Public Health
Ebola. Avian Flu. Tuberculosis. CoronaVirus (COVID-19). HIV/AIDS. Malaria. When people think of public health, these are the names that come to mind, and indeed, with our increasingly interconnected world, the spread of epidemic diseases is a major public health issue.
However, Public Health is much more than mere crisis response. Public Health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting human health through organized efforts and informed choices. It covers a wide range of sociological, scientific and mathematical approaches and seeks to improve standards of living, affect healthcare policy, and prevent the looming crises that stem from issues such as antibiotic resistance.
The Public Health Major intends to prepare students for a wide range of career options in public health. Furthermore, it provides students with a pathway towards graduate programs in Public Health and Epidemiology. Lastly, when supplemented by Medical School requirements, it provides an excellent course of study for pre-medical students who wish to understand the broader context of a physician’s work, or those who wish to work in healthcare policy.
Common Career Paths
Some of the top jobs for those with a Public Health educational background include behavioral health manager, medical records manager, biostatistician, environmental scientist, and so much more. See Careers in Public Health for more information.
Common Salary Ranges for Graduates
As mentioned above, there’s a long list of career opportunities for those with a Public Health educational background. But, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for the following positions (which may require additional education) in North Carolina in 2021:
- Behavioral disorder counselor: $52,850
- Medical records specialist: $43,950
- Environmental scientist: $71,030
- Environmental science teacher: $96,520
Average Tuition Cost
The average cost for an incoming residential freshman to attend MU is less than $18,000 – similar to the cost of attending one of the big-box public schools, but with the enhanced value of a highly-regarded private school with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
While tuition varies, depending on a student’s financial aid package, it’s important to know that the average financial award for an incoming residential freshman at MU is more than $34,000.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
More than 97% of MU students receive some form of financial aid, with the University offering more than $24 million annually to students for scholarships. If a student is active military, family of active military, or a veteran, they may also qualify for MU’s military education benefits.
Interested in Methodist University’s Public Health major?
If you have questions, reach out to Dr. Paul Knudson using the contact info at the bottom of the page. If you’re ready to apply today, visit the link below!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can save lives by solving big problems and land a great job doing it with a degree in Public Health.
- Each 10% increase in public health spending decreases:
- Cancer Deaths by 6.9%
- Diabetes Deaths by 3.2%
- Cardiovascular Deaths by 1.4%
- Infant Deaths by 1.1%
Some of the top jobs for those with a Public Health educational background include behavioral health manager, medical records manager, biostatistician, environmental scientist, and so much more. See Careers in Public Health for more information.
Public Health focuses on measuring and tracking the incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases and other health conditions. The discipline uses population statistics, epidemiological methods, and demographic studies for the purpose of tracking, and therefore to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and other illnesses like drug addiction. In the United States most public health initiatives fall under the jurisdiction of federal departments of public health, such as the CDC or the Food and Drug Administration. Many public health professionals work in offices and laboratories with local or state health departments, hospitals, and colleges and universities.
Public Health is the science and art of
- Preventing disease
- Prolonging life
- Promoting human health through organized efforts
Contact
Paul Knudson, Ph.D.
