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Difference between MPH & MHA and what are the possible alternatives in Ireland /UK/Australia?
Health professionals who want to go higher often seen a master’s degree program to advance their careers and take their existing job roles to another level. With numerous options available, many ambitious students often compare the benefits of pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Health Administration (MHA). By knowing the difference, you will be in a better state to guide a student.
What is MHA?
This program is designed to train students to investigate various health-related issues within a specific population. Students enrolled under this program study the techniques that they use to discern different patterns of illnesses in communities. In addition to learning and identifying the different patterns, they will also understand the right way of responding to them by designing and implementing the community health programs to solve health-related problems of the targeted population.
What is MPH?
This program is designed to help students understand how to manage healthcare organizations like hospitals and nursing facilities. Students who study MHA program often learn the core principles of running and managing a business. Once they are familiar with the techniques, they will easily be able to apply the principles in the real-world healthcare environment.
MHA vs. MPH: What is the Major Difference?
Every student will have their personal reasons to go for a master’s degree. For instance, students who are interested in a degree that emphasizes more on a diversified range of health care leadership and higher level of opportunities may choose the MHA program. On the other hand, students who are searching for a program with a deeper science curriculum may go for the MPH program. Both the degrees have possible concentration that can help students pursue a career that they want.
When it comes to the alternative or related course options in Australia, UK, and Ireland:
| Name of the Country | Name of the Country/College | Name of the Course/Program |
| Australia | The University of Sydney | Master of Science in Medicine (Infection and Immunity)Master of Teaching (Health and Physical Education) |
| The University of Adelaide (UoA) | Master of Philosophy (Public Health) | |
| University of Wollongong | Master of Public Health Advanced | |
| Curtin University | Master of Philosophy (Public Health) | |
| University of Southern Queensland (USQ) | Master of Counselling (Alcohol and Drug Studies) | |
| The University of Western Australia (UWA) | Master of Dental Public and Primary HealthMaster of Health Professions Education – Coursework and DissertationMaster of Research (Dentistry-Public Health)Master of Research (Medicine-Public Health) | |
| The University of Queensland | Master of Environmental Health SciencesMaster of Public Health Major in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other DrugsMaster of Public Health Major in Global HealthMaster of Public Health Major in Health Promotion and Disease PreventionMaster of Public Health Major in Indigenous HealthMaster of Public Health Major in Nutrition | |
| Griffith University | Master of Global Public Health | |
| University of New South Wales – UNSW | Master of Health Management (Extension) / Master of International Public HealthMaster of Health Management (Extension) / Master of Public HealthMaster of Health Professions Education (Research)Master of International Public HealthMaster of International Public Health / Master of Health ManagementMaster of International Public Health / Master of Infectious Disease IntelligenceMaster of Public Health / Master of Infectious Disease Intelligence | |
| The Australian National University | Master of Public Health (Advanced) | |
| James Cook University | Master of Health Professional EducationMaster of Pharmaceutical Public HealthMaster of Public Health – MBA – Master of Business AdministrationMaster of Public Health and Tropical Medicine | |
| UK | University of Glasgow | Health Professions Education (with Research) MSc (Research)Infection Biology (Microbiology Specialism) MScPublic Health (Data Science) MPH |
| Coventry University | Public Health Nutrition MSc | |
| University of Leeds | Infection, Immunity and Human Disease MSc | |
| University of South Wales | Safety, Health and Environmental Management MSc | |
| University of Bristol | Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health MSc | |
| Brunel University London | Specialist Community Public Health Nursing: Health Visiting MScSpecialist Community Public Health Nursing: Occupational Health Nursing MSc | |
| University of Portsmouth | Environmental Geology and Contamination MSc | |
| Northumbria University, Newcastle | Environmental Health MScSafety, Health and Environmental Management MSc | |
| Queen Mary University of London | Dental Public Health MScDental Public Health, Policy and Leadership MScGlobal Public Health and Policy MScPublic Mental Health MSc | |
| King’s College London, University of London | Addiction Studies MScMaster of Science in International Addiction Studies (IPAS) MSc | |
| University of Northampton | Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) (Top Up) MSc | |
| Ireland | University College Dublin | Master of Public Health (Nutrition)MSc in Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science |
| Trinity College Dublin | M.Sc. in Healthcare Infection ManagementMaster in Science in Public Health and Primary Care | |
| National University of Ireland, Galway | Master Health Science (Public Health Nursing)Master of Health Sciences (Clinical Education)MSc (Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety) |
What’s the major difference between an MPH and an MHA?
Their main differences are focus areas. MPH programs focus on epidemiology, biostatistics, and health policy, while MHA programs emphasize healthcare management and administration.
Frequently asked questions
How do MPH and MHA graduates’ careers differ?
MPH graduates work in public health, non-profit, and research organizations to promote population health. MHA graduates work in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare consulting firms as managers.
Does an MPH program focus on different skills than an MHA program?
MPH programs stress epidemiological analysis, health policy creation, community health assessment, and program evaluation, while MHA programs emphasize leadership, financial management, healthcare operations, and strategic planning.
What are the MPH and MHA curriculum and coursework differences?
MPH programs cover biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health policy, and social and behavioral sciences. However, MHA programs teach healthcare finance, organizational behavior, legislation, quality improvement, and ethics.
MPH vs. MHA grads’ usual healthcare jobs?
MPH graduates can work as epidemiologists, health educators, policy analysts, or program managers in public health agencies, NGOs, or research institutions. MHA graduates often hold positions as healthcare administrators, department managers, healthcare consultants, or healthcare executives in hospitals, clinics, or healthcare management firms.
Which is better for a job, MHA or MPH?
For job prospects, MHA programs often lead to hospital administration careers, while MPH programs offer broader opportunities and greater public health career chances.