Do you need a master's degree to work in public health?

No, some public health roles — such as health education specialist, health information technologist, or medical registrar — don't require you to hold a master's degree. However, some employers may prefer candidates with graduate degrees and/or certifications in their area of expertise.

Which course is best for public health?

The best public health course for you depends on your career goals. If you want to work in a role that prioritizes community outreach, a public health communication course may be a good place to start; if you plan to work with public health data, enrolling in a health informatics course may make sense. If you have no public health education, start with a course that provides an overview of public health, such as Introduction to Public Health.

How long does it take to learn public health?

Earning a degree in public health typically takes 4–6 years. Education and certification requirements depend on your public health career choice. If you want to learn the fundamentals of public health, a single course can be completed online in just 4–12 weeks.

How hard is it to learn public health?

Learning public health concepts can be difficult for some because it requires strong data, science, and analytical skills. For certain public health roles, public speaking and policy knowledge may be required. Overall, most public health professionals enjoy helping people make healthier decisions and live safer lives. According to a 2021 survey by the de Beaumont Foundation, 79% of public health workers reported satisfaction with their role.

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Why learn public health?

Public health professionals play a significant role in keeping people healthy and safe. According to the CDC Foundation, public health is focused on three central pillars:

Preventing the spread of disease
Promoting health education
Protecting the health of entire populations

Explore this exciting field with public health online courses and programs offered through edX.

How to become a public health professional

Depending on the public health career path you choose, you typically need:

An associate's degree in public health to become a health information technologist or medical registrar
A bachelor's degree in public health to become a health education specialist
A master's degree in public health (MPH) to become an epidemiologist

Undergraduate public health programs take two to four years to complete, depending on your chosen program. A master's program can typically be completed within 16-24 months.

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Choosing the right public health program

Whether you want to further your public health education or embark on a new career journey, public health courses and programs can help you reach your goals and invest in your future.

As you plan your learning path, consider your:

Desired timeline: How much time can you dedicate weekly to public health studies?
Budget: Public health tuition for programs offered through edX ranges from $22,870- $85,394. Total program cost depends on your chosen school, program, and concentration.
Flexibility needs: Online public health programs allow you to learn at a pace that fits your busy schedule.
Fieldwork requirements: Depending on your chosen program, you may need to complete internship, capstone, and/or practicum requirements. These can typically be completed within 100-200 hours, but check with your school for specific requirements.

Courses

Want to learn more about a specific facet of public health? Explore courses on topics such as:

Global public health
Health advocacy
Healthcare analytics
Health policy and politics
Health communication

Courses can typically be completed within 4-12 weeks with 1-10 hours of weekly study. Many online public health courses are free for a limited time; however, you must pay for a certificate of completion and unlimited access to course materials.

Executive education programs

An Executive Education program on edX is ideal for public health professionals looking to build upon their existing skills alongside like-minded peers. These immersive, expert-led programs are focused on modern organizational issues and teach strategies for affecting change in the workplace.

A public health executive education program can typically be completed within 6-10 weeks with 6-10 hours of weekly study. Program cost varies, but most are $2,500-$3,500.

Degrees

You can earn a bachelor's and/or master's degree in public health online. Check with your chosen institution about specific admissions requirements.

A public health bachelor's program can typically be completed in four years, and a master's program can typically be completed in 16-24 months. However, programs that require practicum hours may take longer.

Some master's in public health programs offer specialized tracks, such as:

Public health leadership
Epidemiology
Nutrition
Maternal and child health
Health and climate
Health informatics
Health policy
Community health
Environmental health
Healthcare systems

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 2020, students paid an average tuition of $8,564 for undergraduate health degrees and $15,401 for health master's degrees.

Jobs in public health

Public health offers many careers in various sectors. A few job ideas include: