Indiana faces unique public health challenges. According to the United Health Foundation’s 2016 annual report, Indiana has a high infant mortality rate, excessive air pollution, an above average number of smokers and drug-related deaths, and a high obesity rate. Although Indiana residents’ overall health and education levels have recently improved, the state’s significant health issues require qualified public health workers, educators, and specialists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12.2% increase in employment for health educators by 2024.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12.2% increase in employment for health educators by 2024.
Because of the number of opportunities to advance the state’s overall health, many students pursue public health programs in Indiana. The state’s universities offer public health degrees in online and blended formats. An online MPH program allows working professionals to earn the degree at their own pace and prepare for a career positively impacting Indiana residents’ health.
Featured Online Programs
Public Health Initiatives in Indiana
The Indiana State Department of Health maintains a variety of initiatives and programs focused on areas such as drug overdose prevention, emergency preparedness, and tobacco prevention. Indiana’s Healthy Hoosiers Foundation, established in 2015, funds initiatives and programs that address infant mortality, childhood immunization, obesity, and tobacco usage. As of 2017, the HHF’s top priority is funding the Baby & Me Tobacco Free program, which incentivizes pregnant mothers not to smoke through monthly vouchers. Additionally, the Women, Infants, and Children program provides access to healthy meals for low-income mothers, children, infants, and pregnant women.
Public Health Internships & Fellowships in Indiana
Internships and fellowships provide opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain experience in the field. Internships are paid or unpaid and offer students real-world experience. Fellowships, on the other hand, are paid positions for recent graduates and may lead to full-time employment. Students in Indiana MPH programs may pursue the following fellowships and internships.
Adam W. Herbert Graduate Fellowship
Indiana University offers this four-year fellowship to graduates of historically black colleges. Candidates must be nominated by their school, and fellows have mentoring responsibilities. The fellowship awards a stipend of $25,000 each year.
Educational Opportunity Fellowship
This one-year fellowship offers first-generation college students $2,500 in aid and a fee reductions. Students must be nominated by their school.
Indiana State Department of Health Internship
The ISDH’s Lead and Healthy Homes Division’s internship involves aiding with case management and data entry. The position is open to undergraduates and graduates. Applications are accepted by email.
ISDH MS Access Database Internship
Interns with the ISDH’s State Office of Rural Health help develop a Microsoft Access database for the purposes of data collection, reporting, and project management. The position is open to graduates only. Applications are accepted by email.
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Fellowship Program
This one-year fellowship is available to graduate students interested in exploring urban health issues. Applications are accepted by email.
Public Health Careers in Indiana
Salaries of public health professionals depend on factors such as position, experience, and geographic location. Earning credentials such as certifications and advanced degrees results in a higher salary. In Indiana, the hourly wage of an epidemiologist is nearly six dollars greater than that of a health educator. The average hourly wages of both professions are three dollars lower in Indiana than the national average.
| Employment | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 1,120 | $29.53 | 62,335 |
| United States | 63,260 | $32.60 | $67,810 |
Source: BLS
Public Health Employers in Indiana
Graduates seeking employment in public health will find the most opportunities with large employers, such as the state government and Indiana University health. Seeking positions with large employers improve job seekers’ chances of securing employment.
| Employers | Number of Employees |
|---|---|
| State of Indiana | 28,288 |
| Indiana University Health | 25,927 |
| Franciscan Alliance, Inc. | 15,248 |
Public Health Research Centers in Indiana
Many of Indiana’s research centers are connected through the Indiana University system. Research centers are a valuable resource for recent graduates, as they employ a large number of public health professionals and often have open positions.
- Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research and Policy: Located at Indiana University’s School of Medicine in Indianapolis, the Brown Center investigates the efficacy of healthcare delivery at the local, state, and national levels.
- Children’s Health Services Research: Located at Riley Children’s Health and part of the IU Health system, CHSR studies pediatric public health and applies data and information technology to improve pediatric care at Riley.
- Indiana University Center for Aging Research: IU’s Center for Aging Research researches methods to improve healthcare for the elderly and works to understand mental and physical health challenges facing the elderly.
Public Health Professional Organizations in Indiana
Students and recent graduates of online MPH programs in Indiana benefit from joining professional organizations. Some public health organizations are location-specific, such as the Indiana Rural Health Association. These organizations offer education and networking opportunities, such as seminars and conferences, as well as online webinars for distance learners. Members often have access to job listings and internship opportunities.
- Indiana Public Health Association: IPHA advocates and fundraises for public health causes and initiatives. The organization offers opportunities for internships, professional development, and volunteer work.
- Indiana Rural Health Association: The IRHA, founded in 1997, is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the overall health of Indiana’s rural populations. The organization offers seminars, webinars, symposiums, and an annual conference.
- Indiana Hospital Association: The IHA works to improve patient care within Indiana’s healthcare system by advocating for patients and continued education for professionals. The association offers seminars and webinars on health topics.
Public Health Certifications and Licenses in Indiana
Graduates with a master’s in public health should consider earning the Certified in Public Health credential. Candidates must hold a degree from an institution accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. Graduates pursuing a career in public health education or community organizing may earn certification from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.
Candidates must hold a degree from an institution accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.
Additionally, IU at Bloomington offers free continuing education units to students. These educational and certification opportunities connect graduates to a network of public health professionals, keep professionals up to date with advancements in the field, and set job seekers apart from other graduates of online MPH programs in Indiana.
Accreditation for Online Public Health Master’s Programs in Indiana
For online and on-campus students, attending an accredited institution is crucial to ensuring their degree will be recognized by other schools and by employers. Most four-year universities are regionally accredited by one of six recognized accrediting agencies; Indiana schools are regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools National accreditation, on the other hand, is typically reserved for technical or vocational schools and may restrict students’ ability to transfer earned credits.
In addition to regional or national accreditation, look for public health programs with field-specific accreditation awarded by the Public Health Accreditation Board. Choosing an accredited program ensures students at online MPH programs in Indiana receive a high-quality education that meets nationally recognized standards.
Scholarships for Public Health Master’s Degrees in Indiana
Mohammad R. Torabi Fellowship/Scholarship
Offered through Indiana University at Bloomington, this scholarship supports students in the applied science department who are majoring in public education.
Amount Offered: Varies according to student need
Scholarship Deadline: November 1
Eligibility Requirements: The applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and must complete one year of study on the Bloomington campus.
Santosh Jain Endowed Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is offered to international students at IU Bloomington. Preference is given to students of Southeast Asian ancestry who have shown humanitarian commitment.
Amount Offered: $5,000
Scholarship Deadline: March 10
Eligibility Requirements: The recipient must be an international student.
Martilu Puthoff Scholarship
The Martilu Puthoff Scholarship is offered to students in the kinesiology department.
Amount Offered: Varies according to student need
Scholarship Deadline: November 1
Eligibility Requirements: The applicant must demonstrate financial need.
Hinton, Stager, and Tanner Women’s Health Research Scholarship
The Martilu Puthoff Scholarship is awarded to a master’s or doctoral level kinesiology student researching women’s health.
Amount Offered: Varies according to student need
Scholarship Deadline: November 1
Eligibility Requirements: The recipient must be studying women’s health.
Cooper Scholarship
IU Bloomington offers the Cooper Scholarship to students working in the human performance laboratories.
Amount Offered: Varies according to student need
Scholarship Deadline: November 1
Eligibility Requirements: Preference is given to students pursuing a career in research.
Donald Ludwig Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to IU Bloomington students in the department of applied health science who are pursuing a career in public health.
Amount Offered: Varies according to student need
Scholarship Deadline: November 1
Eligibility Requirements: The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Jason W. Crowe
Offered through IU Bloomington’s School of Public Health, this scholarship supports students in the department of applied health science.
Amount Offered: Varies according to student need
Scholarship Deadline: November 1
Eligibility Requirements: Preference is given to students seeking a career in public health that involves occupational safety and who demonstrate financial need.
Jeff and Lesa Lorenzen Huber Fellowship/Scholarship
The Jeff and Lesa Lorenzen Huber Fellowship/Scholarship is available to online students, with preference given to those studying gerontology or a related field.
Amount Offered: Varies according to student need
Scholarship Deadline: November 1
Eligibility Requirements: Preference is given to student athletes and students who demonstrate financial need. The applicant must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Margaret Seberger Fellowship/Scholarship
The Margaret Seberger Fellowship/Scholarship is awarded to students interested in the study of nutrition.
Amount Offered: Varies according to student need
Scholarship Deadline: November 1
Eligibility Requirements: Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need.
Dr. Anita Aldrich Research Fellowship Award
This fellowship supports students interested in research involving mathematics and science.
Amount Offered: Varies according to student need
Scholarship Deadline: November 1
Eligibility Requirements: Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Preference is given to students interested in integrating public health and the hard sciences, such as motor learning, biostatistics, and epidemiology.
