MHA vs. MBA in Healthcare: What’s the Difference?

If you are thinking about what to pursue in terms of education and career and are stuck between business and healthcare, you’re in luck! You can either go for an MHA or an MBA in healthcare. You don’t have to choose between the two, and you have two different graduate programs to choose from, depending on what you want to prioritize: business or healthcare.

What Is an MHA vs. an MBA in Healthcare?

A Master of Health Administration (MHA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare are both postgraduate degrees that students interested in healthcare management or administration can obtain. Students with such career goals usually choose between an MHA and an MBA in healthcare, meaning they are similar to some degree. However, there are also some key differences, starting with the definition.

Master of Health Administration (MHA): This degree focuses primarily on healthcare and how business concepts are applicable to the healthcare industry.

Master of Business Administration (MBA) (concentration on healthcare): This degree focuses on business in general. The healthcare aspect is integrated into the program through specialization and elective courses on healthcare.

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MHA vs. MBA in Healthcare: Who Is It For and What Are the Requirements for Enrollment?

The fact that there are differences between an MHA program and an MBA one means they are fashioned to fit students with different needs, career goals, etc. So, what type of students choose an MHA or a Healthcare MBA?

MHA: Who is it for?

An MHA program is designed for professionals in healthcare, specifically those working in administration, like healthcare administrators, analysts, and consultants. Students pursue an MHA to further their careers and take leadership positions in the healthcare industry. 

Healthcare MBA: Who is it for?

On the other hand, an MBA with a concentration in healthcare attracts professionals in healthcare who are interested in a higher education program where they can learn what they want about business in general. MBA programs also attract business professionals like accountants, consultants, entrepreneurs, etc., who want the option of working in the healthcare industry alongside other industries.

 MHA: Requirements for enrollment

Entry requirements may vary depending on the university; however, students hoping to enroll in an MHA program need to have the following qualifications:

  1. At least one year of work experience in the healthcare industry

  2. A high GPA (above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)

  3. A bachelor’s degree obtained at an accredited university or college

  4. A personal statement (the equivalent of ‘college essay’ for a graduate program)

  5. Letter/s of recommendation (academic and professional)

Healthcare MBA: Requirements for enrollment 

Similarly, entry requirements for an MBA program may vary depending on the university. However, most universities look for candidates who possess the following qualifications:

  1. Over one year of relevant work experience

  2. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)/ GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score

  3. A high GPA (above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)

  4. A bachelor’s degree obtained at an accredited university or college

  5. A personal statement (the equivalent of ‘college essay’ for a graduate program)

  6. Letter/s of recommendation (academic and professional)

It is worth noting that despite what is listed as a requirement to enroll in an MHA or an MBA program, most universities consider applicants as a whole. For example, if you are lacking in the GPA requirement, several years of work experience could fill that gap for you. So even if you do not fulfill all the requirements on the lists above, you might still be eligible for application and admission. We recommend consulting with your academic consultant to find out what you qualify for and where to apply to.

What Do You Learn in an MHA vs. an MBA in Healthcare? 

One of the core differences between an MHA and an MBA in healthcare is their curriculums. Although both programs focus on healthcare management and business, their differences lie in what classes they prioritize. 

MHA curriculum

It consists of courses that are focused primarily on healthcare (e.g., healthcare law and ethics, healthcare information systems, leadership in healthcare, research, statistics, etc.). The classes with the business aspect are all concerning the healthcare industry, such as healthcare finance, accounting for healthcare, marketing for healthcare, etc.

MBA curriculum

An MBA is, as its name suggests, a business degree. That means most of the courses in an MBA program focus on business in general. Students enrolled in MBA programs learn about the basic principles of business and have classes on finance, economics, management, marketing, etc. Students who want to obtain an MBA with a healthcare specialization can do so through elective courses that focus on fundamental healthcare administration issues such as public health systems, healthcare risk management, healthcare informatics, etc.

MHA program duration

An MHA program typically lasts two to three years. However, depending on the university, students sometimes have the option of completing the program earlier by attending an accelerated degree program and graduating in 18 months. On the other hand, students who already have jobs in the healthcare sector can choose a decelerated program and have five to six years to graduate.

MBA program duration

Similarly, students can complete an MBA program in two to three years. A lot of universities also offer the option of choosing an accelerated program or a part-time, online program. An MBA program appeals to those who want to attend a program where they can graduate early (a year) and those who wish to take their time to graduate because they are working in the meantime (six years).

MHA vs. MBA in Healthcare: Career Paths

One of the things that help students decide between an MHA and an MBA in healthcare is the career paths after graduation. Despite their similarities, an MHA and an MBA in healthcare lead to different career paths. Let’s take a look at some of the most common career paths for those with an MHA and an MBA in healthcare.

MHA career paths

A master’s in healthcare administration can open doors to various careers in healthcare. Some of them include:

  1. Admissions coordinator: responsible for all the new admissions in a healthcare facility.

  2. CNO (Chief Nursing Officer): in charge of the nursing department in a healthcare facility.

  3. Clinical director: administers the clinical department in a hospital or other healthcare facility>

  4. Corporate healthcare manager: the head of the healthcare department within a company.

  5. Department manager: a manager of a specific department within a healthcare facility.

MBA in healthcare career paths

A master’s in business administration specializing in healthcare can lead to various careers in healthcare. Here are the most common ones:

  1. Hospital administrator: administers hospitals, medical centers, or other healthcare facilities.

  2. Pharmaceutical project manager: supervises the making of new drugs, the launch of marketing campaigns, etc.

  3. Policy analyst: cooperates with government agencies, insurance companies, etc., to assess new policies in healthcare. 

  4. Health services manager/administrator: devises, administers, and coordinates health services for medical practices, insurance companies, etc.

MHA vs. MBA in Healthcare: Job Outlook and Salary

Job outlook

The last thing on our list of things to consider before deciding between an MHA and an MBA in healthcare is the job outlook and salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all management positions, including those in healthcare, are to expect a 5% growth rate in the next ten years. In the meantime, BLS predicts a 32% growth rate for medical and health services managers by 2030. 

Salary

According to PayScale, professionals with an MBA in healthcare have an average salary of $82,938. On the other hand, according to the BLS, the starting median salary for professionals with an MHA is $58,820. This number differs and depends on the years of experience, with a median salary of $76,770 for professionals with 1-4 years of experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both an MHA and an MBA in healthcare are good options for those interested in administrative positions in healthcare. Choosing between an MHA and an MBA in healthcare is entirely up to the individual, who should base their decision on their education, work experience, and career goals.

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