Get Clarity on MPH vs. MHA and Boost Your Career Path

Reviewed by Ashley Bayne, MPH

An MPH focuses on improving public health through community-wide initiatives, while an MHA is centered on managing healthcare organizations to improve efficiency and patient care.

According to the American Hospital Association's 2024 report, U.S. hospitals saw 33,679,935 admissions overall this year. Such high admission numbers point to the demand placed on hospital facilities and the strain on healthcare resources.

From a public health perspective, these statistics highlight the persistent healthcare needs of the population, potentially linked to chronic conditions, infectious diseases, and social determinants of health. For health administration, those same admission rates emphasize the operational challenges hospitals face, such as managing bed capacity, staffing, and resources to effectively handle the influx of patients. 

It's clear that both careers in public health and health administration are essential to creating a healthier society, as they each address critical needs within our healthcare system. However, for students trying to find their true calling, this shared demand alone doesn't make the decision easier. Comparing MPH vs. MHA as degree options corresponding to these two fields can provide valuable insights into what their future could look like.

What is a master's in Public Health (MPH)?

A master's in Public Health is a professional graduate degree designed to prepare students to address health challenges within communities and populations through preventive and protective health strategies. 

Unlike clinical medicine and many other health-related fields, which often focus on treating individuals, public health aims to improve health outcomes by identifying, assessing, and addressing factors that impact entire populations. MPH programs emphasize a multidisciplinary approach, combining scientific methods with community-centered practices. Graduates learn to employ scientific, policy, and behavioral strategies to reduce health risks, prevent disease outbreaks, and promote healthier environments across diverse populations.

Focus

The field of public health is rooted in a community-based approach to healthcare, which involves organizing and implementing strategies to address both the social and environmental determinants of health. Public health professionals are focused on a wide array of health concerns, ranging from infectious diseases and environmental hazards to lifestyle factors that contribute to chronic conditions. The scope of public health practice extends to:

• Developing programs that reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis, and emerging viral threats through vaccination drives, public awareness campaigns, and community health initiatives.
• Addressing environmental factors that impact health, such as pollution, safe drinking water, and sustainable living conditions. 
• Preparing communities for public health emergencies such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and bioterrorism.
• Encouraging healthy behaviors through educational campaigns that promote physical activity, balanced diets, and mental well-being.

Public health's broader goal is to ensure that all individuals, particularly in underserved and high-risk populations, have access to the resources they need to achieve and maintain good health. 

Coursework

MPH programs are typically made of curricula that cover essential public health disciplines, ensuring that students gain the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed for impactful public health careers. 

Some of the key courses in UND's master's in Public Health program are:

• Public Health Management, Planning, and Health Care Systems
• Environmental Health
• Biostatistics
• Public Health Communication
• Public Health Leadership & Interprofessional Practice
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy

Skills Developed

The skills students develop through MPH programs are geared toward research, data analysis, and designing health interventions targeting the broader determinants of health. These skills include:

• Ability to track disease patterns, identify risk factors, and interpret public health data to assess population health needs.
• Skills in analyzing, developing, and advocating for health policies that can effectively address public health issues at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Competence in evaluating health needs within communities, planning public health interventions, and measuring their impact on population health.
• Proficiency in statistical methods and data interpretation to support public health research and develop evidence-based health strategies.
• Ability to create effective health messages and use various media platforms to educate and engage the public on health risks and preventive behaviors.
• Knowledge of environmental risk factors and the methods for assessing and mitigating their impact on community health.
• Skills in working effectively with diverse populations.

Career Paths

An MPH opens doors to a variety of rewarding and impactful careers in public health. Some such roles for MPH graduates include:

• Biostatistician
• Epidemiologist
• Health policy analyst
• Medical scientist
• Public health administrator
• Public health educator
• Public health statistician

Salary   

MPH holders have an average annual salary of around $120,688, making public health an attractive field for both career growth and financial stability. As public health issues continue to gain attention globally, opportunities for advancement and specialization in this field remain abundant, offering professionals the chance to impact health outcomes on a large scale.

What is a master's in Health Administration (MHA)?

A master's in Health Administration (MHA) is another professional graduate degree. However, this one is designed to prepare students for leadership roles within healthcare organizations, focusing on the management, planning, and administration of health services. 

While an MPH emphasizes preventive and community-based approaches to public health, an MHA is centered on the business and organizational aspects of healthcare systems, covering areas such as financial management, healthcare operations, and strategic planning. 

Focus

The MHA's focus is distinct from that of the MPH, as it primarily addresses the internal workings of healthcare organizations. MHA graduates learn to lead and manage healthcare services effectively, emphasizing operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and quality patient care within healthcare institutions. In contrast, the MPH program is more community-oriented, targeting population health through preventive measures, policy, and social determinants of health.

While both degrees aim to ultimately improve health outcomes, MHA programs are more aligned with the business side of healthcare. Students are trained to handle challenges within the healthcare system, including regulatory compliance, budget constraints, and resource allocation to maximize organizational effectiveness. The goal is to develop leaders who can navigate complex healthcare environments and make data-driven decisions that promote sustainable operations and high-quality care.

Coursework

MHA coursework differs significantly from MPH studies, though both programs may cover certain overlapping areas like health policy. MHA programs typically focus on subjects related to the healthcare industry's organizational and administrative functions. A common MHA curriculum might include courses such as:

• Healthcare Financial Management
• Healthcare Operations and Quality Management
• Healthcare Law and Ethics
• Strategic Planning in Healthcare
• Organizational Behavior and Leadership

UND offers a Health Administration certificate, which can serve as a valuable supplement to an MHA since it focuses on various areas through courses like:

• Health Policy
• Health Administration and Organization
• Problems in Political Science and Public Administration
• Planning and Management to Promote Health
• Program Evaluation

Skills Developed

MHA graduates develop a distinct set of skills that align with leadership and management in healthcare, focusing on administrative expertise rather than the preventive and population-based strategies emphasized in an MPH program. Key skills gained through an MHA include:

• Ability to manage budgets, analyze costs, and make financially sound decisions for the organization's benefit
• Skills in leading teams, managing staff, and fostering effective communication within healthcare settings
• Understanding of healthcare laws, regulations, and ethical standards
• Competence in developing and implementing strategies to achieve long-term goals and respond to industry trends
• Ability to assess and improve healthcare delivery processes to ensure high standards of patient care

Career Paths

Graduates of MHA programs pursue career paths within healthcare organizations, often occupying roles in administration and management that are essential to running healthcare facilities efficiently. Some of these roles include:

• Healthcare administrator
• Health services manager
• Clinical manager
• Health policy analyst
• Operations manager

Salary

MHA salaries vary widely based on the organization and job location. However, the earning potential can also differ significantly depending on the role and experience level. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced healthcare administrators and managers in high-demand areas can earn considerably more.

Which Degree is Right for You?

Deciding between an MHA vs MPH all comes down to where you think you could make the most impact and find fulfillment. 

Those drawn to addressing health issues on a broad scale, such as tackling community health challenges or influencing public health policy, tend to prefer MPHs. However, those interested in the operational side of healthcare, such as managing teams or overseeing hospital departments, typically find an MHA to be a more suitable fit for their goals. 

So, take some time to reflect on both options and consider which day-to-day challenges excite you: solving public health problems through community initiatives or improving healthcare systems from the inside out. 

The important thing to know is that there is no bad choice!

Conclusion

Both MPHs and MHAs offer excellent advantages through their range of career paths. So, as you reflect on where your strengths and passions align, also consider where you want to grow—choosing a school that nurtures your ambitions and helps propel you toward success.

At UND, you'll find a supportive community and the chance to connect with experienced faculty, current students, and alumni who can provide insights into the career path you choose to pursue. Take this next step with us, and we'll help turn your commitment to helping others into a rewarding and fulfilling future for you.

FAQs

Ashley Bayne serves as Assistant Director of the Public Health Program at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences. She helped graduate students forge their paths in public health for over ten years. An experienced advisor and advocate for students and staff, Ashley become known for her ability to help others identify and achieve their passions. Ashley led university COVID-19 contact tracing efforts, mentored in the staff mentoring program, served as a board member of the Live Well Grand Cities health coalition, and managed teams in a variety of community-based projects. In addition to her primary position, she serves the field of public health through various university and community activities. Before her position at UND, Ashley held roles at Oregon Health & Science University, Rede Group, and the Oregon Health Authority.

Ashley earned a Master of Public Health degree from Oregon State University and bachelor's degrees in Community Health and Exercise Science from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.