Difference Between MPH & MSPH

Key Takeaways

• Master of Public Health (MPH) is a professional degree, while Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) is a research degree.
• MPH focuses on public health practices, while MSPH focuses on public health research.
• Career opportunities for MPH graduates are usually in public policy, administration, education, or community practice, while MSPH graduates often find employment in academia, NGOs, state sector organizations, and industries.

Key Difference – MPH vs MSPH

MPH and MSPH are two-degree qualifications in the public health stream. The public health field focuses on improving the quality of life of people and individual health, with an emphasis on disease prevention and treatment. MPH stands for Master of Public Health, while MSPH stands for Master of Science in Public Health. The main difference between the two degrees is that MPH is considered a professional qualification, while MSPH is considered a research degree.

What is MPH?

MPH, or Master of Public Health, is a professional degree that provides a comprehensive understanding of public health practices. This two-year course usually requires a bachelor’s degree in education, biology, sociology, or business for enrollment. An MPH degree covers five main areas of public health:

• Public health administration and policy
• Behavioral and Social sciences
• Biostatistics
• Environmental health
• Epidemiology

After completing the degree, graduates can pursue careers in public policy, administration, education, or community practice, such as medical assistant, nurse, health scientist, lecturer, community health educator, and healthcare analyst.

What is MSPH?

MSPH, or Master of Science in Public Health, is an academic degree that focuses on public health research. This degree exposes students to both qualitative and quantitative research, enhancing their skills in conducting research and providing a more scientific understanding than an MPH degree. Like MPH, MSPH covers the same five main areas of public health. Enrollment requirements for MSPH usually include a bachelor’s degree, with some universities specifying a health-related major and minimum GPA.

Graduates with an MSPH degree can find employment in various fields, such as researchers, health educators, lecturers, NGOs, state sector organizations, and industries. However, since MSPH is an academic qualification, there is a higher possibility that graduates will choose careers related to academia.

What is the Difference Between MPH and MSPH?

• Definitions of MPH and MSPH:
• MPH: MPH stands for Master of Public Health.
• MSPH: MSPH stands for Master of Science in Public Health.
• Nature:
• MPH: MPH is a professional degree.
• MSPH: MSPH is an academic degree.
• Research:
• MPH: In MPH, there is less focus on research.
• MSPH: In MSPH, the major focus is on research.
• Career opportunities:
• MPH: The individual can move on to a career in public policy, administration, education, or community practice.
• MSPH: The individual can find employment in NGOs, state sector organizations, industries, etc. However, mostly, the careers are related to academia.