8 Top Double Majors With a Public Health Degree

There is a renewed focus on public health policy, especially in a post-pandemic era. Students who graduate with a public health degree are positioned to take roles in the public and private sectors to help secure healthcare at a societal level, as opposed to individuals.

Public health majors often work as policy advisors and can benefit from a second major or dual degree program that gives them an additional skill set that they can use to help people receive the care they need.

Top Double Majors With a Public Health Degree

Regardless of whether you choose a double major or a dual degree program, several areas of study will benefit your primary studies in public health.

How To Choose a Second Major

When you're choosing a second major, you need to evaluate your career goals. Public health takes many different forms and identifying which jobs you want to pursue will help you identify which skills you need and which second major can help you.

Business Administration

A business administration degree program covers general business topics and how different business units interconnect. Although there is a high demand for public health professionals in the public sector, there are many private-sector jobs at hospitals and other similar organizations. For a public health worker who is working in a corporate structure, understanding the inner workings of businesses is a valuable skill. A second major in business administration can also prepare a graduate for a managerial role in the industry.

Social Work

Social work degrees teach skills related to understanding people and their adversity. Public health workers often work with marginalized groups to help ensure healthcare. Although some of the needed skills will be taught in a public health program, combining your BPH or MPH program with a social work degree can help you better understand how to connect people from all backgrounds with the care they need.

Education

Education majors learn about the theories behind education and best practices for teaching. A public health professional's top responsibility is to make sure that people have access to the knowledge and skills required to maintain personal health. As a result, having a second major that includes concepts learned in a teaching degree can help you learn skills to better educate people on their health.

Political Science

Political science degrees cover the basics of government and how policy changes are drafted and submitted. Public health professionals often work with governments to provide advice on crafting health policy. Although a degree in public health can prepare you for the health side of that role, a second major in political science can help prepare you for work within the political realm. Understanding a variety of political systems can also allow for international work to promote global health.

Social Sciences

Social sciences is a field of study that includes subjects like psychology, sociology, and more. These studies relate to people and how they interact in groups, which can provide valuable context to public health workers.

Computer Science

Computer science majors learn about hardware, software, and how they work together. Although most public health workers work directly with people, the rise of technology for sharing information and telehealth meetings is changing how public health is monitored. Understanding information technology and how to best use it can greatly expand a professional's ability to help people promote their health.

Data Science

Data science majors focus on the entry, storage, and analysis of data using different tools and systems. Like general computer science, data science is playing a bigger part in public health almost daily. As medical data is transferred to growing databases and patient files can be shared digitally, knowing how data is compiled and analyzed is an essential skill for modern public healthcare professionals.

Environmental Health

Health issues aren't exclusively caused by a person or even their choices. Environmental health is a field of study that focuses on how environmental factors like pollution, climate, and more impact public health. Environmental health jobs involve research into air and water quality, as well as understanding the role of mankind on the environment.

Public Health Degree Specializations and Career Paths

Public health degrees open up various career opportunities for graduates, both in the field of public health and in adjacent industries.

Some of the most common jobs for public health professionals include:

• community health worker
• public policy analyst
• health educator
• epidemiologist
• public health advisor

A person can pursue many more career options with a public health degree, but many have very different skill sets. To make sure they have the right credentials for their career goals, many students pursue a double major or a dual degree program.

The Difference Between a Double Major and Dual Degree Program

There are two main options for students looking for coursework in two areas of study. Students can pursue either a double major or a dual degree.

A double major is a single degree, most commonly a bachelor's degree, that is earned with two majors. Both majors are listed on the degree, but there is only one degree, such as a bachelor's in science.

One main advantage of a double major is that the degrees usually take the same length of time to complete. These programs also often have complementary electives, preventing any delays in graduation.

The other main option for public health students is a dual degree program. Instead of earning a single degree with two majors, a dual degree program consists of two different degree programs, which are completed at the same time. Unlike a double major, these degrees don't have to be the same degree level. For example, a student working toward a Master of Public Health might complete an undergrad program in business.

A downside to a dual degree program is that students must complete the required courses of both programs, which can extend completion times for most students. Tuition rates also tend to be higher for a dual degree due to increased total classes.

Double Major Public Health Programs FAQs

Before beginning your first year at a school of public health, you need to ask yourself a few questions about your goals, especially if you're considering a second major.

Do I need an MPH degree To Work in Public Health?

No, many entry-level positions in public health don't require you to attend graduate school. Although some higher positions might prefer it, a bachelor's degree will open many doors and allow you to earn experience that you can leverage into higher positions. Although many students pursue a graduate degree in public health, it isn't mandatory.

Is a Double Major or Dual Degree Program Preferred for Public Health Professionals?

A dual degree program might be preferred in some situations because it will be easier to complete graduate programs with this plan. However, for most public health careers a double major can be just as effective, provided there aren't requirements around master's degrees for your preferred career.

Do Public Health Workers Have Career Paths Outside of Nonprofits?

Yes, even though many public health workers work with governmental agencies and nonprofit non-governmental organizations, there are many roles in businesses and profit organizations for graduates. Public health workers can be employed by companies to help plan environmental strategies, work in hospitals to educate people about health, and more.

Is Learning a Foreign Language a Good Skill for a Public Health Professional?

Although it isn't required, learning a foreign language is a good skill for public health, especially for those who work internationally or with refugees. As you earn your degree in public health, you might consider taking classes in a foreign language or even multiple languages.