Colorado has consistently ranked as one of the top 10 healthiest states in the country. Three of the state’s cities (i.e., Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins) also consistently rank among the healthiest cities in the country, and National Geographic recently ranked Boulder as the happiest city in the United States. Not surprisingly, Colorado has a strong public health industry that connects with the state’s health-focused culture. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that epidemiology jobs in this state are expected to increase by 25.8% between 2014 and 2024, while jobs for general healthcare practitioners are expected to increase by 22.9%. The BLS also reports that Colorado is one of the highest-paying states for epidemiologists. Because the state features a generally healthy population and positive trends in health career occupations, Colorado is an excellent place to earn an online public health master’s degree.
The BLS projects that epidemiology jobs in this state are expected to increase by 25.8% between 2014 and 2024, while jobs for general healthcare practitioners are expected to increase by 22.9%.
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Public Health Initiatives in Colorado
Colorado maintains its status as one of the country’s healthiest states by pursuing several public health goals. Colorado’s Commitment to Become the Healthiest State is a 2013 health policy agenda that outlines 18 initiatives to maintain and improve public health. This plan highlights four main goals: promote prevention and wellness regarding obesity, mental health, oral health, and substance abuse; expand coverage; improve health systems; and strengthen sustainability. These initiatives include the Healthy Economy, Healthy Colorado plan, which includes strategies to improve healthcare and wellbeing in the workplace.
Additionally, Colorado’s 10 Winnable Battles include health and environmental priorities in areas such as unwanted pregnancies, healthy air and clean water, infectious disease prevention, and mental health and substance abuse support. The University of Colorado Denver also manages several public health programs, including the American Indian and Alaska native health program.
Public Health Internships & Fellowships in Colorado
Due to the state’s commitment to wellbeing, students pursuing an mph in Colorado have access to several internships and fellowships. Internships and fellowships offer slightly different experiences. Typically, a fellowship enhances a graduate or postgraduate student’s studies in their chosen field and involves a stipend. Internships can be awarded to undergraduate or graduate students, and these positions can be paid or unpaid. The list below contains more information about a few public health internships and fellowships in Colorado.
Denver Health Medical Career Collaborative Program
Denver Health is an organization that provides healthcare and health education to all patients, regardless of their financial status. This organization offers 12-week internships to high school students.
HealthBuffs Peer Education Program
HealthBuffs Peer Education Program: Offered through the University of Colorado, this internship lets students attend trainings and participate in semester-long projects related to student wellness and health.
University of Colorado Hospital Fellowship
Students participating in this 12-month fellowship customize their experiences to fit their academic and professional interests. Fellows work with members of the hospital’s senior leadership team.
Global Emergency Medicine Fellowship
This fellowship is offered through the University of Colorado’s health department and the Colorado School of Public Health. Fellows gain research skills and hands-on experiences related to global medicine as academic clinicians.
World Health Organization Internship
Offered through a collaboration between the Colorado School of Public Health and the WHO, this fellowship provides students with the opportunity to travel to Geneva, Switzerland and study international public health policy.
Public Health Careers in Colorado
The amount of money a public health official earns depends on their level of experience, where they live, and their specific position. For example, epidemiologists earn a median annual salary of $70,820, while health educators earn a median annual salary of $44,390. Earning your degree through one of the many online MPH programs in Colorado can also improve your chances of earning a higher-paying salary. The table below displays wage data from May 2016 for epidemiologists and health educators in Colorado. Average annual and hourly wages for these occupations are slightly lower than the national average.
| Employment | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 1,100 | $29.77 | $61,915 |
| United States | 63,260 | $32.60 | $67,810 |
Source: BLS
Public Health Employers in Colorado
While pursuing a master’s of public health online in Colorado, it may be prudent to learn about the state’s largest public health providers. Colorado is home to several major health organizations. The table below describes the top three public health employers in Colorado.
| Employers | Number of Employees |
|---|---|
| UC Health University of Colorado Hospital | 7,110 |
| HealthONE | 7,100 |
| Denver Health | 5,418 |
Public Health Research Centers in Colorado
Familiarizing yourself with the state’s largest research centers can also ease your job search after graduation; these organizations can provide useful connections in the world of public health. Colorado has a reputation for its science and health programs, and the state has several large research centers.
- Colorado School of Public Health: This institution represents a collaborative partnership between the University of Colorado Denver, Colorado State University, and the University of Northern Colorado. The school is home to several degree programs and research centers, including the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center.
- Colorado Health Institute: The Colorado Health Institute is committed to providing evidence-based data and research to advance public health policy and support access to healthcare for all Colorado residents. The institute also provides services in healthcare evaluation and advising.
- Latino Research and Policy Center: Part of the Colorado School of Public Health, this center focuses on research, improving healthcare access, and eliminating health-related struggles that negatively affect the Latino community in Colorado.
- Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials: This professional association focuses on advocacy, initiatives, and research to improve the practice, financing, and structure of the state’s public health delivery system.
Public Health Professional Organizations in Colorado
Joining a professional organization enables workers to receive support from and collaborate with others in their field. These organizations also provide access to professional development opportunities such as trainings and conferences. Additionally, for individuals with degrees from an online MPH program in Colorado, professional organizations can provide potential employment opportunities. For example, the Public Health Alliance of Colorado features a job board that helps professionals in this field find work. Below are three major public health organizations in Colorado.
- Colorado Public Health Association: As the state’s largest and oldest network of public health professionals, the CPHA focuses on professional education, policy and advocacy, and professional development. This association’s opportunities include access to the Colorado Public Health mentoring program.
- Colorado Public Health Nursing Leaders: This professional organization connects nursing directors and other leaders across the state to improve public health nursing practices and policies.
- Colorado Directors of Environmental Health: The CDEH is a network between the environmental directors of local health agencies. This organization focuses on improving environmental health conditions and programs throughout Colorado and educating the public.
Public Health Certifications and Licenses in Colorado
Colorado does not require public health professionals to have any specific certifications or licenses.
Colorado does not require public health professionals to have any specific certifications or licenses. However, licensure and certification can make you a more competitive candidate when searching for jobs. It can also help you advance in a specialized field of public health. For example, after earning a master’s degree in public health, epidemiologists can earn certification through the Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology; this board offers voluntary and periodic certification that ensures professionals meet certain practice and educational requirements. Some epidemiologists also earn voluntary certification through the American Medical Association or through the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
You can also earn several different certifications from the Colorado School of Public Health, including certifications in Latino health, global public health, and public health preparedness and disaster response. For food safety inspectors, Colorado offers a retail food program, which ensures that professionals in this field can help establishments that serve food.
Accreditation for Online Public Health Master's Programs in Colorado
Attending an accredited school is crucial because many employers and universities do not accept credits or degrees from nonaccredited institutions. Accreditation is a process of external review that determines whether or not a school/program meets specific educational standards. Earning your degree from an accredited school ensures that you received a valid, quality education.
The two primary types of accreditation are regional and national. National accreditation is less widespread and is typically awarded to for-profit, religious, or vocational institutions. Regional accreditation is more widely accepted and is awarded to nonprofit and degree-focused schools. When looking for an online public health program in Colorado, be sure that it is regionally accredited. Additionally, look for programs with accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health. This agency promotes excellence in public health degree programs and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Scholarships for Public Health Master's Degrees in Colorado
CSU Scholarship
The Colorado Environmental Health Association advances the cause of health issues related to the environment throughout the state. This association awards a scholarship to a CSU student focused on environmental health.
Eligibility Requirements: Recipient must be an upper-level undergraduate student or a graduate student in good academic standing at CSU who participates in environmental health organizations and projects.
Judith Albino Diversity Scholarship Fund
Open to all students enrolled in public health programs in Colorado, this scholarship is offered to learners interested in public health, medicine, or psychology. The award amount varies based on individual interests and financial need.
Amount Offered: Amount varies
Scholarship Deadline: February 1
Eligibility Requirements: Applicants should be studying public health or medicine. Preference is given to students at the Colorado School of Public Health and to students who are members of federally recognized Native American tribes.
ColoradoSPH at CSU Diversity Award
Offered through the Colorado School of Public Health, this scholarship is awarded to new students at CSU who are enrolled in the master’s of public health program.
Amount Offered: $5,000 per year for two years
Scholarship Deadline: Shortly after admission to CSU’s MPH program
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant should be newly enrolled in the MPH graduate program at CSU. The scholarship committee uses a wide definition of diversity when determining who will receive this award.
Tom Douville Scholarship
Offered through the Colorado Environmental Health Association, this scholarship is for students working as interns in local health departments who are interested in environmental health.
Amount Offered: $250 to $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: August 5th
Eligibility Requirements: Recipients must be public or environmental health students at a Colorado university and an intern in a local health department.
Hamman-Hoffman Epidemiology Scholarships
The Colorado School of Public Health offers this scholarship to students with financial need who contribute to the school’s diversity and will contribute to the public health profession’s diversity.
Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be enrolled in the Colorado School of Public Health’s master’s program.
Robinson Durst Scholarship
Offered through the Colorado School of Public Health’s Center for Global Health, this scholarship is awarded to health science graduate students pursuing global health projects.
Amount Offered: $2,000
Eligibility Requirements: Recipient must be a graduate student in a health-related program at one of the University of Colorado’s campuses. Preference is given to projects focused on the developing world.
Orleans Graduate Research Fund
This scholarship funds research projects, including travel for professional conferences and/or to conduct research, to master’s students enrolled in Colorado School of Public Health programs.
Amount Offered: $500
Scholarship Deadline: August 11th or December 8th
Eligibility Requirements: Recipients should be graduate students enrolled in a Colorado School of Public Health program.
Moran Scholarship Fund
Connected to the Colorado Trust, this scholarship is awarded to students who attend any of the three Colorado School of Public Health Campuses.
Amount Offered: Based on available funds
Scholarship Deadline: Offered shortly after admission into a Colorado School of Public Health program
Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be Colorado residents enrolled at one of the Colorado School of Public Health’s three campuses.
Rotary Scholarship
Several Denver-area rotary clubs partner with the Students for Global Health network to award this scholarship to a graduate student interested in global health.
Eligibility Requirements: Applicant must be a Colorado master’s of public health student and must fit with the Rotary Club’s values of fellowship, service, and ethical conduct.
Anna Christine Brinkerhoff Helms Scholarship
Colorado State University offers this scholarship to eligible public health graduate students.
Amount Offered: Varies
Scholarship Deadline: March 1st
Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be enrolled in Colorado State University’s master’s of public health program.
FAQs
Can you study public health online? ›
The Master of Public Health (MPH) is an 18 month programme. CBU's online public health masters will provide you with the foundational knowledge, subject-specific expertise, specialized skills, and global network needed to forge the career you want in public health.
Is Colorado School of Public Health Good? ›2021: No. 20 out of 188 accredited schools and programs in public health (tied for 20th with three others). 2022: No. 19 out of 190 accredited schools and programs in public health (tied for 19th with 10 others).
Where is the Colorado School of Public Health? ›The Colorado School of Public Health Office of the Dean and central administration are located at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Institutional directors and their offices are located at both Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado.
How many credits is MPH at CU? ›The 42-45 credit hour MPH program is designed to be completed in two years and must be finished within five years.
Which course is best in public health? ›Being an Epidemiologist is among the most popular Master's of Public Health government jobs. Epidemiologists evaluate and monitor the spread of diseases, work to understand their causes and develop solutions and possible treatments.
What are the requirements to study public health? ›UTME and Direct Entry Requirements to Study Public Health
Direct Entry Requirement for Public Health: Two (2) A Level passes in Biology/ Zoology, Chemistry and Physics plus three (3) other O Level credit passes in Mathematics, Physics and English Language.
The Colorado School of Public Health is the first accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain West. Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the Colorado School of Public Health strives to train and support the public health workforce in Colorado and regionally.
How do you become a public health officer? ›Depending on the specific practitioner role, related qualifications could include a first level degree in public health or related area, nursing, environmental health, or sport and exercise. Experience might include working with communities or groups, or working in a knowledge and intelligence role.
What is the tuition at Colorado School of Mines? › Is Colorado College a private school? ›A private, four-year liberal arts college with roughly 1,900 undergraduates, Colorado College is located on a 92-acre campus in downtown Colorado Springs. Consistently ranked among the top 30 national liberal arts colleges, Colorado College is the only institution of its kind in the Rocky Mountain region.
What county is Anschutz Medical Campus in? ›
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a higher education institution located in Adams County, CO.
Does CU Boulder have a Public Health program? ›At CU Boulder, we offer a Certificate in Public Health, which asks students to take a minimum of 18 credit hours in a variety of course options.
What is the highest paying job in public health? ›| Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,280 |
| Biostatistician | $92,270 |
| Emergency Management Director | $76,250 |
| Epidemiologist | $74,560 |
- Biomedicine (21)
- Clinical Psychology (16)
- Complementary & Alternative Medicine (5)
- Dentistry (38)
- Health Management (110)
- Health Sciences (352)
- Human Medicine (195)
- Midwifery (1)
Because public health requires undergraduate students to take both hard and soft sciences, it's not one of the easiest majors around. Upper-division core courses, such as epidemiology and biostatistics, can be challenging, especially if science and math are not some of the person's strongest suits.
Is a degree in public health worth it? ›Yes, public health is a good major for many undergraduate students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, community and social service jobs are set to grow at 12% over the next 10 years, much faster than the average for all occupations.
What can I do with a diploma in public health? ›Public health workers can specialise in biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy management or social and behavioural sciences. Qualified public health workers have many different work opportunities, but these core public health disciplines cover the most common areas of public health work.
What do people in public health do? ›People who work in public health hold the common goal of improving the health of individuals and society by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing injuries and disease, and controlling infectious diseases. They may be concerned with protecting and improving the health of a small community, or the entire planet.
What is the salary of a public health officer? ›The average Public Health Officer salary is $60,994 as of September 26, 2022, but the salary range typically falls between $53,538 and $71,045.
How do you get experience in the public health field? ›There are many ways to get experience other than through paid employment, this includes internships, volunteering or through personal endeavours such as starting a blog or a local NGO to showcase your skills.
What does a career in public health look like? ›
Public health careers encompass a variety of roles within healthcare that focus on improving the health of entire groups of people. Through education, research, and preventative training, public health workers prepare to protect the health of communities.
Is Colorado School of Mines worth? ›Below Average Value Nationwide. Colorado School of Mines is ranked #1,882 out of 2,223 for value nationwide. Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, we believe Colorado School of Mines is overpriced for the quality education it provides.
How hard is it to get into School of Mines? ›The acceptance rate at Colorado School of Mines is 53.1%.
For every 100 applicants, 53 are admitted. This means the school is moderately selective. The school expects you to meet their requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but they're more flexible than other schools.
Colorado School of Mines is a public research university focused on science and engineering, where students and faculty together address the great challenges society faces today—particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment.
› Public Health ›What Education Do I Need for a Career in Public Health?
What Can I Do with a Public Health Degree? Career & Salary ...
What You Need to Know About Becoming a Public Health Major
An online master's in public health program takes about two years to complete. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition and fees for graduate school in the 2019-2020 academic year were $12,410-$28,430, depending on the school type and resident status.
Is public health in demand in UK? ›Public health is a growing profession in the UK. With a booming healthcare sector and several companies and agencies to work for, the UK is a very good choice for public health MSc graduates to work in. According to Payscale, the average salary for an MPH graduate in the UK stands at £33,000 per year.
What is public health course all about? ›What is a course in public health? This type of course of study covers the general health of a population in several different areas, including disease control, rehabilitation, and injury prevention.
What is MSc in public health? ›A Master of Public Health (MPH) is a graduate-level degree designed to train students to protect and improve the health of communities. As an MPH degree candidate, you'll learn how to foster better health through education, research, and the promotion of best wellness practices.
Are online MPH programs worth it? ›There are many opportunities in public health, which makes an MPH degree a valuable option. An online MPH program can be especially beneficial for those who are already working in the health care field.
What is the highest paying job in public health? ›
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,280 |
| Biostatistician | $92,270 |
| Emergency Management Director | $76,250 |
| Epidemiologist | $74,560 |
Specifically, is a Master's in Public Health (MPH) worth it? Yes! Those who pursue an MPH degree are likely to see incredible salary potential and job opportunities after graduation. Most of all, they develop a greater voice in the field and in turn, tend to have a greater impact on the world.
Where can I work if I study public health? ›This field focuses more on management and administration and examples include those managing hospitals, larger healthcare networks and even national health regulations and programmes.
Is public health hard to study? ›Because public health requires undergraduate students to take both hard and soft sciences, it's not one of the easiest majors around. Upper-division core courses, such as epidemiology and biostatistics, can be challenging, especially if science and math are not some of the person's strongest suits.
How long is public health course? ›2 Years. Eligibility: 3 years Diploma in relevant specialty from recognized university.
How many years is public health course? ›The course is offered as a one-year full-time intensive course (Master of Public Health), or as a two-year full-time course which includes applied practice.
How long does diploma in public health take? ›Diploma in Public Health is a course offered the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). This course takes three years.
What can you do with a Master in public health? ›- health visitors, school nurses and public health nurses.
- environmental health professionals.
- public health practitioners.
- knowledge and intelligence professionals.
- academics.
- managers, directors, and consultants and specialists.
Over 25 institutions in India offer MPH programmes and incidentally 75% of MPH graduates are from a non-medical background.
Is a PHD in public health worth it? ›One of the top reasons why a Ph. D. in public health is worth it is that you have the opportunity to become a policymaker. This degree leads to careers that let you implement public health statutes, whether it is at the local or national level.