CPH Certified in Public Health

[Stonybeach]

There is a lot of talk about the MPH, DrPH, PhD in Public Health. What about the alternative pathways to certification in Public Health?
Wouldn't it be better to pursue the Certified Public Health (CPH) credential from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE)? https://www.nbphe.org/certified-in-publi...uirements/

I'm looking into the pathway for master's degree holders who have 3 years of public health experience based on the "Ten Essential Public Health Services." https://www.cdc.gov/public-health-gatewa...vices.html

The CDC offers numerous free courses online that align with the core requirements. However, one may need a statistics refresher course.
https://www.cdc.gov/training-publichealt...ealth.html
https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/php/trainingand...w-101.html
https://www.cdc.gov/environmental-health...index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/training-publichealt...ology.html

Additionally, the study guide by APHA: https://secure.apha.org/imis/ItemDetail?...ATEGORY=BK

The exam is $385 and offers discounts as low as $250 for members of various associations. https://www.nbphe.org/certified-in-publi...discounts/

I prefer to study independently and earn the prestigious CPH credential than spend tens of thousands of dollars on public health degrees, especially since I hold healthcare-related degrees and credentials (DHA, MSN, FNP-C) coupled with years of experience in the public health sector, including vaccine research and health education. I took some practice exams; they were not too difficult!

I am not starting this thread to dissuade folks from pursuing graduate degrees in Public Health but to consider alternatives to those with graduate degrees and public health experience. By the way, it appears one's public health experience can be "global."