First, what does it stand for?
The MPH stands for Masters in Public Health and is a graduate degree for individuals who would like to grow their knowledge in topics within public health such as the epidemiology of disease to addressing health disparities and inequities by better examining the social determinants of health. Some individuals may pursue this degree to secure additional health-related credentials or may be interested in going all the way to a PhD or Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health. Public Health is such a vast area of study that this degree can really help individuals in a number of related fields.
Benefits of an MPH
Depending on the professional field of study, an MPH can be considered a terminal degree, meaning no other further educational attainment is needed to use the degree in a particular occupation. It also serves as a way to expand skillsets such as understanding how to conduct qualitative or quantitative research, how to use and apply statistical tools and models, data visualization and GIS techniques and so on.
Why did I pursue this degree?
I decided to pursue this degree because of my background as a medical librarian. I began my professional librarian career in 2015 as a systems librarian and hospital librarian, like many librarians, I learned the subject matter on the job after completing my masters degree in library science. Since 2015, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a large health care system and a university system and have continued to grow my knowledge and skills as a health professional, however, I noticed that in order to further grow my knowledge, I needed to go back to school. The MPH program which is offered online, onsite, and hybrid at my institution served to be the best way for me to pursue my studies while also working full-time. The other benefit was that unlike my first masters, this one does not require the GRE – woo-hoo, so it was one less hurdle to consider when I applied.
How did I come to this decision?
Lots and lots of conversations with colleagues and friends on similar journeys. Have you ever had to make a decision and the only clear path is that you have to pick between option A and option B? Well that was me, trying to decide between going for another masters degree or pursuing a doctoral degree. Many individuals I spoke to recommended I go for the doctoral degree, particularly because it was the natural way forward for higher ed administrators. I believe that’s part of my journey as well, but what I really wanted was to build up the knowledge and expertise that enhances my current understanding of health and health care in the US. That was and still is the most important goal for me. The doctorate degree will follow.
Time will tell if this was the best decision, but regardless, I’m happy I made one.
To your salud & success,
AW
