Master of Science Public Health (MSPH) or A Master of Public Health (MPH)?: Which is the right degree for you?

An MSPH is a degree that focuses on the more scientific, research-based side of Public Health; those who pursue an MSPH typically then proceed into an academic-based setting for work. Note that the use of “MS” can also be interchanged in other parts of the world with the acronym “MSc” as this is used more globally. While an MPH typically offers a few concentrations and courses that provide building blocks for scientific work, the MSPH is oriented around ensuring all students have the toolsets and skills necessary for  careers that require more than basic scientific level knowledge.

The concentrations that typically are offered within an MSPH are Biostatistics, Health Services Research (with various names), and Epidemiology. These fields translate into public health areas of work that are concerned with quality (through quantitative measures) and provide metrics by which public health entities are measured. Some examples of this are population health metrics¹ (i.e. population birth/death rates) or other measures related to environmental health such as disease prevention (i.e. covid containment efforts such as screening requirements²). Others track health education efforts like health promotion (i.e. diabetes management within a population³), or chronic disease epidemiology through preventative health measures (i.e. vaccination rates⁴). Often this kind of degree goes together with work that is referred to as Public Health Administration or Health Services Administration. If you are mid-career or considering a general transition into a new career-path, asking yourself whether being on this side of public health feels meaningful and if you think your skillsets might match.

Below are a few questions to start off such reflection:

• Am I someone who enjoys being in the numbers? Does quantitative output that requires interpretation seem of interest to me?

• Will I succeed in a space that is academic-oriented or academic-based? Do I desire the ability to be nestled in a side of public health that is scientific?

• Is it appealing to me to seek out answers to questions but not always find them? Am I intellectually curious? If yes, do I feel that my curiosity drives interest in investigating unique and complex questions?

An MPH degree is often the main foray into the world of public health beyond an entry-level kind of role, such as a health educator. This degree provides extensive context into understanding the history, present, and future of what public health is and how one might explore it as a public health professional. For a deeper dive on what an MPH can provide (with relevant details about concentrations, examples of program offerings, etc.) head over to our other article. MPH degrees allow individuals who have health-oriented passion to dedicate themselves to a specific topic-area⁵ within the world of health promotion. While enrolled in a graduate program, you can learn what mechanisms exist to create change and positively impact health. 

Some of the key differences between these two degrees exist in the nature of the content covered within each; an MSPH is going to be geared towards a more scientific side of public health that while an integral component of an MPH, is not typically the main focus. The outcome students have with each degree differs here as well given the nature of future careers and associated paths within each. Again, here an MPH will have offerings that also are components of an MSPH degree and program but will offer less of an extensive background for students and is less specialized within these specific areas. 

MSPH and MPH degrees both have core tenets that are based in public health; these are both thematic and topic oriented. Some of these key areas include global health, health policy, environmental health, health promotion, and health education. Public health as a whole is concerned with the right to health for all. The Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) describes an education within public health as one that is “Equitable, quality education in public health for achieving health equity and well-being for everyone, everywhere⁶.” This summarizes nicely what similarities both an MPH and an MSPH have within their key missions. Moreover, there are similar areas of study within each and therefore significant overlap within core courses that are likely to be offered.

What careers might be best for each track?

As public health continues to grow as a prominent field (especially in this post-pandemic world), different kinds of roles are being explored and developed where there is a need for additional task force support⁷. This is an exciting time to be pursuing public health! Keep an eye out for key terms below that are often likely to be part of career listings for each track. Sometimes, the roles listed are even more specific, so try to broaden search terms and ensure you are using any filters while you look through role options.

MSPH-focused careers: Biostatistician, Environmental Scientist, Health Informatics specialist, Clinical Research Coordinator or Associate, Quality Manager (Hospital-based), Epidemiologist, Data Analyst, Research Scientist.

MPH-focused careers: Policy Analyst, Health Educator, Public Health Advisor, Project Manager, Community Health Worker, Public Health Consultant, Health Program Coordinator.

What’s next for you in making this decision? 

Now that you have taken the time to reflect on the difference between an MSPH and an MPH, hopefully you feel you have a more concrete understanding of which might be a better fit for you. To support your decision-making process, we suggest a quick preliminary job search online to see if some of the job titles listed within each above career track might have descriptions that fit into your vision of what’s next for you. 

While not always a direct science, typically individuals who thrive with subjects like math and science in previous schooling will likely find that they have an easier time navigating an MSPH track and may wind up working in chronic disease epidemiology or public health science. Individuals who have more of a desire to tackle public health matters through avenues that might be less research-based or focused might find an MPH track to better suit their needs at this time. 

If you continue to feel uncertain about which path is the best fit, it is always great to find public health professionals in various fields with each degree and hear directly from their experience of navigating their schooling and what informed their own decision. For example, meeting with someone who concentrated in environmental health as part of MSPH coursework would be helpful in comparing their experience to someone who also concentrated in environmental health but as part of their MPH. Additionally, any experience you might be able to gain either in a current position or a short-term role before deciding will provide insight for what might be the best fit.

Good luck on this exciting decision, we’re here to ensure you are as informed as possible!