Careers in Public Health

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, overall, healthcare-related jobs will increase by 17% by 2024 – a much faster rate than the average for all occupations. Health administration and environmental health are among the areas expected to see above average growth.

B.S. in Public Health Focus Areas

General Public Health:

  • Health educator
  • Geriatric care manager
  • Disease control
  • Community health worker

Environment and Health:

  • Air pollution analyst
  • Asbestos abatement supervisor
  • Sanitarian
  • Drinking and groundwater protection specialist
  • Environmental health inspector
  • Emergency management specialist
  • Food safety inspector/specialist
  • Waste management coordinator

Health Administration:

  • Admissions coordinator
  • Assistant administrator/manager
  • Assistant nursing home director
  • Claims representative
  • Data analyst
  • Grants and development associate
  • Medical records coordinator/manager
  • Patient access specialist

Health Promotion:

  • Community outreach coordinator
  • Consumer information coordinator
  • Health education consultant
  • Patient service representative
  • Patient educator
  • Social services coordinator
  • STD/HIV case worker
  • Wellness coordinator/consultant
  • Youth and family educator/outreach specialist

Practicum Internships

To prepare for career opportunities, all public health students complete a practicum internship. You’ll work with a practicum internship coordinator to find the right opportunity for you. Students have completed practicum internships at local health departments, hospitals, long-term care facilities, specialized health organizations and more. You aren’t limited to our list: there are many employers who can meet the practicum internship requirements.

M.P.H. Focus Areas

Health Promotion: 

  • Community health educator
  • Program coordinator, associate, developer or director
  • Project manager
  • Health promotion specialist
  • Health promotion services director
  • Division director of health promotion
  • Community engagement specialist
  • Director of education and emergency preparedness
  • Director of division of tobacco control
  • Prevention and wellness coordinator
  • Health promotion consultant
  • Public information officer
  • Public health specialist
  • Maternal and child health director at state health department

Health Services Management: 

  • Senior manager of hospital systems
  • Executive director of county health department
  • Account manager, executive or director
  • Health insurance specialist
  • CDC public health adviser
  • Aassistant director of adult health
  • Director of health planning and licensure/certification
  • Director of quality management
  • Business manager of healthcare organization
  • Program manager of marketing and communications
  • Health program administrator
  • Operations administrator

Contact Us

Public Health
Wirtz Hall 209
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-1384
shs@niu.edu

We Are CHHS (PDF)

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