An MPH, or a Master of Public Health degree can allow a person to take their career in many different directions when it comes to public health. Those interested in epidemiology with a Master of Public Health degree can work in a variety of different epidemiology careers which provide them with a rewarding work experience and a comfortable level of pay even in the most difficult of global economic situations.
A person with an MPH in epidemiology can work in many different epidemiology specialized fields as well as general epidemiology, and this allows a person to have a degree that can take them in a multitude of different directions. The exciting careers that this degree allows a person to have are plentiful, making this one degree choice that is worthy of the work involved.
What Is An MPH Epidemiologist?
An MPH epidemiologist is a type of epidemiologist who holds a master’s degree in public health, or a Master of Public Health degree. This degree allows them to work in many different public health fields which include epidemiology, and these can vary from environmental health careers all the way to more specific fields such as maternal and child health. An epidemiologist will study and protect populations from infectious diseases, making this a very important field of study which can allow a professional to truly make a positive impact on their community as well as populations around the globe. Some jobs available to an MPH epidemiologist are:
- ?Specialized fields – Those holding a Master of Public Health in epidemiology may decide to work in a specialized field should they have a particular interest in epidemiology as it relates to a particular part of public health. One of these fields is environmental health, in which an epidemiologist will work with and study infectious diseases caused or exasperated by environmental factors to a population.
- ?Research – Both clinical research and scientific research jobs are available to MPH epidemiology professionals, and these jobs allow people to further study the cause and effect of different infectious diseases on a population. Professionals working in research will typically work to realize a root cause and solution to many epidemiological problems.
- ?Medical industry – A master’s level epidemiologist specializing in public health may work for a health care facility to ensure measures are being taken that disallow infectious diseases to spread, as well as develop new procedures or provide consulting services related to disease.
- ?Pharmaceutical and medical equipment – MPH epidemiologists may also work for pharmaceutical companies or the medical equipment industry in developing new products and overseeing quality control.
MPH level epidemiologists can work in many different fields conducting research or working to solve infectious disease problems. The many different careers available to epidemiologists holding a Master of Public Health degree allows for a wide variety of career options to suit individual needs or tastes.
Education And Training
An MPH epidemiologist will need to earn a master’s degree in public health and epidemiology, and this educational journey will first begin with a bachelor’s degree in a related field. A bachelor’s degree is earned through an undergraduate program normally lasting around 4 years, and this program can be taken at any chosen university or college offering major courses on public health, healthcare related fields, or epidemiology specifically.
Once a bachelor’s degree in epidemiology or public health is earned, a person can then go on to achieve their master’s degree in the field. A standard master’s degree in public health, or MPH, program will last around 2 years and combine both field and classroom study to build a combined foundation of education and experience. Internships will often be available during this time to work with professional epidemiologists.
Epidemiology post-graduate certificates, or certificates for a specialized field, are also often available to provide certification for those who wish to have an advantage in their career. Certification is not universally needed, although it is often recommended, and this can be earned through the passing of various programs or exams. Certifications may also need to be renewed through continued education to ensure a person is able to remain certified.
Epidemiologists of all degree levels are in high demand with a projected need increase of 10% by the year 2022, and the average MPH level epidemiologist can expect to make around $65,270 per year in salary.
