Difference Between a Master of Public Health and a Master of Health Administration
Going through a pandemic, as a society, we have probably never been more aware of our health, and even more importantly, the role a single individual plays in society. The healthcare system is an ecosystem in itself—a complex network comprising so many different roles, other than doctors and nurses. The healthcare industry is an always-on-demand field in which there are so many ways to contribute, and getting a master’s in Public Health (MPH) or in Health Administration (MHA) is one of them.
What Is a Master of Public Health?
A Master of Public Health or MPH is a degree one obtains in a postgraduate university program. This program pertains to the field of healthcare and is focused on, as the name suggests, public health in general. This means that students who want to major in Public Health will attend a university program that is focused on public health as a whole. By the time they graduate, students should be able to pinpoint public health issues and find possible solutions to those issues.
What Is a Master of Health Administration?
A Master of Health Administration or MHA is a degree one obtains as part of their postgraduate studies. A health administration university program prepares students for managing different healthcare facilities. Depending on the university, a student can complete a health administration program in-person and online.
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Master of Public Health vs. Master of Health Administration
While both a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Health Administration (MHA) are degrees pertaining to healthcare, they have significant differences. An MPH program generally aims to teach students how to recognize health-related problems within a community or population. Apart from identifying these problems, they also learn to devise programs and strategies that tackle and solve these issues. As a program, MPH has a stronger focus on disease patterns, prevention, etc., in terms of public health. On the other hand, an MHA is designed to prepare students for management positions within the healthcare industry. Fundamentally, an MHA is focused on healthcare from a business perspective (management, finance, etc.). An MPH and an MHA also differ in regards to specializations, curriculum, duration of the program, career opportunities, and salaries.
MPH specializations
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an MPH program allows students to specialize in these areas of public health:
Infectious diseases
Environmental health
Occupational health
Chronic diseases
Substance abuse and mental health
Maternal and child health
MHA specializations
In regards to an MHA program, BLS cites these specializations as some of the options:
Hospital organization
Health information systems
Health policy
Healthcare ethics
Clinical management
Data management
MPH curriculum
The curriculum in an MPH program is composed of courses on health, society, or a combination of both. Although programs may differ according to university, most of them have courses like:
Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Environmental health
Social and behavioral sciences
Health policy and management
MHA curriculum
On the other hand, the curriculum in an MHA program is devised focusing on the business and management aspects of healthcare systems. MHA specializations programs include courses on:
Healthcare policy
Risk management
Accounting and budgeting
Healthcare ethics
Healthcare informatics
Health services research
Financial management
MPH duration
In regards to the duration of studies, a Master of Public Health program lasts two years. However, some universities are now offering accelerated programs and making it possible for students to obtain an MPH in as little as 12 to 18 months. One can obtain an MPH online as it is intended for students who already have a management position in healthcare.
MHA duration
Similar to an MPH program, a Master of Health Administration program lasts two years and can be obtained online. Students may choose an accelerated program for an MHA and graduate in 12 months.
MPH career opportunities
A master’s degree in public health opens doors to various career opportunities for students. These are different occupations within the healthcare system that largely focus on the social aspect of healthcare. Some of the most prominent careers in public health include:
Epidemiologist: their duties and responsibilities include research on the cause of a disease, determining risk factors, controlling, stopping, or preventing the spread of disease, etc.
Health Educator: works in many different settings, but the role remains the same—educating a certain group of people/or the public on health-related topics such as illness prevention, leading a healthy lifestyle, etc.
Biostatistician: combines the knowledge of healthcare and mathematics to analyze data on the health of a group or community.
MHA career opportunities
A master’s degree in health administration offers students a variety of options in healthcare. Career options may vary depending on the area of health administration a student specializes in. However, an MHA always leads to some kind of managerial position in healthcare, such as:
Medical and Health Services Manager: devise plans and administer/coordinate health services in a healthcare facility.
Nursing Home Manager: administers and coordinates the day-to-day activities in a nursing home.
Health Information Manager: works in a healthcare facility and is focused on patient health records by using computer software to categorize and secure said records.
Salaries
Regarding salaries, both an MPH and an MHA have variations depending on the career path one takes. For instance, according to BLS, epidemiologists make on average $70,990 annually. However, this number can go as low as $44,000 and as high as $119,290—this depends on one’s education level, experience, job location, etc. Similarly, according to BLS, a position in health administration grants one a median annual salary of $100,980. Likewise, the salaries in health administration depend on the factors we mentioned above and range between $58,000 and $189,000.
How to Choose Between Public Health and Health Administration
Similarly to choosing any major, one must consider a few factors before deciding between an MPH and an MHA. Ultimately, it should be a decision based on your preferred career path. If you are concerned about public health in general and think you would be able to provide solutions to existing problems, consider an MPH. If, however, an administrative position in healthcare is what piques your interest, then go for an MHA. In addition, you may want to consider what your strengths and weaknesses are. For example, a career in public administration will very likely have to do with a managerial position. If you are an organized person and consider that you have leadership skills, then pursuing a master’s degree in health administration will be a good fit.
Conclusion
A career in public health or health administration is perhaps the perfect choice for someone who wants to be involved in the healthcare system but maybe isn’t cut for the doctor/nurse role. Both MPH and MHA programs have a relatively short completion time, offer various career options and excellent job outlook.