THREAD 1: MPH concentrations

I will start with the various concentrations (area of specialization) in MPH and link it with the job prospects after graduation. You must choose one when applying to MPH programs.

Most universities offer these concentrations:
- Biostatistics
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy & Management*
(or Health Service Administration)

* HPM is referred to as HSM by most programs

Few universities also offer the following concentrations:
- Women's Health,
- Global Health,
- Community Health,
- Social & Behavioral Health,
- Environmental Health
- And others......

However, few universities offer general MPH without concentrations.

So, what are the job prospects?

It all depends on your work permits. If you are a citizen or a permanent resident, it is easier to secure a job after graduating from any of these concentrations. The odds are still higher for biostats and epidem.

If you do not have a working permit (citizen/P.resident), you would need a company to file for you. Although I have few friends that have been lucky enough to get after their MPH, but it is not common.

I know what many of you feel about Health Service Administration (or Health Policy & Mgt). I know you believed that it would help you manage an hospital better. Yes, it is true but universities' curriculum are geared towards the American health system.

Besides, the competition is high in this concentration. First, it is usually the number one concentration for Americans. So, you have to compete with them. Second, you also have to compete with people with MBAs.

So, biostatistics and epidemiologists are some of the areas abandoned by people because it involves lots of calculations and the ability to use one or more statistical softwares. The COVID-19 pandemic will also open up many opportunities in these 2.

Without work permits, many people continue into Ph.D programs. Ph.D programs open up many opportunities than just MPH. It opens up the academic pathways (do a postdoctoral program and work in the university/ colleges), or be a researcher.

Doctorate degree in the US elevates you to the few and therefore makes it easier for companies/institutions to file for you. Just 4.5% of the US population have Ph.D compared to 21% with masters.

My advise: If you are not a medical graduate and want to go far in public health fields in the US or globally,
- choose any of the above concentration for your MPH
- focus on a particular research area
- Continue into the PhD
- Doors will eventually open

For medical doctors going into MPH, I know the intent of thy heart. Residency is still possible after MPH but depends on a number of factors too, which I can't explain here. I will devote another section to that.

N.B: I did not mention in any of my tweets that job is not possible if you opted for any concentration. I have seen miracles happened. I will not use the fate of few to decide for everyone. I just explained the possibilities. Do not misunderstand my messages.

Watch out for the next thread: Who can apply to MPH programs..............

You can ask questions related to the concentrations on this thread.

@rapturabl_saint @Okpala_IU