I know I'm a ways out from graduating, but it never hurts to explore your options. As you can see from my signature line, I'm moving along with my degree through PSU. I love the courses, and have no regrets choosing this path. With that said, I'm slightly concerned that this MPS won't be enough to break into the field of Biodefense, Biotechnology, Infectious Diseases, etc. In my research, I'm finding that most employers are looking for a little more than the MPS will provide. While the degree is loaded with Public Health courses, there is still the Homeland Security side of it as well. I don't want to change this because I feel as though the HLS part of the degree will stand out on a resume. Here are the options I'm considering at this point. Tulane offers a DrPH (Tulane University - Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Degree) that I'm considering. The second option is to consider doing a BSN completion program, but what's limiting me there are the lack of completed prereqs. I really like this option due to the utility beyond the Infectious Diseases field. However, I'm not sure I currently have the time to dedicate to completing the prereqs while finishing up this masters. The last option is to consider a grad cert offered via distance in Biotechnology, Biodefense, Epidemiology, etc. For instance Georgetown University offers a completely online grad cert in Biohazardous Threat Agents and Emerging Infectious Diseases Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences that I'm VERY interested in. The question though, when combined with my masters will it be enough? If so it would allow me to have my broad HLS/PHP degree and tack on a narrowly focused grad cert. So what are your thoughts? :crazy:
The problem I'm having with your question is that I don't have any idea about what might be required to "break into the field of biodefense, biotech, etc." I'm guessing that most people who are managers in those fields have come up through the ranks and have some sort of medical/microbio backgrounds. You seem like you're trying to come in through the side door. That's OK but unorthodox. What specifically would you like to do?
Typed the various disciplines you mentiond (e.g. biotechnology) into monster.com and you should get an idea on what degrees to pursue..
Those were my thoughts as well. I am in the emergency management field and recently had some interaction with U.S. Medical Service Corp. personnel who specialized with infectious disease and biodfense during a pandemic exercies. Every single one of them was an MD or PhD in a field like mirobiology, etc. I think your best route is an MPH degree. Notice I did not say DrPH. The DrPH may be a good idea once you break into the field, but I do not think it would open any more doors for you over the MPH as you do not appear to have a significant experience background.
I looked at the Georgetown cert. a little more - cool program. Upon further reflection, this would be a good route as well when combined with the PSU MPS. If you are already doing a lot of public health coursework in your MPS, an additional MPH may not be worth your while.
I would add that if I had to go back and choose another major I would seriously consider the chemistry, biology, microbiology sciences. Where I live there is a massive amount of medical research happening with lots of job openings. This includes area like biostatistics and bioinformatics. Sorry for the hijack:hijacked:
Thanks Kizmet, Truckie, and Ian. Truckie, I was leaning toward the grad cert option, and I'm definitely completing my degree with PSU. It's a very rigorous program, and the Public Health component is thorough enough (in my opinion). I think by adding a grad cert I can strengthen the weak parts of the MPS. Since it's not a true MPH it certainly has weaknesses, but I don't want to lose the HLS/EM part of the degree. I have plenty of time to consider my options while finishing with PSU, but that Georgetown Grad Cert looks very tempting once I finish up with PSU.
