Message from the HSM Director
February 2008
Dear Prospective Student,
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, a master’s degree is the standard credential for most generalist positions as a medical or health care manager. There are several paths to that credential including the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), and the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Look at some of the preeminent health care management programs across the U.S. and you are likely to come across all three degrees. But which is the “best” degree?
One respondent from a recent survey1 entitled “MBA vs. MHA – Opinions from Healthcare Executives” declares: “The most significant element of these degrees is the ‘M’. A Master's represents disciplined effort by the candidate”
Other respondents assert “no discernible difference” or the “degrees are interchangeable.”
Another response suggests, “It depends.” Ostensibly, each degree has strengths. Some believe, for instance, that MBA programs excel at teaching the requisite business-oriented skills in finance, quantitative analysis, and marketing, whereas MHA programs offer a better foundation of general health field knowledge.
Ultimately, there is no degree of choice here because one size does not fit all. When touting UNT’s MBA in Health Services Management, I call attention to the cooperative nature of the program. Students get the best of both worlds, the MBA core from the UNT College of Business and the health industry focus from the UNTHSC School of Public Health. No other healthcare management program in the DFW Metroplex offers such a unique combination of coursework. Finally, let me offer one additional benefit of the MBA – flexibility. While many of our incoming students fancy being hospital administrators or healthcare CEOs, actually working in the industry can prove to be a disappointment for some. At the end of the day, the MBA remains the premier degree for training managers in business. In short, your MBA will readily open doors in the business world – whether inside or outside of healthcare.
Regardless of your path, recent college graduate seeking a business management career in the health care industry or a clinical professional wanting to pursue more formal training in management, I encourage you to weigh the benefits of the MBA in Health Services Management. Once you do, I know you will choose UNT.
Mark A. Davis, Ph.D., Director
Health Services Management Program
1To see more survey comments visit Wiederhold & Associates www.wiederholdassoc.com
