3 answers
Jillian
Student
Mico, TX
1
Question
Updated
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What can you do with a public health degree? what can be done with a masters in health administration?
Im a current freshman studying public health and Im trying to decide what graduate program to do
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2 answers
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hi Jillian,
What You Can Do with a Public Health Degree:
A Bachelor’s in Public Health equips you with skills in health promotion, disease prevention, and community health. Here are some career options:
Health Educator or Community Health Worker:
Educate communities on health practices and preventive care.
Epidemiologist (with further education):
Study the spread and control of diseases.
Public Health Analyst:
Analyze data to develop health policies and programs.
Environmental Health Specialist:
Address health risks related to environmental factors.
Health Policy Advisor:
Work with government agencies to develop public health regulations.
Nonprofit Program Coordinator:
Manage public health initiatives and community outreach programs.
Research Assistant:
Support public health research projects at universities or think tanks.
Skills Gained:
Data analysis, health promotion, community engagement, and program management.
Career Growth: Often requires a master’s degree (like MPH or MHA) for advanced roles.
What You Can Do with a Master’s in Health Administration (MHA):
An MHA focuses more on the management and administrative side of healthcare, preparing you for leadership roles in various healthcare settings.
Healthcare Administrator:
Oversee operations in hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities.
Hospital or Clinic Manager:
Manage staff, budgets, and daily healthcare operations.
Health Services Manager:
Direct healthcare services and ensure compliance with regulations.
Practice Manager:
Oversee the operations of a group medical practice.
Health Policy Consultant:
Advise healthcare organizations on policy and strategy.
Medical and Health Services Administrator:
Focus on the business and financial aspects of healthcare facilities.
Project Manager in Healthcare IT:
Implement and manage health information systems and electronic records.
Skills Gained:
Healthcare leadership, financial management, strategic planning, healthcare law, and policy.
Career Growth: Opens doors to executive positions or leadership roles within healthcare systems.
Public Health vs. Health Administration: Which Should You Choose?
Public Health Degree (MPH or Related):
Best if you are passionate about population health, community programs, or disease prevention.
Ideal for those who enjoy fieldwork, data analysis, and public policy.
More suited for research, program coordination, or public sector roles.
Master’s in Health Administration (MHA):
Great for those interested in the management and business side of healthcare.
Ideal if you want to work as an administrator or manager in healthcare settings.
Focuses on leadership, policy implementation, and healthcare operations.
Consider Your Interests and Career Goals:
If you enjoy working directly with communities, conducting research, or analyzing public health data, consider a Master of Public Health (MPH).
If you prefer leading teams, managing healthcare facilities, and focusing on the business side of healthcare, an MHA is the way to go.
Some universities offer dual degree programs (MPH/MHA), combining both areas for those interested in blending public health with healthcare management.
What You Can Do with a Public Health Degree:
A Bachelor’s in Public Health equips you with skills in health promotion, disease prevention, and community health. Here are some career options:
Health Educator or Community Health Worker:
Educate communities on health practices and preventive care.
Epidemiologist (with further education):
Study the spread and control of diseases.
Public Health Analyst:
Analyze data to develop health policies and programs.
Environmental Health Specialist:
Address health risks related to environmental factors.
Health Policy Advisor:
Work with government agencies to develop public health regulations.
Nonprofit Program Coordinator:
Manage public health initiatives and community outreach programs.
Research Assistant:
Support public health research projects at universities or think tanks.
Skills Gained:
Data analysis, health promotion, community engagement, and program management.
Career Growth: Often requires a master’s degree (like MPH or MHA) for advanced roles.
What You Can Do with a Master’s in Health Administration (MHA):
An MHA focuses more on the management and administrative side of healthcare, preparing you for leadership roles in various healthcare settings.
Healthcare Administrator:
Oversee operations in hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities.
Hospital or Clinic Manager:
Manage staff, budgets, and daily healthcare operations.
Health Services Manager:
Direct healthcare services and ensure compliance with regulations.
Practice Manager:
Oversee the operations of a group medical practice.
Health Policy Consultant:
Advise healthcare organizations on policy and strategy.
Medical and Health Services Administrator:
Focus on the business and financial aspects of healthcare facilities.
Project Manager in Healthcare IT:
Implement and manage health information systems and electronic records.
Skills Gained:
Healthcare leadership, financial management, strategic planning, healthcare law, and policy.
Career Growth: Opens doors to executive positions or leadership roles within healthcare systems.
Public Health vs. Health Administration: Which Should You Choose?
Public Health Degree (MPH or Related):
Best if you are passionate about population health, community programs, or disease prevention.
Ideal for those who enjoy fieldwork, data analysis, and public policy.
More suited for research, program coordination, or public sector roles.
Master’s in Health Administration (MHA):
Great for those interested in the management and business side of healthcare.
Ideal if you want to work as an administrator or manager in healthcare settings.
Focuses on leadership, policy implementation, and healthcare operations.
Consider Your Interests and Career Goals:
If you enjoy working directly with communities, conducting research, or analyzing public health data, consider a Master of Public Health (MPH).
If you prefer leading teams, managing healthcare facilities, and focusing on the business side of healthcare, an MHA is the way to go.
Some universities offer dual degree programs (MPH/MHA), combining both areas for those interested in blending public health with healthcare management.
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1461
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Jillian! 👋 First off, lemme say, kudos for thinking about your future so early and seriously, that kind of curiosity and planning will take you far! So, now let me just break it down slightly to clear it a bit.
What can you do with a Public Health degree? A public health degree opens a lot of doors. It’s all about improving health at the community and population level (think: prevention, policy, outreach). With your bachelor’s, you can go into roles like:
Health Educator (teaching communities about health topics)
Epidemiology Assistant (working with data on disease trends)
Community Outreach Coordinator
Public Health Analyst
Environmental Health Tech
Or even dive into nonprofits, government, or global health organizations.
You can work in places like the CDC, WHO, local health departments, schools, or NGOs. My uncle took this path and he ended up going and working WHO as well and other NGOs. Also, if you love research or policy, there’s room to grow there too!
What about a Master’s in Health Administration (MHA)? This is where it gets managerial, an MHA prepares you for leadership roles in healthcare settings. So instead of being hands-on with patients or data, you’re leading teams, running hospitals, making decisions that impact care delivery.
Jobs with an MHA include:
Hospital Administrator
Health Services Manager
Clinic Operations Director
Policy Consultant
Healthcare Project Manager
Even Chief Executive Officer (with experience, of course!)
Basically, MHA is ideal if you love organizing, leading, and solving big system level problems.
Which path is right for you? I cant tell you and no one can but only you can find that by exploring all I can say as a start to finding out is that.... Ask yourself:
Do you prefer working in the field, educating people, doing outreach, or studying trends? Then thats Public Health-focused paths
Or do you love strategic planning, leadership, and system-level change? If so aim it on MHA.
You could even combine both. Basically some folks do an MPH with an MHA focus, or do dual degrees. So if you want you can check out on that as well.
You've got such a great head start, and whatever path you choose, there’s room to grow, specialize, and even switch lanes later if you want to. Just keep asking questions and trying new things, that’s how you find your groove. Wishing you loads of clarity and some fun along the way Jillian!
Ask your professors or career center if they can connect you to alumni in both fields.
Intern or volunteer, in public health AND admin settings to get a feel for both worlds.
Look up course lists for MPH and MHA programs, see which ones excite you more.
You’re still a freshman, you’ve got time to explore and pivot. If your mind isnt set just ensure you keep your options open.
What can you do with a Public Health degree? A public health degree opens a lot of doors. It’s all about improving health at the community and population level (think: prevention, policy, outreach). With your bachelor’s, you can go into roles like:
Health Educator (teaching communities about health topics)
Epidemiology Assistant (working with data on disease trends)
Community Outreach Coordinator
Public Health Analyst
Environmental Health Tech
Or even dive into nonprofits, government, or global health organizations.
You can work in places like the CDC, WHO, local health departments, schools, or NGOs. My uncle took this path and he ended up going and working WHO as well and other NGOs. Also, if you love research or policy, there’s room to grow there too!
What about a Master’s in Health Administration (MHA)? This is where it gets managerial, an MHA prepares you for leadership roles in healthcare settings. So instead of being hands-on with patients or data, you’re leading teams, running hospitals, making decisions that impact care delivery.
Jobs with an MHA include:
Hospital Administrator
Health Services Manager
Clinic Operations Director
Policy Consultant
Healthcare Project Manager
Even Chief Executive Officer (with experience, of course!)
Basically, MHA is ideal if you love organizing, leading, and solving big system level problems.
Which path is right for you? I cant tell you and no one can but only you can find that by exploring all I can say as a start to finding out is that.... Ask yourself:
Do you prefer working in the field, educating people, doing outreach, or studying trends? Then thats Public Health-focused paths
Or do you love strategic planning, leadership, and system-level change? If so aim it on MHA.
You could even combine both. Basically some folks do an MPH with an MHA focus, or do dual degrees. So if you want you can check out on that as well.
You've got such a great head start, and whatever path you choose, there’s room to grow, specialize, and even switch lanes later if you want to. Just keep asking questions and trying new things, that’s how you find your groove. Wishing you loads of clarity and some fun along the way Jillian!
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