Students can easily specialize a Master of Public Health degree in child and adolescent health through simply selecting a suitable program from available higher education organizations. Keep in mind that almost all master of public health degree programs provide specialization choices.
Also see: 10 Best MPH Online Degree Programs
Why Master of Public Health in Child and Adolescent Health?
A Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in child and adolescent health focuses on researching and understanding a wide range of applicable health and developmental issues. This includes important health issues and patterns of children and adolescents across the globe. Consequently, students will study social, physical and environmental variables that contribute to or from proper child and adolescent health development. For example, this will include studying demographic data related to child and adolescent health statuses in rural, urban and industrializing settings.
Students will learn how limited education and resources impact proper health and development. Other major factors include demographics, socio-economic status, developmental obstacles and cultural and political variables. Students will gain a basic understanding of common health problems of children and adolescents, such as obesity, malnutrition and injuries. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to design, develop and implement public health programs that focus on improving the health and well-being of children and adolescents. This will include immunization, disease prevention, education outreach and community health care programs.
Why Master of Public Health in Child and Adolescent Health?
Students who specialize a Master of Public Health degree in child and adolescent health will keep busy with demanding classes that will provide the necessary skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their career. For starters, they will study classes related to child and adolescent nutrition, growth, health and development. They will learn about infectious disease management to promote child survival and well-being. They will also study major problems and barriers faced by vulnerable populations, such as the homeless, disabled or impoverished.
On the intellectual side, students will explore public policies and regulations related to public health and child and adolescent development. Then, students will move on to study how to become health advocates for the populations they serve. Advanced coursework will include classes on nutrition epidemiology, vaccine development and health communication programs. There will also be classes on the social and environmental contexts of adolescent health and development. For example, this may include a class that analyzes the adolescents, criminal behavior and the justice system. Students will learn about how to promote violence prevention programs for adolescents.
Career Choices for Graduates
Many graduates go on to work with non-profit or government agencies, such as the Department of Human Health and Services. Two popular jobs for graduates include public health scientist or public health analyst., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, public health analysts are social service professionals who provide their expertise to schools, government agencies and health care organizations. They develop, evaluate and update policies and procedures related to child and adolescent health and development. Sometimes, they conduct on-site visits to organizations to ensure their compliance with state and federal regulations. Therefore, they must design and implement evaluation standards and strategies for public health audits. Public health analysts participate in statewide committees and groups tasked with protecting and promoting child and adolescent health and development.
Related Resource: Online Master in Public Health Degree
To draw to a close, child and adolescent public health is important for communities and society as a whole. There are many higher education programs available that allow students to specialize a Master of Public Health degree in child and adolescent health.