MBA/MPH

[holykrp]

Is anyone doing this or did anyone consider? 

 

I am deciding between WashU and Emory. The main bonus about Emory is the employment network. So, I decided to hedge my bets and applied to WashU's MBA yesterday since today was the deadline. I'm just wondering, assuming I even get accepted, if that really would make a difference in job prospects? My interests are all over the place, my intention is to do something research related, but I also would like to have enough money to do whatever I want in the future, whether it be pay for more education or travel or whatever. So, that's why I think maybe managing pharma projects or consulting would be nice. 

 

Anyway, rambling, just wondering what everyone's thoughts on the dual degree are.

[jonathanb715]

Don't know if this will help because I have a break of more than 20 years between my MBA and the MPH I'm pursuing.  As far as I'm concerned there are 2 good reasons for doing something like this - you are genuinely interested in the subject matter for both degrees and/or you've identified a real opportunity for which having both degrees will give you a leg up.  

 

So far in my experience, the combination just has people in my organization confused.  When it comes time to talk about career and next steps they kind of scratch their heads because my combination of experience and education doesn't fit neatly with the org charts and job descriptions.  I'm pretty sure that if I make the right connections, there are leaders who will value the combination.  But if you are thinking of doing both degrees without having already identified the opportunity, well, you could be disappointed.

 

I'm still happy to be pursuing my MPH (I'm in a part-time program, so still working full time) for the knowledge.  Just be sure that if you do go down this path, that you do it with your eyes open.

 

JB

[pulse]

If it's possible, can you share some potential opportunities you can do with this combination? Also, what are consultants? Sorry, I'm relatively new to this field and just wanted to learn more about this path.

[cedarsprig]

Be careful about dual degrees. I think in general they are a great idea, but like jonathanb715 points out, you are going to confuse people by having that combination. You are going to get pulled in two different directions.

 

I think from a rounded education standpoint it is fantastic, and the field of public health desperately needs people who understand finances...but that doesn't mean the field of public health actually knows what to DO with people who understand finances. A couple of places where you may find them putting you -- managing nonprofits, helping with grants, and going into administration. If you are doing both programs at the same time, the field experiences are probably going to do more to give you job options than the degrees themselves will.