School of Public Health
Welcome

Careers

MPH Health Education

1. What kind of work do people with an MPH in health education do?
2. What is the salary range for a MPH prepared health educator?
3. Are jobs available?
4. After you get an MPH in Health Education can you get a doctorate?
5. Where can I get more information about the field of Health Education?

MPH Maternal-Child Health

1. What would I do with a MPH in maternal child health?
2. What is the salary range for a MPH in maternal-child health?
3. Are jobs available?
4. What if I want to go on for more education?
5. What are some of the professional organization involved with maternal-child health?

MPH Health Education/Maternal-Child Health Dual Degree

1. What is the advantage of doing the dual degree?
2. What is the salary range?
3. Does this degree prepare me to seek a doctoral degree?
4. Where can I get more information about the field of Health Education and maternal-child health?

[Top]

DrPH Health Education

1. What kinds of jobs do doctoral-prepared health educators have?
2. Are you required to have an MPH degree to do the doctorate in health education?
3. How long does it take to complete the doctorate in health education?
4. Can students choose their own research interests?

DrPH Preventive Care

1. What kinds of jobs do preventive care specialists have?
2. Is a masters degree required and, if so, in what area?
3. How long does it take to complete a preventive care doctorate?
4. Can students choose their own research interests?

MPH/MIP Peace Corps Program

1. Who can join the Peace Corps and why do people join?
2. How do Loma Linda University School of Public Health and the Peace Corps work together?
3. What are some of the benefits of being in the MPH/MIP program?
4. Where can I get more information about the the MPH/MIP Program?

[Top]

HPRO Student graduates

Frequently asked questions about the MPH in health education

1. What kind of work do people with an MPH in health education do?

They may plan, implement and evaluate health education programs in a variety of settings:

  • Government agencies
  • Hospitals and medical facilities
  • Business and industry
  • National and International non-governmental organizations
  • Community-based organizations

2. What is the salary range for a MPH prepared health educator?

Salaries range from $35,000 - $90,000 depending upon location, job description, and experience.

3. Are jobs available?

Yes! The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the growth need for health educators in the period between 2005 and 2010 will be faster than average.

4. After you get an MPH in Health Education can you get a doctorate?

Yes, you can get a DrPH, PhD or an EdD. A doctorate degree prepares you for a leadership role as a professor, researcher, or administrator.

5. Where can I get more information about the field of Health Education?

Here are some sites:

  • The American School Health Association (ASHA) is a professional organization for health professionals working in school settings. This includes school nurses, health educators, school physicians, physical educators, and others.
  • The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc. (NCHEC) is the organization that credentials health educators. The site provides information about health education, job listings, and the CHES certificate (certified health education specialist).
  • The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a major professional organization for health educators. They sponsor conferences and continuing education opportunities for health educators.
  • The American Association for Health Education (AAHE) is the oldest and largest health education association on focusing on prevention, protection, preservation and improvement of health through education. This organization represents thousands of health educators in a variety of settings.

[Top]

Frequently asked questions about the MPH in maternal-child health

1. What would I do with a MPH in maternal child health?

As a licensed health professional, you may use both your health professional and public health skills in planning, implementing and evaluating programs related to the health of women, children, and families.

2. What is the salary range for a MPH in maternal-child health?

With your health professional background and MPH, you could expect to earn between $55,000 to $130,000.

3. Are jobs available?

Yes. Health professionals with maternal child health background work in both government and private sectors. There is a substantial need for maternal child health specialists, not only in the U.S. but also in international settings with non-governmental organizations.

4. What if I want to go on for more education?

Your MPH would be a beginning point from which you could pursue a DrPH, PhD or EdD. As a doctoral prepared person, you would be assuming a high level administrative position, teaching at the university level, or participating in research.

5. What are some of the professional organization involved with maternal-child health?

There are many professional organizations. Here are some examples:

[Top]

Frequently asked questions about the MPH dual degree in health education/maternal-child health

1. What is the advantage of doing the dual degree?

Many persons who are not licensed health professionals are interested in working in the field of maternal-child health. The dual degree builds content knowledge in maternal child health while also preparing you for a career as a health educator with CHES certification. There is a strong market need for health educators who can design, implement, and evaluate programs reaching children, women, and families, both domestically and globally.

2. What is the salary range?

Salaries range from $35,000 - $90,000 depending upon location, job description, and experience.

3. Does this degree prepare me to seek a doctoral degree?

Yes, you can get a DrPH, PhD or an EdD. A doctorate degree prepares you for a leadership role as a professor, researcher, or administrator.

4. Where can I get more information about the field of Health Education and maternal-child health?

Here are some sites:

[Top]

Frequently asked questions about the DrPH in health education

1. What kinds of jobs do doctoral-prepared health educators have?

Over 60% of our graduates go into teaching or research at the university level. The other 40% work at public health agencies i.e. state and county; some work at organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; some go into research; and others work with private agencies directing their health education programs. A number of our applicants are already employed but wish to upgrade their skills in their current jobs.

2. Are you required to have an MPH degree to do the doctorate in health education?

A person with a masters in most fields can apply for the doctorate in health education, if the prerequisites are met. Applicants with an MPH degree have the advantage that they have completed most of the corequisites and may transfer or share courses from the MPH, reducing the number of courses needed for the DrPH.

3. How long does it take to complete the doctorate in health education?

Individuals with an MPH degree and studying full-time can complete the degree in three years. Generally, it takes three to five years to complete the degree.

4. Can students choose their own research interests?

Students are encouraged to choose their own research interests in relation to health education. Students may also work with faculty engaged in health education research. Dissertations in health education focus on how health education is used to improve health and health behavior. The dissertation research must be theory-driven or theory-based.

[Top]

Frequently asked questions about the DrPH in preventive care

1. What kinds of jobs do preventive care specialists have?

Graduates go into teaching, research, administration, or a clinical practice setting working primarily with physicians, hospitals, or corporations. Some persons work in practice groups with physicians while others run their own business accepting referrals. The focus is on lifestyle management.

2. Is a masters degree required and, if so, in what area?

A person with a masters in most fields can apply for the doctorate in preventive care, if the prerequisites are met. Applicants with an MPH degree have the advantage that they have completed most of the corequisites, reducing the number of courses needed for the DrPH.

3. How long does it take to complete a preventive care doctorate?

Assuming full time student status, a master’s degree in a closely related field, and a typical dissertation, the time to completion of the program would be between 4 -6 years.

4. Can students choose their own research interests?

Students are encouraged to choose their own research interests in relation to lifestyle management at any point in the life span (e.g. childhood obesity, aging, chronic illness). Students may also work with faculty engaged in lifestyle research. Dissertations focus on how to improve lifestyle factors related to health. The dissertation research must be theory driven or theory-based.

[Top]

Frequently asked questions about the MPH/MIP Peace Corps program

1. Who can join the Peace Corps and why do people join?

Applicants must be US citizens, at least 18 years old, and in good physical health. MPH students join the Peace Corps to provide services in the global arena, to participate in a grassroots public health experience, and to join the cadre of Americans with broad global experience. Their experience benefits not only the host countries but our own country.

2. How do Loma Linda University School of Public Health and the Peace Corps work together?

The School of Public Health partners with the U.S. Peace Corps to offer MPH students the opportunity to fulfill the field practicum through the Peace Corps. The student completes the coursework for the MPH and then receives academic credit and tuition support for the field practicum though Peace Corps experience.

3. What are some of the benefits of being in the MPH/MIP program?

Loma Linda University School of Public Health provides a tuition scholarship for the field practicum and academic credit. The Peace Corps provides language and cultural training in the host country, living and housing support in the field, medical and dental coverage, and deferment of student loans while in Peace Corps service.

4. Where can I get more information about the the MPH/MIP Program?

Please check the Loma Linda School of Public Health website at http://publichealth.llu.edu/ or contact the Peace Corps coordinator, Lory Alido, MPH, RN at sphpcinfo@llu.edu, (800) 422-4558 or (909) 558-4800, extension 42072. Also you can link to the Peace Corps website at www.peacecorps.gov.

[Top]

Montage Check out our new online digital viewbook to learn more about the "LLU Experience."

<READ MORE>