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Mississippi School of Public Health – MS

By allied health world contributing writer
Published:  February 12th, 2010

Mississippi Public Health Education

As Mississippi enters the new decade, its success in fulfilling its mission of helping people live healthier and safer lives will depend more than ever on its public health professionals.  The state depends heavily on federal and state financing to sustain its public health system, funding that has been cut year after year and faces an uncertain future (msdh.state.ms.us).  Those entrusted with safeguarding the health of Mississippians must be able to do more with less.  Mississippi public health schools prepare students to successfully meet such challenges by instilling confidence and building up skill sets.  Degrees and certificates in public health and related fields are available through schools featuring online learning, as well as the traditional bricks-and-mortar colleges and universities.  A little investigation can reveal program offerings, costs, and time commitments to determine which one is the best fit for you.  Once you graduate and satisfy any necessary state licensing obligations, a number of employment opportunities await.  Nurses are especially in demand; Mississippi is severely understaffed with nurses across all public health specialties, a situation which is projected to continue well into the future.

Because of the public health field’s reach and comprehensiveness, life long learning is a must.  Master’s degrees or graduate certificates are logical progressions for individuals wanting to advance their careers.  The Mississippi State Health Department (msdh.state.ms.us) and the Mississippi Public Health Association (msdh.state.ms.us/mpha) also offer continuing education classes and workshops that allow individuals to keep up-to-date with the issues and trends affecting their profession.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Public Health Professionals in Jackson, West Gulfport, Gulfport, Biloxi and Hattiesburg, Mississippi may be able to prepare themselves for the possibility of employment in some of the largest hospitals and healthcare facilities in the state including the Tupelo Hospital, North Mississippi Medical Center, Baptist Memorial Hospital and University of Mississippi Medical Center.