<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="3" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> UNC's Online Master of Public Health Program </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> UNC's Online MPH: Full-Time and Part-Time Options. GRE Not Required. </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Advance your public health career with UNC's online Master of Public Health program. Learn more.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-3" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-3" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinemph.unc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UNC-MPH_GILLINGS_School_Vertical_RGB.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinemph.unc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="4" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> MPH@Simmons </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Earn Your MPH Online. No GRE Required. </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>MPH@Simmons is designed to give you the real-world skills you need to positively impact public health and address health inequity on a local, national, and global level.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-4" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-4" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.simmons.edu/requestinfo/mph/">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SC-ENT_University_MPH_Color_Stacked.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://online.simmons.edu/requestinfo/mph/">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="5" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> MPH@GW: An Online MPH With Connections in Washington, D.C. </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> No GRE Required to Apply to GW's 12-Month Online MPH </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>Customize Your Degree Through Electives. Accelerated One-Year Online Program!</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-5" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-5" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinepublichealth.gwu.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GWU_University_Stacked_RGB_COLOR_2C_900x900.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinepublichealth.gwu.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

ad_Public-health

cat_Other

Low Intent

ptype_Explainer

Peter Olsen-Phillips

<p>Like many people who are considering a <a href="https://fortune.com/education/public-health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-public-health-programs/">master’s of public health (MPH) degree</a>, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of concentrations and career paths when I first began researching this field. Even with a goal in mind—I want to improve people’s access to healthcare—I didn’t know where I would fit in within the larger picture of public health, and if I would be best suited to work as an <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/04/21/an-epidemiologist-explains-why-earning-your-masters-in-public-health-can-be-critical-for-your-career/">epidemiologist</a>, community health worker, or environmental health professional, to name a few of the possibilities.</p><div class="paywall-selector"></div><div class="paywall">



<p>Ultimately, I relied on my lived experience with a chronic illness and a volunteer position at a community health organization to inform my decision to concentrate my MPH in health policy.</p>



<p>My journey to public health was a roundabout one. After working as a journalist for eight years, I will enroll in an MPH program this Fall. A reflection on my career goals helped lead me to this career change. Professionally, I always placed a high premium on the impact of my work—I wanted it to positively affect a large number of people—but was frustrated when a story or investigation didn’t spur tangible change. It’s important to me that future roles more directly improve others’ lives, but I didn’t know where to start.</p>



<p>The flare-up of a rare, long-term illness and the attendant difficulties navigating public and private health insurance helped to crystallize my plans. I wanted to take the leap into public health and find ways to encourage systemic change in healthcare coverage, and help ensure others had an easier time than I did in accessing necessary health services. Here’s how I landed on my <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/04/27/how-to-choose-a-concentration-in-a-masters-of-public-health-program/">MPH concentration</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reflect-on-your-goals-and-skills">Reflect on your goals and skills</h2>



<p>In choosing a concentration, I found it important to reflect on both my passions and my skill set. I had to ask myself what part of population health I most wanted to see changes in, and how my skills and experiences could best be used to <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/05/02/what-career-opportunities-are-available-to-someone-with-a-masters-of-public-health/">effect change</a>.</p>



<p>Due to pain from a rare spinal anomaly, I had left a full-time position to face a seemingly endless procession of medical appointments and tests. Along the way, I gained insight into the many frustrations associated with healthcare coverage: The denied procedures, the tremendous cost of COBRA coverage, and the many bureaucratic failings of Medicaid. Searching for a doctor that understood my symptoms while negotiating changing insurance coverage, denied claims and immense costs was exceptionally difficult, even though I had resources like employer-sponsored insurance and a supportive family. </p>



<p>I was struck by how onerous the process must be for patients without those resources to find and pay for decent care. Simply put, the experiences gave me an emotional connection to the issue of healthcare access in this country.</p>



<p>Knowing the issue that I was most passionate about helped to organize the rest of my decision-making process. I spent time reflecting on what concentrations might mesh well with my career experiences. With a background in data journalism, I tend to think about problems from a statistical, or empirical, perspective. What’s more, I believe accurate data and good analysis leads to sound decision-making. Finally, I have experience writing, talking to subject matter experts, and sifting through policy documents. </p>



<p>This combination of my interests and experience steered me toward a concentration I felt was well suited for me: Health policy. In my studies, I’ll <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/04/20/what-youll-learn-in-a-masters-of-public-health-program/">learn more about</a> the development and evaluation of policies that affect population health.</p>



<p>My decision wasn’t confirmed, however, until I gained some firsthand experience working in community health and had the chance to speak with advisors and practitioners at several institutions to learn more about this concentration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-hands-on-experience-and-reach-out-to-prospective-schools">Get hands-on experience and reach out to prospective schools</h2>



<p>The Association of Schools &amp; Programs of Public Health<a href="https://www.aspph.org/study/before-you-apply/"> recommends</a> that prospective MPH students get practical and professional health-related experience before applying to a program, if possible. My on-the-ground experience working in population health—volunteering at a Washington, DC-based community health organization—affirmed that I was on the right path. While assisting with a mobile syringe exchange that also gives out food and condoms, I saw firsthand how many individuals are effectively shut out of our current healthcare regime and are forced to survive on the margins.</p>



<p>This direct community work was deeply meaningful personally and underscored my desire to tackle systemic changes to make a more equitable, accessible system. It also motivated me to pursue more information about the health policy specialization.</p>



<p>Knowing I would need to stay in the Washington, D.C. area, and that I would prefer a residential program to an online one, narrowed my list of potential schools. For each of the schools on my short list, I made sure to attend in-person and online events, asking questions about the program’s curricula and <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/04/28/an-mph-opens-more-doors-the-value-of-a-masters-of-public-health-vs-an-undergrad-degree/">job opportunities</a>. During my first in-person visit, I had a chance to meet with admissions advisors and hear current students talk about their studies and internships—and this experience solidified my first choice of school and concentration.</p>



<p>After a long <a href="https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/04/26/how-to-earn-a-spot-at-george-washingtons-online-masters-of-public-health-program/">application process</a>, and weighing each institution’s financial aid packages, I decided to attend the MPH health policy program at <a href="https://fortune.com/education/public-health/masters/rankings/george-washington-university/">George Washington University</a>. I’m excited to explore the career opportunities afforded by studying near the heart of federal policymaking and to be able to connect my personal experiences to our most pressing policy debates.</p>



<p><em>See how the schools you’re considering landed in Fortune’s rankings of the best <a target="_blank" href="https://fortune.com/education/public-health/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-public-health-programs/" rel="noreferrer noopener">master’s in public health programs</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://fortune.com/education/business-analytics/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-business-analytics/" rel="noreferrer noopener">business analytics programs</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://fortune.com/education/data-science/masters/rankings/best-online-masters-in-data-science/" rel="noreferrer noopener">data science programs</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-parttime-mba-programs-in-2022/" rel="noreferrer noopener">part-time</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-executive-mba-programs-in-2021/" rel="noreferrer noopener">executive</a>,<a target="_blank" href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-mba-programs/" rel="noreferrer noopener"> full-time</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://fortune.com/education/business/mba/rankings/best-online-mba-programs/" rel="noreferrer noopener">online</a> MBA programs.</em></p>



<div class="wp-block-group pro-tip-box-widget"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<h3 class="wp-block-heading pro-tip-box-heading">Read more</h3>



<li>If you want to find great resources to become a health coach, check out the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-health-coach-certifications/">best health coach certifications</a>.</li>
<li>Interested in a psychology degree? Here are some of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-psychology-degree-programs/">best online masters in psychology programs</a> you can find.</li>
<li>Want a more flexible way to earn an online master’s degree in nursing? Explore our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-msn-nurse-practitioner-programs/%22">best online MSN nurse practitioner programs</a>.</li>
<li>Choose one of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-public-health-programs/">best online masters in public health programs</a> to help you find the right school for you.</li>
<li>Our ranking of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/best-online-masters-in-nursing/">best online masters in nursing programs</a> can be a useful tool in your search for advanced online learning.</li>
<li>Many universities offer <a href="https://fortune.com/education/health/most-affordable-online-msn-nurse-practitioner-programs/">affordable online MSN nurse practitioner programs</a>.</li>
<li>For those looking to learn the basics of nutrition, one of the programs in our list of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-nutritionist-certifications/">best nutritionist certifications</a> is a great first step.</li>
<li>Fulfill your ambitions of being a personal trainer with one of the <a href="https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-personal-trainer-certifications/">best personal trainer certification</a> programs. </li>
</div></div>
</div>

A student enrolling in a master's degree program in public health describes how he decided to concentrate his studies in health policy.

How I decided on my concentration for a master's degree in public health

F-Search

Education

Education Articles

Jasmine Suarez

Health and Wellness

A student enrolling in an MPH program describes his decision to focus on health policy.

How I decided on my concentration for a master’s degree in public health

Fortune earns a commission for purchases made from affiliate partners via some links on our site; other links are not affiliate partner links. <a href='/affiliate-disclosure/'>Click here</a> to read the full Fortune advertiser disclosure and how we earn commissions.

We have independently evaluated the products and services below. We may earn affiliate revenue from links in the content.

Fortune Editors

Fortune Education is designed to be your guide to navigating this new, rich and somewhat overwhelming world of education. Our team of experienced editors is committed to scouring the universe of online offerings in order to rank, rate, provide comparisons and recommend the right solutions for you and your career.

Fortune Education

Uncategorized

homepage

articles

Articles Hub

By Region

By State

By Cost

Business

Career Hub

Tech

EDUCATION

EDUCATION ARTICLES

HOW I DECIDED ON MY CONCENTRATION FOR A MASTER'S DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH

How I decided on my concentration for a master's degree in public health | Fortune Education

Rich Griset

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

https://fortune.com/education/articles/free-data-analytics-courses/?itm_source=parsely-api

Preston Fore

What is a data scientist?

https://fortune.com/education/articles/what-is-a-data-scientist/?itm_source=parsely-api

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

https://fortune.com/education/articles/real-estate-school-review-aceableagent/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brit Morse

A law associate making $300,000 a year at Skadden Arps quit over the firm’s deal with Donald Trump

/article/rachel-cohen-making-300k-year-law-associate-skadden-arps-quit-protest-firms-deal-trump/

Get ready to pay more than $2,000 for a new iPhone: Experts say Trump’s 125% tariff on China is a ‘complete disaster for Apple’ akin to ‘Armageddon’

/2025/04/10/apple-iphone-16-price-complete-disaster-china-trump-tariffs/

It’s about to get a lot harder for job seekers as tariffs are set to make the hiring landscape even more daunting

/2025/04/07/trump-tariffs-labor-market-more-challenging-job-seekers-economists-say/

This company does peer performance reviews—And then lets everyone read each other’s evaluations

/2025/03/24/performance-review-process-company-allows-all-workers-read-garner-health-workplace-culture/

2024 health coach certification review: Catalyst Coaching Institute

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-catalyst-coaching-institute/

A guide to a nurse’s salary: Broken down by all 50 states and industry type

/education/careers/nurse-salary/

2024 health coach certification review: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-institute-for-integrative-nutrition/

10 high-paying public health jobs right now

/education/careers/public-health-jobs/

Jason Del Rey

Is eBay actually sexy again as the ecommerce old-timer’s stock surges to an all-time high?

/2025/07/31/ebay-earnings-live-sports-cards-trading-pokemon/

Erik German

Meet the CIA-backed venture fund behind Palantir, Anduril—and a spy tool that might be on your phone

/2025/07/29/in-q-tel-cia-venture-capital-palantir-anduril/

Dana Hull

Kiel Porter

Bloomberg

Tesla engineering VP Moravy says company in ‘big swing moment’

/2025/07/27/tesla-engineering-vp-lars-moravy-big-swing-moment-musk-robotaxi-optimus-semi/

Christiaan Hetzner

Volkswagen seeks audience with Trump, dangling more than $10 billion in U.S. investments in exchange for tariff exemptions

/2025/07/25/volkswagen-trump-tariffs-exemptions/

Whether you’ve just completed your undergraduate degree or you are a professional with years of experience, Fortune is here to guide you on the next step of your educational journey.

How I decided on my concentration for a master’s degree in public health

About the Contributors

Top Articles

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

What is a data scientist?

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

MPH@GW: An Online MPH With Connections in Washington, D.C.