Students who want to make a difference as epidemiologists, health educators, or healthcare managers can enjoy lucrative careers in the growing field of public health. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that job opportunities for health educators in Texas will grow at a rate of 28% while job opportunities for epidemiologists will increase by 19.1% by 2024. Texas' large population, diverse racial composition, and growing number of senior citizens mean its healthcare sector is creating new jobs daily. More than 4.3 million Texans do not have health insurance, including 623,000 children. That's about 1.75 times as many as the national average.
The U.S. Department of Labor projects that job opportunities for health educators in Texas will grow at a rate of 28%.
Thanks to its large Latino and African American communities, Texas is a perfect location for students seeking careers in Hispanic or African American healthcare. The state is home to Dallas, the nation's fourth largest metropolitan area, as well as many rural communities. Earning an MPH in Texas allows healthcare professionals to serve and educate all communities, especially those in need of help.
Featured Online Programs
Public Health Initiatives in Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services is focusing its public health initiatives on West Nile, Zika Virus, and Hurricane Harvey. As part of its hurricane relief efforts, the department is overseeing programs such as providing vaccinations to people injured in the storm or its aftermath. While mosquitos bearing the Zika Virus are not present in Texas, travelers who can contract the illness are. The department is preparing for the possible transmission of the virus in Texas. FInally, the department is monitoring cases of the West Nile Virus and conducting public health campaigns to limit its spread.
The department of health services also works in emergency preparedness, general health and wellness, and infectious disease control. An aging population means diabetes, Alzheimer's, and influenza get special attention. As with any state, the department's activities includes obesity reduction and anti-smoking campaigns.
Public Health Internships & Fellowships in Texas
Internships and fellowships give students opportunities to engage in research and practice in their chosen fields. Interns accept paid or unpaid professional posts while still students or just after graduation. Fellows are graduate students or recent graduates who receive a stipend or salary. Future public health professionals can gain experience through internships and fellowships across the U.S. and around the world. The following are some fellowships and internships available to students earning an online MPH in Texas.
Schweitzer Fellows help address chronic health conditions through their work in Gabon and at 14 sites in underserved communities across the U.S., including Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston/Galveston. More Information
Public Health Careers in Texas
Public health professionals earn salaries dependent on their experience, credentials, and location. Public health and related career fields like nursing and allied health are growing quickly in Texas thanks to the state's swelling population. Wages also exceed the national average. Epidemiologists, health educators, and healthcare managers living in Houston and Dallas have easy access to employers like Baylor Healthcare System, Texas Health Resources, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Epidemiologists in Texas earn an average of $88,600, health educators earn $54,740 and community health workers earn $41,400, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
| Employment | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2,570 | $26.32 | $54,740 |
| United States | 63,260 | $32.60 | $67,810 |
Source: BLS
Public Health Employers in Texas
The BLS projects that epidemiology job openings will grow at a rate of 9%, and healthcare manager job openings will grow 20% by 2026. Both fields are growing even faster in Texas. Since experts expect Texas' population to swell to 45 million people by 2040, healthcare will remain one of Texas' fastest-expanding sectors, making the state a great place for professionals with a master's in public health online in Texas.
| Employers | Number of Employees |
|---|---|
| MD Anderson Cancer Center | 17,000 |
| UTMB General Surgery | 10,000 |
| Influenza Research Center | 9,000 |
Public Health Research Centers in Texas
After finishing an online MPH program in Texas, students can expect to find stimulating careers in public health research. Researchers examine relevant health trends and environmental risks. They also disseminate their findings to government agencies, legislators, and healthcare professionals. By interning or volunteering in a research center, students can gain rich professional experiences that can boost their career prospects.
Texas Public Health Training Center (TPHTR): TPHTR is a resource created in partnership with the Texas A&M Health Science Center, the University of Texas School of Public Health, and University of North Texas Health Science Center. It is home to the Texas Healthy Homes Training Center and has been state certified as a community health worker training program.
Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living: Part of the University of Texas, the Dell Center's projects focus on children's health promotion, healthy eating, understanding the health concerns of firefighters, and encouraging greater regulation of tobacco.
Center for Population & Aging: Located at Texas A&M University, this research center exists to help scholars understand and encourage successful aging. Goals include promoting independent living, understanding chronic illness, and improving overall health.
Public Health Professional Organizations in Texas
Like membership associations in other fields, public health organizations promote the profession's goals, lobby for industry-friendly public policy, and advance members' careers. New public health professionals as well as learners in online MPH programs can benefit from the American Public Health Association's student and early-career membership options. Many other statewide organizations offer similar opportunities. Student members can also gain valuable networking experience and professional development opportunities at events like the Texas Society for Public Health Education's annual conference.
Texas Society for Public Health Education: Hosting a national conference and a variety of awards, this regional affiliate of the Society for Public Health Education also promotes research, advocacy, and networking opportunities in public health.
Texas Public Health Coalition: Professional organizations dedicated to health promotion and disease prevention compose this coalition's base. Its mission is to develop public health leadership and advocate for health-related public policy initiatives.
Texas Public Health Association: This statewide affiliate of the American Public Health Association is composed of public health officials who seek to improve the lives of state residents through publications, scholarships, events, a jobs board, and advocacy.
Public Health Certifications and Licenses in Texas
Many students in online MPH programs in Texas focus their studies on health education, healthcare administration, or epidemiology.
The Texas Medical Board provides a public health license to qualifying physicians. Applicants for this license must be physicians who meet the additional requirements for public health service in Texas. The Texas Department of State Health Services grants a variety of public health related licenses such as licenses for midwives, dieticians, and athletic trainers.
Many students in online MPH programs in Texas focus their studies on health education, healthcare administration, or epidemiology. In Texas, health educators receive their certification from the Texas Education Association. The Texas Department of State Health Services licenses nursing facility administrators. These professionals can also become board certified through the American College of Healthcare Executives. Epidemiologists receive private certification from either the Certification Board for Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) or the Association for Professional in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
Accreditation for Online Public Health Master's Programs in Texas
Accreditation is the process by which U.S.-based institutions of higher education validate their programs. Private accrediting agencies appraise each school, reviewing its mission, faculty, coursework, and financial structure. These accrediting agencies can be either regional or national. Most professionals consider regional accreditation the gold standard for higher education. In Texas, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools grants regional accreditation. It regularly reviews members to determine their future accreditation standing.
National and programmatic accreditation agencies review schools with specific educational programs. The Council on Education for Public Health accredits higher education institutions that provide public health programs in Texas and throughout the country. Digital learners seeking online MPH programs in Texas should look first for schools that hold both regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditation is essential for academic and professional recognition, while national accreditation is helpful but not necessary.
Directory of Online Master's in Public Health Programs in Texas
Based in College Station, Texas A&M offers one of the most respected public health programs in Texas. The master's of public health is a multidisciplinary program that provides skills, training, and the knowledge necessary for careers in the field. The six available concentrations include biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, and health policy and management. Only the epidemiology concentration is available entirely online.
The degree is among online mph programs in Texas that require students to earn 45 credits, which includes 18 core and 24 concentration and elective credits. The program culminates in a three-credit practicum, during which students learn from established public health professionals and apply learned concepts in a real-world setting.
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Students interested in the epidemiology or biostatistics track must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and applicants to the health policy or health promotion track must have a minimum 2.75 GPA. Prospective students must submit three letters of recommendation, a current resume, official transcripts, and a statement of purpose.
Scholarships for Public Health Master's Degrees in Texas
The JCC Association offers scholarships to Jewish students pursuing a master's degree in fields related to the organization's mission and mandate. Options include education, health, and social work. Recipients must work for JCC either after graduation or before enrolling.
Amount Offered: $10,000 (renewable for a second year)Scholarship Deadline: February 1Eligibility Requirements: Full-time graduate study; Pursuing first degree in a field related to JCC's mission; Willingness to intern at a JCC site See Scholarship