No, online degrees have increasingly gained credibility among employers over the past decade, and now if they are obtained from accredited institutions they are accepted as the equivalent of an on-campus degrees. Some for-profit, online-only institutions that accept any and all applicants as long as they will pay tuition are exploiting the digital format, so prospective students should make sure that they are applying to institutions that have good standing with academic accreditors. Certain degrees require more hands-on experience, such as medical doctors who require residencies, but many online master’s degrees in public health are statistic-based curriculums that essentially offer the same academic experience as on-campus degrees in public health. There are many jobs that applicants will be qualified for when they have achieved their online master’s degree in public health. For reference, the best examples of careers that you will be qualified for are compiled in the list of 50 Top Public Health Jobs. Let’s take a closer look at a few professions that an online masters in public health will qualify you for.
Medical and Health Services Managers oversee the day-to-day practices of hospitals and other medical centers. They are responsible for organizing the logistics of safe medical practices for large scale institutions or specific departments. There are many dynamics that Medical and Health Services Managers will have to be familiar with, including evolving legislation and technology, so an interdisciplinary public health degree would be a good step to qualify candidates for the job. Medical Managers are highly sought after, and because of the importance of the job they get paid well for their time and expertise. Medical and Health Services Managers have an average salary of $96,540, and the job market is expected to increase by 20% between 2016 and 2026, so there should be ample employment opportunities for qualified candidates.
Health and Safety Engineers are technological innovators who develop procedures and systems to protect people from illness and injury. In addition to technological expertise, Health and Safety Engineers are required to be well versed in safe health practices, which they can learn by pursuing an online master’s degree in public health. Because of the unique skill sets that Health and Safety Engineers need to possess, they are well compensated. Health and Safety Engineers have an average salary of $86,720 per year, and the field is expected to grow by 9% between 2016 and 2026, making it a good profession for people with an online master’s degree in public health.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists combine their knowledge of environmental and health sciences to protect the natural environment in ways that promote health and safety. Environmental Scientists and Specialists have a dynamic career that can place them in offices, laboratories, or in the field to organize cleanup efforts of polluted superfund sites. They also advise policy makers, or work with industry professionals to reduce waste and detrimental chemical emission. The average salary of Environmental Scientists and Specialists is $68,910, and the field is expected to expand by 11% between 2016 and 2026, making it a good job for professionals with online master’s degrees in public health who want to use their expertise to have a beneficial impact on our natural environment.
