As healthcare fields continue to grow both nationally and internationally, single-focused program degrees may no longer be enough for professionals whose goals are to move ahead in leadership or management roles. Gaining a dual degree or a graduate professional degree from USciences’ master of public health (MPH) provides a pathway to careers of the future. And a new online MPH program can help achieve that goal faster.
“Public health is pervasive,” said Dr. Amalia Issa, chair of USciences health policy and public health department. “We hear and see it everywhere from when we wake up and get clean water from the tap to when we listen to a public service announcement on the radio regarding tobacco, diabetes, or other illnesses. They are all examples of what public health can do for the community.”
Government projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that industries and occupations related to healthcare are projected to have the fastest job growth between 2010 and 2020 with 10 of the 20 fastest growing occupations related to healthcare. The BLS report goes on to note that “traditional inpatient hospital positions are no longer the only option for many future healthcare workers; persons seeking a career in the field must be willing to work in various employment settings (http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm).”
“Professionals and students with an interest in becoming change agents to address public health challenges at the local, national, and global levels should consider obtaining an MPH. It can open up a world of possible employment opportunities,” she added.
Understanding that working professionals and students need flexibility, University of the Sciences has launched an online master of public health degree. The program consists of classes taken in eight-week blocks, and the asynchronous nature of the program means that students can start the program at any one of six starting points throughout the year. Best of all, fulfillment of the program requirements can be accomplished in as little as two years.
“Our MPH program, whether online or in the classroom, has a strong health policy specialization,” explained Dr. Issa. “And students are being taught by dedicated faculty who themselves are practicing public health professionals, teachers, and researchers.”
The online nature of USciences’ MPH is that it can be completed at home or remotely from just about anywhere in the world. However, students benefit from the required hands-on experience as well.
“Field practice is an integral part of the program,” said Dr. Issa, who is internationally recognized in the field of personalized medicine and has served or is serving as the principal investigator on a number of funded projects. “The field work and capstone requirements combine the analysis, communications, program development and planning, leadership, policy, ethics, and law skills that students gain and puts them to use.”
Dr. Issa suggested that aspiring and established physicians, pharmacists, attorneys, healthcare practitioners and administrators, nurses, and social workers might benefit from earning an MPH in order to enhance their leadership skills and broaden their career prospects in the healthcare environment.
“The MPH program will prepare students to face the many challenges of public health from a population perspective,” she said. “When they are done, students in the program will be positioned for jobs in health departments, non-profit organizations, the private sector, or government where they can get involved in policy making.”
To learn more about USciences online MPH, visit onlinedegrees.usciences.edu.