What is a master of public health (MPH)? You could possibly not do much better than a MPH degree if you are looking to enter the public health service in an administrative capacity. Being a public health professional means that you utilize a varied set of skills to solve public health problems.
A person's health is extremely important. It is not possible to enjoy life if you are unhealthy. 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. With so many complicated issues that arise in the public health service, maintaining public health is not an easy task. That is where a master of public health (MPH) comes in.
Diversity and creativity are some of the necessary traits for any successful MPH degree candidate. To enter this sector, the health of communities all over the world needs to be a primary concern. It is essential for there to be a passion for problem solving.
To work in public health one must be prepared to work hard. The modern challenges in public health require professionals to be committed to seeking solutions. It is important before you commit to MPH programs that you check yourself to see if you are up to the challenges that will no doubt arise in this profession.
One cannot overstate the importance of the Master of Public Health internship experience. Students get the opportunity to see what they learned in theory applied in the real world. Everything that was taught in the classroom is practically re-enforced during the internship.
It can be hard for a student to accurately gage what they have learned during the MPH course. Applying their theory in practice, once they enter an internship, students are often taken aback by just how well-prepared they are for the public health service. In the MPH internships students are exposed to a number or environments including clinics, hospitals, nursing homes and even non-profit organizations.
As a way of getting practical experience, some students actually take a year off after college to do some practical work. Immediately after completing their undergraduate program, some students attend a graduate program. While still in their undergraduate programs many students already start doing volunteer work through various public health initiatives.
As such, students have clarity of vision by the time they enter master of public health programs. The work students do in public health before entering the program seems to stand them in good stead for the 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.
These students are often placed in field-based activities so they have the chance to gain public health experience. Many students already have years of public health masters programs experience, however. These students often have the idea of where they want to use their skills through MPH programs.
