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Montana School of Public Health – MT

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

Montana Public Health Schools

Whether licensure is required or not, Montana is serious about developing its public health workforce.  In 1993, the Public Health System Improvement Task Force was formed, tasked with creating an integrated and sustainable system to enhance the quality of life for all Montanans.  A key component in fulfilling this mission is education and training for public health professionals.  The state established its own health training institute, a career-long learning center aimed at everyone working in and with the public health system, including social services and emergency responders.  It offers classes and workshops on a variety of topics pertinent to the public health field with continuing education units awarded upon completion.  In addition to ongoing training, one of the institute’s overarching goals is advocating for the creation of a recognized certification program that establishes a minimum level of competency for Montana public health system employees and the Montana public health schools that train them.

Montana public health professionals are encouraged to pursue training through a variety of venues.  Undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and graduate certificates in public health professions are available through schools online and at traditional campus settings.  Education that furthers expertise in the state’s core public health competencies is particularly desirable.  According to dphhs.mt.gov these are:

• Public health workforce
• Bioterrorism and emergency readiness
• Emergency preparedness
• Informatics

Montana’s public health field includes a multitude of health-related professions and occupations, which means an abundance of educational and training opportunities.  That’s where research comes in to ensure that you select the one fits your career objectives.  Internet resources dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD, Montana’s Public Health and Safety Division website, and mtpha.com, the Montana Public Health Association are good places to start.  Each contains a wealth of information and links to other sites regarding training and continuing education opportunities, professional responsibilities, and trends within the profession.

Through campus based and online programs, aspiring Public Health Professionals in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Butte, Bozeman and Helena, Montana 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 Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Northern Montana Hospital and St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center.