MPH MHA Dual Degree Programs: Your Complete Guide

Published on: Jun 22, 2025
Kerra Henkin headshot

REVIEWED BY

Kerra Henkin, MPH, ML

Key Takeaways

  • The MPH MHA dual degree equips students for leadership roles at the intersection of public health and healthcare administration.

  • These programs integrate curricula to reduce time and cost while broadening skill sets in policy, management, and population health.

  • Graduates qualify for diverse roles such as hospital administrators, health policy consultants, and public health executives.

  • Ideal for professionals looking to advance quickly in complex healthcare systems or influence public health infrastructure.

  • Strong job prospects and salary potential make this a high-ROI pathway for public service-oriented leaders.

It might seem odd for hospital administrators to participate in public health matters, like coordinating resources to respond to emergencies, communicating with public health agencies, and ensuring the facility has the finances to operate efficiently. But public health and healthcare administration are two disciplines that often overlap quite a bit. In the United States, healthcare systems are stretched thin by an aging population, chronic disease, and evolving government regulations1. These issues are best solved by a leader who has experience in both public health and administration, which is where a dual degree can come in handy.

A dual Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Health Administration (MHA) prepares students to rise to leadership roles in healthcare across multiple disciplines. Coursework can include topics like population health, policy analysis, and healthcare management, all of which equip graduates to address challenges in clinical, operational, and policy environments. 

The demand for leaders who specialize in both these areas is high. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects roles for medical and health services managers to grow by 29% during the next decade, a rate the BLS cites as “much faster than average” for all occupations2. 

In this article, you’ll learn more about what you can gain from an MPH MHA dual degree program, how to apply, possible career opportunities for graduates, and an overview of some of the nation’s best MPH-MHA dual degree programs that offer ideal coursework and learning styles to help you achieve your career goals.

What is an MPH-MHA Dual Degree?

An MPH-MHA dual degree is a graduate education program that awards students two different master’s degrees. The MPH degree covers topics like population health, epidemiology, and health policy, while the MHA focuses on leadership, finance, and operations management. When combined, these two degrees help prepare graduates for careers at the intersection of public health and healthcare system management.

These two degrees feature many overlapping courses, which makes it easier and more efficient for students to complete them at the same time. Overlapping courses and themes include:

  • Population health and education programs

  • Healthcare finance and managerial accounting

  • Health policy and legal/ethical considerations

  • Operations and quality improvement

  • Information technology and innovation

The standard amount of time it takes to complete an MPH-MHA dual degree is between two and a half and three years, if the student enrolls in full-time coursework.

Benefits of Pursuing an MPH-MHA Dual Degree

Graduates of MPH-MHA dual degree programs can expand their opportunities for employment, enrichment, and making a difference in others’ lives. Below are a few benefits of obtaining an MPH-MHA dual degree.

  • Expanded Career Opportunities.

    An MPH-MHA dual degree offers a wide variety of leadership career options in both the public and private sectors. Graduates can explore roles like hospital administrators, healthcare consultants, health policy analysts, and even government executive positions. Because they’re specializing in two areas of healthcare, they’re better able to pursue different career tracks as the industry’s needs and demands evolve.

  • Varied Skill Set.

    The combination of topics like healthcare policy and operational management enables MPH-MHA graduates to tackle complex health system challenges. They’ll also be able to lend their skills to budget planning, leadership, and quality improvement.

  • Policy Influence.

    Gaining expertise in health policy allows MPH-MHA dual degree holders to have an impact on population health. This can include advocating for causes they care about and spearheading large-scale improvements in healthcare policy.

  • Efficient Education.

    Obtaining two degrees in tandem can fast-track students to their chosen career. A dual degree program reduces the amount of time and cost that are otherwise required for two separate advanced degrees.

MPH-MHA Dual Degree: Program Overview

An MPH-MHA dual degree involves a comprehensive curriculum that blends foundational public health knowledge with healthcare administration skills. Below, we’ll break it down into MPH coursework and MHA coursework.

MPH Coursework

An MPH program focuses on topics such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and health promotion. These subjects are crucial for understanding and addressing real-world population health challenges. As part of the program, students learn how to conceptualize and design interventions for public health issues such as infectious disease outbreaks, chronic disease management, health disparities, and the impacts of the environment on community health.

MHA Coursework

As part of the MHA coursework, students learn about healthcare finance, program planning, human resources, and healthcare law and ethics. With this knowledge, graduates can effectively lead healthcare organizations and systems.

MPH-MHA Program Structure

Most MPH-MHA dual degree programs offer a combination of the core courses mentioned above, as well as electives and practical experiences like internships. Students can choose elective courses based on their interests, like global health or hospital operations. Programs may end with a capstone project or thesis, where students apply what they’ve learned to real-world scenarios.

Students can complete these graduate programs on a full-time or part-time basis and can take courses either online, in person, or through a hybrid model. These options allow flexibility for students who either work outside jobs or have other commitments.

Career Paths and Job Outlook for MPH-MHA Dual Degrees

The healthcare field is vast, and career opportunities for MPH-MHA graduates are plentiful. Below are a few examples of possible career paths for these healthcare professionals.

Common Roles

An MPH-MHA dual degree equips professionals with the skills they’ll need to succeed in leadership positions like the following:

  • Health Services Manager:

    Oversees daily operations and strategic planning

  • Public Health Director:

    Leads public health initiatives at the local, state, or federal level

  • Hospital Administrator:

    Manages hospital systems, budgets, and staff

  • Policy Analyst:

    Researches and helps shape health policy for governments or advocacy groups

  • Population Health Manager:

    Designs and enacts programs to help improve community health outcomes

Work Environments

Healthcare professionals with this advanced degree typically work in one of the following environments:

  • Government Agencies:

    Departments of health, public health offices

  • Healthcare Systems:

    Hospitals, clinics

  • Consulting Firms:

    Advising on healthcare management and public health strategy

  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs):

    Nonprofit and international organizations that focus on healthcare initiatives

Salary Expectations

Healthcare professionals with dual degrees can earn a median annual salary of $117,960, according to the BLS2.   

Median annual salaries in the United States can vary depending on location, career level, and work environment3:

  • Government:

    $132,620

  • Hospitals:

    $130,690

  • Outpatient Care Centers:

    $106,990

  • Physician Offices:

    $100,780

  • Nursing and Residential Care Facilities:

    $99,250

Job Growth

According to the BLS, medical and health services managers are expected to be in high demand, especially during the next decade. The BLS predicts the number of these roles will increase by almost 30%, driven by an aging population and an ongoing need for skilled leaders to manage complicated healthcare systems and policies2. 

Nontraditional Roles

Graduates of MPH-MHA dual degree programs can pursue career paths outside of the traditional roles and settings mentioned above. They can work at nonprofit organizations as innovation officers, who are responsible for leading health technology initiatives and community programs. Alternatively, they can serve as strategic advisors for healthcare startups. In this capacity, they advise on healthcare policy, market analysis, and opportunities for scale.

Who Should Consider an MPH-MHA Dual Degree?

A dual MPH-MHA degree is a suitable path for students who have the motivation and desire to shape healthcare systems and public health policy through leadership and management. This is not the correct educational path for those seeking more immediate clinical positions, like practicing medicine or providing medical care. 

You might consider this career path if you’re a:

  • Mid-Career Clinician or Administrator:

    If you’re already working in the healthcare field but you’re looking for ways to have more influence on strategy, policy, or systems, an MPH-MHA dual degree might be for you.

  • Recent Undergraduate:

    You may have just finished a degree in nutrition or administration and seek to expand your knowledge in the healthcare space.

  • Policy Advocate:

    If you’re passionate about a specific healthcare issue and participate in advocacy activities, you might be interested in pursuing this degree to gain more hands-on experience in management.

Regardless of where you are in your career, preparing for an MPH-MHA dual degree program requires diligent research and an understanding of the time commitments necessary to complete the program.

MPH-MHA Dual Degree: Admission Requirements and How to Apply

To apply for a spot in an MPH-MHA dual degree program, applicants typically need the following:

  • Bachelor’s Degree:

    Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before they pursue advanced studies.

  • Resume:

    A professional resume that highlights past education and any related work experience will help applicants solidify themselves as strong candidates for an MPH-MHA dual degree program.

  • Personal Statement:

    Applicants need a strong personal statement that explains why they’re interested in these two healthcare disciplines and why an MPH-MHA dual degree program will help them achieve their career goals.

  • Letters of Recommendation:

    The application package should include letters from professional references, such as former employers or past instructors, who can attest to the applicant’s ability to succeed in these master’s programs.

Many schools have removed the GRE from their list of application materials. Some programs may offer waivers for the GRE depending on prior education, work experience, and other criteria. It’s important to check each program’s website for more details.

Another important note when applying to a dual degree program is that you may need to apply to two different departments—public health and health administration—so you’ll need the correct materials for both applications. 

To help pay for an MPH-MHA dual degree program, many schools offer financial aid options, including scholarships or graduate assistantships. Those who go on to work for government agencies or nonprofits may be eligible for public service student loan forgiveness after making payments for ten years4.

Dual MPH MHA Degree Programs: Start Your Research

Many well-known institutions around the country offer dual MPH-MHA degree programs or separate MPH and MHA degrees that can be taken together. Below are a few programs to browse to help you get started with your research.

To view a larger list of programs, their curriculum options, and career paths, visit MastersPublicHealth.com.

MPH-MHA Dual Degree Program: A Worthy Path to a Bright Future

An MPH-MHA dual degree enables professionals to take on leadership roles at the intersection of public health and health administration. By gaining knowledge in these two crucial areas of healthcare, graduates are prepared to solve complex, system-level challenges across the industry. 

You may be an ideal candidate for this career path if you seek cross-functional leadership roles that offer career flexibility and empower you to make an impact on health systems and populations. A dual degree is a time- and cost-efficient way to develop the skills to advance in your career, increase your salary potential, and open up strategic leadership pathways.

In a world where healthcare delivery and population health are increasingly intertwined, a dual MPH-MHA degree offers the strategic edge today’s leaders need to make meaningful change.

Sources:

1https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10998868/ 

2https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm  

3https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm#tab-5 

4https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

About the Authors

Reviewed by:

Kerra Henkin , MPH, ML

Kerra Henkin, MPH, ML, is a program manager at one of the largest academic medical centers in the country. In her current role, she aligns and expands programming with needs identified in the federally mandated community health needs assessment, and deploys organizational resources to support community health improvement. Prior to this role, she was a community health educator for an advocacy nonprofit organization in Philadelphia. She has co-authored multiple research papers on criminal justice and substance abuse, and will be presenting on law enforcement assisted diversion at the 2023 American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting. 

Ms. Henkin holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master in Law (ML) from the University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences from Ithaca College.

Opinions and information published by the author on MastersPublicHealth.com are of her own and do not necessarily represent the views of opinions of her employer.

Kerra Henkin headshot

Kerra Henkin , MPH, ML

Contributor

Education: Community health education

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