Online Public Health Degrees and Careers

Most public health administrators have earned a master's degree in one of several fields including health sciences, public health, public administration, long-term care administration, or health services administration. Small hospitals and facilities sometimes hire public health managers who have completed public health degrees at the bachelor's level. A doctoral degree in public health or administration is required for top-paying jobs in both the public and private employment sectors. Professional certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator can be earned by administrators who have earned at least a bachelor's degree from the American Health Information Management Association. Nursing care facility administrators are required to possess a bachelor's degree, successfully pass an examination for licensure, complete a State-approved training program, and periodically pursue continuing education. Managers in assisted-living facilities are required to be licensed in some states. Employment prospects in the field of public health are expected to increase 16 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the national average for other occupations. In May 2008 the median annual salary of public health managers was $90,970.