Iowa School of Public Health – IA

By allied health world contributing writer
Published:  February 11th, 2010

Educational Requirements for Public Health Workers in Iowa

The first necessary requirement to secure a public health position in Iowa is completion of high school.  After high school there are wide array of university, technical, and vocational schools that offer programs in the public health field.  The state of Iowa offers many degree programs in both the traditional classroom setting as well as distance learning.  Prospective students can search The Association of Schools of Public Health database @ http://www.asph.org for available programs in Iowa, as well as throughout the United States. Additionally, the SOPHAS website (http://www.sophas.org) is available to individuals and offers program choices both nationally and internationally.  With over fifteen possible degrees and twenty possible majors, students need to choose online programs and Iowa public health schools carefully to ensure they meet the career requirements.  Majors in the field of public health are derived from five core areas: Behavioral Science/Health Education, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, and Health Services Administration.  The curriculum for students of public health programs will vary greatly depending on the chosen field of study.

Upon completion of an accredited program, it is recommended that students seek licensing or membership in a state or national association.  The Iowa Society for Public Health Education (IASOPHE) is a state chapter of the National Society for Public Health Education, and it offers opportunities for networking with other public health professionals, career development, and skill enhancement for current public health workers.  Information on becoming a member of IASOPHE can be found at http://www.iowapha.org.

Public health is a continually changing field, and therefore continuing education is a core piece of the profession.  Continuing education courses enhance a professional’s ability to remain up-to-date with information about health reform and education.  Public health workers can choose from a wide assortment of continuing education courses from any public health training institution.  The American Public Health Association is an excellent resource to find information on continuing education in the public health profession.   The website for the APHA is http://www.apha.org and has several links to continuing education resources as well as information on accreditation.