Difference between MPH with a health policy and management and MHA?

[incognito1]

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Hi guys, I want to be a hospital administrator in the future and it seems like getting an mha is the way to go, but some schools that I am interested in don't offer this but do offer an mph with a health policy and management focus. Does pursuing an MPH rather than an MHA affect my chances of working in the hospital administration field?

Thanks!

 

[kauldron26]

My path is in administration as well. I recommend getting the MPH because its more versatile than an MHA. Trust me i spent a whole year flipping and debating this over. Im glad im getting the MPH instead.

 

[incognito1]

Thanks Kauldron26 for your input! Are there any current hospital administrators who only have an mph degree? i've had trouble finding any...

 

[aupz23]

Good evening incognito1:

I think that there's quite a bit of health administrators out there who may only have an MPH; UCLA and UC-Berkely offer MPH instead of an MHA and it is known that the MPH-ers from those 2 schools get hospital administrative fellowships. Columbia University, which offers only the MPH, also has students who get hospital administrative fellowships or managerial/consulting jobs. The University of Texas-Houston just established an MPH program in which students can get a foundation in health administration/management. So, I agree with kauldron b/c the MPH, depending on the program, gives you a foundation in management, administration, finance, economics, policy, analysis, and strategy, along with human resources. 🙂

 

[incognito1]

Good evening incognito1:

I think that there's quite a bit of health administrators out there who may only have an MPH; UCLA and UC-Berkely offer MPH instead of an MHA and it is known that the MPH-ers from those 2 schools get hospital administrative fellowships. Columbia University, which offers only the MPH, also has students who get hospital administrative fellowships or managerial/consulting jobs. The University of Texas-Houston just established an MPH program in which students can get a foundation in health administration/management. So, I agree with kauldron b/c the MPH, depending on the program, gives you a foundation in management, administration, finance, economics, policy, analysis, and strategy, along with human resources. 🙂

That is great to know, aupz23! Thanks again!

 

[incognito1]

I forgot to ask, I noticed that the salary varied with an MHA degree compared to MPH degree (which was a little lower) glancing from several websites. I'm guessing this difference is because not all MPHers decide to work in health administration? Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[kauldron26]

you're right. considering the diversity of the MPH career the salary range is greater. Some folks stay in the public or non profit sector. As long as u have courses in management, policy, finance, economics and the basic MPH curriculum u can pretty much work in any field. Be it Administration of health promotion. Im taking program planning, health disparities, management and finance this semester and they compliment each other. Also, what i highly recommend is to get your self into a very good health-care administration job. Experience is vital. Coming out of grad school no one is just going to make u a manager. i go to school full time and also work full time. Get in to hospital admin, build that resume up like a mofo.

 

[wiiturtledove]

you're right. considering the diversity of the MPH career the salary range is greater. Some folks stay in the public or non profit sector. As long as u have courses in management, policy, finance, economics and the basic MPH curriculum u can pretty much work in any field. Be it Administration of health promotion. Im taking program planning, health disparities, management and finance this semester and they compliment each other. Also, what i highly recommend is to get your self into a very good health-care administration job. Experience is vital. Coming out of grad school no one is just going to make u a manager. i go to school full time and also work full time. Get in to hospital admin, build that resume up like a mofo.

How in the world do you manage to work full time and go to school? Does your program offer night classes????? What program is it if you dont mind me asking? The only way I can work and go to school is if I do an online program.

 

[kauldron26]

All the MPH classes at my program are from 530-8. NJ has only 2 public health schools UMDNJ and MSU. i go to MSU, class right after work and after class i stay on campus to do my reading and do my homework. I have class mon, tues, thurs. My program is 45 credits, 39 credits coursework, 6 credits fieldwork. Im actually trying to find placement for an internship right now because i work full time i can only do weekends and evenings.

 

[whatodo]

My path is in administration as well. I recommend getting the MPH because its more versatile than an MHA. Trust me i spent a whole year flipping and debating this over. Im glad im getting the MPH instead.

hi kauldron26

I m a pharmacist from dhaka bangladesh. I m going australia this year as permanent resident. I m interested to do MPH there. could u plz enlighten the carrer prospect of MPH like what kind of job is available, hows the salary range & also whicf subjects are better for better career development.
looking for your kind assitance

 

[cocobobo]

Hi aupz23,

It is interesting that you mention UT-Houston, because I am currently in that new MPH program called "Healthcare Management." I get the feeling that I will have a harder time getting into the hospital administration field because my MPH is from a school not known for admin/management. Do you have any feel for how this program stacks up to other SPH's management/ healthcare admin programs? The one thing I do like about the program is the cost (cheap), the faculty (friendly) and the flexibility and ease of not having a rigid schedule like the MHA.

 

[aupz23]

Hi aupz23,

It is interesting that you mention UT-Houston, because I am currently in that new MPH program called "Healthcare Management." I get the feeling that I will have a harder time getting into the hospital administration field because my MPH is from a school not known for admin/management. Do you have any feel for how this program stacks up to other SPH's management/ healthcare admin programs? The one thing I do like about the program is the cost (cheap), the faculty (friendly) and the flexibility and ease of not having a rigid schedule like the MHA.

Good evening cocobobo! 🙂
I don't think you have anything to worry about. Seems to me, your program at the UT-Houston is perhaps a force to be reckoned with. It's not everyday that a program like yours has research centers on health administration and public health associated with it. Your program, based on what I've seen, has centers of research and hospitals associated with your program. Take a look at this site http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/fleming/ When you look at the facult under that site, some of them I'm sure teach some of your classes. Some of them even have healthcare admin experience. I think as long as your make really good grades, apply yourself, and show your professors you're interested and make connections, then the sky is the limit. You can go to any hospital in the nation you want. I've come to realize that it's not the school you come from BUT it's what you DID at the school you came from. If I were you, take advantage of the research centers associated with your program at this site http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/mpch/
along with some of the renowned hospitals that are near the school. Also, talk to your teachers. I think you'll do just fine! You should be excited too. 🙂
I hope all of this helped you. Remember, as long you learn policy, analysis, management, administration, technology, HR, etc in your program, you're good to go! 🙂 If I was a student in your program, I would be honored and thrilled.

 

[doctor55]

Hi aupz23 and kauldron26
I am a dentist from india who now wishes to pursue either an MPH or MHA degree in the U.S...but still cant decide on which to pursue as i wanted to know the job availabilitiy in both the fields for international students like me with just an MPH or MHA degree as my dentistry degree is not considered valid there...i shall be taking student loans for the courses and its very important for me to get a job post my studies to repay them...i would be grateful if you guys could enlighten me on the job availability scenario there currently for these courses...i am a little inclined towards hospital administration currently but that could also be because i am not fully aware of the other opportunities an MPH could provide...please help in my dilemma if you can.