What can you do with an MPH?
09/02/24When I decided to pursue my Master of Public Health during the summer of 2016, I was conflicted between a few different programs. I was debating between an MHA, MBA, and MPH. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare administration/management and each degree provided an opportunity to do so.
While an Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management seemed to allow for a more direct path into working within my desired space, I took notice of the unique opportunity to learn about public health, population health, and value based care. By identifying a program that included this core “public health and patient outcomes” related aspect along with a heavy focus on healthcare management (as a concentration), I ultimately decided on pursuing my MPH in Healthcare Management. However, I have worked more closely with healthcare management and policy professionals.
The MPH degree is graduate-level degree focused on entering the field of public health, as the name suggests. However, this can mean a focus in any of the following areas including Epidemiology/Biostatistics, Policy, Healthcare Management, Global Health, Health Education, Behavioral Health, Nutrition, etc.
The key point being that it is some of the major skills and experiences gained via coursework, projects, internships, and jobs that will be important. For me, this has been project management, lean six sigma, data analysis, and understanding the importance of systems thinking and stakeholders in healthcare (patients, providers, payers, etc.). Systems thinking in healthcare is a problem-solving approach that analyzes the system as a whole, rather than as individual components. It's used to understand how the different parts of a health system or healthcare organizations interact with each other, and how changes in one part of the system can affect other parts.
Ultimately, you’d be surprised the number of different professional pathways an MPH graduate can have across their career. The more important part being leveraging core skills/competencies, achieving success with your projects, and showing measurable improvements/outcomes.
Typical Concentrations and Roles/Organizations for MPH in Healthcare Management and Healthcare policy graduates (early to mid career):
Healthcare Management
Focus: Improving efficiency, effectiveness, quality, and access as it pertains to healthcare services. A heavy focus on operations, various healthcare programs, information systems, and an understanding of financial and operational demands of healthcare institutions.
Roles/Organizations:
Health Systems, Community Based Organizations, Hospitals, Health Plans, etc.- Data Analyst, Project Coordinator, Project Manager, Program Manager, Quality Improvement Consultant, Performance Improvement Consultant, Business Analyst, Operations Consultant, Strategy Consultant, Health Educator, User Experience Consultant, etc.
Consulting Firms (Huron, ClearView, BDC Advisors, COPE Health Solutions, IQVIA, Oliver Wyman, MBB, Big 4, etc.) - Healthcare Analyst, Healthcare Consultant
Digital Health/Healthcare Startups- Data Analyst, Digital Health Program Manager, Competitive Intelligence Analyst/Consultant, Business Development Associate, Sales/Marketing roles, etc. (sometimes Product Management)
Healthcare Policy
Focus: Working closely with government officials, agencies, non-profits, etc. on drafting and implementing policies that promote health equity, access to care, and public health initiatives. This can include everything from local health systems/institutions, state programs, CDC/WHO, federal policy, etc.
Roles/Organizations:
Health Policy Analyst, Health Policy Advisor, Public Health Advocate, etc.