No matter where you live in the world, public health issues touch your life in one way or another. Whether it be on a large global scale where public health professionals are working to prevent and stop the threat of diseases, or on a small local scale where these workers are committed to improving the traffic safety in a community — the field of public health plays an integral part of our lives. And as developments are made in research and technology, the need for skilled public health professionals in our communities is growing more than ever.

If you work in the field of public health, then you understand the incredible impact that yours’ and your colleagues’ work has made and will continue to make in the world. The need for well-trained and experienced public health officials will be in demand for the foreseeable future, which is why a master’s in Public Health (MPH) is a smart next step for your career.

Are you wondering how to get a master’s in Public Health? Here are the steps needed to pursue an MPH degree today.

Choose a program.

First and foremost, you’ll want to research the different master’s in Public Health programs out there and find a program that aligns best with your career goals and schedule. Think about whether you prefer an online or in-person program, and choose a program that best meets your individual needs as a student. Learn how to choose an MPH program here.

2. Meet the prerequisites

Once you have chosen the MPH program that will work for you, you’ll need to look into the program’s MPH requirements, so that you can apply. Make a checklist of the admission conditions and prerequisite courses, so you can streamline the process and work your way down the list. Here are some common requirements for master’s in Public Health programs, like the one at Goodwin University:

• Complete and submit a graduate application to the MPH school
• Possess a bachelor’s degree (usually in a related field, such as a bachelor’s in Public Health) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Send official transcripts to the university for review.
• Provide a professional resume outlining all relevant experience and education.
• Submit proof of immunizations including measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.

It’s important to note that while some schools will require GRE scores to enroll in an MPH program, Goodwin University does not require these for admittance.

3. Acceptance

Once you have gone through the list of program requirements and applied to a program, the next step is to be accepted in the program. Most programs will send out an email and official letter in the mail exclaiming acceptance.

Upon acceptance, you will officially enroll in the MPH program and work with financial aid advisors to help put together a customized plan of action for tuition and fees.

Complete your MPH coursework

Once your program commences, you will take a variety of classes that cover all aspects of public health, including epidemiology, biostatistics, and managing public health resources. All programs differ in length and format. At Goodwin University, you can expect the entire master’s program in as little as 16 months full-time.

Start on your career

After all the hard work of earning your graduate degree, the focus really shifts from ‘How to get a master’s in Public Health’ to ‘How to leverage a master’s in Public Health to continue improving lives in your community.’ Fortunately, an MPH degree will open up many doors for graduates to pursue advanced careers in the field and continue making a lasting impact. Career opportunities available to you upon completing Goodwin’s MPH program include:

• Biostatician
• Disaster and Emergency Specialist
• Epidemiologist
• Public Health Director
• Public Health Educator
• Sanitarian

Now that you know how to get a master’s in Public Health, take the first step and contact Goodwin University today. You can request more information online, call our admissions team at 800-889-3282 to learn more, or even fill out an application right now.  Our comprehensive, fully online master’s in Public Health program will prepare you to make an ever lasting impact in your community. Why not start that path today?