Public Health is the art and science of preventing disease and protecting people’s health to improve their well-being through organized community efforts. Public Health professionals study and work in various areas of interest to improve health. There are several opportunities for study, policy analysis, administration, and advocacy in the broad field of public health. The increasing complexity of health trends is driving a growing demand for specialized training and high-quality education. So, an MPH (Master’s Degree in Public Health) is one of them.
The need for high-quality education and specialized training keeps growing as health trends get more complex and health challenges become more prevalent and region-specific at the same time. Therefore this kind of health trend needs public health professionals to specialize in specific areas and topics. That’s how different MPH Concentrations were needed. Each MPH concentration offers specialized coursework that informs students of the varying approaches to public health. Let’s learn about major concentrations in MPH:
Major MPH concentrations
The following is the list of major MPH concentrations that most of the public health professionals choose to specialize in and these concentrations are available in most of the universities’ MPH programs.
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Social and Behavioral Health
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Healthcare Administration and Policy
- Community Health Promotion
- Global Health
- Generalist
- Public Health Nutrition
- Maternal and Child Health
In addition to the above-mentioned list, the following is the list of MPH concentrations available in Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s MPH program which is the dream school of many public health professionals and students.
MPH concentrations in John Hopkins School of Public Health
- Aging and Public Health
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Epidemiologic and Biostatistical Methods for Public Health
- Food, Nutrition, and Health
- Food Systems
- Global Environmental Sustainability and Health
- HealthLeadership and Management
- Health Systems and Policy
- Humanitarian Health
- Infectious Disease
- Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health
- Women’s and Reproductive Health
Biostatistics and Epidemiology
The MPH concentration in Biostatistics and Epidemiology is designed for students to emphasize the students to use the statistics and statistical data in the study of global health. This concentration is more about quantitative aspects of public health. Students are expected to learn to analyze past and current trends and use of evidence-based statistical methodologies to predict future ones. Graduates can work in a variety of institutions, from government health agencies to college health departments, as professional analysts, researchers, or epidemiologists. The whole departmental workforce of the National Institutes of Health, for instance, comprises the Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology Service (BCES).
Global Health
The MPH concentration in Global Health provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to take on leadership roles in public health settings around the globe. Upon completion of the Global Health Concentration, graduates may find employment as health care advisors, managers, or analysts at any number of internationally recognized health organizations.
Social and Behavioral Health
In both domestic and international contexts, the MPH concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health is centered on developing, implementing, and assessing initiatives that support healthy behaviors. Social and behavioral health students are equipped to play a part in developing solutions that will enhance the general public health of these areas by spotting high-risk behaviors or trends in certain populations. In addition to learning the skills required for working with a variety of people on a range of health-related issues in government and nonprofit organizations, students also study the psychological and social influences on behavior and health.
Healthcare Administration and Policy
Through the analysis of research and the reading of policy briefs, presentations, and petitions, this MPH concentration aims to educate students on cutting-edge solutions to health and social problems. This concentration focuses on organizational characteristics of healthcare delivery systems, providers, and economic forces that shape consumer and provider behavior.
Generalist Track
The coursework is made to integrate the specializations in health services and policy, global health, health, biostatistics and epidemiology, and community health promotion into a single framework.In addition to preparing students for careers in management and specialized sectors within the public health field, the Generalist emphasis expands their understanding of the concentrations available within the MPH program.
How to choose the best concentration for you?
Enthusiastic about public health professionals and students recognize the need to receive specialized public health education. A top-notch MPH degree can set you up for a fulfilling profession that keeps our communities safer and healthier for a very long time.
There are so many options available in the MPH program and choosing your best option may be challenging. But we all have some areas in health which we are a little more inclined towards. For example, I want to work as an epidemiologist and solve health problems like infectious diseases prevention and to learn more about disease patterns and trends so I would choose Epidemiology and Biostatistics as my major MPH concentration. Similarly, choose the areas of public health where you wanna work.
However, those who are more interested in pursuing a career in public health law may discover that the Health Services and Policy specialization offers a stronger educational basis for a future as a policy analyst.
References
- https://mphdegree.usc.edu/blog/mph-concentrations
- https://publichealth.jhu.edu/academics/academic-program-finder/masters-degrees/master-of-public-health-mph/program-options/full-time-format/concentrations#:~:text=The%20MPH%20concentration%20in%20Health,management%20in%20the%20health%20sector.
