MPH for policy analysis?

[artsy16]

Hey everyone,

 

I've been going between MPH, MPP, and MSW and have some questions about the MPH on comparison to the MPP. How geared toward policy analysis is an MPH program typically? Looking at various programs, a mix of MPP and MPH components seem to best fit my interests more than any one program, but I'm not really looking to do a dual degree program. Are there any current or past MPH students that have gone onto policy analysis? I'm interested in health disparities.

 

Thanks!

[artsy16]

Also - what are some advantages and disadvantages of both (doing an MPP with a health focus vs doing an MPH with a policy focus)?

[artsy16]

Bump please help

[Plath]

I can't say from experience, as I'm actually only hoping to start my MPH this fall. However, if you consider what the study of Public Health is, you would probably answer your own question. You will be studying policy contextualized around health issues. Though the plus of an MPH versus an MPP is that an MPH has a nice balance between the social and natural sciences. You would have a better understanding of disease and health and clinical rhetoric. If you study for an MPP, on the other hand, you would just have a strong grasp on policy analysis and drafting, which can be applied to issues of the health of the public. 

 

You said you wanted to study health disparities, so an MPH would allow you to really focalize on those disparities through a medical and sociological lens. An MPP would have you look at those disparities through the lens of politics and economy. I hope that helps?

 

Like I said, I haven't started my masters yet, but just having studied public health, it seems like the logical answer.  

[artsy16]

Thank you! Looking at plans of study for the different programs, some overlap so much! I'm leaning more toward MPH programs, but I really want a policy focus. I hoe to work in government or consulting, and from what I hear, an MPP is more useful for that? I'm worried that I won't have as much policy analysis training/knowledge, but I guess that depends on the program. But the MPH program being structured around health really appeals to me as a psych undergrad major. Good luck in your program! I hope to see some of your posts about your experience when you get there

[Plath]

You're very welcome! I'm just waiting to hear back from the schools I applied to (I applied rather late), because like you I applied to MPP programs first. Rejected from all of them, from the lack of policy experience. And only recently realized that MPH are a thing, and a more logical degree for my interests. 

 

And I also think that policy is something you can always learn from experience by interning at a think tank or some multi-lateral organization. If you want some courses on poly. sci. or economy, you can always take a class here or there outside the MPH program, as most seem to allow that; However, most of the MPH programs already have courses on policy in health. So (to be going in circles really), I say join the dark side and apply to MPH programs. 

[artsy16]

Haha, thanks so much! I'm excited for you! I can't believe that it's almost my turn I will be spending the summer doing soul searching and writing statements of purpose. MPH was the *first* ever graduate degree I considered, then transitioned to loving MSWs, then MPP. I do think an MPH with a policy focus makes more sense for me. I just need to hear things I already know from someone else glad I got the GRE out of the way this past January. I didn't need it for MSW, but I was thinking of MSW/MPH dual programs and needed it for MPH. I told myself to just take the test because I would regret it later on. Lo and behold, if I hadn't taken it I would be really anxious right now.

[Plath]

Haha, oh good old GREs I took them last July with very little study! I did rather well, but I didn't study for the essay portion. Naturally, I did really great in the verbal/quant, but scored miserably in the analytical. However, having been an English major (and graduating with departmental honors), I figured it's evident I can write effectively. :P   

[cedarsprig]

A bit late to the conversation here, but wanted to give my 2c - It's really going to depend on the MPH program; some are much more geared toward administration than policy, but you can work around this depending on what the specific school offers. If you know going in that policy is the direction you want to take, I think you can tailor your specific coursework toward that.

 

BUT, and this is where it gets dicey, you may actually do better getting a strong background in policy and economics (which was weirdly overlooked in quite a few of the programs I've seen) and picking up the public health as you go along.

 

*Disclaimer, I went through the UW Madison MPH program and felt it was very weak on economics, which can really undermine attempts to design policy.

[artsy16]

Thanks cedarsprig!

I've definitely been paying close attention to curricula-I've seen lots of MPH "policy" programs that focus on management/administration and not policy analysis. My skills/experience are more suited for MPH programs, but not many that are within my financial doability have strong policy focuses. I'm considering one or two MPP programs but know I'm more underprepared for those. My top choice is UMass Amherst. I like their MPH program, and it's the most financially viable place (if I got in, it would be ridiculous to turn it down for how little it would cost me over 2 years).