MPA/MPH Dual Degree

Program Overview

Fairleigh Dickinson University's MPA/MPH dual degree program equips students with advanced management and leadership skills in public health. The program combines 60 credit hours of coursework in public administration and public health, preparing graduates for careers in community health, hospital management, and government agencies. Students gain practical experience through a hands-on practicum and are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: Fairleigh Dickinson University's MPA/MPH dual degree program provides individuals with advanced management and leadership skills in public health.
Students can earn two master's degrees in two and a half years, enhancing their career prospects and preparing them for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam.
• Objectives: The program aims to:
• Develop competencies in budget and resource management, cross-collaboration, cultural awareness, epidemiology methodology, governance, negotiation & mediation, program proposal, policy evaluation, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and strategic communication.
• Provide foundational knowledge in communication, evidence-based approaches to public health, interprofessional and/or intersectoral practice, leadership, planning and management to promote health, policy in public health, public health and healthcare systems, and systems thinking.
• Description: The MPA/MPH program includes:
• 60 credit hours divided into eight-week course sessions.
• MPA courses focus on budgeting and finance, public policy administration, human resources management, strategic management, healthcare project management, and an MPA elective.
• MPH courses cover foundations and issues of public health, introduction to biostatistics and data analysis, public health management and policy, fundamentals of epidemiology, principles of environmental health, social and behavioral determinants of public health, mental health advocacy, population health research methods, politics and practice of public health and health policy, health disparities and cultural issues, comparative healthcare systems, public health practice and leadership, and a public health capstone experience.
• Practical experience through a hands-on practicum, which allows students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

Outline:

MPA Courses:

• PADM 6601: Organization Theory
• PADM 6602: Budgeting and Finance
• PADM 6603: Public Policy Administration
• PADM 6604: Human Resources Management
• PADM 6801: Seminar in Strategic Management
• PADM 7730: Healthcare Project Management
• PADM Elective

MPH Courses:

• PUBH 6001: Foundations and Issues of Public Health
• PUBH 6002: Introduction to Biostatistics and Data Analysis
• PUBH 6003: Public Health Management and Policy
• PUBH 6004: Fundamentals of Epidemiology
• PUBH 6005: Principles of Environmental Health
• PUBH 6006: Social and Behavioral Determinants of Public Health
• PUBH 7103: Mental Health Advocacy
• PUBH 7202: Population Health Research Methods
• PUBH 7301: Politics and Practice of Public Health and Health Policy
• PUBH 7303: Health Disparities and Cultural Issues
• PUBH 7304: Comparative Healthcare Systems
• PUBH 7501: Public Health Practice and Leadership

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Community health
• Health education
• Hospital management
• Department of Health
• Local, county, and state government
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Career Outcomes:

• Healthcare Consultant in Public Health: Average annual salary of $71,652
• Hospital Administrator: Average annual salary of $82,247
• Chief Operating Officer (COO): Average annual salary of $145,467

Job Responsibilities:

• Healthcare Consultant in Public Health: Research and analyze data, think critically, communicate well, use basic computer applications, and present solutions.
• Hospital Administrator: Ensure the smooth functioning of the hospital, oversee the budget, staff, goals, operations, and safety, and comply with local and federal laws.
• Chief Operating Officer (COO): Oversee daily operations, work closely with managers, and ensure that services meet high standards.