well as clinical studies that allow students to work alongside professional epidemiologists.
After graduating with a PhD in epidemiology, a person will then accumulate experience working as an epidemiologist as a number of years of professional experience in the field are typically desired when applying for teaching positions.
An assistant professor in epidemiology can make an average of $64,000 per year to $100,000 per year and beyond, with those with more experience making a greater yearly salary. The demand for assistant professors in epidemiology is expected to rise around 19% by the year 2022.
