What is to be understood by the phrase 'master of public health', or 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. The skills acquired by professionals in public health care are what enable them to adequately deal with issues and problems associated with public health.
Few things matter more than the health of a person. 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. Simply put, maintaining public health is a complicated issue without easy solutions. It is in this regard that a master of public health or MPH comes into play.
Valuable attributes for successful MPH degree candidates include passion, a dedication to motivation, diversity, creativity and a true willingness to continue working until the issue is resolved. Entering the public health service means that the incumbent has a desire for the improvement of health across the global community. It is essential for there to be a passion for problem solving.
Working for public health entails hard work. The modern challenges in public health require professionals to be committed to seeking solutions. It is therefore vital that one does a self-assessment before attending any MPH program.
One cannot overstate the importance of the Master of Public Health internship experience. This gives students a chance to use their knowledge and skills that they learned from their academic experiences. Everything that was taught in the classroom is practically re-enforced during the internship.
Measuring just how much the student absorbed while on the actual MPH course can be challenging. However, once they get into the internship and start to apply what they’ve learned, often students cannot believe how well-prepared they are in entering the public health workforce. Environments such as government agencies, companies, non-profit organizations, clinics and nursing homes are all covered in MPH internships.
Before tackling a public health degree students often take a year or so off in order to get some work experience. Other students attend a program right after their undergraduate program. Public health initiatives taken on by some who are still busy with their undergraduate degrees are also not uncommon.
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. Students in public health masters programs already have considerable experience by this time though. These students often have the idea of where they want to use their skills through MPH programs.
