How Do I Become a Public Health Analyst?

Public health analysts are individuals who study and interpret data that lead to the development of programs that target health problems among various populations. These people must be detail-oriented and have strong written and oral communication skills. A person who wants to become a public health analyst needs to complete four years of undergraduate school as well as acquire experience through an internship. In addition, he or she should consider attending graduate school to increase his or her job opportunities.

If you wish to become a public health analyst, you need to complete a bachelor’s degree in an area such as health analytics or public health, which typically takes four years. Getting into this type of educational program requires that you submit your most recent standardized exam scores along with your high school diploma or the equivalent certification. You also must send in your high school transcript and complete your chosen college’s enrollment form.

Health-related courses prepare you to succeed in this field, and must study human anatomy and the causes of disease. A person who aims to become a public health analyst has to understand the different types of health conditions that necessitate the planning of programs designed to promote wellness in communities. Program development courses introduce you to the value of conducting research and analyzing results that will influence the direction of your health initiatives as well.

Training programs that will help you to gain hand's-on experience as a public health analyst typically require students to complete an internship. This type of invaluable experience enables you to attract more employers by including this on your resume. While working as an intern, you need to hone your skills with drafting reports that analyze health statistics and preparing data for presentations and even publication in journals. Your organization also might ask you to write letters requesting funding for new health programs.

Although a bachelor’s degree gets you ready for entry-level roles in this career area, some employers require job candidates to have earned a two-year master’s degree. Enrolling in this type of advanced degree program involves submitting your undergraduate school transcript and completing a graduate school admission application. You also should be prepared to turn in a copy of your graduate school entrance exam scores. Your master’s degree program will cover health and research topics in a more in-depth fashion and also require you to complete an original research project before you can become a public health analyst.