Nonprofit HC Mgmt vs Intro MPH courses (grad level in undergrad) for future MHA?

[azsuns]

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I am strongly considering applying for an MHA beginning in the fall of 2012 (being too late for fall 2011). I have a strong interest in health policy (internship, writing/research, public interest scholarship), am currently finishing undergrad at a university with a SPH, and am planning on taking two to three graduate level courses in either nonprofit management or intro MPH to fulfill other requirements. Is there an advantage to one or the other in MHA admissions?

The other option I have is to stay for the summer and earn a certificate in public health or nonprofit mgmt with a focus on health mgmt. Would the cert. in nonprofit mgmt. (or even a joint masters given two additional courses) be of any value down the road combined with the MHA? Or should I just try and secure a hospital related internship for greater real world experience?

 

[Veggie Monster]

Experience--hands down.

 

[classicvendetta]

In addition to experience, I would make sure you have some financial management classes under your repertoire. Although some concepts are intuitive (organizational behavior, different leadership styles, etcetera), knowing how to analyze financial statements and make investments decisions are skills any administrator should have but may not be able to pick up at the job.

I am in an MHA program. Before entering the program, I was considering do a non-profit management certificate at my school. However, I quickly learned that my finance classes used non-profit language (as most hospitals are non-profit) rather than for-profit terms.

PM me if you have any additional questions 🙂