The introduction of online learning by major universities in the U.S. years ago opened doors of opportunities for people who didn’t have the time to attend a campus to learn. Public health degrees are among the programs offered by many universities across the country, and their popularity soared during the COVID pandemic. If you’re interested in pursuing a public health degree online, it’s only fair if you know how to choose the best programs.
When choosing a public health degree online, be sure to consider the following: The faculty’s strength, accreditation by the Council of Education for Public Health (CEPH), length of the program, admission requirements, the total cost of the program, and financial aid. Make sure you talk with a career counselor to determine if the program is the right fit for you.
The 7 Best Public Health Degrees Online are:
- University of North Carolina
- University of Arizona
- Murray State University
- Kent State University
- San Diego State University
- University of South Florida
- Southern New Hampshire University
That’s not all, as you still need to know whether a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health is worth it, what you can do with this degree, and the seven best public health degrees online, which you will learn if you read on.
Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health Worth It?
As far as jobs go, forging a career in public health is a great way of ensuring job security. In the wake of the COVID19 pandemic, health government agencies around the world have witnessed the importance of having a robust public health sector that is equipped and ready to handy any future pandemic.
Universities and colleges have followed suit, offering incredible degrees that equip trainees with modern skills to combat emergency situations and improve their chances of growing a career. What’s even more interesting is the idea of taking this course online, which helps to cut down the time and commitment it would when taking the classes from a campus. Doing so has helped many who wish to pursue this course but lack the time or will to attend physical classes. There are three categories we can use to determine whether a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health is worth it:
- Career goals
- Salary remuneration
- Field of advancement
Career Goals
As a public health worker, you’ll have a chance to choose different fields of interest that might satisfy your career goals. You’ll be exposed to different styles of study, each leading to a different but vital career. Public health workers have different opportunities like their medical health workers counterparts, and there will always be a need for more qualified and experienced individuals to fill new roles.
Salary Remuneration
After the successful work done by the public health workers around the world to fight the deadly outbreak, governments and other health bodies, such as WHO, have decided to increase the budget allocated to this department, and there’s massive recruitment, with societies being educated on how to stay safe and healthy during an outbreak.
On matters of remuneration, public health workers earn a decent salary ranging from $99,000 being the highest and $36,000 being the lowest-paid public health worker. However, the salary is open to debate, depending on the roles you take and the state you work in. Later in this article, we will look at the different public health worker roles.
Field Advancement
The essence of life is growth, and it’s only fair if we seek career advancement. You’ll be working in a fast-paced environment that will expose you to different opportunities for starters. Such chances will only help you grow and advance in your field of work, and with a few years of work and more training, you might be ready to take on challenging roles.
With all these things considered, it’s safe to say a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health is worth it as it opens you to job opportunities countrywide and around the world. It’s more important now after the world went through trying times, and there’s a need for more people to step up in the future in case the world finds itself in such a situation again.
What can you do With a Degree in Public Health?
Graduating with a degree in Public Health exposes you to several career choices, and whichever you choose will depend on the program you chose, your performance in this program, and the market requirements.
However, you’re rest assured to be working in a public health sector, where you’ll be responsible for educating, advising, treating, or caring for patients. That’s just a broad spectrum of what you’ll be doing as a public health worker, but here are the possible specific roles you’ll be undertaking:
Health education and behavioral science
This field of study forms the five pillars of Public Health education, and students who specialize in this field of study can have any of these tasks:
- Offer advice to teenagers and young people regarding drug use and abuse
- Working with seniors and helping them improve their lives
- Come up with campaigns that promote and encourage a change in behavior
- Train parents on how to create a safer and healthier environment for their kids
Epidemiology
Working in this role requires you to trace the cause of an illness, identify people at risk, and come up with measures to reduce and stop the spread of deadly diseases. Your objectives would mainly consist of:
- Collecting samples from patients (blood, stool, etc.)
- Collecting data from ground zero
- Compiling the data to come up with conclusive proof of the disease
- Coordinate with lab technicians and other doctors to come up with working plans
Maternal and Child Health
The public health center in the U.S. has put more effort into ensuring the well-being of infants, children, and mothers. As a result, a Maternal and Child Health professional would be working to resolve any issues and problems facing the three, with some of their roles including:
- Making suggestions on how to improve the overall life of pregnant mothers and their children
- Giving advice to young mothers on how to create a safer and healthier environment for their kids
- Promoting positive change in society in a bid to improve the social well-being of the children
Infectious Disease
Working in this position means you’ll be focusing on investigating, treating, and managing illnesses associated with micro-organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. You’ll mostly be working in a laboratory and a clinic
Nutrition
You’ll be working closely with patients struggling with nutrition and formulating a healthy meal plan to improve their health. You’ll also be educating the public on the importance of proper nutrition and researching better nutrition solutions.
Healthcare Administrator
You’ll be responsible for running and monitoring the day-to-day running of a health facility, such as developing work schedules for physicians and other staff members, ensuring the facility adheres to the laws and regulations, and managing the facility’s finances.
Public Health Administrator
Working in this role will allow you to interact with the public, and your main duties would include:
- Coming up with community programs aimed at improving public health
- Educating and informing the public on health issues
- Monitoring government regulations
Community Health Worker
You’ll be working with the community, especially the disadvantaged communities, where you’ll be the to-go-to person on matters regarding health. You’ll also advocate for these communities, collect data, and recommend them to health programs.
The 7 Best Public Health Degrees Online
Now that you know that a public health degree is worth it and what you can become, it’s time we check the best public health degrees you can get online. We will look at the length of the program, admission requirements, the cost, and whether Financial Aid covers it.
1. University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina is famous for its strict but rewarding curriculum, so it makes sense to have it at the top spot. Students planning to enroll in a Public Health degree at this university need at least:
- A minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Have a General Education Core degree or equivalent
- For those transferring they need a minimum of grade C
- The course requires completing 120 credit hours
- It takes 3 to 4 years to complete
- There’s a tuition fee of $3,326 or $6089 per semester
2. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona offers a wide array of online degrees, and Public Health is one of them. You’ll have a chance to choose Public Health Practices, Health Systems Theory, and Global Health, where each option will account for 12 credits when graduating.
- You need a GPA of at least 2.5
- Complete a pre-health prerequisite course and get at least a C or above
- Complete 120 credit hours
- The cost per credit is $525
- The program takes three years to complete
3. Murray State University
Murray State University rolled out its online programs years ago, enabling you to take a B.S in Public and Community Health online. The university comes packed with a state-of-the-art facility, providing every resource to help online students get as much value from their education as those attending the campus. There’s an application fee of $40 nonrefundable
You might be required to submit SAT/ACT scores, but this depends on the high school you attended.
- You need a minimum GED of 2.0
- You can also qualify for the Free Application for Student Federal Aid (FASFA)
- There’s a 120 credit hours requirement
- The tuition costs $382 or $580 per credit hour
- The program takes 3 or 4 years to complete
4. Kent State University
Kent State University is one of the best learning institutions in the country, with a history going back to 1910. Through the years, the institution has undergone major changes, including the introduction of online classes, among them the Bachelor of Science in Public Health. In this university, students get a chance of learning:
- Health service administration
- Health promotion and education
- Clinical trials research
- Allied health
After graduating, students are qualified to work in rehabilitation centers where they help people cope and deal with their addiction. You can also work in hospitals and other public health departments.
- You should complete 120 hours of credit
- The program takes four years to complete, but you can complete it in 3 years depending on the course you take
- There’s a minimum 2.5 GPA
- You might be required to submit an SAT score
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee
- The tuition costs $380 per credit, but it’s subject to fluctuation
5. San Diego State University
You can now be a part of San Diego State University’s rich history without attending on-campus classes. The facility offers an online Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and covers all the pillars of this program. You can choose any of these courses:
- Public Health Research
- Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
- Principles of Human Physiology
- Public Health and Food Safety
The faculty has a strong reputation, and getting an online Public Health degree from it would set you up for a great career.
- There’s a $50 nonrefundable registration fee
- You should complete 120 credit hours
- You’re required to write an essay and a letter of recommendation
- A GPA of 2.5 or above is required
- Academic transcripts are also needed
- The program runs for two years
- There’s a tuition fee of $7,720 or $19,600 per academic year
6. University of South Florida
With a robust history and a reputation of being one of the best universities in the country, the University of South Florida opened its doors to online learners, and it’s offering a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. Learn in the comfort of your home and choose different courses that might entice you. Some courses include:
- Global health
- Public health programs and policies
- Biostatistics
- Epidemiology
- Environmental health
Additionally, there are some entry requirements that you must meet, and they include:
- There are 120 hours of credit requirement, with 30 credits required in aspects of the public health field
- A requirement to take 12 credit hours of foundation skills is in place
- You must submit official transcripts and ACT/SAT scores
- The program runs for three years
- The tuition cost is $11,766
7. Southern New Hampshire University
With over 90,000 students taking online classes, it’s easy to see why Southern New Hampshire University is a preferred destination for anyone wishing to take online Public Health classes. After graduation, students can work in nonprofit organizations, public health centers, hospitals, and managed care organizations.
- You need to complete 120 credit hours
- A GED of 2.5 or above is needed
- You should submit official transcripts
- The program runs for three years
- The tuition fee is $31,136 for the entire course or $320 per credit
Final Thoughts on Getting an Online Degree in Public Health
A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health can lead to a rewarding career working in the public health sector. The degree can be taken online at almost any university countrywide. It’s also affordable, with many institutions charging per credit. The program runs for a maximum of four years, with some universities allowing a two-year program. You need to complete 120 credit hours to graduate.
