Healthy careers with an associate degree in public health

Can we stop diseases before they start? Can we improve people's lives by improving their health? Can health education change behavior? The field of public health answers "yes" to all these questions. If you are drawn to science and have a keen interest in making a difference in the health and well being of individuals and communities, a career in public health may be calling to you. You can answer the call with a "yes" of your own by earning an associate degree in public health or public administration.

Associate degree in public health programs

What goes into earning a degree in public health or a degree in public administration? Most associate degree in public health or associate degree in public administration programs take between 18 months and two years to complete. Online associate degree in public health programs have the added benefit of flexibility, allowing you to complete classes without commuting to a bricks and mortar campus. Some of the courses you might expect to take in a public health degree program or a publication administration degree program with an emphasis in public health include:

• Epidemiology
• Biostatistics
• Health education
• Health policy and regulation
• Ethics
• Communication
• Non-profit management

Whatever the exact courses you complete, an associate degree in public health will provide you with a solid foundation for further public health education or to begin your public health career.

Careers in public health

Many positions in the field of public health require an advanced degree, but an associate degree in public health or public administration can open the door to engaging and meaningful entry-level employment in the field. Here are a few of the jobs you might consider:

• Social and human services assistants provide clients with services that help improve their lives, connecting them with government programs or medical and other services as appropriate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects jobs in this area to grow much faster than average over the next decade, largely due to the aging population and the demand for substance abuse and mental health treatment. The median annual salary for social and human services assistants in May 2009 was $27,940, with the top 10 percent of social and human services assistants earning at least $44,760.
• Health educators organize events, lectures, screenings and materials to educate communities or individuals about health-related topics. Health educator positions typically require a bachelor degree, but internships can help pave the way for landing a health educator job, and an associate degree in public health can be the first step to landing an internship as you continue your education. The BLS reports that as of May 2009, the median salary for health educators was $44,340, with the top 10 percent earning at least $79,290.

An online associate degree in public health or public administration can prepare you to help individuals and benefit society as a whole by improving our public health. Whether you use your associate degree as a stepping stone to further education or to begin your career, a public health degree gives you the knowledge you need to make a difference.

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