If you are seeking an advanced career that will help the greater good and make an impact in your community, then the field of public health could be a great fit for you. A career in public health is not only admirable, but it is something that will directly benefit the quality of lives of those around you. Many of the top public health careers, however, do require an advanced degree. Those with similar aspirations could choose to pursue a Master’s in Public Health or a Master’s in Global Health. What is the difference between a Master’s in Global Health vs. Public Health – and which one is right for you?

A Master’s in Global Health is a degree that focuses on the health of the entire world rather than individual communities. While there certainly is some overlap between global health and public health, and the topics these programs cover, a global health curriculum will focus on various international topics such as cultural differences, language barriers, and health priorities.

A Master’s in Public Health (MPH) is more focused. In fact, Public Health places the focus of impact within a country, community, or a certain population. Especially with today’s current events, public health professionals are more in demand in our communities now than ever before. Fortunately, there are many great MPH programs out there that can teach you the skills necessary to help turn public health issues into positive public health outcomes.

A Master’s in Public Health curriculum will gear you up to apply your skills to local and hyper-local issues and community health problems. Similar to a Master’s in Global Health, an MPH degree curriculum would include courses in biostatistics, ethics, and methods in research. In addition, public health courses (at the graduate level) would cover more population-specific topics such a U.S. Healthcare Delivery Systems, Maternal and Child Health, Ergonomics, and an Aging Society.

Ultimately, the path you choose will depend on your passions and goals. With both programs, you will learn the ins and outs of health systems, disease outbreaks, research methods, policies, and more. However, how you apply those learnings will differ, depending on whether you wish to work at the local or global level. Public health professionals may work in communities or organizations, or for government agencies helping an entire country (such as the United States). Global health professionals, however, work internationally to develop health programs for all populations in need.

For your flexibility, both Master’s in Global Health and Master’s in Public Health programs are offered in person and online. Many colleges and universities realize that in today’s world, flexibility is key for working professionals. Goodwin University’s Master’s in Public program understands that need for convenience, especially as you might already be juggling family, jobs, and other competing priorities. Goodwin’s MPH degree is designed so that students can make the most of their time, with courses offered fully online and in an accelerated 7.5 week format. Your master’s degree can be completed in as few as 16 months, so you can keep advancing in your career.

Regardless of the advanced degree path you choose, the job outlook for both paths looks promising. Some of the careers that Master’s in Global Health graduates can land are global health consultants, global health educators, and public health policy analysts. Those that choose to go the Public Health path can end up in positions such as a disaster and emergency specialist, public health director, epidemiologist, and sanitarian.

While the scope of a Master’s in Global Health and the Master’s in Public Health may differ, at the end of the day, both are respectable paths that will help you achieve your goals of making an impact. You will be resolving issues in our lives and improving the overall health for our populations. If Goodwin’s comprehensive and flexible Master’s in Public Health program sounds like it could be a good fit for you, contact Goodwin’s team of advisors today. Call 800-889-3282 or visit us online to request more information.