What is to be understood by the phrase 'master of public health', or MPH? It is probably true to say that the MPH degree is the most widely recognized public health qualification for administrative positions. As a professional, your understanding of, and skill in the disciplines associated with public health will allow you to address these issues.
Few things matter more than the health of a person. Having an enjoyable life is difficult when your health is ailing. This is as true for an individual as it is for a society.
Clean water, clean air, access to health care, disease prevention, provision of sufficient food and shelter, health education and a safe working environment are only a few of the things indispensable for a healthy society. There is no easy way to deal with the complicated issues that arise in public health administration. It is in this regard that a master of public health or MPH comes into play.
In order to be successful, a MPH degree candidate needs to have passion and determination. Entering the public health service means that the incumbent has a desire for the improvement of health across the global community. Specific issues will need to be addressed and therefore there must be a passion for this.
Hard work and public health are somewhat synonymous. Public health professionals need to actively commit seek to commit to finding effective solutions to the challenges in this sector today. One therefore needs to seriously examine one's willingness to deal with the challenges associated with this profession before attending the MPH program.
It is essential to have the Master of Public Health internship experience. This allows for the practical application of learned academic skills. Often, an internship helps validate what they have learned in the classroom.
It's not always easy for students to know just how much of the MPH course material they were able to learn. Students often cannot believe just how capable they are for a career in public health care once they start practicing their theory in the internships they get into. Environments such as government agencies, companies, non-profit organizations, clinics and nursing homes are all covered in MPH internships.
After college some students often opt to get some work experience before taking on the challenging public health degree. Some students will however enter a program as soon as they have completed an undergraduate program. Students also do volunteer work during their undergraduate degree.
Master of public health programs are therefore entered with clear direction. Students appreciate the heads-up that involvement in public health activities gives them prior to entering a program. Even schools that don't have experience in public health as a prerequisite are more prone to accept students with a health-related background.
By getting actively involved in the field, these students rake up hours of experience. But most of the students in public health masters programs already have considerable years of experience. They know exactly where and how they will use these new skills learned from MPH programs.
