The short answer
MPH
The professional degree for public health practice. For students who want to work in government, nonprofits, global health, or policy. Open to any undergraduate background.
MS
The research degree for specialists. For students who want to go deep in one discipline - epidemiology, biostatistics, health security, or tropical medicine. Strong path to a PhD.
MHA
The healthcare leadership degree. For students who want to run health systems, hospitals, and healthcare organizations. Business and management background preferred.
Understanding the difference
MPH, MS, or MHA - Finding Your Path in Public Health
Public health is a wide field, and that's a good thing. It means there are multiple ways in, and multiple graduate degrees designed for different kinds of work and different kinds of people.
Here is a plain-language guide to the three most common master's degrees at Tulane WSPH and what makes each one distinct.
Click on each degree below to learn more about what it covers, who it is designed for, and where it leads. Or jump to the side-by-side comparison.
The most common entry point into the field. A professional degree for students who want to work in public health - in government, nonprofits, healthcare systems, or global health organizations.
A research-focused degree for students who want to go deeper into a specific area - epidemiology, biostatistics, or environmental health. A good fit for students thinking about a PhD, or who want research-based careers.
For students interested in the management and operations side of healthcare. Hospitals, health systems, insurance organizations, and public agencies all need people with this training. A natural fit for business-minded students who want to work in health.
Side by side
MPH vs MS vs MHA at a glance
All three degrees are available at Tulane WSPH. No GRE is required for any program.
| - | MPH | MS | MHA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree type | Professional practice degree | Academic research degree | Management and leadership degree |
| Best for | Students from any background who want to work in public health practice, policy, or global health | STEM students who want deep specialization in one discipline or are considering a PhD | Business and management students who want to lead healthcare organizations |
| Focus | Broad public health competencies + one concentration area | Intensive study in one discipline with research methods and thesis | Healthcare finance, operations, law, leadership, and analytics |
| Credits | 45 credits | 31-45 credits | 48 credits |
| Length | 1.5-2 years full-time | 1.5-2 years full-time | 22 months (cohort program) |
| Format | On campus or online | On campus (Health Security also online) | On campus (Fall only) or online |
| Start terms | Fall, Spring, Summer | Fall, Spring, Summer | On campus: Fall only. Online: Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Work experience | Not required | Not required | Not required on campus. Online MHA: 2+ years health-related experience |
| GRE | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Path to PhD | Possible but not typical | Strong stepping stone | Not a typical PhD path |
Master of Public Health
The MPH: A professional degree for public health practice
"The all-rounder"
The Master of Public Health is the most widely recognized professional degree in the field. It's build for students who want to work directly in public health practice: improving health outcomes at the community level, shaping policy, responding to global health challenges, or addressing the social conditions that shape how people live and die.
The MPH is deliberately broad. Students complete a core curriculum covering the five foundational disciplines of public health (foundations in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health systems, and program strategy) and then specialize in one of nine concentration areas at Tulane WSPH. That combination of breadth and depth makes MPH graduates versatile: they can move between government, nonprofits, global health organizations, hospitals, and the private sector throughout their careers.
The MPH is open to students from nearly any undergraduate background. Whether you studied biology, political science, or literature, there's a place for you here if you're motivated by health equity, community change, or global health.
Who thrives in the MPH
- Students from any undergraduate background - science, social science, humanities, business
- Students still exploring their direction within public health
- Pre-health students who want population-level perspective beyond clinical practice
- Students motivated by health equity, community change, or global health
- Professionals considering a career change into public health
Where MPH graduates go
CDC, NIH, FEMA, USAID, state and local health departments, hospitals and health systems, international NGOs, consulting firms, academic research centers, and policy organizations.
“Public health is a rewarding field that broadens your understanding of health and society and shows you how you can make a meaningful impact. It encourages you to think critically, consider different perspectives, and apply what you learn in ways that can improve communities and people's lives.”
- Ellie Farrell, MPH Biostatistics, Tulane WSPH
At a glance
Master of Science
The MS: A research degree for specialists
"The specialist"
The Master of Science is a research-focused degree for students who want to go deep in one specific discipline. Where the MPH prepares generalists, the MS prepares specialists - students who will work primarily in research, data analysis, or scientific investigation within a defined field.
MS students at Tulane can specialize in Biostatistics, Clinical Investigation, Epidemiology, Health Security, or Tropical Medicine - with three new launching in 2027: Data Modeling and Analytics for Health, Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, and Community Nutrition and Dietetics. Each program involves intensive coursework in the discipline, strong grounding in research methods, and typically a thesis or applied research project.
The MS is also a natural stepping stone for students considering a PhD. If you're thinking about doctoral study, the MS gives you the methodological foundation and research experience that PhD programs are looking for.
Who thrives in the MS
- STEM students - biology, chemistry, mathematics, data science
- Students with a clear research interest they want to pursue
- Students considering a PhD who want strong methodological training first
- Students interested in data-heavy roles in epidemiology, biostatistics, or health security
Where MS graduates go
Research institutions, CDC and NIH, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, data analyst roles in health organizations, and PhD programs.
“My dream is to become a researcher who creates global impact with my work.”
- Kaya Black, MS in Tropical Medicine, Tulane WSPH
At a glance
- Biostatistics
- Clinical Investigation
- Data Modeling and Analytics for Health (launching Fall 2027)
- Epidemiology
- Health Security (also online)
- Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences (online only, launching 2027, currently offered as the MSPH in Industrial Hygiene)
- Community Nutrition and Dietetics (launching 2027, currently offered as the MSPH in Nutrition)
- Tropical Medicine
Master of Health Administration
The MHA: A degree for healthcare leaders
"The healthcare leader"
Healthcare is one of the most complex industries in the world - and one of the largest. The Master of Health Administration is designed for students who want to work on the leadership and management side of healthcare - not treating patients, but running the systems that make healthcare work, and improving how care is delivered.
The MHA at Tulane is a 22-month cohort program that combines healthcare finance, operations, law, policy, leadership, and applied analytics. Students graduate with the skills to lead in hospitals, health systems, insurance organizations, public agencies, or consulting firms.
It is offered in both residential and online formats. The online MHA is designed for working professionals and requires a minimum of two years of health-related work experience - it is not a direct path from undergrad.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), Medical and health services managers - a common career for MHA graduates - earn a median salary of $117,960 with 23% projected job growth through 2034.
Who thrives in the MHA
- Business, economics, and management students drawn to healthcare
- Students who want leadership and administrative careers in health systems
- Working professionals in healthcare who want to formalize and advance their skills (online format)
- Students interested in healthcare strategy, finance, and operations
Where MHA graduates go
Hospital and health system leadership, insurance and managed care organizations, healthcare consulting firms, public health agencies and nonprofits, and healthcare technology companies.
“The faculty are genuinely invested in students' success and classmates bring diverse perspectives and experiences. It truly feels like a place where everyone wants you to succeed.”
- Kwame Asamoah Senyah, MHA, Tulane WSPH
At a glance
Where graduates go
Public health careers - and what they pay
Public health graduates work across sectors - government agencies, hospitals, nonprofits, research institutions, global health organizations, and private industry. Here is a snapshot of median salaries and projected growth for common career paths, based on May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Career | Median salary | Growth 2024-2034 | Typical degree path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and health services managers | $117,960 | 23% | MHA, MPH Health Policy |
| Statisticians and biostatisticians | $104,350 | 8% | MS Biostatistics, MPH Biostatistics |
| Epidemiologists | $83,980 | 16% | MPH Epidemiology, MS Epidemiology |
| Health education specialists | $65,000 | 4% | MPH (any concentration) |
| Community health workers | $51,030 | 11% | MPH (any concentration) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024. All growth rates above are faster than the average for all occupations (4%).
Salary ranges vary by sector, experience, and location. Many roles are accessible across multiple degree types - your concentration and experience matter as much as the degree itself.
At Tulane WSPH, 99% of graduates are working or continuing their education within one year of graduating.
Still not sure?
Which degree is right for you?
The right degree depends less on your undergraduate major than on what you want to do with your career. Here is a practical guide.
Quick decision guide
"I want to work in government public health or global health"
MPH
"I want to become a researcher or professor"
MS or PhD
"I want to run a hospital or health system"
MHA
"I have a biology or chemistry background"
MS or MPH
"I have a business background"
MHA or MPH
"I am still figuring out my direction"
MPH
"I want to work in health data and analytics"
MS or MPH
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an MPH and an MS in public health?
The MPH (Master of Public Health) is a professional practice degree designed for students who want to work directly in public health - in government, nonprofits, hospitals, or global health organizations. The MS (Master of Science) is a research-focused degree for students who want to specialize deeply in one discipline like epidemiology, biostatistics, or tropical medicine, and is a strong path for students considering a PhD.
No. The MHA (Master of Health Administration) focuses on healthcare management, leadership, and operations - running hospitals, health systems, and healthcare organizations. The MPH focuses on population-level public health practice, policy, and research. Both are valuable but prepare graduates for different careers.
Which public health master's degree pays the most?
MHA graduates who move into healthcare management roles earn the highest median salaries - medical and health services managers earn a median of $117,960 (BLS, May 2024) with 23% projected growth through 2034. MS graduates in biostatistics can earn $104,350 as statisticians. MPH graduates in epidemiology earn a median of $83,980. Salaries vary significantly by sector, location, and years of experience.
Can I get an MPH without a science background?
Yes. The MPH is explicitly designed for students from any undergraduate background - science, social science, humanities, business, and more. No GRE is required at Tulane WSPH, and there are no hard science prerequisites for most programs.
Choose the MPH if you want to work in public health practice, policy, community health, or global health. Choose the MHA if you want to work in healthcare administration, hospital management, or health system leadership. If you are a business or management student drawn to healthcare, the MHA is likely the better fit.
Yes, for the right student. The MPH opens doors to careers in government agencies, nonprofits, global health, hospitals, consulting, and policy. At Tulane WSPH, 99% of graduates are working or continuing their education within one year of graduating. The field is also growing - driven by pandemic preparedness, climate-related health impacts, and persistent health inequities.
What is the difference between an MS and a PhD in public health?
The MS is a master's-level research degree (1.5-2 years) that prepares students for research roles or serves as a stepping stone to a PhD. The PhD is a doctoral degree (4-6 years, full-time) that prepares students for careers as researchers, scientists, or university faculty. PhD students at Tulane WSPH are considered for full funding through the standard admissions process.
How do I apply to Tulane WSPH?
Most programs use SOPHAS - the centralized application system for schools of public health. The MHA and several online programs use a separate WSPH application form. No GRE is required for any program. Applications submitted by the priority deadline are automatically considered for merit-based funding.
Not sure which program is right for you?
Our admissions team works with students at every stage of the decision process - from first exploration to application. Reach out and we will help you find your path.
