Organizations for Public Health Majors
- American Public Health Association
- American Medical Student Association
- World Health Organization
- College Organizations
- Delta Omega
The top five organizations for MPH students provide opportunities for students in the form of conferences and other events. Master of Public Health college and university programs prepare students for different careers in this field, including those involve contact with the public and those that include research behind the scenes. The best organizations allow students to enroll and become members while they’re in school and after they graduate.
American Public Health Association
One popular organization is the American Public Health Association (APHA), which has a Student Assembly. More than 7,000 students and professionals just starting out in the public health field are members of the organization. Students can volunteer for elected positions within the organization and work in their schools and in the field. A large number of members publish their research work in leading public health journals too. APHA conferences allow students to attend meetings across the country and learn about upcoming public health issues and other special topics.
American Medical Student Association
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is a nonprofit organization that welcomes students majoring in any health field to apply and become a member. Members receive can find volunteer and internship opportunities with partner agencies, which include hospitals and community health clinics across the nation. An annual convention and expo focuses on a new topic each year and takes place in a major city such as Washington DC. The AMSA accepts both current public health graduate students and pre-professional students still working on an undergrad degree.
World Health Organization
Students in public health programs may want to look at what the World Health Organization does and for opportunities available from that organization. Also called the WHO, it is a nonprofit organization concerned with health care around the world. It is responsible for launching special programs designed to help different populations learn about diseases and to advocate for more education and funds. The WHO runs special programs in the United States and other countries, including programs devoted to teaching people about the dangers of antibiotic diseases and another that focuses on women’s health issues.
College Organizations
Many of the schools that offer public health graduate degree programs have on-site organizations that students can join too. This might include a peer-reviewed journal that allows students to review the research work done by others or an organization opened just for public health majors. Those organizations typically offer changes for current students to network with alumni and programs that help students prepare for public health internships and jobs. Some schools hold mock interviews that help students see what a real interview will be like when they apply for jobs and internships.
Delta Omega
One of the top organizations for MPH students is Delta Omega. This is the official honor society for public health majors. Students must attend a college or university with a branch of the honor society on that campus. Their teachers and peers can nominate them to join. Most campuses hold induction ceremonies to welcome new students into the group at least once a year. According to the official website of Delta Omega, it has 113 chapters on campuses in the United States. Members receive discounts on study guides created by the organization and can participate in the National Day of Service, which takes place during Public Health Week. All members also have access to a network of members who graduated from some of the nation’s top public health programs.
Related Resource: 10 Fastest MPH Degree Programs Online
Public health programs prepare students to work as policy advocates and legislatures in Washington DC and for research organizations and think tanks. They can also develop the skills needed to work in public health education and community health clinics. The top organizations for MPH students offer opportunities for those students while they work on their degrees and after they graduate.