Over the past decade, our population was introduced to a whole new level of disease outbreaks: the Zika Virus, the Ebola outbreak, the spread of SARs. Not to mention, chronic disorders like diabetes and obesity are becoming more frequent, and drug epidemics like opiate overdoses are sweeping the states. Now more than ever, we are requiring trained, committed professionals to safeguard the public health. Aspiring public health and epidemiology experts – someone like you – are needed to respond to these public health emergencies and protect the wellbeing of our communities.

Public health is a critically important field. And within this field are dedicated epidemiologists who work to protect the greater good. Epidemiologists are scientists who study diseases within the public: globally and locally, in specific demographics or in larger populations. These professionals analyze the causes of disease outbreaks, the risk factors associated within certain populations, as well as new treatment developments. Epidemiologists also use the power of research to control disease outbreaks and prevent them from happening in the future. For this reason, they play a core role in health and medicine today.

If you enjoy working with people, as well as the hands-on and research-side of the medical field, a public health career like an epidemiologist may be the right path for you. To jumpstart your future in public health, however, you will need to first pursue a public health or epidemiology program near you.

If you already have a relative bachelor’s degree under your belt, such as a BSN degree, public health, or health science degree, then a graduate epidemiology program will be your next step. Epidemiologists need at least a master’s degree in public health or epidemiology in order to fully advance their career.

However, you may not yet hold an undergraduate degree. In this case, you are likely wondering the best route towards a fulfilling career in epidemiology. Where do you start? As an aspiring epidemiologist, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree before continuing to higher education and a career.

A bachelor’s degree is a very important stepping stone for a prospective epidemiologist, and choosing the right undergraduate program will be a vital decision, as that program will provide the necessary foundation for a successful career. From coursework to class schedule, promised training to program outcomes, finding the right undergraduate epidemiology program will be critical to your success.

One way to know you are choosing the right bachelor’s program is to first evaluate the curriculum. What will you gain from the offered classes? Is the coursework relevant to your career goals and interests? Does the program you are considering have a public health degree offering? Your undergraduate coursework should be as relevant to epidemiology and public health as possible, and include classes in biology, biostatistics, psychology, health science, and social science.

A good epidemiology program will also be tailored to your future, incorporating both the skills employers are looking for as well as the knowledge master’s and doctorate programs require in its curriculum. In the public health program at Goodwin College, the bachelor’s curriculum is wholly career-focused. This means that epidemiology courses such as ‘Health Behavior and Chronic Disease’ and ‘Public Health Policy’ are taught by industry content experts, who will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to stand out and advance in the public health field. Upon completion of our public health degree program, you will already be prepared to work in hospitals, research facilities, and healthcare organizations. Or, you may choose to continue your education towards a Master’s or PHD.

As a student, you will not want to put your life on hold in order to complete your degree. You may want to work part-time or full-time while taking classes. You may want to choose a more accelerated program that will get you where you want to be, quickly, without sacrificing a quality education. That said, you may choose an epidemiology program that is flexible and willing to work with your schedule, rather than giving you a schedule you’ll have to work for. At Goodwin’s public health college, we believe in convenience. For this reason, our classes are offer during the days, nights, and on weekends as well as in on-campus, online, and hybrid formats. Classes can be completed in as few as 15 weeks.

Are you ready to help create a better, safer, and healthier world? Learn about Goodwin College’s epidemiology and public health courses by calling 800-889-3282 today. You may also interact with us on Facebook or Twitter!