Careers in Public Health

A Need for Public Health Professionals

Our field currently is experiencing a shortage in workers, while the U.S. population continues to grow. This combination is expected to result in a shortage of nearly 250,000 professionals — approximately one-third of the workforce needed to identify, treat and prevent new and emerging public health threats.

Identify Your Interests

The definition of public health is different for every person. Whether you like to crunch numbers, conduct laboratory or field research, formulate policy or work directly with people to help improve their health, there is a place for you in the field of public health. Applications vary throughout different disciplines, such as:

  • Biology
  • Anthropology
  • Public policy
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Computer science
  • Sociology
  • Medicine
  • Business
  • and others

Consider Service Areas

Many students with a degree in public health serve within:

  • Government agencies
  • State and local health departments or agencies
  • Nonprofits
  • Health care organizations
  • Private sector companies
  • Colleges and universities

Your Unique Path

Learn more about graduate outcomes, along with where this growing sector might lead you within core disciplines and countless specialties by visiting Career Paths in Public Health.

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