Can I Get a Master’s in Public Health Degree Online?

Can I Get a Master's in Public Health Degree Online

The rise of distance learning programs even at some of today’s largest and most prestigious universities means that an online Master’s in Public Health degree is easily within reach for those who are interested in furthering their education in this field. In fact, online graduate programs in public health might be the best fit for those who are already employed in public health and simply lack enough available free time to attend classes on campus for either day or evening sessions.

The coursework is just as rigorous, and the core courses are just as specific, as anything an offline program would have to offer. The primary difference is the way courses are delivered and assessment is undertaken.

Accreditation is of the Utmost Importance When Choosing Distance Learning

An online degree can be a huge asset for those who are already in the public health field, but only if it comes from the right source. The rise of online education has made it easy for substandard institutions to offer a degree in public health without seeking the regional accreditation needed to ensure the quality of the degree and to give students access to valuable federal financial aid programs.

As a result, students considering getting their master’s degree online need to look into the accreditation status of any school to which they might apply. Generally speaking, pubic health professionals will want to stick with online degrees offered by major state and private universities that also offer accreditation for their offline programs. This is a sure bet that the program will offer regional accreditation and present rigorous coursework from start to finish.

For universities that are exclusively online oriented, be sure to search the website for an accreditation page that lists when the university was accredited, which regional agency issued that accreditation, and whether the accrediting agency is recognized and approved by the United States Department of Education. If so, the program is a sure bet. If not, it’s best to avoid that school and move on.

Online Programs Will Still Give Professionals a Career Boost

With the right accreditation in place and a rigorous set of graduate-level courses lined up, public health professionals can rest assured that their online studies will lead to greater opportunities for long-term career advancement. That’s largely because the field is growing quickly nationwide, according to an article in the US News and World Report. Public health is also becoming central not only to government work, but also to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies that typically offer higher salaries, supervisory and executive roles, and rewarding employment benefits for those who have pursued at least a graduate-level public health education.

It should be noted that most of today’s major employers don’t view an online degree any differently than they would its offline equivalent. Years of development and technological innovations have seen online programs embrace videoconferencing, more accountable testing mechanisms, enhanced methods of student and professor communication, and better content comprehension than in years past.

What counts the most is that students were interested enough in their field, and committed enough to their own development, that they sought out a way to further their professional skills. For this reason, seeking out a masters in public health online,  or more specifically, an online masters in biostatistics is as good for the graduate as it is for their current and future employers.

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