Public Health Schools and MPH Programs in Alabama

In Alabama there are limited opportunities for public health degree programs that are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). However, for students interested in pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Alabama, they may want to consider universities that offer accredited and reliable programs, such as the University of Alabama Birmingham. Alabama is also home to many flourishing careers in public health, such as health specialties professors, occupational health specialists and health informatics specialists, all of whose employment in the state is projected to grow faster than the national average.

The CEPH-accredited MPH program of the University of Alabama Birmingham offers seven concentrations in total, of which Environmental and Occupational Health Epidemiology, Health Behavior, Health Care Organization, Maternal and Child Health Policy and Leadership and Population Health can be completed either online or on campus. The school also allows qualified students to pursue a fast track and earn a degree faster. Interested students can reach out to the school for more information. Students in Alabama who are interested in other concentrations might consider online MPH programs in other states which may be open to them.

Public Health Careers Outlook in Alabama

The outlook for public health careers in Alabama varies by job. The public health career with the highest median salary in Alabama is health informatics specialists, while the job with the greatest projected growth through 2028 is biostatisticians. That said, please note that career outlook may differ within the state, especially by county. In Madison, Baldwin and Mobile counties lead in terms of increasing wages, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The table below reflects the demand and earning potential for public health careers in Alabama, based on data provided by O*NET OnLine.

Job TitleMedian Salary in AL, 2020 (Yearly)Median Salary in U.S. (Yearly)Projected Job Growth in AL, 2018-2028Projected Job Growth in U.S., 2019-2029
Biostatisticians
$61,530
$92,270
25%
35%
Health Specialties Professors
$84,590
$99,090
22%
21%
Environmental Health Specialists
$58,080
$73,230
5%
8%
Epidemiologists
$69,650
$74,560
n/a*
5%
Medical and Health Services Managers /Healthcare Administrators
$82,610
$104,280
14%
32%
Health Educators
$49,160
$56,500
6%
11%
Occupational Health Specialists
$78,950
$76,340
7%
4%
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
$37,760
$51,840
8%
8%
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$56,280
$63,090
8%
8%
Health Informatics Specialists 
$88,550
$93,730
8%
7%

*Estimate not released/provided by ONET

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. 

Information last updated May 2021