Is 30 Too Old to Get a Public Health Degree?

Public health degrees are for those who want to play an active role in helping their communities and the public be healthy. They can lead to roles in public education, health research, and more.

Many students choose to return to school or start school when they're older, and a public health degree is just one of many degrees available. 30 isn't too old to get a public health degree, and there are even some benefits to getting a public health degree at 30. We break it all down below.

Reasons To Earn Your Public Health Degree at 30

There are several reasons someone may want to earn their public health degree in their 30s. Most significantly, roles in public health are in high demand, and public health officials can do a lot of good for their communities.

Public health officials are responsible for researching diseases as well as educating and protecting the public. While demand varies between roles, some jobs for public health officials are expected to increase by as much as 30% over the next decade.

What Will I Learn In a Public Health Degree Program?

Public health degree programs are designed to create leaders that help their communities be as healthy as possible. As a result, these programs often cover elements of social sciences, research, leadership skills, and disease spread.

Common topics covered in public health bachelor's degree courses include:

• environmental health
• epidemiology
• health education
• health promotion
• population health
• program planning
• research, assessment, and evaluation

Many public health degree programs, even those done online, require students to participate in an internship or some type of field experience.

What Can I Do With My Public Health Degree?

With a degree in public health, you can find roles in research, advocacy, and education. All these roles have one common goal: to keep the public healthy.

We've broken down some common types of public health careers below. Note that some of these roles may require a graduate-level degree.

Community Health Workers

Community health workers are responsible for advising and promoting healthy behaviors in the public. They often work specifically with people with limited access to services, like those who are elderly, low-income, or recent immigrants.

Community health workers can work in a variety of settings, like social services, health services, governments, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that demand for community health workers will rise 14% by 2032.

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists are scientists who study patterns of diseases, injuries, and outbreaks. They may run studies and analyze data to determine the root cause of health problems, and may also run programs or appeal for funding.

Most epidemiologists work for the government at either the state or local levels, but some also work for hospitals, universities, and research centers. According to the BLS, demand for epidemiologists is expected to grow by 27% over the next 10 years.

Health Education Specialist

The role of a health education specialist or health educator is to teach people about health and well-being. Their jobs often involve assessing community needs, developing and evaluating programs, and advocating for health resources.

About a quarter of health education specialists work for the government, but other employers include healthcare services, hospitals, and social assistance programs. The BLS expects demand for health education specialists to rise by 7% over the next decade.

Medical Services Manager

Medical services managers are managers within healthcare providers. Their job is to coordinate business activities, like monitoring budgets, training and scheduling staff, and organizing records.

Different types of medical and health services managers work in different organizations, such as hospitals, doctors' offices, nursing homes, government, and outpatient care centers. According to the BLS, demand for medical and health services managers is expected to grow by 28% over the next ten years.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Occupational health and safety specialists' primary job is to plan and implement systems within a workplace to keep workers healthy and safe. They may also investigate incidents and write reports.

These specialists may be employed by a company to ensure that workers stay healthy and safe, or they may work for outside employers like the government or consulting services. The BLS expects demand for health and safety specialists to rise by 13% over the next decade.

FAQs About Starting a Public Health Degree at 30

Find answers to commonly asked questions about earning your public health degree at 30 below.

Are There Benefits To Starting My Public Health Degree at 30?

Aside from the fact that public health roles are in demand and can do a lot of good, there are several benefits to starting a public health degree at 30. These include:

• You're more mature and better able to handle college-level work.
• You're less likely to switch majors or quit a program because it doesn't interest you.
• You'll be able to bring a unique viewpoint into the classroom.
• You may qualify for financial aid specifically for adult students.

Can I Work and Go To College?

While it's not always easy, many students can work full-time jobs while going to college. For many, the easiest way to do this is through flexible programs offered online or in the evenings.

Can I Complete My Public Health Degree Online?

Although public health degrees are more commonly offered on campus, several colleges and universities offer public health degrees online. Keep in mind that you will likely still need to complete an internship or fieldwork in person.