How to Decide if a Dual MHA/MPH Degree Is Right for You

Published on: Jan 11, 2025
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WRITTEN BY

Editorial Contributor
Katherine Paul

REVIEWED BY

Katherine Paul, MPH

Health care is known as a stable industry, and health professionals are always in demand. But maybe you’d rather avoid the front lines of health care roles like nursing and medicine. You can still make a tremendous impact in the world of health policy and health administration by obtaining a dual master’s degree in public health and health care administration.

Dual degree programs allow students to obtain two advanced degrees at the same time, usually in an abbreviated timeline. These degree programs are growing in popularity because of the student’s ability to complete two graduate degrees more quickly and for less money than if they were to complete them separately. You may have heard of combining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Master of Public Health (MPH) or a Master of Health Administration (MHA), but there’s also the option of combining two health care disciplines for one powerful master’s degree.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of a dual degree program that awards students a Master of Health Administration and a Master of Public Health; dive into the details of this program’s curricula; identify career opportunities post-graduation; and offer tips for applying to an MHA/MPH dual degree program.

Why Pursue an MHA/MPH Dual Degree?

Beyond the important contributions an individual can make to the world of health care and health policy, here are a few reasons someone might consider pursuing an MHA/MPH dual degree.

  • Job Diversity.

    By receiving advanced degrees in both public health and health care administration, you can diversify the types of jobs you’re eligible for upon graduation. Because you’ll finish with two master’s degrees, you’ll likely be a more desirable candidate for health professions compared to graduates who have only obtained one of these master’s degrees.

  • Increased Employment Opportunities.

    Health care policy and public administration are some of the fastest-growing fields. Medical and health services managers, for example, will see a “much faster than average” job growth rate of 29% between 2023 and 2033, with a projected 61,400 new jobs each year.1 With an abundance of openings, graduates have a higher chance of obtaining a health care administration job after receiving an MPH and MHA degree and therefore might have a better chance of quickly paying off any student loans they may have taken to pay for their education.

  • Two Degrees in Less Time.

    These degree programs are especially enticing for those who want to fast-track their advanced education and get closer to a job in public health or public administration in less time and for fewer expenses.

  • Interest in Health-Related Disciplines.

    Health care hobbyists can turn their interests in things like biomedical sciences into full-time careers without having to devote the time and money to a medical degree.

So what might a dual degree program in the fields of public health and health care administration look like? Next, we’ll explore some sample coursework and identify additional requirements that students in these degree programs must complete before graduating and pursuing health professions.

MPH/MHA Dual Degree Learning Outcomes

Curricula for an MHA/MPH dual degree program allow students to complete two master’s degrees in a reduced time and at a reduced cost. Students must complete master’s-level coursework that covers a range of topics, including (but not limited to) the following:

Other elective coursework might include some of the following topics, which students can choose based on their individual interests:

  • Global Health and Sustainability

  • Clinical Trials

  • Grant Writing

  • Infectious Diseases

  • Population Health

  • Emergency Preparedness

Once basic coursework is completed, students must also complete practical experience, which might involve an internship and/or a capstone project. These additional requirements are meant to test students’ leadership and management skills, as well as their ability to build programs that support public health initiatives.

Some schools encourage students to complete the Certified Public Health (CPH) exam prior to graduation. This certification demonstrates an individual’s knowledge of public health science and their commitment to continuing education as the field grows and evolves.

Once a student has graduated, they’re ready to begin their career in health professions. Next, we’ll explore some of the career paths available to graduates from these dual degree programs.

Career Pathways and Opportunities in Health Care Administration and Public Health

After obtaining a dual MHA/MPH degree, graduates can explore professional careers in the following types of roles.

  • Hospital CEO/Executive Director.

    A hospital CEO oversees all hospital operations, resources, and policies to ensure the facility meets safety and health care standards. They may confer with medical doctors and/or physician assistants to learn what it’s like on the front lines of care and what can be improved.

  • Health Care Program Director/Public Health Director.

    This individual helps manage projects to improve patient care. This may include collecting information from patients, reporting outcomes, allocating funds for programs to improve patient care, and managing risk and contingency plans, as well as other health care management duties.

  • Health Care Consultant.

    Health care consultants help their clients — hospitals and health care facilities — improve areas of operations like training, efficiency, and risk mitigation.

  • Hospital Manager.

    These health care administration professionals help coordinate services, manage a hospital’s finances, and ensure the hospital is following legal procedures. They also might be involved with implementing new policies and systems to improve operations and patient care. An MHA degree is particularly useful for roles like this.

  • Health Care Policy Advisor.

    This role involves staying informed of health care research and trends and advising partners and policymakers on how to propose and advance legislation to improve health care outcomes.

Demand for jobs in health care management, like medical and health services managers, shows signs of increasing at higher-than-normal rates during the next decade, with a median salary of $110,680 as of May 2023.1 That same year, there were 562,700 jobs listed for medical and health services managers, a role that involves planning, directing, and coordinating health care business activities.

Alternatives to an MHA/MPH Dual Degree

Researching these dual degree programs might reveal other options for combining two master’s degrees to prepare for advanced employment in health care, including MBA/MPH programs or MSW/MPH programs. Depending on where you want your career path to take you, you need to be judicious in choosing the right degree program for your interests and ambitions.

A dual MPH and MHA degree can be more beneficial than a single degree when it comes to time (obtaining two master’s degrees in the time it might take to obtain one degree), finances (paying for one dual degree program can be cheaper than paying for two separate programs), and career paths (a dual degree offers a wider variety of career options once the student graduates).

Top MHA/MPH Dual Degree Programs

To get started on your path toward an MHA/MPH degree, here are a few reputable institutions that offer dual degree programs.

  • Indiana University Indianapolis: Students can complete this 63-credit dual degree in three years and choose courses like Health Economics, Financial Management for Public Health Organizations, and Health Care Information Systems. 

  • New York University: The NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Services offers a three-year, 69-credit program with two concentration options: Public and Non-Profit Management and Policy (PNP) or Health Policy and Management (HPAM).

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham: Graduates of this 92-credit degree program offered by the UAB School of Public Health go on to work in public health administration, health service organizations, research, government, and international health. 

  • University of Michigan: This 84-credit degree program is offered by the School of Public Health and can be completed in three years.

  • University of South Florida: USF’s program stretches across 96 total credit hours, with an MPH curriculum that focuses on health policies and programs.

  • University of Utah: Students can attend the University of Utah’s 68-credit MHA/MPH program, which can take anywhere from three to six years to complete, as a part-time or full-time student. 

Application Tips and Admission Requirements

To apply for a spot in an MHA/MPH dual degree program, you may need to follow the admission requirements outlined by the School of Public Health Application Services (SOPHAS). This application requires applicants to submit the following:

  • Personal Information.

    Your basic personal data such as name, address, date of birth, and other identifying information.

  • Education History.

    Include transcripts that show your previous education and reveal your performance and GPA from these institutions.

  • SOPHAS Statement of Purpose and Objectives.

    This statement should explain why you’re applying to this particular dual degree program and what you hope to achieve from a career in public health and health administration. You may also be asked to submit a personal essay, but this is not necessarily required for all dual degree programs.

  • Resume.

    This one-page document lists your education, employment, and volunteer experience.

  • Letters of Recommendation.

    These letters should come from people with whom you’ve worked in the past, like former managers, professors, mentors, or volunteer coordinators.

  • Official SOPHAS Application.

    Each year, the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) opens a new application cycle. Make sure you have the most up-to-date application, which can be found on the ASPPH website.

Other admission requirements may include a standard quantitative experiences statement, which requires applicants to demonstrate their analytical and qualitative skills by answering provided questions about their strengths and experience in these areas.

Some admission requirements will also involve an interview, either in person, virtually, or both. To prepare for an interview for a dual degree program, make sure you do your research not only about the degree program itself but also about the field you’re hoping to enter. Come prepared with impact statements about how you plan to use this education to contribute to the field once you’ve graduated. If all of this seems overwhelming, we’ve developed a step-by-step guide to walk you through the application process.

The Key to Success: Always-On Learning

Attending a dual degree program in public health and health administration can put you ahead of the curve in terms of post-education career paths. All MHA/MPH students should know that once their initial education is complete, continued learning is a must. The constantly evolving world of health care keeps its professionals on their toes, and anyone entering the field should be prepared to learn, grow, and adapt along with the industry.

To find a dual MHA/MPH degree program that is right for you, contact us today!

Sources

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

About the Authors

Written by:

Editorial Contributor

MPH icon alternative in orange

Editorial Contributor

Reviewed by:

Katherine Paul, MPH

Katherine Paul, MPH is a senior project manager at a leading medical communications and publications organization. She supports multidisciplinary teams handling large-scale accounts, the deliverables of which improve health outcomes and patient well-being. Ms. Paul holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Health Promotion from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health and passed the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) shortly after graduation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Dickinson College.

Ms. Paul previously worked at a public health non-profit where she managed all aspects of diverse health-related projects, including the implementation of a randomized controlled clinical trial on sexual health for teens with developmental disabilities, as well as the evaluation of a statewide tobacco cessation program with more than 20,000 annual cases. She has developed and delivered posters and presentations at national conferences including the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting. 

Opinions and information published by the author here on MastersPublicHealth.com are of my own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of my employer or other organizations for my designated roles.

Katherine Paul

Katherine Paul, MPH

Editorial Lead

Education: Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health

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