• Public Health Industry Degrees & Programs Online

  • Drexel University offers online public health degree and certificate programs, including several masters' in public health programs, that look to the future of public health on a local and global scale. Designed for both recent graduates and professionals who have worked in the field for years, these programs are centered on confronting urgent global, urban, and public health challenges, while promoting health in all policies. Not sure what public health degree is right for you, or want to know more about the world of public health? Drexel University is here to provide the information you need to learn more about the importance of public health and which Drexel program is right for you.

    Public Health Industry Outlook

    Public health needs are constantly evolving, both within the United States and at a global level. With this evolution comes exciting and developing areas that showcase a promising future for those passionate about public health and helping our underserved communities. A few of these areas include increased focus on urban health, turning policy into practice, and a greater understanding of health as a human right. As public health challenges continue to emerge and grow, there will be an increase in the number and types of jobs needed to meet these demands.

    What jobs can I get with a Public Health Degree?

    Graduates with a public health degree are desirable to employers in a wide range of fields, including local, national, urban, and global public health organizations, government agencies, colleges and universities, clinical practices, and research organizations.

    Of course, these are just a few of the many employers that attract graduates of Drexel’s online and hybrid MPH and certificate programs. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a physician, nurse, nutritionist, social worker, or healthcare professional seeking to develop expertise in public health and add a global perspective, Drexel's public health and degree programs will prepare you to apply public health principles to real-world challenges.

    Is the Public Health Industry Growing?

    With a degree in public health, you can impact lives on a local and global scale, working for hospitals, nonprofits, government agencies, research organizations, and more.

    Public Health Jobs with a Masters Degree

    Some job titles that would be ideal for someone fresh out of a public health degree or certificate program include:

    • Clinical Research Professional
    • Community Planner
    • Epidemiologist
    • Environmental Scientist/Specialist
    • Government Employee
    • Health Educator/Community Health Worker
    • Health Specialist
    • International Recruiter
    • Medical and Health Services Manager
    • Medical Officer
    • Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant
    • Occupational Health and Safety Professional
    • Policy Analyst
    • Program Manager/Advisor
    • Public Health Advisor
    • Public Health Social Worker
    • Research Associate
    • Scientist/Researcher
    • Senior Urban Health Specialist
    • Social Worker
    • Urban Planner
    • Water and Sanitation Program Planner

    Not sure where to start your job search? Don’t worry—online students have the same opportunities to access Drexel’s comprehensive career services as students who study on campus. In addition to the Steinbright Career Development Center, online MPH students have the support of Symplicity, a portal managed by Dornsife’s Office of Practice that posts jobs, internships, fellowships, and other global opportunities.

    Are Public Health Jobs in Demand?

    If you are considering a career in public health, we recommend you look at the current and future employment trends to ensure you will have a selection of job opportunities for years to come. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, public health jobs are expected to grow over the next decade, many with an estimated job outlook that’s growing faster than average.

    Potential Public Health Jobs and Job Outlook (%): 2022-2032

    • Health Educators – 7%
    • Community Health Workers – 14%
    • Epidemiologists – 27%
    • Medical & Health Services Managers – 28%
    • Environmental Scientists & Specialists – 6%
    • Research Analyst – 23%
    • Social & Community Service Manager – 9%
    • Statistician – 32%

    Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

    How much salary can you earn with a public health degree?

    Job Title

    Career Median Salary*

    Epidemiologist

    $81,390

    Health Education Specialist

    $62,860

    Community Health Worker

    $48,200

    Statistician

    $104,110

    Health Services Manager

    $110,680

    Social/Community Service Manager

    $77,030

    Environmental Scientist/Specialist

    $78,980

    Data Scientist

    $108,020

    Medical Scientist

    $100,890

    Research Analyst

    $83,640

    University Professor

    $84,380

    Health and Safety Engineer

    $103,690

    Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

    $77,580

    Urban and Regional Planner

    $81,800

    Source: Payscale.com and BLS.gov

    What are the Different Areas or Disciplines of Public Health?

    Public health is a global challenge, and Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health is committed to social justice and eliminating health inequality at home and abroad. There are several ways to join the fight for health as a human right, depending on your background and career goals. A few common public health disciplines are:

    • Biostatistics
      The collection, analysis and interpretation of data within the health sphere
    • Epidemiology
      The study of diseases within a population, with an emphasis on how, when and where they occur
    • Environmental Health Sciences
      The examination of how our relationship to the environment affects our health
    • Health Services Administration
      The management of resources (finance, policy, communication, etc.) within public health services
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences
      The study of human behavior, with an emphasis on how to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease and illness

    Different Types of Public Health Degrees

    Online Public Health Science Certifications

    If you’re looking for a program that gives you specialized knowledge on a shorter timeframe, a graduate certificate is a great option. Drexel Dornsife offers a wide variety of online certificates, which can be completed in as little as one year.

    Online Public Health Master's Programs

    Drexel Dornsife is proud to offer several online Master’s in Public Health (MPH). Drexel Dornsife’s programs focus on both local, urban, and global health challenges, with an emphasis on the idea of health as a human right. Courses cover a range of topics from health policy to biostatistics to ethics, and you can customize your degree to focus more on executive training, global health, or urban health, or add a secondary focus area like Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, or LGBT Health.

    Choosing a Public Health Degree

    What Public Health Program is Right for Me?

    When choosing a public health degree, you have a lot to consider. We’ve already looked at the various fields of public health, job opportunities, and how you can find the public health program that matches your interests and specific needs. However, there are also other important factors to think about—accreditation and research—and why they matter.

    Before you select a university, you want to ensure that it is regionally accredited. There are two types of accreditation: regional and national. While national accreditation sounds like it would be the best, regional accreditation is actually the most prestigious and widely recognized type of accreditation; schools with this accreditation are known for having stricter standards. Drexel University, for instance, is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Keep an eye out for other accreditations as well, such as those based on industry. Drexel Dornsife is also proud to be the first school of public health in Philadelphia to earn accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

    Another factor that sets universities apart from each other is the level and type of research they are conducting. You want to ensure that you’re earning a degree from a school and faculty that are actively participating in cutting edge public health research. Drexel is one of only 34 private universities designated as a R1-level research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which is the highest level of research activity that a university can attain. The faculty at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health are researching topics like high-risk smoking behaviors in adolescents, using social media to help prevent HPV, and public health emergency preparedness, among other exciting topics.

    What is CEPH Accreditation?

    The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is one of the most important and sought-after accreditations for public health programs. Attending a program from a school that has earned CEPH accreditation ensures that the program has undergone, and continues to undergo, a rigorous accreditation process that ensures the quality of the curriculum. Because it is widely known and respected throughout the industry, earning a degree from a school with CEPH accreditation can help you stand out to employers.

    Drexel Dornsife is proud to be the first school of public health in Philadelphia to earn CEPH accreditation.

    Take the next step to earning your public health degree

    Online Degrees in Public Health

    Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health has a foundational belief that health is a human right, a focus that runs throughout its programs. Drexel Dornsife was the first school of public health to earn CEPH accreditation in Philadelphia, and is ranked in the top 15% for best schools of public health nationally and #1 in Philadelphia and the surrounding region by U.S. News and World Report. The faculty are experts in areas such as global health and urban health, and the robust online programs ensure you emerge as a leader in the field of public health while being able to balance your personal and professional life.

    Discover the Drexel Dornsife Difference Today: