The public health field is one of the hottest fields of our time. Jobs are always in demand! And, lucky for you, it is a field that you can break into fairly quickly. Let’s explore how to get into the public health field in Connecticut.
Public health is a path that encompasses many specialties, such as environmental health, health education, and global health, to name just a few. With a Bachelor’s in Public Health, you can seek immediate entry-level employment in a vast variety of careers. Whether it’s administrative, research, teaching, community outreach, or health services – there are countless choices for aspiring public health pros.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for healthcare occupations – such as registered nurses, physicians and surgeons, and dental hygienists – is more than $63K. And while the rewards of public health go much beyond the pay, a secure salary is a perk. Some of the top paying public health careers in Connecticut include:
- Average Correctional Medicine Physician: $190,000
- Average Clinical Infectious Disease Specialist: $137,000
- Average Assistant Professor Epidemiology: $123,000
- Average Chief Medical Officer: $113,000
- Average Mental Health Researcher: $113,000
While many specialties in the public health field require a master’s degree or PhD, many exciting opportunities are available to those with a bachelor’s degree in this growing field. So if you’re still wondering how to get into public health, and how to do it without years of graduate school, read on!
Getting Started
The area you concentrate on within your program will likely determine your career path. Goodwin College is a public health school in Connecticut, with a bachelor’s degree program designed to help students launch their careers. Unlike many other public health programs in the state, Goodwin offers comprehensive, hands-on training to prepare students for the wide array of career paths available. Some of the many public health career options available to Goodwin graduates include:
- Child Development Specialist
- Community Health Education Coordinator
- Community Health Worker
- Education Coordinator
- Health Educator
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Public Health Educator
Graduates emerge from our public health program prepared to work in hospitals, research facilities, and healthcare organizations. Now, more than ever before, trained professionals are needed to respond to many health care needs, such as health emergencies, infectious disease outbreaks, and chronic disease epidemics like diabetes and obesity.
A Flexible Path to Get There
Students looking to earn a public health bachelor’s degree can do so conveniently, despite popular belief. Goodwin’s program is flexible for students juggling jobs and other family obligations. Our public health classes are offered days, evenings, and weekends, too! Students may choose to learn in the classroom on campus, online, or a mix of both to accommodate a varying schedule. Classes are offered in a standard, 15-week format, but with three academic sessions per year, can be completed faster than other schools. This flexibility helps students get into public health quickly, without putting their lives on hold.
Steps to Take
Unlike some other public health colleges in Connecticut, undergraduate admissions at Goodwin College is a simple, three-step process. After applying to the College (which can be done online!) prospective public health students must:
- Meet with an admissions officer. One of our admissions officers will give you a campus tour, discuss potential programs of interest, and review the enrollment process with you. This will include submitting any necessary documents to the college.
- Pending any SAT/ACT test scores (optional), you’ll take a placement test and meet with an academic advisor for a one-on-one appointment.
- Lastly, you’ll meet with a financial aid officer and create a personalized financial aid package that fits your needs.
Students enrolled in Goodwin College’s bachelor’s degree programs must complete a minimum of 46 credits in general education – English, writing, mathematics, science, communications, and other competency courses. These courses can be taken in conjunction with your public health degree. Click here for the full Public Health curriculum at Goodwin College.
Diving In
Aside from the classes and training, students wondering how to get into the public health field in Connecticut can utilize Goodwin’s Career Services team and extensive network of employers, which provide students and graduates with a lifetime of career placement and counseling support — for free!
Learn more about the Public Health Program at Goodwin College by visiting us online or calling 800-889-3282 today.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.