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Health Science: Public Health Outcomes & Career Options
The concentration in Public Health prepares students to provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Fast Facts Public Health Major | ||
| Average completion time | 4 Years | |
| Program Units | 89 | |
| Accreditation | WASC | |
| Program Planning Guide | Download | |
Educational Qualifications
Students interested in applying to schools of medicine or schools with graduate health programs will need to consult with their advisor and/or their respective graduate program.
Health educators need a bachelor’s degree. Some employers may require the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential. Students learn theories and methods of health behavior and health education and gain the knowledge and skills they will need to develop health education materials and programs. Most programs include an internship.
Job Outlook
Employment of health educators and community health workers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Community health workers who have completed a formal education program and those who have experience working with a specific population may have favorable job prospects. In addition, opportunities may be better for candidates who speak a foreign language.
Median Salary
Clinical Studies: The median annual wage for medical scientists was $82,090 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,120, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $160,520.
[Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm#tab-5 ]
The median annual wage for medical and health services managers was $98,350 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $58,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $176,130.
[Source: https://data.bls.gov/search/query/results?q=Health+Administration]
The median annual wage for community health workers was $38,370 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,150, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $64,500. The median pay for epidemiologists was $69,660 in May 2017. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,810, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $113,560.
[Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm#tab-5 ]
The median annual wage for athletic trainers was $44,670 in May 2015. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,480, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,300.
The median annual wage for dietitians and nutritionists was $63,090 in May 2020. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,840, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $90,000.
Sources:
Academic program information adapted from:
La Sierra University. (2016-2017). Undergraduate Academic Bulletin. Retrieved from http://www.lasierra.edu/bulletinCareer information adapted from:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Health Educators and Community Health Workers, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm (visited May 20, 2016).
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hes@lasierra.edu
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