MBA MPH programs allow you to earn a graduate degree in business and a graduate degree in public health at the same time.
By enrolling in a dual degree program, you can expand your skill set, enhance your resume, and set yourself apart as a well-rounded candidate for a variety of healthcare leadership positions.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Choosing a dual program can also save you time compared to the length of two individual master’s programs.
MBA & MPH Dual Degree Programs
Earning a masters degree in public health is a strategic way to prepare for leadership roles in this field, but additional business and management knowledge can further enhance your abilities. A business masters degree may be an ideal complement to your MPH.
Together, these two degrees can demonstrate your investment in developing your healthcare leadership skills. By earning them concurrently, you can speed up the process of adding these two credentials to your resume.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
A number of schools offer MBA and MPH dual degree programs both online and on campus.
Master of Business Administration
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is regarded as an impressive achievement in the business world.
The MBA portion of your studies will be run by your college’s business school. Topics studied in an MBA program often include:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
- Operations
The MBA that you earn for this program may include a concentration in healthcare leadership or administration. That means that you can learn how to apply your business knowledge in health-focused settings, such as hospitals or clinics. This is much like the benefits of dual MBA / MSN programs, which may increase your knowledge of both nursing and business principles.
Your understanding of management styles and practices may also qualify you for consulting roles.
Master of Public Health
An MPH, or a Master of Public Health, is a graduate degree for professionals who desire to contribute to health and wellbeing on a population-wide scale. Public health professionals use research, advocacy, and education to reduce disease rates, promote healthy choices, and improve access to care.
You’ll likely take MPH classes through your college’s school of public health. While earning an MPH, you might study:
- Biostatistics
- Epidemiology
- Health promotion
- Policy analysis
There are business and leadership principles built into most MPH programs. For example, you may study group dynamics among healthcare teams or discuss how marketing efforts can influence the uptake of public health recommendations. These studies will complement what you learn through your MBA courses.
Professionals in the field often work in management or executive roles in community health clinics, hospitals, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
In addition to MBA / MHA combined programs, there are universities that likewise offer MSW / MPH dual degree programs. This may be worth considering if you are interested in both social work and public health careers.
Public Health Careers & Salaries
Public health degree graduates tend to pursue jobs that improve community wellbeing. Jobs are available with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, hospital systems, NGOs, doctor’s offices, and pharmaceutical companies.
Many graduates hold management roles in these organizations. There may be opportunities to be in charge of community outreach, health education, emergency management, or general operations. Some leaders advance to executive roles, such as working as chief financial officers (CFOs).
Some MBA-MPH graduates pursue jobs related to epidemiology. Scientific research may fuel policy and leadership decisions. Epidemiologists often work for hospitals or the government.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in management pay an average annual salary of $109,760.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $185,950 |
| Economists | $108,350 |
| Health and Medical Services Managers | $104,280 |
| General and Operations Managers | $103,650 |
| Management Analysts | $87,660 |
| Emergency Management Directors | $76,250 |
| Epidemiologists | $74,560 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $69,600 |
| Health Education Specialists | $56,500 |
| Community Health Workers | $42,000 |
These are general job categories, but having a dual MBA MPH could qualify you for various specialized roles. For example, professionals can act as consultants to hospital systems or work in the wellness department of a major corporation. There may be many different ways for you to tailor your career.
Some public health professionals focus on policymaking or policy analysis. They may work for NGOs or other organizations to conduct research, garner public support, or lobby government leaders in favor of policies that support community health.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Health economists study the impact of pricing, employment, and other economic factors regarding the medical system and people’s access to care. Government departments and research and development firms employ economists.
Many MBA MPH graduates work in consulting roles. They may suggest ways to improve healthcare practices, reduce operating costs, and cultivate more efficient management styles.
Joint MBA-MPH Curriculum
To earn a dual degree, you’ll take many business classes as well as many public health classes. Altogether, you’ll typically earn around 80 or 90 credit hours.
- Epidemiology: In a class on the study of disease trends and patterns, you may work with statistical software and produce a professional report.
- Financial Reporting: Taking this course can prepare you to be a business leader with the know-how to create and interpret financial statements.
- Food Scarcity: This course introduces you to food equity topics and explores how hunger particularly affects children’s health.
- Global Business: By studying international business, you can prepare to work anywhere in the world or partner with organizations based in other countries.
- Health Advocacy: You can learn to influence policy, kindle grassroots movements, and gather influential voices to your cause.
- Healthcare Leadership: You’ll find both business and public health principles important as you learn to apply managerial skills in health-focused settings.
- Marketing Practices: Not only will you study the importance of marketing practices, but you’ll also learn how to conduct marketing research.
- Supply Chain Management: As you learn about logistics, warehousing, and procurement, you may also discuss quality management.
- Team Leadership: In this course, you’ll learn about coordinating diverse groups of people, and you’ll practice using those skills.
- US Healthcare System: This class covers the history of the American healthcare system, its modern structure, and the laws and policies that direct current practices.
For this program, some schools have you complete one full degree before beginning courses for the other. Other schools allow you to switch back and forth between MPH and MBA classes.
Dual Masters Admissions Requirements
Getting into an MPH MBA dual program usually requires submitting two separate applications. You’ll need to get into both the business school and the public health school. Here are some common requirements for admission to this joint program:
- GRE or GMAT scores (if required)
- Essay outlining your interest in the dual program
- Resume highlighting several years of public health experience
- Related undergraduate degree or advanced math and science prerequisites
If you’re accepted to one program but not the other, you may be able to enroll for a single degree.
Accreditation
It’s beneficial to begin your search for an MPH and MBA dual program with regionally accredited colleges.
When searching for schools that offer dual degree programs, you can count on accredited schools to have thorough, rigorous programs that are respected in academic circles, the public health field, and the business world. To become regionally accredited, colleges must be evaluated and approved by an official accrediting agency. They must then maintain that status through regular recertification.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Regional accreditation gives a school a good reputation. Dual degrees often need to be from an accredited institution to qualify for admission to doctoral programs. If you want to switch schools, accreditation can be a qualifier for your credits to transfer to another institution. Employers also recognize and respect degrees from accredited schools.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
To make dual MBA programs more affordable, you can take a look at what sort of financial aid you may qualify for.
Your first act can be filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form will play a key role in determining what sort of state and federal assistance you can receive.
Government loans are available to many grad students. These need to be paid back after you finish school, but you may get a lower interest rate than you’d have with private loans. Grants for graduate studies are limited, but your state may offer select opportunities.
Scholarships and fellowships may contribute to your public health studies, your business studies, or both. You can check with each of your college’s departments to inquire about opportunities through the school, and you can look for local and national scholarship programs as well. You can also ask your employer if tuition assistance is available through your work.
What Is Public Health Management?
Public health management is leadership that’s focused on effectively and efficiently delivering health services. In particular, public health deals with improving safety and wellbeing on a population-wide scale.
Public health managers coordinate teams, secure funding, and manage resources in ways that improve the work of their organizations. For success in this field, they need to possess a strong understanding of both business principles and healthcare concepts.
Managers may lead groups that respond to disaster situations, promote healthy living, coordinate healthcare services, or advocate for health policies.
MPH or MBA, Which Is Better?
Dual programs are a strategic way to get both an MPH and an MBA. Since these degrees are complementary, many people opt to earn both if they’re interested in leadership or administration positions in the field of public health.
If you have your sights set on only one degree, which should you pick?
Master of Public Health:
- For health-specific leadership
- Focuses on improving community health and safety
Master of Business Administration:
- For general business leadership
- Focuses on streamlining operations and managing finances
Alternatively, you could earn one of these masters degrees while choosing a specialization in the other discipline. For instance, you might consider an MBA in Public Health.
What Are the Benefits of a Dual MPH/MBA?
Getting two graduate degrees can be a strategic way to establish yourself as a capable, multidimensional leader. Embracing two fields of study can give you the capacity to view issues from multiple perspectives and to develop innovative solutions.
If you have both programs in mind, enrolling as a dual-degree student can be a time-saving measure. Completing a dual program usually takes less time than completing two degrees separately.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Because you can reduce your overall credit-hour requirements by doing both programs at once, you may also save money on tuition.
What Can You Do with an MBA/MPH Dual Degree?
Some graduates work as medical and health services managers in hospitals, long-term care facilities, or government agencies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those jobs often command salaries of $59,980 to $195,630.
Professionals with two masters degrees may also secure executive leadership roles. They may become CEOs or CFOs in hospitals or medical services companies. Another career path is healthcare economics. The average annual salary for economists who work for scientific research and development firms is $122,220 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Healthcare consulting for hospitals, physician groups, and other medical facilities may be another line of work for public health and business administration professionals.
How Long Does It Take to Get an MBA MPH Dual Degree?
Some 36 credit masters degrees can be completed in as little as 1 year of full-time, year-round study. That doesn’t include the time that it would take to write a thesis, though.
Getting two degrees at once is another factor that can add time to your masters studies. For an MPH MBA dual degree, you can expect to spend 1.5 years to 3.5 years in the program. During that time, you may earn 80 to 90 credit hours.
How Much Does a Public Health Administrator Make?
Some graduates with dual degrees end up in chief leadership roles in hospitals or other health organizations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that some chief executives earn more than $208,000 each year. The median salary for all chief executives is $185,950.
Medical and health services management can be another top-paying field. The median salary for managers in medical and health services is $104,280. The most lucrative jobs are often found in government agencies, hospitals, and outpatient treatment facilities.
Healthcare economists can command high salaries as well. Economists in the research and development industry earn a median salary of $122,220.
What’s the Difference Between an MHA vs. MPH?
A Master of Health Administration and a Master of Public Health sound similar, but these degrees focus on different aspects of the healthcare field.
| MHA | MPH |
|
|
You may find that MHA studies address many of the same topics that you’d cover in a joint MPH-MBA program.
What’s the Difference Between an MPH vs. MBA?
Both a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration can help you develop as a leader, but there are clear differences between the two degrees.
| MPH | MBA |
|
|
One of these programs might align better with your career goals, or you may consider a dual program that includes both complementary degrees.
Is a Dual MBA MPH Worth It?
Yes, a dual MBA MPH is worth it for many students. Healthcare leadership can allow you the opportunity to contribute to others’ wellness.
It’s a growing field, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 32% job growth for medical and health services managers over the next ten years. They also project 17% job growth for community and social services managers.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
A dual degree program can be personally rewarding as well. Throughout your studies, you’ll be challenged to view situations from multiple perspectives and to respond with creative solutions.
Universities Offering MBA and MPH Dual Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs on campus, online or in a hybrid format.
Benedictine University offers an online dual degree program for students interested in obtaining a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health.
The program usually takes 3.5 years to finish and requires the completion of 24 courses and an internship to graduate. Applicants must submit 2 letters of recommendation and a letter of intent.
Benedictine University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Boston University offers a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Health dual degree program.
To graduate, students must complete 82 credits on campus and finish a summer internship. Interested applicants must be accepted into both programs and need to submit a resume, a letter of recommendation, and either 3 video essays or 1 written essay.
Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Campbell University offers a Master of Science in Public Health and a Master of Business Administration dual degree program. To graduate, students must complete 71 credits. Those interested the dual degree must apply to both master’s programs and fill out an additional application for the dual degree status.
Campbell University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Case Western Reserve University offers a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health Administration dual degree program. The program can typically be completed in 3 years and requires 87 credits to graduate. Interested applicants must be accepted into both programs to be eligible for the dual degree.
Case Western Reserve University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Columbia University offers a dual degree program that includes a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health option. Students must complete a minimum of 78 credits to graduate. Applicants must be accepted into both programs before they can take part in the dual degree program.
Columbia is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Dartmouth College offers a dual degree program for students interested in obtaining a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health.
The program can typically be completed in 2 years and requires a summer internship. Applicants must submit a personal statement, 2 letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores.
Dartmouth College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
DePaul University offers a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration dual degree program. The program is offered through evening courses on Loop Campus.
To graduate, students must complete 26 courses and a capstone thesis. Applicants must submit GRE and GMAT scores and 2 letters of recommendation and need to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
DePaul University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Drexel University offers a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration dual degree program.
To graduate, students must complete 92 credits, including a capstone project. Those interested in the program must have a bachelor’s degree and submit 3 letters of recommendation, a resume, a statement of purpose, and their GRE or GMAT scores.
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Emory University offers a joint Master of Public Health and Master of Business Administration degree program.
The program can usually be completed in 5 semesters and requires a thesis in Public Health. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree, relevant work experience, GRE or GMAT scores, and references.
Emory University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Rutgers University offers a dual degree program for students interested in receiving a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration.
Students must complete 84 credits to graduate. Classes can be taken part-time or full-time. Those interested in the program must contact the office of student affairs at Rutgers to receive an application.
Rutgers is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville offers an online MBA and MPH dual degree program. The curriculum combines business administration and public health to offer a unique interdisciplinary education.
Potential courses include Healthcare Management, Strategic Marketing, and Epidemiology. With flexible 7 week courses that are offered in online and hybrid formats, the program is designed to accommodate the needs of busy professionals.
Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The College of New Jersey offers a Master of Business and Master of Public Health dual degree program.
Courses are offered to students in a hybrid format, which allows them to choose which courses to complete online or on campus. A total of 63 credits are required to graduate. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and need to submit 2 letters of recommendation and an essay.
The College of New Jersey is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Buffalo offers a dual degree program for a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration. The program requires 96 credits to graduate and can typically be completed in 3 years. Those interested in the program must apply to both degree programs.
The University at Buffalo is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Alabama—Birmingham offers a dual degree program that allows students to obtain a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration.
To graduate, students must complete 60 credit hours that can be completed on campus or online. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and need to apply for both programs.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Arizona offers a dual degree program for a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration. The program can only be taken by full-time students and allows a concentration to be added to the MPH degree. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, 2 letters of recommendation, and GRE scores.
The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of California—Berkeley offers a dual degree program for a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health. The program can typically be completed in 2.5 years. Applicants need to submit their application to the School of Business and have 5 years of work experience.
University of California – Berkeley is accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges.
The University of Georgia offers a dual degree program for a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health. Students must complete 80 credit hours and an internship to graduate. To be eligible for the degree, applicants must be studying for a Health Policy and Management MPH concentration.
The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Illinois—Chicago offers a dual degree program for students interested in obtaining a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health. The program can be taken full-time or part-time and can potentially be completed in as few as 2.5 years. An application must be submitted to both degree programs.
The University of Illinois Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Michigan offers a dual degree program for students interested in receiving a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration.
The program requires 90 credits to graduate and can typically be completed in 3 years. Applicants must be accepted by both individual degree programs to be eligible for the dual degree program.
The University of Michigan is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Nebraska—Omaha offers a dual degree program for students interested in receiving both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health. To graduate, students must complete 63 semester hours. Applicants must submit an application to both programs and indicate their intention to join the dual degree program.
UNO is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of North Carolina offers a dual degree program for a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Public Health.
The program can typically be completed in 3 years and requires the completion of a summer internship. Applicants must be accepted into both degree programs, submit GRE or GMAT scores, and have 5 years of work experience.
The University of North Carolina is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Texas—San Antonio offers a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health dual degree program. Students must complete 81 credits to graduate. Classes may be taken on campus or online. Applicants must submit 2 letters of reference, a personal statement, and GRE scores with their application.
The University of Texas at San Antonio is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Toledo offers a dual degree program for students interested in a Master of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration.
The program allows students to put up to 12 credit hours from the MPH program towards the MBA electives. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and need to apply to both degree programs.
The University of Toledo is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Virginia offers a dual degree program for students interested in receiving a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health. The program can typically be completed in 3 years and requires 52.5 credits to graduate. Applicants must be accepted into the MPH program and apply for the MBA program.
The University of Virginia is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Yale University offers a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health dual degree program.
Students may choose between an intensive program, which can typically be completed in 2 years, and a more relaxed schedule that can usually be finished in 3 years. Applicants must be accepted into both programs simultaneously.
Yale University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Getting Your Dual MBA/MPH Degree Online
Public health leaders have the opportunity to impact the wellbeing of people in their community or around the world.
Increasing your education can help you increase your influence. By earning both an MPH and an MBA, you can set yourself apart as a prepared, committed leader who understands both business demands and healthcare practices. You may be able to take some or all of your MBA MPH courses online from an accredited university.
If you’re looking for the cheapest online MBA dual degree programs, a growing number of schools offer affordable tuition and even no interest payment plans. You can start exploring colleges today to find the dual online degree in business program coupled with an MPH that can contribute to your public health career goals.
