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5 Best Public Health Online Associates Degree Programs

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: October 30, 2024, Reading time: 13 minutes

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If you want to contribute to bettering the health of communities and the various populations, gain expertise in Public Health! An online Associate in Diagnostic Public Health is a sturdy pathway that helps you to jump-start a stable career.

This two-year program will cover subjects and courses for dealing with the spread of contagious diseases. Students also become adept at evaluating and resolving lifestyle-related health problems.

Start Preparing for Your Public Health Career with an Associate Degree

You can begin a career in the health sector with an associate degree in Public Health! Mastering the basics of this field takes two years or less, depending on your pace of study. Your two years of studying in this associate program will give you the opportunity to learn and solidify both scientific and soft skills that will be useful for many years to come.

Earning an associate’s degree in Public Health opens up many career options as well as academic opportunities. Associate’s degrees are significantly cheaper than four-year programs, so many people choose to earn them.

Also, this is a great start when you want to start working right away after graduation. Fortunately, with the rising demand for online learning, you can earn a Public Health associate’s degree online.

The Lowdown

An online associate in diagnostic Public Health is matched for students who are passionate about improving community health and quality of life. Aside from the public health courses included, online students can also explore learning from community-based settings and assess developing country needs as part of some curricula.

One of the allied health education programs, a Public Health associate degree, prepares students to serve others on a global scale. Moreover, a bachelor’s degree can be applied toward an associate’s degree, which greatly expands career options.

Methodology

Equip you with the foundational skills for a long-term career in healthcare! Choose from our list of the best online programs! Each online associate degree in Public Health was picked with these parameters:

Learn more about our ranking process. Visit our Methodology section.

5 Best Online Associates in Diagnostic Public Health

American Public University

American Public University

Learn about the American healthcare system from a sociological, psychological, and health perspective when you enroll in the online Associate of Science in Public Health offered at American Public University.

In this online public health degree program, you will learn about interpersonal communication and leadership in preparing for a career in community health care or occupational health and safety. Furthermore, you will be able to manage complicated health concerns with this degree.

In order to create and sustain healthy lifestyles for individuals and communities, you must choose and utilize the right policies, education programs, and incentives. There will also be a discussion of the dynamic and political sides of public health practice.

The courses you will need to take in this associate degree are the following:

University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati - Online

The University of Cincinnati’s Associate of Science in Public Health can be pursued fully online. This can be finished in two years, and it prepares you for a career in health promotion, disease prevention, and health education. Rest assured, no campus visits are expected from students. And you’ll gain access to many employment opportunities.

In the public health agencies and organizations alone, there are at least 80,000 public health employees needed. Furthermore, if you intend to proceed to a bachelor’s degree, you can easily transition through this associate degree. 

By minimizing injury, public health professionals seek to maintain the safety and health of individuals and communities. Public health specialists employ an upstream strategy to look into potential concerns that might influence communities despite it not being a pre-medicine program. Thus, health and quality of life are improved through preventative programming.

Here are the courses covered in this associate degree in Public Health:

Northampton Community College

Northampton Community College

Northampton Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Public Health, which prepares students for careers in education, counseling, public health promotion, and health rescue.

Students may complete the foundational curriculum for a career in public health with this program, which is entirely online. A teacher leads every online course and offers possibilities for involvement and interaction from the students.

This public health degree comes with a population-based approach to health. To identify community health needs and the highest priority interventions, professionals in this discipline assess community data. Students who major in public health have the opportunity to promote healthier lives via increased awareness and education.

The National College of Public Health offers students the opportunity to contribute to the transitioning landscape of health promotion and education at the national and international levels.

In addition to contributing to health initiatives, public health professionals work with community leaders to develop, implement, and evaluate health education programs. Among these are campaigns aimed at raising awareness about chronic diseases, vaccination programs, and prenatal care programs.

If you enjoy working with the public but also want to take a broader look at how to promote community and group health, this associate program is for you.

These courses are included in their Public Health curriculum:

Northern Essex Community College

Northern Essex Community College

It is rewarding to work in public health to enhance the well-being of families, communities, and basically everyone. Get enrolled in Northern Essex Community College’s Public Health Associate Degree, and your career options would include worker safety specialist, health educator, social worker, patient advocate, or community liaison.

An Associate in Public Health from NECC qualifies graduates for entry-level positions. Transferring credits can also help you earn a bachelor’s degree and save time and money. 

In this associate program, you will learn about the health of populations, public health issues, population perspectives, and resolutions for health issues. Practical experience can be gained through internships. You can recognize the structure and function of an organization’s system and its policies in relation to interventions that address public health issues.

In this course, you will explore a selected public health issue as part of a team. Students may receive coursework and interdisciplinary or integrative feedback. You’ll also comply with the Massachusetts Community Health Worker Ethics Code. You’ll learn to describe the organization, funding, and delivery of public health systems.

Some of the courses to expect in this associate degree are:

University of the Cumberlands

University of the Cumberlands

The University of the Cumberlands offers an Associate of Science in Public Health degree, which will prepare you to enter community service or public health organizations. From recreation centers to public health facilities, this Associate of Science in Public Health online degree gives students the tools to pursue a wide range of careers. 

With this associate degree, you can be trained to become a competent health worker who is able to apply theory and practice in the appropriate setting. In order to navigate diverse situations effectively, your soft skills like analytical thinking, communication, and management skills will be honed. 

Your Associate of Science in Public Health should provide you with the groundwork you need to pursue a variety of occupations in pertinent health and community service fields, especially when combined with relevant experience and a strong foundation of communication and professional abilities.

You’ll learn from a supportive faculty of business professionals who will assist you in selecting the ideal online associate’s degree program to suit your interests and professional objectives. You will gain a range of skills—including the use of technology and communication abilities—necessary to assist people in leading healthier lives while you develop a solid academic basis via your community-focused degree.

The following courses are included in this associate degree:

Courses to Expect in an Online Associate’s in Public Health

Health Care Administration

The information and analysis provided in this course reveal the complex problems with health care administration. It highlights the necessity for excellence in health service administration and closely explores tools, systems, and processes.

Additionally, this course will aid students as they prepare for jobs in health services management, as well as provide ongoing professional development for those in the health professions.

Drug and Society

Students who take a course on drugs and society understand how biological, psychological, and social variables affect drug usage. This course also discusses the causes of substance usage and how society sees disorders of addiction.

Foundations of Nutrition

Digestive and absorption processes will be discussed in this foundations of nutrition course. Some of the subjects that will be taught are the functions of each macro and micronutrient in the body, obesity, diets, disease processes, and the importance of nutrition. The course will also tackle our global food problems.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Students will learn about the wellness concept in this course, which lays the groundwork for developing their health literacy and respect for physical exercise and lifelong health. The objectives of this course are to promote and advocate for self-responsibility, health literacy, and a lifelong commitment to well-being. Several components of wellness are explored in this course. 

Nutrition and Health

The purpose of food, bodily functions, and ideal diets are explained in this nutrition and health course as they relate to long-term health, well-being, and physical fitness. Additionally, the fundamentals of nutrition are discussed with a specific emphasis on current problems significant to future health professionals.

Personal Health

The Personal Health course’s goal is to arm students with fundamental health knowledge so they can evaluate both their own and other people’s health practices critically. Within the cultural, ethical, and societal contexts, students will discuss and assess reliable health resources and information.

Introduction to Public and Community Health

The public health industry in the US is highlighted in this Introduction to Public and Community Health course, along with potential career paths for students. Health policies, health trends, and the functions of public health organizations are investigated by learners in this course. 

Mental Health Issues

The topic of common mental health illnesses in society is examined in this mental health issues course. The risk and protective factors linked to mental health issues and preventive and treatment measures are important topics of attention in this course.

Also discussed is the stigma around seeking assistance and receiving treatment for mental health issues. The facts of various mental health concerns are presented to students, along with information about how systems and society affect these difficulties.

The training includes extensive discussion of positive mental health promotion techniques. Students will get the exceptional chance to spend some time considering their own unique emotions, worries, ambitions, and current life circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Associate degree in Public Health?

A Public Health associate degree is an undergraduate credential that qualifies students for entry-level work or further study in the subject. Since the majority of public health jobs require a college degree, getting an associate’s degree is one of the quickest ways to work in the field.

Through universities and community institutions offering online programs, students can obtain this degree. In an associate in public health program, students learn about the field’s scope and challenges. Students may also be able to select a specialization within the field before pursuing a graduate degree.

What can you expect in an online Associate’s in Public Health?

You can use your skills in a job that develops over time by earning an associate’s degree in Public Health. Students also learn how to promote a healthy lifestyle and provide means of doing so in the neighborhood.

Students will study the basics of health sciences, health informatics, health information management, information management education, and human resource management. They will learn fundamental medical terminology, legislation, public health initiatives that connect to education, and group and individual incentives. 

In terms of soft skills, communication and teamwork are highly important, considering the need to coordinate with healthcare administrators and other professionals in healthcare facilities and similar settings.

Is it a good decision to choose an online Associate degree program in Public Health?

It is a great idea to begin your higher education journey with an associate’s degree. A public health associate’s degree is an affordable option for many people. After all, two-year programs can save you thousands of dollars over a four-year bachelor’s degree.

Upon graduation, there are also many entry-level positions available, so it is truly a worthy choice. It is possible to go in many directions with an associate’s degree in public health. 

Often, this field is based on liberal arts and sometimes on the sciences. Fortunately, you’ll form foundational knowledge and skills in diverse subjects. This might be a smart choice for an associate degree since it is not super-specialized but merely offers a window into everything.

Key Takeaways

Additional Information: