What is the difference between a professional degree and a graduate academic degree?
Generally, professional degrees emphasize practice in public health or healthcare settings whereas graduate academic degrees tend to emphasize research of public health issues or clinically-related problems. In turn, professional degrees generally are suited for those who want careers as practitioners in public health or clinical setting (collaborating with individuals or groups to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease in patients and community populations); whereas graduate academic degrees are generally suited for those who want careers as researchers of public health or clinically-related problems (finding solutions or understanding of public health or clinical issues through research and analysis). It is possible for graduates of either degree type to work in similar settings (such as government or non-profit organizations), but the scope or focus of their work would likely be different (practice vs. research).
Generally, professional degrees tend to emphasize practice in health settings whereas graduate academic degrees tend to emphasize research of health issues. In turn, professional degrees generally are suited for those who want careers as practitioners of health (collaborating with organizations or individuals to promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease) whereas graduate academic degrees are generally suited for those who want careers as researchers of health (finding solutions or understanding of health issues through research and analysis). It is possible for graduates of either degree type to work in similar settings (such as government or non-profits), but the scope or focus of their work would likely be different (practice vs. research).
