Can a MPH qualify you to be a college professor/teacher?

[Leukocyte]

Dear members,

1- Can a MPH be used as a means to get a full-time dedicated college teaching job/career? or do you need to be a PhD to teach full-time at the college level?

2- What would a person with a MPH teach (be a professor of) at a college? General public health or a sub-desipline of public health?

3- Is there realy a demand in the job market for college teachers/professors with a MPH?

4- How can a person studying for his/her MPH prepare themselves for a dedicated teaching career/job as the college level professor/teacher?

I am a Family Medicine physician who wants to change his career. I love Biology (in general) and I like/enjoy teaching. I would love to be a college professor teaching biology in college, but as far as I know, one needs a PhD in biology to do that. However I am willing/interested in teaching in any Biology-related decipline. I thought to myself that since I have a M.D.and already trained in Family Medicine, it would make more sence in my case to "enter" the college teaching career by getting a MPH, rather than getting a PhD in Biology. I just do not know for sure if getting the MPH would allow me to change my career, from physician to a full-time college teacher/professor.

Thank You.

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[deleted462159]

If you're teaching Biology/related disciplines at major research universities, you would need a PhD to become a Professor. I have seen private universities (such as LLU) hire MPH as "professors," though it varies by school. At most community colleges, at least where I live (California), you only need a Masters degree to teach. However, that is very different from being a tenure-track faculty member at a university (pay, security, status, academic involvement, etc.). What would be your MPH concentration, and have you considered Masters of Science (in some Biology-related discipline) or teaching-related degrees?

Do you currently run a private medical practice?

Edit: Forgot to add: If you only want to teach, you might find a position as a Lecturer at a university. It depends on the needs of the program and what you can offer from your background. However, you are more likely to find adjunct faculty positions, which are not what you seek but may be an option to consider if you love teaching.

 

[VCUram]

1, Community colleges in Virginia hire teachers with masters degrees in their chosen subjects.

2, I don't believe an MPH is general enough to apply to course offerings at many community colleges although those with nursing and pre-health programs might provide a niche.

3, ...

4, Volunteer. Opportunities are always out there to teach. English as a second language comes to mind.

But I would defer to the other poster. If you want to teach Biology, a masters in Biology is more relevant and this would open up teaching Biology at the community college level.

 

[Stories]

A MD (without a MPH) is sufficient to be a public health professor *IF* you have research experience in the subject you want to teach.

A MD with or without a MPH without research experience in the area you wish to teach will NOT be enough to become a professor. Perhaps at a community college level.