MPH - The Degree of Choice for Future Problem Solvers in Health?
As health problems around the world continue to challenge even the most seasoned veterans, the need for well-educated problem solvers has never been greater. Could more people with an MPH (Master of Public Health) degree be one of the solutions? It just might be, especially if the trend towards teaching social entrepreneurship keeps growing.
The MPH is a professional advanced degree that typically takes 2-3 years to complete. Most programs are taught on campus. However, a growing number of MPH courses are being taught online, such as the Executive MPH program that is offered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Students usually focus their studies in one of five main areas: public health administration, epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral sciences (including health education) and occupational and environmental health sciences. The degree, along with the PhD, has been the primary qualification for people in public health working in some administrative, scientific or professional capacity and it has served the public health environment well for many years now.
But there's more that needs to be done. Accredited MPH programs have seen their numbers stagnate or decline in recent years. The reasons vary, but one possible explanation is that more young professionals have been attracted to the higher incomes generally associated with another degree - the MHA or Master of Health Administration - which is often the preferred route for hospital administrators. Another possible reason is the continued erosion of support and interest in governmental positions, either at the county, state or national level, which is where the MPH is often used.
As health problems around the world continue to challenge even the most seasoned veterans, the need for well-educated problem solvers has never been greater. Could more people with an MPH (Master of Public Health) degree be one of the solutions? It just might be, especially if the trend towards teaching social entrepreneurship keeps growing.
The MPH is a professional advanced degree that typically takes 2-3 years to complete. Most programs are taught on campus. However, a growing number of MPH courses are being taught online, such as the Executive MPH program that is offered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Students usually focus their studies in one of five main areas: public health administration, epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral sciences (including health education) and occupational and environmental health sciences. The degree, along with the PhD, has been the primary qualification for people in public health working in some administrative, scientific or professional capacity and it has served the public health environment well for many years now.
But there's more that needs to be done. Accredited MPH programs have seen their numbers stagnate or decline in recent years. The reasons vary, but one possible explanation is that more young professionals have been attracted to the higher incomes generally associated with another degree - the MHA or Master of Health Administration - which is often the preferred route for hospital administrators. Another possible reason is the continued erosion of support and interest in governmental positions, either at the county, state or national level, which is where the MPH is often used.
Whatever the reason, the MPH has often not been seen as the most attractive degree to pursue. But could the tide be turning? An increasing number of colleges and universities are taking a more global approach to their curriculum, including courses taught at schools of public health. This has resulted in students becoming increasingly familiar with the myriad of health problems that world faces and, because of heightened activism, want to do something about it.
A related trend also shows signs of hope. In addition to being more aware globally of health and healthcare, students are showing increasing interest in "do good" entrepreneurship. That is, they want to help improve the lives of people, but they want to do it with an entrepreneurial spirit, whether that means actually creating a startup or using entrepreneurial techniques within an established organization to implement change that is faster and better. Some universities are even incorporating social entrepreneurship into their curriculum and course offerings, as well as establishing grant programs that encourage entrepreneurial thinking among faculty. Recently, for example, the Dr. Dennis Gillings and his wife agreed to set aside $50 million at the School of Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill to fund Innovation Laboratories, which will focus concentrated efforts on solving big public health problems whose solutions can make a difference in the public's health.
A related trend also shows signs of hope. In addition to being more aware globally of health and healthcare, students are showing increasing interest in "do good" entrepreneurship. That is, they want to help improve the lives of people, but they want to do it with an entrepreneurial spirit, whether that means actually creating a startup or using entrepreneurial techniques within an established organization to implement change that is faster and better. Some universities are even incorporating social entrepreneurship into their curriculum and course offerings, as well as establishing grant programs that encourage entrepreneurial thinking among faculty. Recently, for example, the Dr. Dennis Gillings and his wife agreed to set aside $50 million at the School of Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill to fund Innovation Laboratories, which will focus concentrated efforts on solving big public health problems whose solutions can make a difference in the public's health.
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