How to Choose the Best Specialization for Your MPH Degree
Why Specialize in Public Health?
When pursuing a Master of Public Health degree, you are building a strong knowledge foundation in population health, epidemiology, and policy. But choosing a concentration or specialization takes your education further, making you an expert in an area that you are most passionate about.
A specialized MPH degree also boosts your career as a public health professional. It signals to employers that you’ve developed job-ready skills such as data analysis, program design, and policy analysis.
Kimberly Dong Breen DrPH, MS, RD, LDN, faculty member and Tufts MPH program director, explains:
“To say ‘I have an MPH with a concentration in epidemiology and biostatistics’ is very powerful to employers who understand the value of those skills.”
How to Make the Decision: Which Concentration Fits You Best
Are you ready to explore and find a specialization to shape your public health career? Tufts faculty and alumni recommend breaking the decision-making process into five steps so that you can carefully think through your options:
Step 1: Start With Passion
Dr. Dong encourages introspection and asking: “What makes your heart tick?” You can start by reflecting on the public health issues that spark your curiosity. Public health is a highly interdisciplinary field. Whether you are drawn to global systems, health promotion, biotechnology, or data science, listening to your instincts and pursuing an MPH degree can transform your passion into a meaningful career.
Step 2: Test and Explore
Once you have an idea of what you want to explore, it’s time to dive in with an open mind. Sample the classes, talk to faculty members about research topics, and participate in hands-on projects. You might discover a new area of interest that you didn’t even know existed. Tufts’ MPH program has 12 elective credits, giving you the flexibility to tailor your specialization.
Step 3: Think About Your Career Aspirations
Alumna Ankita Deshpande, MPH22, now Global Marketing & Commercial Lead for Rare Disease at Moderna, recommends working backward:
“Look at the job descriptions of those really cool jobs you want—even if they’re 10 years away. What skills do they require? Then make sure your MPH choices set you up for those roles.”
Step 4: Balance Return on Investment With Job Satisfaction
When choosing an MPH program, it’s hard not to consider the realities: “How much can I make after I graduate?” Deshpande shares that quantitative fields often have higher salary potential. However, she advises considering both financial return and personal satisfaction.
“If you hate it, that’s not necessarily the best ROI for your quality of life. You have to love the work too.”
Step 5: Leverage Networks
If you need help picking a specialization in public health, don’t hesitate to reach out to your support network. Talk to a mentor, a professor, or an alumnus. “Is there someone who has your dream job? What did they do to get to where they are? You can connect with them on LinkedIn and ask them for a virtual coffee chat to learn more about their trajectory,” Dong suggests.
Emerging Areas in Public Health
As public health evolves, what trends should you be aware of to build in-demand skills that the industry needs? Here are what Dr. Dong and Deshpande predict:
- Global One Health: Linking human, animal, and environmental health. Dr. Dong emphasizes that this approach is increasingly vital because climate, food systems, and living conditions are interconnected drivers of health.
- AI & Data Science: Harnessing machine learning to improve population health. As Deshpande notes, AI offers a chance to disrupt public health in a positive way, helping solve some of the field’s biggest challenges.
- Pharma & Public Health Intersection: From vaccines to obesity drugs, biotech is revolutionizing public health challenges. Deshpande points to examples like antibiotic resistance and the rise of obesity medicines, which highlight how industry and population health are intertwined.
- Health Policy & Media Literacy: Addressing misinformation and advocacy in a rapidly shifting landscape. Strong policy skills and the ability to navigate media narratives will be critical for future leaders.
Inside Tufts’ Approach to Specializations
Accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CPH), Tufts University’s Master of Public Health program (online or on campus) offers six in-demand specializations. Each is designed to balance core competencies with flexibility for exploration.
Explore Tufts MPH Concentrations
Compare MPH Concentrations at Tufts
“What makes Tufts’ MPH program unique is the classes that are going to elevate your skills and make you more ready for your career,” says Breen Dong.
| Specialization | Focus Area | Skills You Learn |
|---|---|---|
| Epidemiology & Biostatistics | Data & disease patterns | Data analysis, statistical tools, and research |
| Population Health Promotion | Community & behavioral health | Health program design and implementation |
| Health Management & Policy | Policy & leadership | Policy analysis, budgeting, and cost management |
| Global Health Science & Practice | International & cross-border health | Comparative health systems, infectious disease, One Health |
| Nutrition | Food systems & health outcomes | Nutrition policy, chronic disease prevention |
| Individualized | Custom, cross-disciplinary | Tailored to individual development |
Real World Impact
For Deshpande, the Epidemiology & Biostatistics concentration provided both immediate and long-term value. Working in biotech and rare disease drug development, she now uses her MPH knowledge every day:
“I can speak the language of our statisticians and clinical development colleagues now. I can ask insightful questions, and they value our conversations in a way that simply wasn’t possible before.”
Her epidemiology skills—estimating prevalence, analyzing data, and understanding genetic risk—inform critical business decisions at Moderna. She also views her MPH as preparation for a second career in public health later in life.
Build a Healthier World With Your Expertise
Specializing your MPH degree isn’t just about choosing classes; it’s about shaping your career and the impact you want to make in the world.
Whether your passion lies in global health, data analysis, nutrition, or policy, Tufts offers the flexibility, mentorship, and accredited training to help you specialize with confidence—and make a lasting difference in public health.
Master of Public Health Specialization FAQs
- What is the most in-demand MPH concentration?
- Quantitative fields like epidemiology and biostatistics are often in high demand, but depending on your goals, all concentrations prepare you for valuable roles.
- How do I choose the right concentration for my career?
- Start with your passion, review job descriptions for future roles, and talk with faculty or alumni in those areas.
- Can I create my own concentration at Tufts?
- Yes. The Individualized concentration lets you design a pathway across Tufts schools and disciplines.
- Does the online MPH offer the same support as on campus?
- Yes. Online students access the same faculty, career services, and alumni networks—with the flexibility to learn while working.