Exploring Public Health Careers

Public health is a challenging yet rewarding field. It’s a growing industry with a range of jobs available where you can make an impact on the people and community around you. 

What is public health? 

What is public health, and why is public health important? Put simply, “public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities,” according to the CDC Foundation. 

Rather than targeting the health of individuals, public health focuses on improving health outcomes and promoting health equity and access to care for populations of people. These efforts include education, research and policy. Public health professionals are key to keeping whole groups of people safe and healthy — think COVID-19 prevention and vaccination efforts. 

Helping people stay healthy, preventing the spread of disease and bridging the gap in fair access to health care makes pursuing a career in public health worthwhile and fulfilling. 

Are public health jobs in demand? 

While the demand for specific jobs in public health varies, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics suggests that the overall need for public health workers is on the rise. Employment of health educators is projected to grow by seven percent—faster than average—from 2023-2033. About 6,700 openings for health education specialists are projected each year, on average, during that time. The demand for epidemiologists is expected to increase by 19 percent—much faster than average—and medical and health services managers by 29 percent.  

“There has been a surging demand for public health services as we transition out of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Brad Pollock, chair of the UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences. “The pandemic highlighted the growing need for public health professionals, and right now, we only have one-fifth of the needed public health workforce in the U.S.” 

There is a wide range of career opportunities in public health and many pathways to getting there. Epidemiology, program management, policy analysis, health education and data analysis/statistical computing (SPSS, SAS and R coding) are some of the key public health job functions. Public health professionals come from diverse backgrounds and sectors, so almost anyone who wants to join the field can do so. Whether you want to make a global impact, collaborate with federal agencies or focus on the community around you, there is a career for you in public health. 

What education do I need to work in public health? 

Public health combines the expertise of different subject areas, making it a well-rounded and diverse field. Whether your background is in social sciences, the humanities or business it can lead to a career in public health. 

Just as there are various career options in public health, there is also a range of education requirements (ranging from high school diploma to a master’s degree or MPH) depending on the job. Many higher-level roles, such as epidemiologist, health commissioner, biostatistician, public health program manager and researcher require graduate education or a Master of Public Health. But there are many entry-level, positions that you can get with some college, an undergraduate degree or a certificate like UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education's online Public Health Certificate Program. 

Are public health certification programs useful? 

A public health certification program can provide you with a foundational understanding of public health. It can also help you determine which area of the field you are most interested in working in, such as mental health, public policy, research, education, environmental health, global health or community health. 

CPE’s Certificate in Public Health serves as a steppingstone to your public health career. Looking to pivot or advance in your career? Our certificate program can enhance your existing training and experience to help you succeed by providing theoretical knowledge and applicable skills. The program also prepares you for certification in public health with relevant coursework that fulfills the educational requirements to sit for the National Board of Public Health Examiner’s Certified in Public Health Exam. 

Developed in partnership with the UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences, it covers core topics in public health science. This includes biostatistics, epidemiology, social and behavioral sciences, and health systems management. 

How can I take the next step in my public health career? 

Enhance your career with CPE’s online Public Health Certificate. Our program is designed for current public health professionals looking to advance in their careers, individuals seeking foundational knowledge to enter the public health field and recent graduates needing graduate-level coursework to serve as a post-baccalaureate for competitive MPH programs. 

The online program consists of four courses that can be completed in just 12 months. Its primarily asynchronous format allows working professionals to increase their skills while maintaining full-time employment. Check out our FAQs to learn more.