Our blog addresses the professional and educational development of Master of Public Health (MPH) students. MPA in Health & Human Services
With a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in health and human services, students prepare for administrative positions in the government and non-profit organizations. There are specific challenges associated with working in the health and human services sector, and an MPA in this field readies students to deal with these issues.
In order to get an MPA in health and human services, students need to first have their bachelor’s degree in a related field. Some MPA programs also require that students have work experience, while others accept them directly out of school. In either case, an MPA in health and human services builds upon the skills you already have. Every MPA program is slightly different, but some of the topics students can expect to cover include:
- technology
- communications
- ethics
My Degree and What It’s Good For
An MPA in health and human services degree typically takes about two years. Students could, however, choose to go to school part time in order to continue working or raising a family while they get their master’s degree. Some employers pay for students to go back to school by funding tuition assistance programs, so they could get their degree for little to no money out of pocket. Online programs are especially flexible if students want to get a master’s degree in public administration or any other field while they continue to work.
Students can further specialize to learn about one specific area of health and human services, so they are prepared to help a certain group, like senior citizens. Courses also cover medical issues that are relevant in the news today, so expect to learn about current events, such as health insurance reform, and how these issues affect one’s career.
My Earning Potential
A degree in health and human services prepares student to work in a number of positions related to healthcare. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers earned a median salary of $80,240 in 2008. Only 10 percent earned less than $48,300, and the top earning ten percent of manager made upwards of $137,800. For the industries that employ the highest number of health services managers, some of these salaries include:
- hospitals: $87,040
- outpatient facilities: $74,130
- physicians’ offices: $74,060
- home health services: $71,450
- nursing facilities: $71,190
Online MPA Degrees in Health and Human Services
Upper Iowa University – MPA in Health & Human Services
Best Online MPH (Master of Public Health) Degrees
Public health is the science of preventing disease and promoting health at the population level. Programs prepare students to become leading public health professionals capable of addressing current global public health problems. By clicking on the logos below, you can receive more information regarding your degree and school of choice.
