The increasing importance of public health
Public Health is a broad, interdisciplinary field in the practice and science of protecting and improving the health of families and communities—answering needs on local, national, and global levels. Professionals work to preserve wellness and prevent or minimize health problems by implementing intervention programs, recommending policies, administering services, and conducting studies. People in public health fields work to decrease health disparities and improve healthcare access, equity, and quality.
Impact on well-being is achieved through:
- Promotion of healthy lifestyles
- Research for disease and injury prevention
- Detection and control of infectious diseases
- Development of new drugs and treatments
- Other innovations and initiatives
Who should pursue this degree
An MPH may appeal to a range of students interested in serving the public sector and improving health outcomes for people, including:
- Current TCNJ students in Public Health, Communication Studies, Social Sciences, Biology, Education, or Business—and from majors with concentrations in health (e.g., Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Nursing, Sociology, Anthropology, or Communication).
- Students from other accredited institutions interested in public health careers—with a BA or BS degree and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in a relevant major. Especially current employees from local Departments of Health, hospitals, or other health and health-related agencies.
- School nurses or professionals employed by health agencies or related companies—including local health associations, insurance companies, or pharmaceutical manufacturers.