MPH vs. MHA: Which Is Right for You?
If you are interested in pursuing health leadership roles, you may find yourself considering a graduate-level degree program. Not only do graduate degrees provide students with an advanced understanding of their chosen field, but they also strengthen the specific skills required in that industry. For those interested in healthcare or public health leadership roles, two common educational pathways are the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Master of Health Administration (MHA).
Knowing the difference between an MPH vs. MHA can help you determine which path is best for your personal and career goals.
What Is an MPH?
The MPH is a graduate-level degree program that is considered the premier pathway for public health professionals who want to pursue leadership roles. This interdisciplinary degree program takes an in-depth look at the factors that impact public health and population health outcomes, including biological, social, economic, cultural, political, behavioral, and environmental factors.
Typical MPH Curriculum
The MPH curriculum can vary across schools, requiring students to evaluate each school’s focus areas and mandatory courses. The field of public health is rapidly evolving to meet the dynamic needs of communities around the world, so it’s important to select an MPH program that prepares students to take on the complex challenges facing communities today.
Subject areas that are typically covered within the MPH curriculum include:
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
- Health Policy
- Global Health
- Community Health Sciences
- Biostatistics
In addition to exploring the key topics that shape the broad field of public health, students will continue to develop the core competencies required in leadership positions. These include communication, strategic planning, program evaluation, project management, and collaboration.
There are both on-campus MPH and online MPH programs available, allowing students to choose the learning experience that is best for them. The online MPH at Boston University, for example, is designed with working professionals in mind, giving them the flexibility as well as the support they need to complete their MPH degree without pausing their careers.
Common MPH Careers
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, MPH graduates can pursue a wide range of public health careers. Your chosen career path may vary based on your prior professional experience, your specialty area within the field of public health, and your overall career goals.
These are some of the most common MPH careers:
- Biostatistician — A biostatistician collects and analyzes health data to extract meaningful insights that can be used to make healthcare and policy decisions. Biostatisticians often collaborate with public health professionals, healthcare professionals, and legislators.
- Epidemiologist — An epidemiologist is a health professional who evaluates data related to disease spread within a community and tracks disease outbreaks. Their work helps guide public health programming.
- Health Policy Analyst — A health policy analyst reviews and assesses healthcare policies to make recommendations for policy improvements that will enhance population health outcomes.
- Public Health Communications Specialist — A public health communications specialist works with public health departments to convey targeted and accessible messaging about health concerns and preventative measures that the public can take. Their work has a direct impact on the success of public health programming.
- Health Educator — A health educator provides educational programming and training opportunities that share vital health information with specific groups of people. They may create professional development programs for business organizations, or they may develop health workshops for a vulnerable population within a community.
- Environmental Health Specialist — An environmental health specialist studies the impact of environmental factors on human health outcomes. They often specialize in environmental regulations and compliance issues.
What Is an MHA?
The MHA degree is a graduate-level degree program that focuses specifically on healthcare administration. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health administration involves overseeing the business operations of a healthcare facility. These degree programs typically focus on advanced healthcare industry knowledge and the practical, technical, and soft skills required to take on leadership positions in health administration and management.
Typical MHA Curriculum
The MHA curriculum can vary depending on the school you attend and the MHA program that you decide on. However, most programs have courses that focus on healthcare and business, preparing students to take on management roles.
Within a typical MHA program, you may be required to take the following courses:
- Healthcare Law
- Healthcare Ethics
- Risk Management
- Healthcare Management
- Quality Improvement
- Healthcare Finance
Upon completing the MHA program, graduates have an advanced understanding of the complexities of the modern healthcare system, giving them the practical knowledge and technical skills required to pursue management-level positions. In addition, students work to develop the core competencies required to enact positive change in healthcare organizations, such as problem-solving, strategic planning, change management, and communication skills.
Similar to the MPH program, students will find that there are both online and on-campus MHA programs available, allowing them to choose the learning environment that best meets their needs. Online MHA programs are designed to be both affordable and flexible, appealing to working professionals who want to progress in their careers without taking a break from their current professional roles.
Common MHA Careers
The MHA program is a specialized, graduate-level degree that focuses primarily on the healthcare industry and the business skills required to successfully oversee healthcare organizations. As a result, graduates often pursue a more targeted career path compared to MPH graduates (who have a wide range of public health careers available).
Common MHA careers to consider include:
- Medical and Health Services Manager — A medical and health services manager oversees the day-to-day operations at a healthcare facility. Responsibilities include developing business plans for healthcare facilities, directing operations, and coordinating business activities. They are also responsible for developing a recruiting strategy, attracting and retaining top talent, managing resources effectively, and ensuring that patient satisfaction ratings remain high.
- Practice Manager — A practice manager is a health professional who oversees the daily operations of a healthcare practice. They are responsible for developing and overseeing the budget for the practice, managing the practice’s hiring strategy, improving the quality of care at the facility, and maintaining compliance with all healthcare industry laws and regulations.
- Health Information Manager — A health information manager oversees the data policy for a healthcare organization. Health information managers may be responsible for organizing and securing patient health data, and they also may work to develop a data strategy for a health organization that maintains compliance with all privacy laws and industry regulations.
Ultimately, the right degree depends on how you want to contribute to the healthcare and public health landscape. Whether your interests lean toward managing healthcare organizations or addressing population-level health challenges, understanding the differences between MPH and MHA career paths can help guide your next step.
Is a Master of Public Health Right For You? Learn More About the MPH Programs at Boston University
Knowing your career goals and identifying your areas of interest can help you determine whether an MPH vs. MHA is the right fit.
For those interested in a career in public health, community health, or population health, the Master of Public Health degree is an excellent option. At Boston University, our nationally recognized School of Public Health offers an online MPH and on-campus MPH program, both of which deliver unparalleled insight into the world of public health. With an emphasis on health equity, the MPH degree prepares students for leadership roles in the field. Request more information about our MPH programs today: