Bachelor’s vs Master’s in Public Health

May 1, 2024

Bachelor's vs. Master's Degrees in Public Health: Unveiling the Distinctions

Public health careers revolve around safeguarding and enhancing the health of communities and populations. Professionals in this field work to prevent diseases, promote healthy behaviors, and address the factors influencing public health.

These careers span a wide range of job sectors, require diverse skillsets, and contribute to the overarching goals of promoting health and preventing diseases at the community, national, and global levels.

Public health careers often require a combination of education, experience, and a commitment to improving the well-being of diverse populations.

When it comes to pursuing a career in public health, individuals usually start by obtaining a bachelor's degree in public health. The next step is deciding whether to earn a master's in public health (MPH). Earning your MPH builds upon the skills you learned while earning your BS or BA, opening the door for more career opportunities and increased salaries.

This article breaks down the differences between a bachelor's and master's in public health to help you better understand potential career paths and how you can achieve your professional goals.

What Undergraduate Major and Degree Are Best for Public Health?

If you’re hoping to pursue a career in public health, you can consider majoring and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in an area like public health, health sciences, biology, or related fields suitable for undergraduate studies in public health. The most directly relevant undergraduate degree for a career in this field will be a Bachelor of Public Health (BPH).

Bachelor’s degrees, including BPH degrees, typically come in two varieties: Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS). In general, BA public health programs focus more on the social sciences, while BS programs focus more on natural and environmental public health sciences.

When deciding whether a BS or BA in public health is better, consider your career goals and determine which focus and curriculum content is best for you. Most universities only offer one type of each bachelor’s-level degree, so your preference of a BA or BS could help shape your college choice.

A bachelor's degree may suffice for entry-level public health positions, but a graduate-level degree like a Master of Public Health (MPH) is typically required or preferred for advanced roles. Your bachelor’s degree will help you build your foundational knowledge of public health topics like wellness, disease prevention, evaluation, research, evidence-based healthcare, and disaster response planning. Then, you can pursue advanced education through a master’s degree.

If you are looking to become a public health nurse, please keep in mind there is a distinction between being a public health nurse and obtaining an MPH. A public health nurse focuses on direct patient care, while an MPH graduate may work in research, policy, or management within public health. The roles have similar focuses, but they require different educational paths.

On the other hand, your bachelor’s degree in public health can provide a solid foundation as a pre-med degree option if you’re hoping to pursue medical school.

Salary and Job Outlook

As you might expect, salaries for individuals with a bachelor's in public health vary depending on the specific role and level of experience, and entry-level positions may have a more modest wage than positions requiring advanced degrees.

An MPH is often associated with higher earning potential. The specialized knowledge and leadership skills gained through an MPH program can lead to more lucrative positions, especially in managerial or supervisory roles within public health organizations.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth outlook for public health-related fields looks promising. Projections show the number of careers in these fields far outpacing the national average of just 3% growth projected for all careers.

Careers: Bachelor of Public Health

Projected Growth: 7-14% (faster than average)^1,2

Careers: Master of Public Heath

Projected Growth: 7-27% (faster to much faster than average)^3,4

Bachelor's in Public Health Degree and Career Outlook

A bachelor's degree in public health typically spans four years and provides a comprehensive foundation in the fundamentals of public health. Students may study epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and social and behavioral sciences. Practical experience through internships or fieldwork is also common.

You can also explore options for obtaining an online bachelor's degree in public health.

Bachelor's Degree in Public Health Concentrations and Jobs

Community Health

Community Health Worker median salary: $46,190¹
Responsibilities: Connecting communities to health care resources and providing education.
Settings: Community organizations, health care institutions, public health agencies.

Health Education

Health Educator median salary: $59,990²
Responsibilities: Designing and implementing health education programs.
Settings: Schools, community organizations, health care institutions, government agencies.

Environmental Health

Environmental Health Specialist median salary: $76,480³
Responsibilities: Assessing and addressing environmental factors affecting health.
Settings: Government agencies, environmental organizations, public health departments.

Skills acquired in a Bachelor of Public Health program include communication, data analysis, and a basic understanding of public health principles. Certifications such as certified health education specialist (CHES) can enhance employability.

Master's in Public Health Degree and Career Outlook

A master's in public health is an advanced, graduate-level degree that goes beyond the basics covered in a bachelor's program. MPH programs usually require one to two years of additional study beyond a bachelor's degree. Specializations within MPH programs include health policy, global health, epidemiology, and more.

You can also explore options for obtaining an online master's in public health.

Your career goals and professional interests can help you determine whether a master's in public health is worth it. Data compiled from sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter shows that an MPH can significantly enhance your earning ability. Obtaining a master’s in public health also opens the door to a more comprehensive list of potential career paths.

Master's in Public Health Jobs

Epidemiologist

Median Salary $78,520⁴
Responsibilities: Investigating patterns and causes of diseases within populations.
Settings: Public health departments, research institutions, government agencies.

Biostatistician

Median Salary $130,308⁵
Responsibilities: Applying statistical techniques to analyze health data.
Settings: Research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies

Global Health Specialist

Median Salary $105,000⁷
Responsibilities: Addressing health challenges on an international scale.
Settings: International NGOs (nongovernmental organizations), government agencies, global health organizations.

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

Median Salary $73,600⁸
Responsibilities: Planning and implementing strategies to respond to emergencies.
Settings: Public health departments, emergency management agencies.

Health Communication Specialist

Median Salary $77,825⁹
Responsibilities: Developing and implementing health communication strategies.
Settings: Public health organizations, government agencies, communication firms.

MPH graduates develop advanced skills in research, policy analysis, leadership, and epidemiology. Certifications like certified in public health (CPH) are recognized and valued in the field.

What Is the Highest Level of Education in Public Health?

There are doctoral programs (PhD or DrPH) for those seeking advanced research and leadership roles in public health. These degrees tend to dive deeper into the science, research, and policy of public health, but the two program types offer different paths for different career interests.

If you're looking to pursue a career in research and academia, a PhD in public health may be the perfect fit for you. On the other hand, if you're interested in policy and leadership within the field, a DrPH program may be more suitable.

While the PhD can help you evolve your practice in some careers that only require a master’s degree, such as biostatistician and epidemiologist, pursuing a doctorate degree opens up more public health career opportunities and earning potential.

Earn a Public Health Degree that Suits You

Choosing to stick with a bachelor's in public health or advancing your education with a master's in public health involves weighing career aspirations, time commitment, and desired level of expertise.

Both degrees are designed to help aspiring public health professionals contribute to the goal of promoting public health, but earning a master's degree provides you with a higher level of training and education, along with more career opportunities.

You can make your decision regarding whether to obtain a bachelor's degree in public health or to continue your education to obtain a master's in public health by considering all the factors discussed in this article. Norwich University’s online Bachelor of Public Health and Master of Public Health programs can prepare you to play a leading role in addressing today’s most pressing public health challenges. You can learn more about the educational requirements and see your best options by speaking with an admissions representative. Request information here.