Master of public health
Master of Public Health (MPH)
The Master of Public Health or MPH is a professional graduate degree awarded in areas of public health. The degree is required for many positions in public health and is recommended for those who want a career in health promotion, disease prevention, and health care administration.
Pronunciation
Master of Public Health: /ˈmastər əv ˈpʌblɪk ˈhɛlθ/
Etymology
The term "Master" originates from the Latin magister, meaning "chief, head, director, teacher", and the term "Public Health" is derived from the Old French public, from Latin publicus, and health from Old English hǣlth, related to whole.
Related Terms
- Epidemiology: The study of how disease spreads and can be controlled in populations.
- Biostatistics: The application of statistics to biological and health data.
- Health Services Administration: The field that addresses the use of healthcare resources and policy.
- Environmental Health: The study of how environmental factors can harm human health and how to identify, prevent, and control such effects.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences: This field explores how human behavior affects health, and how social structures and systems influence these behaviors.
Coursework
The MPH degree includes coursework in a variety of public health disciplines, such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health services administration, health education, environmental health, and social and behavioral sciences. Many programs also offer concentrations in specific areas of public health, such as global health, community health, or health policy.
Careers
Graduates with an MPH degree can work in a variety of public health settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, hospitals, and universities. They may work as health educators, epidemiologists, public health administrators, or policy analysts, among other roles.
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