The Masters of Health Science program at Boise State University prepares students to begin or advance their careers as public health professionals. The program offers concentrations in Environmental Health, Health Policy, Health Services Leadership, Health Promotion, and General Research.

The Environmental Health emphasis is a specialized course of study designed for individuals seeking graduate training for employment in jobs involving worker health and safety, health hazard communication, and health risk assessment and environmental analysis for toxicants. Potential employers include academia, industry, consulting firms, trade associations and local, state and federal governmental agencies. The expansion of regulations in occupational safety and health and environmental protection has created increased career opportunities for individuals trained in various aspects of environmental health sciences.

“My MHS degree has opened a variety of windows for me. Currently, I am employed as a Scientific Writer. My job involves preparing publications and other outreach materials to educate the public and land managers on forest health and other ecological issues pertinent to the Colorado Plateau. The experiences I had working on my MHS, as well as in the field, will be important as I work on my doctorate.”

The Health Policy and General Research emphasis areas prepare graduates to assume positions with a broad array of public and private organizations engaged in health services and health policy research. For example, private consulting firms and research organizations, insurance companies, university-based research programs, managed care organizations, health foundations, and advocacy groups all rely on highly trained researchers and policy analysts to accomplish their missions.

“My MHS led to a great job working for a research organization in Washington, DC. I manage recruitment, regulatory affairs, enrollment, and remote monitoring of principal investigators and patients participating in pharmaceutical studies.” (Schroeder 2004 graduate)

The Health Services Leadership emphasis educates future public health leaders. Students gain skills in developing strategies that improve access to health and preventive services, particularly among the most vulnerable; methods that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of health care for medical and mental illness; and models for improving the financing, organization and delivery of preventive and curative health services. A wide variety of career opportunities await graduates with an emphasis in Health Services Leadership. They are prepared to take positions in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, home health care organizations, health insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, complex organizations integrating health care provision and financing, consulting firms, and government agencies.

“With my MHS I was able to get a job at a hospital working on infection identification and treatment programs, as well as control and prevention efforts. I have had opportunities to attend and present at national conferences, and participate as a leader in professional associations.” (Lewis, 2003 graduate)

The Health Promotion emphasis prepares graduates for leadership positions in health education planning, management, and evaluation. Employment opportunities include positions like wellness directors, health educators, and health program coordinators. Hospitals, private clinics, academia, health clubs, health foundations, advocacy or community-based groups, and local and federal governmental agencies look for individuals who have been trained to use educational, organizational, procedural, environmental and financial supports.

“I have been utilizing my MHS by serving as a consultant for the Department of Anatomy at the University of Utah in a multi-year evaluation of educational materials. I have discovered a niche in community health programming and evaluation for myself and plan to continue this interest throughout my medical career.” (Campbell, 2002 graduate)

“With my Master's of Health Science Degree, I have been able to obtain my ‘dream job’ of being a Health Educator on a college campus. My job includes educating students about health topics and working on employee wellness. The skills that I learned in the classroom are part of my daily work: program planning, evaluation, research, working in groups and critical thinking.” (Avery, 2002 graduate)