Education for Health: The Public Health Master Degree

The job market for health professionals is growing exponentially, as new health regulations, programs and restrictions change the face of health care in America. Probably no other job market has more potential job growth at the moment than that of public health, and the best possible degree available at present is the MPH, Masters in Public Health.

The Public Health Master Degree does not create a role for a doctor or RN, but a leader in health care, able to assess and assist in public health problems on a larger scale than a single hospital, and to solve health crises as they occur. The training for it is rigorous and demanding, but the rewards are outstanding.

A prerequisite for the MPH is that an individual should come from a public health masters program and have a high level of internship experience, as well as an excellent academic record in health - related higher education. They would also need to be an intuitive and skilled problem solver in life situations beyond health care, as the leadership and problem -solving skills this job demands far outweigh actual doctoring or nursing.

The communities served by an MPH will be communities in some measure of health crisis, usually lower socio - economic communities with outbreaks of disease, specialized local health problems or perhaps even health threats to the community at large. An awareness of all potential resources, and an ability to do innate problem solving (this aspect of the job cannot be overemphasized) are completely vital to the PMHs continued success and his chosen communitys continued health and well being.

The creativity and tenacity to continue this sort of work is very demanding; there is usually a huge patient caseload, and the MPH will find himself or herself working the same long and punishing hours they first encountered in internships, only now they are playing for keeps. They are attempting to maintain communal health, for which they are largely responsible.

A clinical internship is absolutely necessary to an MPHs success; he must have had many hundreds of hours of dedicated work in a hospital or medical facility of some nature, and in a position that directly applies his experiences to a working reality. Most MPH degrees require upwards of 3000 hours of internship work, with 4000 being the targeted goal.

So if one gets the degree, does that guarantee work? In most cases, yes, since the degree, and the individual meeting the above qualifications, are greatly in demand at present. If there is no work currently in his area in a hospital, hospice or similar facility, he can always apply for work with WHO (World Health Organization), the Red Cross, the American Cancer Society and the Center for Disease Prevention and Control. These, along with many federal government agencies positions, are constantly on the lookout for professional health problem solvers.

The job growth in the health industry promises substantial future employment no matter what the setting or venue; however, there are some specializations that are especially needful of professionals at the moment. One of these is in the field of terrorism; as new threats, riots, manmade disasters and similar crisis - laden events occur worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, medical professionals and the inevitable MPH who will lead them are always in demand. Also, the HIV and AIDS crisis is especially destructive in African countries, where community health needs, and the need for ongoing supplies of medications, facilities and training are always present.

Here in America, there is an obesity crisis calling for immediate medical intervention in numerous communities; as well, there are the ongoing problems with cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

No matter what specialization the Masters of Public Health degree calls for, the proud possessor of this degree will always find fulfilling work.