Schools of public health in the United States of America

Abstract

Some general practical information on the structure and functions of schools of public health in the United States is provided. The first such school was begun in 1916 and there are now 24 accredited schools in the U.S. with a total of more than 10,500 degree-students enrolled, producing more than 3,500 graduates each year. All schools of public health contain departments or programs in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, and health services administration. Other disciplines vary to some extent between schools. To maintain teaching standards, all schools are regularly reviewed and accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. All schools offer at least the Master of Public Health degree and, most schools, doctoral degrees. In addition to teaching, research is the other main focus of schools of public health. Research funding is usually obtained through a process of competitive grant application writing. Schools of public health maintain close cooperative linkages with each other, as well as with medical schools and departments of health. Graduates usually have no difficulty in obtaining employment.