Public Health
The Department of Public Health includes programs in Public Health and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Public health students learn to assess community needs and plan, implement and evaluate health programs designed to improve the health and lifestyle of individuals and the community. Clinical Mental Health Counseling students learn to counsel diverse populations in a variety of mental health settings.
What is Public Health?
Undergraduate:
Bachelor of Science in Health, Public Health; Required Health Education Minor
Graduate:
Master of Public Health, Epidemiology and Social Behavioral concentrations
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Certificates:
Graduate Certificate in Public Health
Graduate Certificate in Global Health
Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Sexology
Graduate Certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy
Prerequisites:
Top 10 Public Health Careers
#1 Epidemiologist
In the COVID era, epidemiology is typically associated with tracking and understanding the spread of communicable disease, and those sorts of diseases are most certainly of primary concern to epidemiologists, but it’s actually not limited to that alone. In broad-stroke terms, it’s the study of any public health-related event or condition and how they impact different populations. Epidemiologists are responsible for investigating current public health events and their effect on the public. They’re often referred to as “disease detectives” because they aren’t holed up in a laboratory somewhere; they’re actually on location, at the site of the public health threat. Their work helps everyone from physicians to policymakers better understand the cause of such events, their risk to people, and how to prevent them from occurring again. Just some of the contemporary topics epidemiologists study include environmental exposure to toxins like lead and air pollutants…domestic violence rates in certain populations…natural disasters like earthquakes and wildfires…and, of course, infectious diseases like COVID-19.
Epidemiologists earn an average, annual salary of $70,990. The top earners in the field earn an average of $119,290. In senior positions with scientific research companies, they can earn an average salary of $112,610, while those in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies earn an average of $102,460.
#2 Disaster and Emergency Specialist
Disaster and emergency specialists assemble disaster response plans and train other professionals on the best ways to respond to emergencies and disasters. Many of these specialists work for state and federal governmental agencies, including the U.S. military.
Disaster and emergency specialists (categorized by the BLS as emergency management directors) earn an average, annual salary of $74,590, with the top 10% in the field earning an average salary of $141,230. The federal government remains the top-paying industry among disaster and emergency specialists, reporting a mean, annual salary of $155,450.
#3 Natural Science Manager
Natural science managers keep scientific research programs and initiatives moving along in the most effective, efficient fashion. Natural science managers are responsible for assembling the team of research professionals and assistants, overseeing the budget of the program, monitoring the progress of the research, and working closely with executives and researchers to develop goals and strategies.
Natural sciences managers earn an average, annual salary of $118,970, while those in the top 25% earn an average salary of $159,750. Grantmaking foundations supporting charitable activities are the highest paying industry for natural sciences managers, reporting an average, annual salary of $208,720.
#4 Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses focus on population health, which includes the promotion of health and the prevention of diseases and disabilities. Public health nurses which, according to the Association of Public Health Nurses, comprise the largest segment of the professional public health workforce, provide care in settings like public health departments, schools, homes, community health centers, clinics, correctional facilities, and more. Their work includes determining the healthcare needs of a population and planning and implementing interventions and activities that contribute to the population’s health and the prevention of illness, injury, disability, and premature death.
According to October 2020 stats from PayScale, the average salary for a public health nurse is $59,709. Public health nurses within departments of public health—one of the largest employers of public health nurses—earn an average salary of $58,240.
See more public health opportunities for nurses.
#5 Water Quality Planner
Water quality specialists study water ecosystems like rivers and estuaries, as well as manmade water systems like wastewater treatment plants and drinking water supplies. These environmental specialists often focus on specific efforts such as the protection of coastal waters, the management of watersheds, and other ecosystem protection efforts. Their work largely involves studying water systems, performing scientific studies, and writing reports that are used by governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private companies.
Water quality specialists (categorized by the BLS as environmental scientists and specialists, including health) earn an average, annual salary of $71,360, while the top earners in this profession earn an average salary of $124,760.
Remediation and waste management services companies are among the highest-paying industries for this profession, reporting an annual, average salary of $81,440, followed closely by scientific and technical consulting services companies, at $79,650. At the federal level, water quality specialists work for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
#6 Healthcare Manager
Healthcare managers (also referred to as healthcare administrators) oversee hospitals, medical facilities, and even entire healthcare systems to ensure their efficient, effective, and cost-effective operation. It’s up to healthcare managers to ensure the healthcare facility they oversee is properly staffed, is meeting specific operational goals, and is staying within budget.
Healthcare managers earn an average, annual salary of $100,980, with the top earners in the profession (top 10%) posting an average salary that’s nearly double the median salary – $189,000. The largest employer of healthcare managers is general medical and surgical hospitals, which are also the highest-paying, reporting an average salary of $124,180.
#7 Public Health Educator
Public health educators develop public health campaigns and programs designed to address specific health and safety issues within certain populations. While their title suggests they educate the public directly, these public health professionals operate more at an administrative level, collecting information and developing programs that are implemented by federal, state, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and private companies.
Public health educators (categorized by the BLS as health education specialists) earn an average, annual salary of $75,050. Large employers of public health educators include general medical and surgical hospitals, state and local governmental agencies, and social advocacy organizations.
#8 Environmental Health Scientist
Environmental health scientists study how environmental factors affect human health and disease. They seek to understand what happens to our bodies and our health when chemicals, pollutants, stress, mold, or other triggers are introduced. These scientists spend much of their time in the field, observing and collecting samples, which are then analyzed and used to promote policies, legislation, regulation, and environmental protection efforts.
Environmental health scientists (categorized by the BLS as environmental scientists and specialists, including health) earn an average salary of $71,360. The top 10% in this profession earn an average salary of $124,760. Some of the top-paying states for environmental health scientists, according to mean, annual salary, include Washington D.C. ($112,450), California ($92,320), Washington ($85,870), and Virginia ($85,660).
#9 Biostatistican
Biostatistics is a branch of statistics focused on medical and health applications; therefore, biostatisticians focus on applying mathematical and scientific methods to determine the causes of diseases and injuries related to public health. Their work helps identify public health trends in communities and populations. While biostatistics is often mistaken for epidemiology, these two fields are quite distinct. Epidemiologists provide the data needed to study diseases in populations, while biostatisticians provide the methodologies used by epidemiologists in their investigations and research.
Biostatisticians (categorized as statisticians by the BLS) earn an annual average salary of $91,160, while those in the top 10% in this profession earn an average salary of $146,770. Some of the highest-paying industries for biostatisticians, according to mean, annual salary, including scientific research and development companies, at $106,760 and federal governmental agencies, at $108,700.
#10 Infection Preventionist
Infection preventionists are public health professionals who oversee the medical staff of a healthcare facility to ensure that all medical professionals are taking the proper precautions to prevent infection and the spread of infectious diseases. Many times, observation is an important part of this job, as these professionals must observe practices and look for patterns of infection within the facility. They also gather and analyze infection data and partner with local public health agencies to develop policies and procedures.
Infection preventionists (categorized as occupational health and safety specialists by the BLS) earn an average, annual salary of $74,100, with the top 10% in the field earning an average salary of $111,130. The top-paying states in the nation for this profession include Washington D.C. ($92,380), Rhode Island ($91,070), and California ($90,560).