Our blog addresses the professional and educational development of Master of Public Health (MPH) students. MPH in Social & Behavioral Sciences
My Degree and What It’s Good For
Public health is concerned with the health of a population, rather than with treating individuals. If students get a Master of Public Health (MPH), one of the areas in which they can specialize in social and behavioral sciences. A community’s traditions, laws, and habits are all tightly yoked to that community’s health. Huge improvements to a community’s standards of living can be caused by changing a few minor but widespread habits in that community. Someone with a Master of Public Health and a concentration on behavioral science may conduct research or implement programs to improve public health in a population by changing that community’s own behavior.
The field of social science looks at the impact of social behavior on a population’s health, which behavioral science studies the communication and interaction processes within a population and how this effects health. Some of the areas students study as part of their degree program include:
- genetics
- psychology
- data analysis
- anthropology
- history
- research methods
- public policy
- sociology
Once students have their MPH degree, they can work for a variety of types of employers including government health departments, non-profit organizations, healthcare facilities, research laboratories, and more. Having a MPH also means that students qualify for more advanced positions in the field of public health, working in an administration or management position.
My Earning Potential
There is no reliable data about how much graduates of MPH – Behavioral Science programs earn once they enter the workforce, but since many who are interested in behavioral science pursue sociological research, it may be useful to look at the data collected by The Bureau of Labor Statistics for that career path. Sociologists earned a mean annual wage of $80,130 as of May 2008.
Most MPH programs last about two years for full time students. Students can also go to school part time to earn their master’s degree, which is optimal for students who want to continue to work as they get their degree. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite of nearly all MPH programs, but credit transferability, costs, and the speed at which a program can be completed vary by school, so contacting an actual university is the best way to get detailed information about a particular program.
Online MPH Degrees in Social & Behavioral Sciences
Capella University – MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Best Online MPH (Master of Public Health) Degrees
Public health is the science of preventing disease and promoting health at the population level. Programs prepare students to become leading public health professionals capable of addressing current global public health problems. By clicking on the logos below, you can receive more information regarding your degree and school of choice.
