What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree?

In the health care system, doctors and nurses focus on delivering personalized care to individual patients rather than following broader health trends observed in larger populations. Who then keeps an eye on the health trends, disparities, and risks for entire populations? That’s the work of public health professionals, many of whom begin their career paths by earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education.

What you can do with a public health degree depends on your interests and professional path. Public health professionals work across various settings, including government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels; health-focused nonprofits; and, less often, private companies in health care or bioengineering. Working in public health means managing programs, analyzing data, and educating people for improved health and well-being in a community — and community can have various meanings:

• A local town or county

• A state

• The United States as a whole

• A group of countries where health is interconnected, such as a region in Africa

• A population connected by a demographic marker, such as race, gender, or health status

What Can You Learn by Studying Public Health?

Public health is the practice of improving the health and well-being of a population over time. Accordingly, public health degree programs cover applicable theories, knowledge, and skills to equip graduates to promote better health in the communities they serve. Certain programs emphasize particular aspects of public health, such as North Carolina Central University’s focus on education. This emphasis empowers graduates to advocate with a fuller understanding of what their community members experience.

Commonly, public health degree programs cover areas of study such as:

• Health disparities and their causes

• Health education

• Epidemiology (the study of diseases and their causes across populations)

• Biostatistics (the study of data related to living things)

• Environmental health

• Communications and health information

• Research methods

What You Can Do With a Public Health Degree? 6 Careers

A public health degree can lead to a wide range of rewarding career possibilities. Though job titles and functions vary widely, they share a basic premise: finding creative, impactful ways to promote better health and well-being in the community. Below are common job titles for these types of graduates.

1. Health Education Specialist

Health education specialists work on programs that promote greater health in a community. They often oversee program operations and conduct outreach to educate populations about ways to improve their health or avoid health risks.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports these specifications for the role:

• Median annual pay: $62,860 (as of 2023)

• Expected growth: 7% (2022-2032; faster than the national average)

• Typical education: Bachelor’s degree

2. Health Program Manager

Program managers run programs that promote greater health in a community. An example might be managing a summer program for children that focuses on physical activity and healthy eating. Similar roles with varied responsibilities include community coordinator and wellness manager.

According to the BLS, specifications of the role include the following:

• Median annual pay: $77,030 (as of 2023)

• Expected growth: 9% (2022-2032; much faster than the national average)

• Typical education: Bachelor’s degree

3. Health and Safety Coordinator

Health and safety coordinators work in indoor and outdoor settings, with a focus on ensuring the safety of workers in environments with some risks, such as construction sites or factories with high-powered machinery.

According to the BLS, specifications of the role include the following:

• Median annual pay: $77,580 (as of 2023)

• Expected growth: 13% (2022-2032; much faster than the national average)

• Typical education: Bachelor’s degree

4. Nutritionist and Dietician

Nutritionists and dieticians are food-focused professionals who often work in health care or government agencies. They educate people about improved nutrition through better eating habits and may run initiatives to inspire better habits across communities.

According to the BLS, specifications of the role include the following:

• Median annual pay: $69,680 (as of 2023)

• Expected growth: 7% (2022-2032; faster than the national average)

• Typical education: Bachelor’s degree

5. Emergency Management Director

Emergency management directors plan for disasters before they strike so that when they do, the government can protect its people and supply aid in an organized fashion.

According to the BLS, specifications of the role include the following:

• Median annual pay: $83,960 (as of 2023)

• Expected growth: 3% (2022-2032; as fast as the national average)

• Typical education: Bachelor’s degree

6. Environmental Specialist

Increasingly, public health and environmental changes are interconnected. Environmental specialists focus on protecting the earth and understanding the climate to better serve human health and anticipate risks.

According to the BLS, specifications of the role include the following:

• Median annual pay: $78,980 (as of 2023)

• Expected growth: 6% (2022-2032; faster than the national average)

• Typical education: Bachelor’s degree

A number of advanced roles in public health require a master’s degree, such as epidemiologist or biostatistician. A foundation in public health education can help a graduate explore these paths, which focus on analyzing data sets about the health of whole populations.

Promote Public Health with the BS in Public Health Education at NCCU

Careers in public health are growing. Factors such as rising populations, post-pandemic investment in public health, and greater expectations for health equity across diverse communities have made it a vital focus for today’s governments and populations. That means that what you can do with a public health degree includes a long list of exciting career paths. Make a positive impact on a community that you care about by stepping into public health — and explore the online BS in Public Health Education at NCCU to take your first step.

Find out how NCCU can help you make a real difference with a career in public health.

Recommended Readings

What Is a Public Health Nutritionist?

What Is a Social and Community Service Manager?

How to Measure Health Equity

Sources:

CDC Foundation, What Is Public Health?

Indeed, 14 Public Health Degree Jobs (With Salaries and Duties)

Indeed, What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree?

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dietitians and Nutritionists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Emergency Management Directors

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Environmental Scientists and Specialists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Health Education Specialists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Managers