If you want to make a meaningful impact across populations on both a local and global scale, a public health degree opens the door to exciting opportunities 鈥� from tackling disease outbreaks to improving your community鈥檚 wellness. Public health employees in the healthcare, government, education, and nonprofit sectors, doing work that upholds and/or directly shapes policies.

Professionals with a public health degree commonly pursue a few of the following roles:

• Biostatistician: Analyzes statistical data to identify trends.
• Epidemiologist: Investigates disease outbreaks, patterns, and causes.
• Public Health Educator: Creates programs to improve community health.
• Health Services Manager: Oversees healthcare facility operations and staff.
• Substance Abuse Counselor: Assists individuals in overcoming addiction.
• Environmental Health Specialist: Monitors and ensures environmental safety.
• Public Health Research Assistant: Supports research through data analysis.

It鈥檚 crucial to recognize that the type of job you can pursue in the field of public health greatly depends on your education. Certain sectors 鈥� such as healthcare and government 鈥� may also require relevant work experience. Enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Public Health program or a Master of Public Health program allows you to hone your knowledge and skills through hands-on experience.

What is Public Health?

Public health is the branch of science dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health of populations 鈥� ranging from local neighborhoods to entire global regions. This multidisciplinary approach brings together professionals from diverse backgrounds who leverage their education, research, and policy making skills to assess, prevent, and address health threats on a daily basis.

By investigating factors such as environmental conditions, community settings, and social determinants, public health experts create and carry out measures designed to improve health outcomes. The field is a crucial cornerstone for essential initiatives, such as vaccination campaigns, educational outreach, and the maintenance of regulatory standards, all of which aim to foster healthier communities and curb widespread disease.

Public health also plays a pivotal role in addressing health disparities and enhancing healthcare access for underserved populations. Its broad scope touts significant achievements such as the eradication of smallpox, reduction of tobacco use, and implementation of strategies to improve maternal health outcomes. Through its proactive approach, public health continues to drive progress and contribute to a healthier future for all.

Skills Needed for Public Health Careers

Pursuing a career in public health requires a unique blend of skills tailored to address health challenges. This might mean monitoring a novel influenza strain at the start of winter or working toward reducing a sudden uptick in overdoses; each day is unique. Some of the most common skills you鈥檒l need as a public health professional include a few of the following:

• Communication: Effective communication is essential for conveying critical health information and engaging diverse audiences. Public health professionals constantly collaborate with healthcare providers, organizations, government officials, and the general public, so all information must be disseminated accurately.
• Leadership: Managing teams, driving initiatives, and coordinating efforts across stakeholders and organizations are crucial for achieving impactful public health outcomes.
• Research: Designing, conducting, and interpreting studies is essential for informing evidence-based practices and policies in public health.
• Adaptability: Public health professionals must navigate dynamic landscapes, meaning they must be able to swiftly respond to emerging health challenges. Flexibility allows for resilient responses to unforeseen crises like disease outbreaks or natural disasters.
• Problem-Solving: Analyzing complex health issues, developing innovative solutions, and pinpointing community health needs are essential tasks for public health workers. Quick problem-solving also allows for effective crisis management and response in critical situations.
• Advocacy and Cultural Competence: Influencing policy decisions, championing community health needs, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare resources are vital aspects of advocacy. Public health servants are also expected to understand diverse cultural perspectives.

Where Can Bachelor鈥檚 in Public Health Graduates Work?

A Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) is an undergraduate program that prepares you to find entry-level employment (though some organizations hire BSPH graduates for mid-level roles) in sectors such as government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions. When selecting a BSPH program, consider its key components, such as the learning format (online or in-person), program length, and transferability of your credits.

Graduates with a BSPH may find employment and conduct the following tasks across a few of these :

• Healthcare Facilities: Assist in management or serve as public health educators within hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.
• Government Agencies: Implement public health policies across local, state, or federal levels, conduct outreach programs, and manage data analysis.
• Nonprofit Organizations (Local Focus): Contribute to initiatives aimed at community health improvement, disease prevention, and health education.
• Academic Institutions: Assist with developing and implementing health education programs in public schools or universities.
• Research Institutions: Support research efforts in public health, epidemiology, or health behavior studies.

Credits from a Bachelor鈥檚 in Public Health may transfer directly to a Master of Public Health program. Earning a public health degree is also an excellent stepping stone for medical school as it provides a solid foundation in understanding health systems, epidemiology, and community health.

Where do Master of Public Health Graduates Work?

A Master of Public Health (MPH) is a graduate program that helps prepare you to find mid-level and advanced positions in sectors such as government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions.

Those with a Master of Public Health have advanced skills and knowledge that qualify them for leadership roles in public health practice, policy, and research. This is typically due to the broader range of specializations in graduate programs. Common employment settings for MPH graduates include:

• Government Agencies: Graduates with a Master鈥檚 in Public Health are more likely to spearhead program development, policy formation, or epidemiological investigations than those with an undergraduate degree.
• Global Health Organizations: Directly address global health challenges such as infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and public health emergencies.
• Healthcare Administration: Oversee healthcare programs or departments within hospitals or healthcare systems, focusing on operational efficiency and program implementation to enhance population health outcomes.
• Academic Institutions: Primarily lead or assist with research efforts in public health, epidemiology, or health behavior studies within universities, research institutes, or think tanks.
• Nonprofit Organizations (Global and National Focus): Advocate for health equity, develop community health initiatives, and address specific health issues affecting vulnerable populations. Contrasted to BSPH graduates, MPH graduates are often better equipped to navigate roles that extend beyond local communities and encompass broader-reaching initiatives.

Earn Your BSPH or MPH at WCU

Looking to enroll in a public health degree program? To help you fit your education into your
busy schedule, 国产主播 offers an online Bachelor of Science in Public Health
program and an online Master of Public Health program. Both programs allow you to earn your
degree at an Accelerated pace or Working Professional pace to accommodate your needs.

Learn more about the BSPH and MPH program to get started on your exciting career journey.

The post Jobs You Do Get With a Public Health Degree appeared first on 国产主播.

With Women’s History Month underway, many people look back on the trailblazers who paved the way for women across every facet of society. In healthcare, women have achieved remarkable feats; although these changemakers aren鈥檛 just confined to the past.

History is made every day by the women around us.

国产主播 students, faculty, and alumnae are shaping the future of healthcare in
extraordinary ways. With determination and resilience, these women and countless others
embody the spirit of progress and excellence in healthcare.

What follows are some WCU blog highlights from the past year that showcase the profound
impact that students and alumnae have on today鈥檚 healthcare landscape.

Empowering Public Health: A Journey from Alumna to Course Director and Non-profit Founder

Roberta S., MPH 鈥�20 joined WCU as a clinical and lab instructor for biochemistry in 2016.
Inspired by her teaching experience, Roberta decided to pursue further education and enrolled
in the online Master鈥檚 in Public Health program at WCU. The program鈥檚 community health
component had a profound impact on Roberta, providing her with a new perspective on global
health issues.

This newfound awareness motivated her to make a difference beyond the classroom. In addition
to her role as course director for biochemistry and nutrition at WCU, Roberta is the founder of
鈥淯nited Tooth Fairies,鈥� a non-profit organization that provides oral health care services to girls
aged 4-15 in Guatemala.

Read more about Roberta here.

Alumna鈥檚 Story of Success Spans From Courtrooms to Hospitals, Venezuela to the United States

In a journey across continents and careers, 国产主播-Miami alumna Stella M., BSN
鈥�23, shared her inspiring story transitioning from a legal background to nursing. Despite having a
law degree, Stella found herself starting over when she had to leave her home country of
Venezuela for political reasons. She came to the United States and adapted as best as she
could.

Seizing the opportunity to fulfill her childhood dream, Stella enrolled in WCU鈥檚 nursing program
in April 2022. Despite English not being her first language, her sheer determination and
commitment led her to pass the NCLEX just 11 days after completing her program.

Read more about Stella here.

国产主播 Alum Discovers Purpose in Wound Care

Jesseca A. said she never expected to work exclusively in wound care after graduating in 2015
with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from WCU-Texas. Today, she is the vice president of
nursing at Wound Evolution, a private wound care provider with nine locations across Texas.

Jesseca found her passion in wound care after caring for an elderly patient with dementia.
When the patient first arrived at the practice, she was suffering from eight wounds across her
body. She had limited mobility after a previous stroke. The patient鈥檚 daughter was overwhelmed
by her mother鈥檚 care and didn鈥檛 know what to do before finding Wound Evolution.

Over the following weeks, Jesseca and her team worked with the patient to heal her wounds,
while supporting the daughter and family. 鈥淲hen you help educate the family and empower
them on how to care for their loved ones, it helps alleviate some of the anxiety they have.鈥�

Jesseca joined Wound Evolution as a clinic nurse when it opened in 2018. As the company
expanded, Jesseca worked her way up to manager, nurse supervisor, and now vice president of
nursing. 鈥淚 developed the training program for all our new hires and then began managing our
Dallas clinic,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e started out with two clinics in Dallas and Fort Worth and then grew
to nine.鈥�

Read more about Jesseca here.

WCU-CGS MPA Student Aims to Bridge Gaps in LGBTQ+ Healthcare

While volunteering at an LGBTQ+ camp, Brenna M. had an experience that permanently
reshaped her approach to healthcare. She was looking for volunteer work to add to her master鈥檚
applications when she came across Brave Trails, a national non-profit organization dedicated to
LGBTQ+ youth leadership.

鈥淢y time volunteering in the LGBTQ+ community was a turning point,鈥� Brenna said. 鈥淚t changed
my views on how I could use my expertise and career to advocate for those who might not have
the same privileges I do.鈥�

Providing care to LGBTQ+ youth ignited Brenna鈥檚 unwavering passion and now steers her
educational path as a master of physician assistant student at 国产主播-Center for
Graduate Studies.

Read more about Brenna here.

Like Mother, Like Daughter, Like Granddaughter: Family Spans Three Generations in Medicine

Sadaf鈥檚 goal, she said, is to always bring a positive change to her community, just like her own
mother 鈥� who was also a doctor 鈥� did.

鈥淢y mom was a doctor, but she wanted me to do something more,鈥� Sadaf said. 鈥淎s a physician
in Pakistan, I was trying to bring change to one person at a time, but I thought with a degree in
public health, I could help the community at large.鈥�

After her family relocated to the United States, Sadaf began working at a local hospital as a
medical assistant. Wanting to expand her reach and impact on the community, Sadaf saw that
by creating and implementing new health policies and processes, she could have a larger
influence on her community.

After receiving her master of public health from WCU in 2019, Sadaf is now an investigator for
Riverside County. And inspired by her mother once again, Javeria pursued her long-term goal of
working for an underserved community and continuing her education.

Read more about Sadaf here.

WCU Instructor Uses OT to Nurture 鈥橰oots of Wellness鈥� Therapy Garden

For 国产主播 alumni and instructor Lauren Diaz, a large portion of the fieldwork
she does with students is to show the need for occupational therapists in the community.

鈥淎t the very crux of what occupational therapy is, we focus on improving the health and wellness
of individuals through the engagement of meaningful occupations,鈥� Lauren said. 鈥淲e focus on
helping people thrive in their environment.鈥�

Lauren鈥檚 journey began by working at a women鈥檚 transitional living facility that was starting a
therapy garden. She said that the experience led to the development of her role as a
community-based fieldwork instructor.

Lauren is currently partnering with two community organizations that assist people who are
experiencing or have experienced homelessness. Students work with clients individually and put
together a program to run group therapy.

Read more about Lauren here.

The post Celebrating the Healthcare Changemakers of Today appeared first on 国产主播.

In September 2023, three 国产主播 alumni journeyed to Guatemala to offer dental care at a local girls’ school through the non-profit organization United Tooth Fairies. Among them, Roberta S., a Master of Public Health alum and WCU faculty member, commenced her service to the Guatemalan community in 2016. Her dedication to aiding others became the catalyst for establishing the non-profit.

Roberta’s commitment to serving others began during her dental hygiene degree, where she volunteered at a mobile clinic, particularly working with children. In 2016, she seized an opportunity to volunteer at a local girls’ school in Guatemala, initiating dental services for 135 girls ranging from pre-kindergarten to ninth grade.

鈥淭hat first year we sat down knee-to-knee with the kids. There were 135 in the school,鈥� Roberta said. 鈥淲e would bring them out and brush their teeth, take pictures and see what we were getting into. There was a lot of decay.鈥�

Over the years, the team expanded their services, incorporating reclining lounge chairs and sealants, partnering with the local dental school to broaden their impact. Roberta also involved WCU dental hygiene classes in her volunteer work.

Last year, Paola C. and Selina M., also WCU alumni, joined the mission. Paola, a Mexican immigrant, felt a personal connection, resonating with the challenges the girls faced. Selina, an immigrant from Iran, found similarities in lifestyles between Guatemala and her home country.

鈥淚 am also from a third world country,鈥� Selina said. 鈥淔or me it was good to go to Guatemala and see how similar the lifestyle was to Iran even though it鈥檚 a completely different country.鈥�

Apart from dental services, the team emphasizes education, encouraging the girls to stay in school and aspire to a brighter future. The impact extends beyond dental care, with the non-profit supporting young women in pursuing education.

鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to see them become something more than they could have been,鈥� Roberta said. 鈥淵ou go into this and you鈥檙e hoping for something but not sure if it will work out so the fact that it鈥檚 working is amazing.鈥�

For the volunteers, the reward surpasses the investment. Selina emphasizes the transformative impact of giving back: “I do it because I see these people need help, and for such little effort, it makes a big difference in their lives.”

The post Alumni serve young girls in Guatemala through non-profit 鈥楿nited Tooth Fairies鈥� appeared first on 国产主播.

One of the aspects of healthcare鈥揳nd healthcare education鈥搕hat is so fascinating is the diversity of career paths one can choose, from the more immediate one-to-one experience of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to the bigger-picture experience of someone who pursues a career in public health.

And sometimes, those seemingly disparate paths converge.

Such was the case for Dr. Isabelle Tardif, a full-time assistant professor of the online Master of Public Health program at 国产主播 (WCU).

鈥淎 lot of the time (when I was practicing), I got to work in public health settings, in infectious diseases, internal medicine, and pediatrics, and that work was really rewarding,鈥� Tardif said. 鈥淪o, it started early for me to be in the realm of public health.鈥�

After working for over 10 years as an osteopathic physician, Dr. Tardif took some time away from her practice, and it was during this time that she was presented with the idea of teaching on a full-time basis. She was already teaching medical nursing students in her office. She quickly connected with the concept of passing down her experience to the next generation of the healthcare/public health workforce, and she immersed herself in online teaching.

鈥淚 really cared about my patients,鈥� Dr. Tardif said. 鈥淚 really spent a lot of time with them, to be that anchor for them as a family physician鈥� I can really use what I learned as a physician and apply it to teaching, to my students.鈥�

Making a Difference

For Dr. Tardif, that very authentic, genuine care and concern for her patients is the perfect example to set for her students, who by all accounts have found their way into public health because of their passion for helping, for doing their part to influence and effect change in their community or beyond.

[Pull quote:]

鈥淚n public health, you鈥檙e working with people who really need it, and so you can really see the impact of your work. It鈥檚 a field that can offer so much to a community鈥� (Our students) really want to drive change and to help people in their community.鈥�

-Dr. Isabelle Tardif, Assistant Professor at WCU

One such example is Sanya Bedi, who completed her MPH degree in November 2021. She worked for a county public health department during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching out to those most in need. She is now pursuing her doctorate degree with the intent of focusing her research on public health in India, her home country.

鈥淚n India, there鈥檚 not a lot of public health (compared to) what we have in California,鈥� Bedi said. 鈥淚 want to make a difference in a community that hasn鈥檛 been touched.鈥�

Student Diversity Brings Expanded Viewpoints, Enhanced Learning

Bedi is not alone in bringing a diverse cultural background and perspective into discussions. With students coming from many different parts of the country, and even from other parts of the world, there is a great diversity of experience among the student population in the WCU Master of Public Health program. 颅

While diversity of thought and experience is valuable in many fields, it鈥檚 especially useful in public health, a field where remaining well-versed in best practices and staying abreast of current events at both a micro/local level and a macro/global level is absolutely crucial to formulating viable plans that lead to positive change.

鈥淚 love that I鈥檓 interacting with students from all over the country, different cultures, different backgrounds,鈥� said Tardif, adding that some of her students come into the virtual classrooms of WCU from as far away as Africa. 鈥淔or our students, being able to see what鈥檚 out there gives them a great perspective for this particular field.鈥�

Tardif herself adds to that diversity of thought and perspective. She is a native of Quebec and moved to United States at the age of 17 as a French-speaking Canadian. She proceeded to learn English and study and practice medicine. She then began her teaching career in 2007 and joined 国产主播 in 2015.

The Experience of an Online MPH Program

Another component of WCU鈥檚 Master of Public Health program that Tardif appreciates the online modality.

鈥淚 love the flexibility, and I love that you can still establish a great connection with the students despite the distance,鈥� said Tardif.

However, greater flexibility doesn鈥檛 necessarily equate to 鈥渆asier鈥� coursework. Tardif had this to say about the online versus physical campus learning experience: 鈥淥nline does require discipline. They [online students] do have to want it.鈥�

For those interested in pursuing a career in public health, the MPH program at WCU can be completed in as little as 16 months at the Accelerated program pace. Additionally, for those who may have professional or personal commitments they are balancing, the program can be completed in 28 months at the Working Professional pace. And there are new sessions starting about every eight weeks.

Learn more about WCU鈥檚 online MPH program and apply when you鈥檙e ready.

The post WCU Master of Public Health Professor Leads by Example appeared first on 国产主播.

As Sanya Bedi鈥檚 undergraduate classwork in biology at the University of California Merced was nearing its end and she was beginning to turn her attention to 鈥渨hat鈥檚 next,鈥� the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

With such a dramatic change happening around her, Bedi鈥檚 immediate focus shifted from her career to 鈥�What can I do right now to help?鈥� After some exploration, she found her way to the Merced County Department of Public Health where she became a case investigator in August 2020. In this role, she reached out to some of the community鈥檚 most in-need residents, including the elderly, individuals with pre-existing conditions, public health nurses, and school staff.

鈥淒uring this experience, I realized how little information some of the people who need it the most have,鈥� Bedi said.

One such example was a man she encountered who was in his sixties, illiterate, and living by himself. After conducting the necessary interview for the case report, Bedi began running through the services the county provided, including notably the delivery of food and water right to the homes of those who needed it.

The man was so relieved to learn of this service because he hadn鈥檛 been out of his house for several days in fear of potentially infecting someone else with COVID, and he was in need of basic necessities like food and water. This small action represents the essence of public health: Discover the needs of the community, identify the individuals/groups who need assistance the most, and then reduce barriers and provide access to those needs.

鈥淭hat experience was one of the reasons I knew I wanted to continue doing this (public health), that this is where I need to be, this is what I need to be doing,鈥� Bedi said. 鈥淎 lot of people in this field really, really want to make a difference. I saw how much our county (Merced) really wanted to help the community, and that made me want to pursue this.鈥�

Bedi Cites 鈥楽upport鈥� as a Major Influence for Choosing 国产主播

Bedi looked at several schools before choosing 国产主播. She said she selected WCU in large part because of the supportive admissions team that stayed with her every step of the way as she worked to complete the last and most difficult class of her undergraduate degree at UC Merced鈥擜natomy & Physiology鈥攊n the fall of 2020.

Sanya Bedi also had the support of her cousin, Sagar Bedi, who was researching similar master鈥檚 programs and proceeded to enroll in the WCU Master of Public Health program with Sanya. Sanya jumped right into her MPH classwork with her cousin, and the two graduated together in November 2021.

鈥淓ven though I was taking classes online, it felt like I had someone along with me the entire way,鈥� Sanya said of the experience of completing the online MPH program at the same time as her cousin.

It was right around this time that she connected with Elisia Sanchez from WCU鈥檚 Career Services team. Sanya said Sanchez and the Career Services team were a terrific resource for her, helping with resume and interview tips, access to career fairs and career specialists, and networking. She points to all of the support she received as the catalyst in helping her obtain a job as a data analyst for a hospital system.

Making a Difference in Her Home Community

Sanya is very satisfied with her role, but that desire to do something more, to make a difference in her community, continued to pull at her. She took another big-picture look at her career and as she did this, she decided to pursue her doctoral degree in public health.

鈥淚 want to do my own research with my own community, specifically India,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a lot of public health in India, not like we have in California, and I want to be able to make a difference in a community that basically hasn鈥檛 been touched.鈥�

Sanya Bedi, WCU Master of Public Health graduate

Online MPH Program for Students Who Want to Make a Big Impact

This is the story of just one student from WCU鈥檚 online Master of Public Health program. If you鈥檙e interested in making a difference in the health and well-being of entire communities, you may want to consider a career in public health just like Sanya Bedi.

WCU鈥檚 online MPH program at WCU can completed in as little as 16 months at the Accelerated pace. Or,  for those who may have professional or personal commitments they are balancing, the program can be completed in as many as 28 months.

If you make a difference and you think public health is an area of interest, learn more about WCU鈥檚 online MPH program.

The post WCU Public Health Student Sees Impact of Outreach, Inspired to Make a Difference appeared first on 国产主播.

Considering an advanced degree in healthcare or business? Becoming a leader in these industries requires discipline and the right education. You鈥檒l add to your undergraduate degree, amp up your resume bona fides, and do a deep dive into how organizations work and function, whether in the public sector, the corporate world, or your own personal entrepreneurial ambitions.

But first it鈥檚 important to find the right learning environment. Nowadays it鈥檚 possible to earn a master鈥檚 degree either in person or online. Do your diligence in researching the right school, make the big decisions about the degree you want to achieve, and consider how you鈥檇 like to focus your education even further. Start here with an overview of a few popular graduate degrees:

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Businesses of all types and sizes need proficient, passionate administrators to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. As of 2020, 96% or Fortune 100 companies and 77% of startups were for near-term hiring. And because this is such a diverse degree, your options for employment after graduation are extensive and varied. An MBA degree will prepare you with advanced knowledge in all key aspects of established corporate and startup enterprises. You鈥檒l graduate with a solid foundation in the essentials of business leadership and administration:

• Finance
• Management
• Organizational models

Within each of these disciplines you鈥檒l learn the settled knowledge as well as evolving principles and practices in business administration. The right MBA will outfit you with a cutting-edge, forward-thinking education so you’ll be as future-proof as possible when you enter the workforce. Equipped with these skills, you’ll be able to work in technology-driven industries and bring your acumen to businesses looking to modernize.

Earning a master鈥檚 in business administration is more accessible than before, with accredited online MBA programs available that offer convenience and flexibility for working professionals. If you鈥檙e curious about achieving this advanced degree, consider also how you鈥檇 like to focus your education further. Many MBA programs offer tracks with a particular emphasis, such as health administration and leadership, project management, and public health, to name a few.

Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Health administrators are crucial to the planning, organization, and supervision of care. Pursuing a Master of Health Administration degree requires excellence in communication and cooperation, and an affinity for leadership. The right MHA school can help prepare you to administrate in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals and clinics
• Consulting firms
• The insurance industry
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Colleges and universities
• Public health agencies

As an MHA student, you鈥檒l learn diverse skills that will help prepare you to enter into鈥揳nd adapt readily within鈥揳 field that continuously evolves with technology, infrastructural demands, and more. Aspiring MHAs can choose a specialty area and focus on a particular branch of health administration, such as organizational leadership, public health, or project management.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Public health experts and leaders are more essential than ever. at a rate more than double the average across industries. Leaders in this field develop, implement, and oversee the methodologies and processes that ensure the best possible communication and care to serve the public.

This means creating the protocols and plans ahead of the next major public health crisis, crafting response readiness for when those needs arise, and maintaining the health of specific populations on an ongoing and evolving basis. As an MPH student, you鈥檒l learn several core disciplines within public health such as:

• Legal and ethical issues in healthcare management
• Managerial epidemiology
• Health research methods
• Biostatistics
• Social and behavioral health sciences
• Development and evaluation of health education programs
• Environmental and occupational health

These disciplines prepare you for a critical role both for health emergencies and for preserving and enhancing the health of the public generally. With your MPH degree, you鈥檙e positioned to make a difference in a field designed to safeguard lives.

Once you鈥檙e committed to a course of study and school, get ready for a rewarding path to a new or advanced career, and the respect that a master鈥檚 degree in business or healthcare administration commands.

The post Organizational Leadership Careers in Healthcare and Business appeared first on 国产主播.

If you鈥檝e got a passion for healthcare and were born to lead, consider earning a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree. At the top tiers of management in hospitals, government health agencies, and large rehabilitation and specialty care facilities (to name but a few), you鈥檒l find seasoned healthcare leaders leveraging this advanced degree.

Healthcare administration requires attention to both detail and the big picture, and confident decision-making grounded in expertise acquired through education and experience. MHAs work at all levels of healthcare, from C-suite hospital positions to educators and consultants. As an MHA graduate, you may find yourself in any of more than 50 job titles.

An MHA synthesizes expertise in medicine, technology, and business with a wide range of possible placements and robust demand.

MHA Degree Concentrations

Healthcare administration is a broad label encompassing many sectors, so choosing a discipline within the MHA umbrella allows you to sharpen your expertise around a point of emphasis to better prepare you for a position of authority in a particular field or environment. At 国产主播, there are three core tracks within the Master of Health Administration program:

• Organizational Leadership

This track is a good choice for aspiring hospital CEOs and CFOs, among other executive titles. If you鈥檙e hoping to take the helm of a large hospital or organization, an MHA concentrated in organizational leadership can help you become an exceptional communicator, adept at coordinating cross-functional teams, and fluent in the essentials of healthcare administration, from budgets and regulations to technology and macro strategy.

• Project Management

MHA candidates specializing in project management have the opportunity to graduate into an indispensable administrative role that facilitates teams and projects to accomplish initiatives. A competent project manager is an exceptional communicator who choreographs resources with timelines. PMs are the connective tissue between top-level organizational mandates and the many teams that must coordinate to execute them. Coupled with all the expertise learned through an MHA education, health administrators in project management are leaders in realizing critical healthcare outcomes.

• Public Health

The Master of Healthcare Administration – Public Health track includes the advanced skills of an MHA degree enhanced with knowledge and practical skill-building in maintaining and improving population wellness. Environmental and occupational health are included in this course of study so that graduates can provide administrative leadership in public health for a variety of populations and needs. MHAs direct initiatives on local, regional, governmental, and global scales.

How to Become a Health Administrator

An MHA is an advanced degree, so you鈥檒l need to have a bachelor-level education or above to apply to a master鈥檚 program in health administration. You can usually complete this degree in about two years, and many programs are available online.

At WCU, our online MHA program allows students to complete their degree in as little as 8 months at the Accelerated Plus pace. You can also choose to complete your program in as little as 12 months at the Accelerated pace or 20 months at the Working Professional pace.

Steps to achieving an MHA include:

• Complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree (preferably in a related field)
• Research reputable and accredited programs that fit your needs
• Complete your MHA application (you can begin the here)
• After acceptance, enroll in your chosen program
• Complete coursework and requirements ()
• Opt to earn any of a long list of elective certifications to demonstrate specific competencies and commitment to continued education (certification is at-will and can be taken at any time during your career):
  • Compliance (CHC)
  • Risk Management (CPHRM)
  • Finance (CFHP)
  • Revenue (CRCE)
  • Informatics (RHIT)
  • Information and Management (CPHIMS)
  • Medical Management (CMM)
  • Quality Assurance (CPHQ)
  • Healthcare Access (CHAM)
• Secure employment in your specialization of choice

Earning an MHA degree requires hard work and passion, and the drive to take on a high-stakes, demanding, and rewarding position in healthcare leadership. Exceptional MHAs command the respect of the organizations they help run, and they enjoy the satisfaction of ensuring optimal outcomes for facilities, populations, and individuals.

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Derreck D. always knew that he wanted to help people. He started his educational journey as a philosophy major hoping to learn more about who people are and how they think with the goal of making a difference. However, Derreck soon discovered that a nursing career would allow him to help in a more tangible way.

鈥淚 was not liking the job prospects after looking at being a philosophy major,鈥� Derreck said. 鈥淵ou can go into law or academia and neither of those seemed tangible enough for me.鈥�

Derreck realized the diverse opportunities nursing could bring to his career.

Now working in the intensive care unit, Derreck appreciates the high-intensity situations he dealt with in 国产主播鈥檚 simulation labs.

鈥淭o this day, I still feel like it was great to be thrown into some situations because again it prepared me for the rest of my career working in the ICU,鈥� Derreck said. 鈥淪taying calm and having experienced and rehearsed critical situations for me was like ‘wow.’鈥�

Derreck graduated in 2018 with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the WCU-Texas campus. From there, he said furthering his education was a natural progression, and he recently graduated with his Master of Public Affairs.

鈥淭he other parts of the nursing career that spoke to me centered around policy,” he said.

After taking courses in disaster management and public health, Derreck said his eyes were opened to the broad reach of nursing. He realized how nurses are involved in many different types of community dynamics.

鈥淲e spent a lot of time thinking about how there is a relationship between community disparities,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 started having an idea that once people reach the hospital, as a public health official, it鈥檚 already too late.鈥�

His interest in getting involved in policy on a larger scale is what Derreck said laid the foundation to return to school.

鈥淥nce I started (grad school) in Austin, I was part of an evidence-based poster project,鈥� he said.

Through their research on post-stroke depression recovery, they found good evidence for the benefits of music therapy. By playing music for stroke patients in rehab hospitals, they saw improvements in post-stroke depression.

鈥淲e gathered some data, looked at best practices, and analyzed the procedures at our own hospital. Then we presented the possibility for a change,鈥� Derreck said. 鈥淲e won that poster project and it reinforced the concept for me that policy is really powerful and made me question, “Where else can policy go?’鈥�

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Public health experts with advanced training comprise a diverse range of practitioners and officials who govern and implement policy, research findings, and administrative leadership and education in this population-focused field.

From forward-thinking environmental public health considerations to epidemiological preventative and responsive policy, an MPH degree prepares students to take on a demanding, disciplined, and insightful role that protects the public. Because students entering study toward an MPH are often already working professionals with a bachelor鈥檚 degree, many accredited schools offer programs that can be completed online, or with schedule flexibility.

Areas of Specialization in Public Health

Master鈥檚 students in public health have the opportunity to choose an area of concentration that will drive their career after graduation. MPH specialties are highly focused on medicine and science, while others emphasize policymaking and leadership. All are built on a foundation of the principles and practices of public health. Within the larger umbrella of an MPH, there are six common concentrations:

Health Services Administration:

If you choose to specialize in the administrative side of public health, you鈥檒l provide leadership, guidance, and expertise. MPH administrators may work on areas from a local to international scale. In this type of role, your will likely include:

• Organizational structure
• Financing and cost
• Delivery of healthcare
• Accessibility solutions
• Quality assurance
• Personnel development (HR)
• Management of data and digital infrastructure
• Planning and marketing
• Policy

In addition to the public sector, many healthcare administrators work or consult for nonprofits. Your career will necessitate continuing education to stay abreast of technology and clinical advancements. You may also choose to take a to boost your credentials.

Biostatistics

This area of specialization focuses on the research and testing sides of public health. Mathematics and biology remain core to this discipline, as applied to public health needs and the development of practices and policies. Work in this arena may include:¹

• Statistical analysis
• Clinical trials
• Environmental epidemiology
• Toxicology
• Applied regression analysis

Biostatisticians in public health may go on to become educators, leaders, and researchers in the healthcare industry, or become government officials focused on public health and governmental policy. 

Behavioral Science

A focus on behavioral health and science is an essential complement to public health needs that address physical and environmental health. This type of public health degree requires expertise in psychology to assess public health needs and affect outcomes. MPH professionals in behavioral health are needed in many venues, including:²

• Schools
• Research facilities
• Policy institutes
• Health departments
• Mental health facilities
• Corrections
• Local health centers

These experts are integral to both awareness and practice with regard to the behavioral implications of public health. They strive to effect positive change through recommendations and implementation of protocols and resources in order to benefit individuals and populations.

Environmental Health

An MPH with an emphasis on environmental health prepares you to deal with different types of environmental considerations related to a population鈥檚 wellbeing. This can stretch from ecological preservation to workplace hygiene to emergency response to natural or manmade disasters. Study in this discipline might include:³

• Exposure science
• Biostatistics
• Occupational hygiene
• Epidemiology
• Toxicology
• Risk assessment
• Hazardous and water waste

An MPH concentrated in environmental health creates an in-depth understanding of factors as they affect human health. It falls into what some call a 鈥済reen occupation鈥� that focuses on ecological considerations and fosters a beneficial symbiosis between a population and its environment.

Health Education

This concentration is as it sounds: A career focused on educating the public to promote health and disease prevention. An MPH degree with instructive emphasis covers the necessary topics for health education, awareness, and intervention, including:⁴

• Assessment and planning
• Implementation
• Administration and management
• Resourcing
• Advocacy

An education in preparation for an MPH in health education will also cover essential and foundational public health topics like epidemiology, biostatistics, policy, and environmental health. Health educators work at all levels, from community-based and nonprofit support to governmental agencies.⁴

Epidemiology

This highly scientific specialty applies expertise in epidemiology to public health, through a quantitative and systematic approach. You鈥檒l help create predictive and preventative research and trials to inform public policy and benefit long- and short-term population health outcomes. In addition to a foundation in public health, an MPH concentration in epidemiology will in part cover:⁵

• Study framework and review
• Analysis methodologies
• Biostatistics
• Risk assessment

MPH graduates with a concentration in epidemiology are equipped to center their practice on specific populations, demographics, and geographies. These professionals play a critical and high-stakes role in disease control and response, research, and hindsight analysis.

Pursuing a Master of Public Health

Pursuing a Master of Public Health is the gateway to an impactful career in healthcare, and it opens the door to a wide array of practice opportunities, from hands-on to educational to policy-building to oversight. It鈥檚 an advanced degree that builds on an undergraduate education to benefit the public at large.

To learn more helpful information about MPHs degrees, check out our article 鈥淢PH vs. MHA: Key Differences.鈥�

¹ https://www.mphprogram.com/program/biostatistics/

² https://www.mphprogram.com/program/behavioral-health-sciences/

³ https://www.publichealthdegrees.org/specializations/environmental-health/

⁴ https://www.publichealthcareeredu.org/public-health-education/

5 https://www.publichealthdegrees.org/specializations/epidemiology/

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Earning an MBA will help open the door to a wide range of careers in upper management. MBA students typically choose a sector of focus and enter a particular industry upon graduation. As of 2020, 96% or Fortune 100 companies and 77% of startups were for near-term hiring.

All MBA programs include the foundations of business to build on a bachelor-level degree, often 鈥� but not always 鈥� a BA or a BS from an undergraduate university or college. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) will offer :

• Finance
• Management
• Accounting
• Leadership
• Operations
• Economics
• Data analytics
• Business communication
• Business ethics
• Marketing
• Business strategy

This range of core disciplines will be complemented by coursework in your area of interest, so you鈥檒l not only receive a comprehensive education in business fundamentals and trends, but you鈥檒l also receive focused instruction through a curriculum designed to prepare you for your intended field. Profiled here are a few available online MBA programs with concentrations in project management and healthcare:

Featured Online MBA Degrees

The list of is long, so consider your preferred focus as you research schools and programs. Most MBAs require a two-year commitment for study, though there are some accelerated programs available for MBA candidates who want to achieve a degree quickly. We鈥檝e outlined three concentrations:

Health Administration and Leadership

This MBA is designed for students eager to lead as upper-level managers and executives who possess both business and healthcare acumen. MBA-Healthcare Administration and Leadership professionals oversee both healthcare delivery to patients and the working environments of providers. They take steps to boost both the health of the business and the health of consumers. Many Master of Business Administration programs are now available as online study with flexible schedules for working professionals. Learn about WCU鈥檚 MBA – Health Administration and Leadership track.

Project Management

Project management is a vital organ of any business; without it, a company ceases to function. As a project manager at any level, your job is to marshal an initiative from ideation to deployment, effectively coordinating resources, deadlines, and teams to move a business undertaking forward. MBAs with a concentration in project management are qualified for a range of professional pursuits, including in-house management, portfolio management, and consulting. Earning an MBA with a project management focus prepares you for the demands of this leadership role. And this advanced degree is a path to the highest tiers of management, including C-suite positions. Learn about WCU鈥檚 MBA – Project Management track.

Public Health

This degree is designed for students who want to work at a high level supporting the business side of public health. You receive all the training included in a Master of Business Administration with a concentration on the public health sector, its principles, and its policies. MBA-Public Health graduates are employed in a variety of leadership roles, from within hospitals to nonprofits to government. Pursuing an MBA in public health can prepare you to work in healthcare consulting, jobs for large healthcare-focused corporations like pharmaceutical companies, jobs for hospital systems, and more. In a public health MBA program, you鈥檒l study topics such as healthcare marketing and finance, technology, and additional healthcare-focused curricula to complement your MBA foundation. Learn about WCU鈥檚 MBA 鈥� Public Health track.

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