NYU Wagner - MPA Health Management

[jh2723]

Anyone going there next year? I'm deciding between Columbia, Yale and NYU for health policy and management, but Wagner gave me $$ plus the more I learn about it, the more I like it (things like the fact that I can take classes in the law and business schools, 2 of the best in their fields in the country, and that it's the only CAHME-accredited MPA program.)

Anyone out there attending or considering?

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[WhartonUndGrad]

Anyone going there next year? I'm deciding between Columbia, Yale and NYU for health policy and management, but Wagner gave me $$ plus the more I learn about it, the more I like it (things like the fact that I can take classes in the law and business schools, 2 of the best in their fields in the country, and that it's the only CAHME-accredited MPA program.)

Anyone out there attending or considering?

I think your decision depends on your career aspirations. What are they?

 

[jh2723]

Originally it was (and still might be) hospital administration, so i'd like to apply to administrative fellowships. I am playing around with consulting now too. I know places like PwC, Deloitte and McKinsey recruit at Columbia but apparently NYU has placed grads at PwC.

I feel (and have been told by hospital administrators) that I should choose the more business-y program and the MPA seems to be it, comparing the requirements of the program (especially when you can take electives at Stern). So, NYU has the skills I'd like to gain. I'm wondering if it's silly to give up the prestige of ivies + the "prestige" of an MPH (which I've heard is more respected than an MPA but I could be wrong).

Any advice for me, Wharton?

 

[mphhopeful12]

Hey jh2723,

I am right with you in this debate. Although i guess replace yale with the nyu global MPH.

My goal is health care policy work (i'd love to work for Rand or the Brookings institute for example) I already have an MBA so the business need is taken care of but the debate is raging in my head as to whether the MPA is enough for what I'd like to do or if an MPH is really needed.

On the columbia vs wagner debate:

Wagner seems so exciting to me. I read the class descriptions and they are exactly what I want to take. And you can take some of the core MPH classes as electives (epidemiology, biostats, etc) if you are interested. And the students I've spoken to seem happy. and they gave me quite a bit of money.

Columbia on the other hand, well, its Columbia right? And they did give me some money (although 1/2 of what wagner gave me.) and the program while really structured (a little too structured for my taste i think), is full of interesting classes. But the program is also short (3 semesters vs 4) - and i can't figure out if i think that is a pro or a con.

Originally it was (and still might be) hospital administration, so i'd like to apply to administrative fellowships. I am playing around with consulting now too. I know places like PwC, Deloitte and McKinsey recruit at Columbia but apparently NYU has placed grads at PwC.

I feel (and have been told by hospital administrators) that I should choose the more business-y program and the MPA seems to be it, comparing the requirements of the program (especially when you can take electives at Stern). So, NYU has the skills I'd like to gain. I'm wondering if it's silly to give up the prestige of ivies + the "prestige" of an MPH (which I've heard is more respected than an MPA but I could be wrong).

Any advice for me, Wharton?

 

[snurpy]

Who are the faculty at Wagner? I'm not sure much about Wagner, but Columbia has also very esteemed faculty who teach the MPH program. I'm sure they are also the people you can look to for networking toward your career aspirations after graduation.

 

[WhartonUndGrad]

Originally it was (and still might be) hospital administration, so i'd like to apply to administrative fellowships. I am playing around with consulting now too. I know places like PwC, Deloitte and McKinsey recruit at Columbia but apparently NYU has placed grads at PwC.

I feel (and have been told by hospital administrators) that I should choose the more business-y program and the MPA seems to be it, comparing the requirements of the program (especially when you can take electives at Stern). So, NYU has the skills I'd like to gain. I'm wondering if it's silly to give up the prestige of ivies + the "prestige" of an MPH (which I've heard is more respected than an MPA but I could be wrong).

Any advice for me, Wharton?

I wouldn't rule out of Yale just yet because I know the Health Management curriculum is deeply interwoven with the School of Management, so you could use some of those electives to possibly further your business competencies at Yale in addition to your mandated school of management classes you have to take.

However, if you know consulting is a future endeavor, being New York may be the best option. An MPA may be better suited than a MPH. That's my opinion. Best of Luck!

 

[ashleyleah15]

Well I applied to all three, and I decided on Columbia (attending this coming fall). Still waiting to hear on NYU, but the opportunity to go to an ivy league with the connections that Columbia has was very hard to turn down. I am also on the fence between consulting and hospital administration, and whenever I was talking with hospital administrators just the fact of saying you got your masters from an Ivy means a lot. They have a lot of connections with new york organizations and hospitals like NY-pres, which is also a huge bonus. CAHME accreditation was a big thing I was looking for, and both schools have impressive rankings in their respective degrees. I do not think you can go wrong with either, ultimately, it depends on what is the best fit for you. Just being NY alone will open a lot of doors.

 

[RAMPA]

Originally it was (and still might be) hospital administration, so i'd like to apply to administrative fellowships. I am playing around with consulting now too. I know places like PwC, Deloitte and McKinsey recruit at Columbia but apparently NYU has placed grads at PwC.

I feel (and have been told by hospital administrators) that I should choose the more business-y program and the MPA seems to be it, comparing the requirements of the program (especially when you can take electives at Stern). So, NYU has the skills I'd like to gain. I'm wondering if it's silly to give up the prestige of ivies + the "prestige" of an MPH (which I've heard is more respected than an MPA but I could be wrong).

Any advice for me, Wharton?

Personally I think admin fellowship placement depends on the quality of the program AND the demographics of the students. I'm compelled to believe that most Wagner students are more experienced before entering the program so most wouldn't be looking for/needing a fellowship.
http://wagner.nyu.edu/careers/healthjobs.php
Coming out of Wagner or Mailman won't hurt your chances at an admin fellow or consulting. Remember most consulting firms only recruit at name-brand schools, such as Columbia and NYU, for new grads.
Btw Deloitte also recruits NYU MPA health mgt students on campus.

Take for example UMinn which almost places 100% of its graduates into fellowships. Their graduates tend to be younger with less work experience.
Take UPenn or Northwestern's CAHME accredited MBA programs in health administration. Most of their graduates forgo admin fellowships b/c they have business experience before entering the program, not b/c the programs are poor.
Another example is Johns Hopkins. No one from the Class of 2010 completed an admin fellowship. Most obtained positions as analysts, project managers, associates, etc at places like Huron consulting, Hopkins Hospital system, KPMG, Deloitte, the advisory board.

I'd assume than an MPA has more "prestige" than an MPH when it comes to management. Most people, at least in the know, do not think of "administrator" when you mention the MPH degree. Although you graduate sooner from Mailman, NYU offers you an additional semester of education along with more time for electives as the curriculum is more spread out. The costs seem comparable too.

Most people who enter consulting don't stay for the long run, due to lifestyle issues, so after a stint in consulting you could easily obtain a upper management position in health administration.

At this point though of the game I think it should come down to fit and finances as going to Yale, Columbia, NYU, etc will all open up many doors to begin a career in health services management.