MBA vs MHA: Admissions, Scope, Job Opportunities, Salary

Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) are both postgraduate degree courses that create a pathway into the healthcare administration sector which is mostly preferred by candidates with a background in medicine or related fields but aspirants from other backgrounds as well may pursue these courses for a career in this sector.

Students are often confused about whether an MBA or MHA is the best choice of course for getting into the healthcare administration career. Both courses seem to be a good choice and involve the study of subjects related to management. However, there are quite a few fundamental differences between the two. A student who is pondering upon the choice between MBA and MHA must take a look at the differences between the two courses in order to make an educated choice.

In this article, we have provided a comparison of MBA and MHA courses. Students will be able to take a look at the aspects of each of these courses such as their career scope, colleges, salary etc. and decide on which course to go for.

MBA vs MHA: Overview

The table below provides a quick comparison of the various features of MBA and MHA courses.

MBA vs MHA: Introduction

Prior to exploring the differences between MBA and MHA, it is important to understand what both of these courses are all about.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

MBA is a postgraduate degree in management that involves the study of various aspects of management and business administration sector. An MBA course includes the study of a wide range of subjects relevant to the management of businesses and organizations. MBA students are taught subjects such as Finance, Marketing, Business Law, Organizational Behaviour, HRM etc. The course develops the required skills in a student to help them solve day-to-day problems in leadership or administrative positions.

Master of Hospital Administration (MHA)

MHA is also a postgraduate course that deals with the management of healthcare establishments. The course prepares a student for an administrative role in the healthcare sector and provides an understanding of the functions and operations involved in the everyday management of a hospital or a related establishment or organisations. MHA students develop a good understanding of how to take care of patient needs and also build the skills necessary for the effective management of people and resources.

Institutes such as Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai generally offer an MHA course under the Master of Arts (MA) degree.

MBA vs MHA: Career Scope and Job Opportunities

When choosing between the MBA and MHA courses, a student must take a look at the career opportunities that the course is best suited for and compare them with their own career goals.

Career after MBA

MBA is a globally recognized course that opens up career opportunities in a wide range of fields. Candidates with an MBA degree can be a good fit in multiple sectors. Career opportunities after an MBA degree may vary, depending upon the MBA specialization one goes for. Some of the major areas of recruitment for MBA graduates include:

• Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) Companies

• Management Consultancies

• Telecommunication

• Investment Banking

• Equity Management etc.

Candidates can even explore jobs in hospital administration after completing an MBA degree. For that, one can look for specializations such as:

• MBA in Healthcare & Hospital Management
• MBA in Hospital Administration

Career after MHA

MHA is a professional course that is specialized in the healthcare administration sector. An MHA degree is excellent for a candidate who wishes to take up job opportunities in hospital management but it would be of very little help if he/she wishes to explore any other sector. However, it has a more specialized course curriculum and hence creates a student with a higher level of expertise. Following are the top areas of recruitment after MHA.

• Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
• Clinics
• Healthcare Organizations / Departments
• Rehabilitation Centres etc.

MBA vs MHA: Which is better?

Basically, the following table will make it easier for the candidates who are having trouble deciding between the two courses.

MBA and MHA are both excellent choices when it comes to courses after graduation. For a candidate who is aspiring for a career particularly in the healthcare segment, it would be better to opt for either MHA or an MBA specialization related to the hospital administration sector.

However, the MBA General Management degree is also a good choice for aspirants with a medical background. There are medical professionals who choose to go for an MBA after MBBS to learn about management in the healthcare sector and explore leadership roles in top hospitals or hospital chains.

MBA and MHA courses are also relevant for any medical professional who wishes to establish his own hospital or clinic. The choice between the two courses and the better course can only be decided at the individual-level. Still confused? Our expert counsellors can help you out. Just fill our Common Application Form (CAF) or call 1800-572-9877 for free student counselling.