Demand for professionals who can make sense of big health data and IT systems is growing along with expanded career opportunities for community health workers and health educators. In fact, employment for these two occupations is projected to grow 16 percent between 2016 and 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.(1)
Because the need for trained public health professionals is growing, the demand for more public health education programs also surges.
To help address this need, the University of Missouri is launching two public health programs – both 100 percent online. The School of Health Professions now offers a bachelor of health science in public health and the School of Medicine will open in January 2019 a graduate certificate in informatics for public health.
Demand for new graduates: informatics for public health
This 12-credit-hour graduate certificate provides a unique focus on the development, adoption and application of informatics solutions in the public health arena. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach and is a collaboration between the School of Medicine and the School of Health Professions at Mizzou.
Iris Zachary, assistant research professor in the School of Medicine’s health management and informatics department, said the informatics program is unique and valuable, and you won’t find many others like it elsewhere.
“We worked to create the best program to train professionals in the public health field maximizing the use of data and information technology. We apply informatics to current and emerging public health practice and interventions to improve outcomes,” Zachary said. “With this certificate, we hope to help close the gap between community need and the number of trained informatics professionals in the public health field.”
Public health informatics officers, information officers, health care workers and community professionals servicing the public health field – and those aspiring to work in the field – will find immense value in this degree.
Bachelor of health science in public health
Similarly, the bachelor’s program is designed to address the need for more public health professionals by preparing graduates to enter the workforce in a number of core areas of public health.
“This program is built for students who have a passion for promoting the health of people and communities,” said Michelle Teti, associate professor in the Department of Health Sciences, who is also the lead faculty member for the program. “Whether the student has yet to enter the workforce, or is in the midst of their career, this degree will prepare them for success.”
Apply today
The online BPH and informatics for public health programs are 100 percent online. No campus visits are required.
The BPH program is currently accepting applications for classes that begin in August.
The informatics for public health program will begin offering classes in January 2019 with applications being accepted through Dec. 15.
The School of Health Professions also is launching a master’s program in veterinary public health with classes beginning in August.
“Mizzou continues to expand the number of online degree programs for high-demand fields such as public health,” said Kim Siegenthaler, director of Mizzou Online. “We are providing in-demand majors for students who can’t relocate to campus for their studies, and we’re also producing new professionals that the public needs.”
Learn more about online public health degrees and certificates from Mizzou.