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Hawaii School of Public Health – HI

By Jennifer Williams, allied health world contributing writer
Published:  February 2nd, 2010

The Expanse of Public Health

Public health is probably one of the most rewarding professionals of all. This profession is committed to proactively controlling the health issues of the public before they reach a serious level. Many people go to their primary physician for advice on their health concerns; yet, they do not realize that public health is behind every option given to you at the doctor’s office. Laboratory testing, vaccination, and medication all stems from the research and development done by those dedicated individuals working in public health.

What else does a person in public health do? Theoretically, the list is so long that it would be difficult to list every option of public health; however, here are some more of the great careers in this field:

• Global Health
• International Health
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology
• Laboratory Research and Development
• Behavioral and Social Science
• Health Education
• Health Services Administration and Management
• Public Health Policy

Education and Degrees

A bachelor’s degree is the bare bones degree that you can have to work in any sector of public health. This type of degree usually takes about 4 years to complete and will provide you with all of the vital knowledge and training that will be expected of you in an on-the-job situation.

For those more aggressive candidates, you may think of earning a master’s degree through online or campus based Hawaii public health schools. While it is not required for you to have a master’s degree, many fields of advancement, such as public health policy and administration, will demand of you a 6-year degree. If you are contemplating furthering your career at some point, you may want to look into the benefits of a master’s degree.

Don’t forget to look online and find out what those types of schools can offer you. The CEPH is now issuing accreditation to an assortment of virtual institutions and this could be a great opportunity for you to attend a school that would otherwise be unattainable for you. Virtual classrooms can afford you the flexibility and convenience that many students are now seeking, so be sure to check out these options before you select a school.

References:

www.indeed.com
The Council on Education for Public Health, www.ceph.org
The National Board of Public Health Examiners, www.nbphe.org
Hawaii Department of Health, www.hawaii.gov/health

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Public Health Professionals in Honolulu, Kialua and Hilo, Hawaii may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including Kuakini Medical Center, The Queen's Medical Center, and Hilo Medical Center.