Public Health Students Need to Remember Five Things About An Infectious Disease Specialization
- Specialization Found at the Graduate Level
- Practicums Will Focus on The Area
- Research Rules
- Not All Specializations are Equal
- Graduate Degrees in this Field Exist
Infectious diseases are a problem in the United States, and the fact that so many of them can be prevented by educating the public on things they can do to keep themselves safe is heartbreaking. However, there is a group of dedicated public health professionals that work in this specialized field; the only unfortunate thing is that there are not enough of them. Students who wish to work in the infectious diseases specialization might want to keep the following five things in common when choosing their degree program; it may make transitioning into a program much easier.
Specialization Found at the Graduate Level
The first thing to keep in mind is that an infectious disease specialization is generally found within a Master of Public Health degree. This is because an undergraduate foundation in public is necessary before specialization can begin. While there are some concentrations available at the undergraduate level, most professionals wait until they apply for graduate schooling to invest in this specialization. Most jobs in the field require a minimum of a graduate degree in order to be eligible, so this makes sense. Additionally, this is a complex specialization that will require students to turn to their undergraduate degree to understand it completely.
Practicums Focus on This Area
Students who take on the infectious disease specialization will find that their program’s practicum or field requirement will focus on this area. This is because students who specialize will often want to find a career in the field, meaning that having practical experience in the area will be useful to them. Practicums are often held in government agencies, including the United States Centers for Disease Control. Alternate practicum sites may include research think tanks, hospitals, and local community centers. Students should expect to work at least 20 hours a week for the length of a semester to meet practicum requirements, although requirements may vary by school.
Research Rules
The infectious disease specialization is one that is ruled by research. This means that the curriculum will focus on research methods and techniques that are currently used and being developed in the field. It also means that a student’s dissertation or research paper, which is part of the culminating element of their degree, will have a focus on infectious disease. The research component will ensure that students can work within the field and understand how research works and what it will mean to the advancement of the field.
Not All Specializations are Equal
Different schools will have different emphasis options relating to infectious disease, so it’s important for students to remember that not all specializations are created equal. For example, students who are interested in the research and lab components of the specialization may want to look for schools that have a strong medical program that has cross-pollination with the public health department. Those more interested in education will want to find a school that specializes in the educational component of public health. The best way to discern what school is best is for a student to call the department directly and speak with a staff member.
Graduate Degrees in this Field Exist
Students who have a strong interest in infectious disease may want to research graduate degrees in this area. These are programs that are public health degrees with a major, not a specialization, in the field, making it a great choice for any professional who wishes to make this their life work. While there are not many programs in the area currently, more and more schools with a strong public health department are considering designing one to make available to students.
Related Resource: Top 10 Doctor of Public Health Degree Programs
Public health professionals know the dangers of misinformation and little education on infectious diseases. If the public is not aware of the advancements being made to understand and eradicate these diseases, they are far more likely to end up contracting something that could have been prevented. The New York Times wrote an article discussing how diseases transmitted from tick and mosquito bites are spreading, showcasing that infectious diseases are causing a great deal of harm. But now that there is a specialization dedicated to this field, public health officials can move forward and become pioneers to help educate the public on health dangers that may be affecting their community.