A Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a focus or specialization in health administration has become an increasingly popular option for those looking to take on leadership roles in the public health sector. This field combines a strong foundation in core public health disciplines like epidemiology and biostatistics with targeted coursework in areas like healthcare management, policy analysis, health economics, and organizational leadership.
Professionals with an MPH in Health Administration are prepared to tackle complex public health challenges through data-driven decision making, innovative policy solutions, and creating organizational cultures focused on health equity and community wellbeing. They manage initiatives and organizations dedicated to protecting and improving the health of populations on local, national, and global levels.
In this comprehensive career guide, we will explore key details about MPH programs in health administration, including potential careers, required education and skills, core competencies, daily responsibilities, work settings, job growth, salaries, and more. We will also provide expert advice for current students and those looking to pursue a Master’s in Public Health Administration.
Educational Background and Requirements
Earning a Master’s degree is considered the standard credential for most mid-level and senior public health positions. The most common options are:
- Master of Public Health (MPH) – Broad public health education with specialization options like Health Policy and Management, Health Leadership, etc. Offered at schools or programs of public health.
- Master of Health Administration (MHA) – Focuses almost exclusively on healthcare leadership and management skills. Offered at schools of medicine, public health, or public administration.
- Master of Public Administration (MPA) – Emphasizes public policy analysis and government administration. Some programs offer a concentration in health. Offered at public administration or public affairs schools.
While each program is slightly different in focus, they all provide the essential skills and knowledge required for leadership roles in public health. Some schools also offer dual degree options that combine an MPH or MHA with an MBA, MPA, or JD.
Core Curriculum
Typical courses found in an MPH or MHA curriculum include:
- Epidemiology – Study of disease patterns, causes, and prevention in populations
- Biostatistics – Quantitative data analysis methods for public health research
- Health Policy and Management – Analysis of health policies and the structure of healthcare systems
- Public Health Leadership – Principles of leadership, organizational behavior, and management
- Health Economics – Microeconomic principles applied to healthcare systems and policies
- Program Planning and Evaluation – Developing, implementing, and evaluating public health programs
- Environmental Health Sciences – Impacts of environmental factors on human health
- Social and Behavioral Health – Role of social determinants on community health behaviors
Specialized courses may cover global health, emergency preparedness, health informatics, budgeting and finance, health communication, strategic planning, and legal/ethical issues. MPH programs also require a practicum providing real-world public health experience.
Licensing and Certification
There are no universal licensure requirements for public health administrators. Optional certifications like Certified in Public Health (CPH) from the National Board of Public Health Examiners demonstrate comprehensive public health knowledge. Some states require a license to administer certain public health programs.
Key Competencies and Skills
Expertise beyond academic knowledge is required to successfully manage public health organizations and initiatives. Key competencies and skills for MPH-educated health administrators include:
- Leadership abilities – Lead teams and organizations through shared vision, motivation, conflict resolution, and fostering diversity
- Communication skills – Convey public health issues and organizational priorities through reports, presentations, media interactions, and community engagement
- Critical thinking – Identify upstream causes of health issues and develop innovative solutions through logic, analysis, and systems thinking
- Cultural competence – Understand and work effectively across cultures and demographics to address the needs of diverse communities
- Collaboration – Build partnerships across public and private sectors to enhance public health impacts
- Business and management acumen – Oversee operations, manage budgets, supervise staff, and allocate resources strategically
- Policy and politics knowledge – Navigate local, state, and federal public health policy environments and processes
- Ethics and professionalism – Make choices and lead teams in line with public health ethics and professional standards
Public health leaders must leverage these competencies to fulfill their responsibilities in service to community health.
Roles and Responsibilities
The day-to-day duties and responsibilities of public health administrators depend on their organizations and specialties. Common responsibilities may include:
- Overseeing public health programs from development to implementation and evaluation
- Managing budgets, funds, and resource allocation
- Leading public health departments or units within larger agencies
- Establishing partnerships, collaborations, and agreements with community organizations
- Directing emergency preparedness and response plans
- Developing programs and initiatives to address community health priorities
- Enforcing laws, regulations, and policies related to health protection and promotion
- Preparing strategic plans, operating procedures, and organizational policies
- Hiring, managing, and developing staff to optimize team performance
- Designing and implementing quality improvement initiatives within an agency
- Communicating about public health issues, programs, and policies with stakeholders
- Analyzing public health data to identify trends, gaps, and areas for improvement
- Advocating for public health funding and resources from local, state and federal policymakers
- Advising government leaders and legislators on public health policy, regulations, and laws
This diverse set of duties allows public health administrators to enhance their community’s health and well-being in myriad ways.
Work Environment and Settings
Professionals with an MPH or MHA can pursue careers within diverse public health settings including:
- Government agencies – At federal, state, local and tribal levels, including health departments, housing authorities, emergency management agencies, and more
- Hospitals and healthcare systems – Managing community health initiatives, population health programs, government relations, and emergency readiness
- Public health non-profit organizations – National and local non-profits working on public health issues through education, research, advocacy and direct service
- Health insurance companies – Developing wellness and prevention programs and managing costs and quality of provider networks
- University settings and research centers – Directing public health resources and activities within academic institutions
- Private consultancies – Providing guidance on public health programs, policies, and best practices as outside consultants
- Global health organizations – Managing international public health initiatives for foundations, multi-lateral agencies, and NGOs
Primary work settings tend to be governmental public health agencies, healthcare delivery organizations, and non-profit public health institutions. Work may be at a desk performing administrative tasks or out in communities conducting site visits and engaging with diverse stakeholders.
Career Outlook and Salaries
The job outlook for public health administrators is excellent due to increasing population health challenges. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32% between 2020-2030, much faster than average. Growth will be driven by an aging population, expanded access to healthcare services, and greater emphasis on population health management.
Salaries can vary substantially based on location, organization size and type, years of experience, and other factors. Here are some salary averages and ranges reported by Payscale:
- Public Health Directors – Average $78,832 per year / Range $49k – $118k
- Public Health Managers – Average $69,993 per year / Range $45k – $105k
- Clinical Operations Directors – Average $87,555 per year / Range $55k – $140k
- Public Health Program Managers – Average $60,239 per year / Range $40k – $88k
The top paying industries for public health managers include pharmaceuticals, hospitals, government agencies, public health organizations, and consulting firms. Major metropolitan areas generally offer the highest salaries but also a higher cost of living.
Steps to Begin a Career
Aspiring public health administrators can follow these key steps to establish a rewarding career:
- Step 1 – Earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant major like public health, health administration, community health, or business administration. Programs that build critical thinking and communication skills are advantageous.
- Step 2 – Gain relevant experience through internships, volunteering, or entry-level roles in health services, government agencies, or non-profit groups. These experiences provide exposure to the field and develop practical skills.
- Step 3 – Complete a master’s degree program such as an MPH, MHA or MPA with a health focus, including a practicum or fieldwork component. These provide the necessary academic grounding and professional competencies.
- **Step 4 –
- Step 4 – Pursue optional certifications such as Certified in Public Health (CPH) to demonstrate dedicated expertise in public health core knowledge areas. Some states may require applied health licenses as well.
- Step 5 – Continue professional development through trainings, workshops, seminars, and membership in relevant professional associations. Focus on building leadership, management, technology, communication, and political advocacy skills.
- Step 6 – Seek entry-level and mid-level public health roles to start gaining direct career experience. Possibilities include coordinator, analyst, project manager, or specialist positions within health agencies and organizations.
- Step 7- Advance into senior leadership roles like Public Health Director, Division Head, Bureau Chief or comparable roles managing major public health initiatives and supervising large teams.
This step-wise pathway provides the optimal educational foundation and experiential preparation for a progressive and meaningful career as a public health leader.
Helpful Resources
Current and prospective students in public health administration can benefit from these helpful resources:
- APHA – American Public Health Association, leading professional organization in public health
- NALBOH – National Association of Local Boards of Health, for local health department leaders
- ASTHO – Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, for state health department leadership
- NACCHO – National Association of County and City Health Officials, supporting local health departments
- NNPHI – National Network of Public Health Institutes, representing public health non-profits
- CEPH – Council on Education for Public Health, the national public health education accrediting body
- ASPPH – Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, representing CEPH-accredited schools
- APHA CareerMart – Job board and career resources from APHA
- ASTHO Jobs – State health leadership job board from ASTHO
- Public Health Jobs – General public health job board
These organizations provide networking, mentorship, job listings, professional development, conferences, and more for current and prospective public health leaders. They represent invaluable resources for establishing and advancing your public health administration career.
Professional Associations
Active participation in the following key professional associations can enhance leadership abilities, industry knowledge, and career prospects for public health administrators:
- American Public Health Association (APHA) – Diverse 25,000 member organization dedicated to improving public health. Offers special interest groups, annual meeting, advocacy opportunities, and the latest news and research.
- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) – Represents public health agencies of states, territories, and D.C. Provides policy advocacy tools, leadership development training, and guidance on critical public health issues.
- National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) – Voice of nearly 3,000 local health departments across the country. Provides advocacy, resources, and programming to support local health department leaders.
- Healthcare Leadership Alliance (HLA) – Promotes professional development of healthcare leaders through networking, education, and credentialing. Offers HLA Fellow (FHLA) designation.
- American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) – Leading professional society for healthcare leaders. Provides access to career advancement resources, continuing education, the ACHE Congress, and networking.
These organizations provide invaluable learning, advocacy support, credentialing, and peer networking opportunities through conferences, workshops, webinars, publications, and online communities.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Completing a graduate degree in public health requires a significant financial investment. However, many options exist to reduce the financial burden through scholarships, grants, awards, and loan forgiveness programs, including:
Scholarships and Grants
- CDC Public Health Scholarship Program – Full tuition and stipend in return for public health service after graduation
- APHA Public Health Fellowship Program – Awards up to $5000 to APHA student members meeting selection criteria
- ASPPH Public Health Fellowship – Full or partial tuition funding awarded competitively to ASPPH member program students
- CDC Public Health Informatics Fellowship – Full tuition and stipend for MPH students focused on public health informatics
- Mary Amelia Douglas Whiting Foundation Public Health Fellowship – Merit-based full tuition scholarship for under-represented minority MPH students
- Public Health Solutions Internship Program – Paid summer internships and scholarships for New York City based MPH students
Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs
- NHSC Public Health Loan Repayment Program – Repays up to $50,000 in student loans in exchange for public health service post-graduation
- CDC Public Health Associate Program (PHAP) – Associates commit to 2 years public health service and receive loan repayment up to $115,000
- NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) – Repays up to $50,000 for researchers conducting specific types of public health research
- State and Local PHLR Programs – Many states offer their own public health focused loan repayment programs
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Federal loans forgiven after 10 years working full-time in public service
Leveraging these and other funding opportunities can significantly reduce the financial obligations of earning a Master’s degree in public health.
Accreditation
When evaluating MPH/MHA programs, it is wise to consider accreditation status as an indicator of educational quality and reputation.
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is the independent agency authorized by the US Department of Education to accredit graduate schools and programs of public health. CEPH accreditation signifies that a program provides sufficient instruction across core public health knowledge areas, experiential learning opportunities, faculty mentorship, and career support services for its students.
Over 160 schools and programs of public health have achieved CEPH accreditation. Confirm a prospective program’s accreditation status on the CEPH website. Graduating from a CEPH-accredited program is required to become a Certified in Public Health credential holder. It also enhances employability since many public health employers prefer candidates from CEPH-accredited institutions.
Dual Degree Programs
Given the interdisciplinary nature of public health, dual degree programs combining an MPH or MHA with another graduate degree can be worthwhile. Common dual degree options include:
- MPH/MBA – Adding business, leadership, and management skills to public health expertise. Useful for administrative or executive healthcare roles.
- MPH/JD – Providing legal knowledge to inform health policymaking, regulation, and advocacy. Preparation for legal counsel roles in public health.
- MPH/MD – Combining clinical medicine expertise with population health perspectives. For physician leaders bridging healthcare and public health.
- MPH/MSN – Blending advanced nursing practice skills with public health competencies. Relevant for nursing leadership and community health roles.
- MHA/MBA – Building financial, economic, operational, and leadership capabilities for executive health system management careers.
These dual degrees allow public health professionals to complement their skill sets and open additional career opportunities that draw on multiple disciplines. Some programs allow students to earn dual degrees by completing a streamlined curriculum in less time than completing both degrees separately.
Looking Ahead: Emerging Trends and Issues
Public health administrators beginning their careers today will encounter a dynamic landscape of evolving trends, technologies, challenges, and opportunities, including:
- Expanded use of health data and analytics – Administrative decisions will be increasingly driven by analysis of big data from electronic health records, health apps, and other digital sources.
- Greater cross-sector collaboration – Tackling social determinants of health will require partnerships among healthcare, public health, education, government, and the private sector.
- Health equity focus – There must be greater emphasis
on addressing disparities and achieving equitable health outcomes among all populations.
- Population health management – Health systems and leaders will be accountable for measuring and improving the health status of entire communities.
- Innovative technologies – Public health solutions will harness technologies like telemedicine, mobile health apps, clinical decision support systems, and predictive analytics.
- Changing health threats – Emerging infections, antibiotic resistance, expanding chronic diseases and mental health issues require agile responses.
- limited Resources – Constrained budgets will challenge public health leaders to maximize outcomes and demonstrate value.
- Politicization – Public health policymaking and administration will face ongoing ideological debates and influences.
- Public skepticism – Rebuilding public trust in public health authorities through transparency, accountability, and community input will be critical.
These emerging issues and trends signal a future where collaborative, tech-savvy, socially conscious public health leadership will be in high demand. Students considering public health administration careers should understand this evolving landscape.
Final Thoughts
From combating pandemics to reducing chronic disease rates, public health efforts require dedicated professionals to lead health agencies, healthcare organizations, policy initiatives, and community programs. A Master’s degree in Public Health Administration develops the sophisticated blend of leadership abilities, management skills, analytical thinking, political acumen, and passion for community health required to excel in these complex roles.
Individuals who pursue this career path can expect rewarding work environments, competitive salaries, excellent job prospects, and opportunities to have meaningful positive impacts on population health and equity. We hope this guide provided a helpful overview of the education, competencies, responsibilities, settings, and trends related to public health administration. The field promises a wealth of prospects for current students and professionals looking to advance their careers while advancing public health.