This is my first post here, but I have been combing through the board, gaining a lot of information along the way. While I know no one has a crystal ball, I have a question that I am hoping for some insight into/clarification on. I will try to keep the background info short and sweet. I got my undergrad degree 11 yrs ago in Community Health. Because of family (now have 4 kids) and marriage (husband is in the military), I have pretty much been a stay at home parent for the past 10 yrs, with some work (mostly unrelated to my degree) here and there. I have the opportunity to pursue a MS now, as long as I keep it under about $10K, which I can. I have, on a very preliminary basis, narrowed my choices down to a MS in Human Services from Liberty Univ, a MS in Public Admin (Health Policy) from AMU, or, running a distant 3rd, a MPH (not CEPH accredited) from AMU. What is quite important to me, besides working in a field that interests me, is being able to find work (even if it happens to be volunteer but money is better!) wherever we may go, including overseas bases. In my mind, Human Services is a good choice because the military (which my husband will be in for at least 7 more years, if not 17) has family programs. Even if there are no paid positions open, they always need volunteer help. To get a feel for the local market, I did a search yesterday on our state's job site and CYFD had a ton of positions open as well (and I know there is a reason for that).The drawback to this field is, even with a MS, the pay is not great, but, of course, better than I make or can make now. Public Admin strikes me as a little drier, doing budget/program anaylsis type stuff, but better paying. From my research though, it does not seem that there is as much demand for entry level work, and that there are fewer positions available overall (when considering finding work anywhere). I really am leaning towards the MS in Human Services from Liberty, with a plus being Liberty has a B&M presence. I just don't know if I have a realistic view of the opportunities each field presents. My dear spouse's opinion is I should study whatever I want to, as long as I can get a job doing it when I am finished, unlike with my undergrad degree. Any opinions on either field? Thank you.
Welcome to the board. I would suggest that the MS in PA (or better yet an MPA) might provide the best long term job opprtunities in areas such as government, education, not-for-profit organizations, health services, media, and companies that do business with govt. You mentioned doing volunteer work; this is sometimes a great way toake contacts that could lead to a paying job. It also counts as experience if in the same area that you hope to work in. I commend you for looking out for your future.
I also recommend the MPA as it will provide you more versatility in the public, private, and NFP sectors.
I have a MPA degree myself. However, in your case the human services degree from Liberty might actually suit you better. You can choose a specialization like counseling, leadership, business or health/wellness. If your career goals is to do more "hands on" stuff with people go the human services route. If administrative or management duties appeal to you then the MPA is the right fit. Whatever you decide good luck.
Thanks for the replies so far! One concern I have, that I did not mention, is that some grad degrees are for working professionals with experience, and some are entry level for the profession. For instance, in Community Health, a BS does not get you very far - an MS, while not required, is unofficially entry level to the profession. Where does the MPA fit? Is it assumed that a MPA student/graduate would have experience in business or government that the MPA builds on? Or can a MPA graduate find entry level work? An end career goal for me could be a local program manager for a family/community health program at a military base or for an organization like the Red Cross. I know the MPA would be great education and preparation for management at that level, but for getting in at the lower level to get experience in the trenches, is it the better choice? Too bad you cannot double major a MS.
As far as I know, the Human Services degree is the most generic and so may be the least helpful as, at the Masters level, employers increasingly want specific skills. While you've downplayed the MPH degree, it may be the most marketable in the foreign markets (where might you be?) because the Public Health systems in many countries is waaaay behind the USA. So, I'm saying MPA or MPH.
I agree with Kizmet... Human Services degrees are very generic. An MPH degree would serve you well (in the U.S. or abroad). Especially given your BS in Community Health. Perhaps while your in school for the MPH, you could intern and/or volunteer at a local public health office (giving you experience to land a job upon graduation). Also, you may be able to hunt around and find an online CEPH accredited MPH program for under $10,000. If not, APU/AMU is a fine school. Good luck! Tom
Oh, you were serious about the US public health care system being more advanced than many other countries? To which countries in the Third World are you referring? Let's see... A one week hospital stay following an emergency abdominal surgery would have cost me CAD10,000.00 (approximately USD10,000.00 at current exchange rate) if I had not been covered by our publicly-funded health care system; ie. had I been a foreigner visiting Canada. However, what would the same surgery and hospital stay have cost in the USA?
Thanks again. I agree the Human Services MA is kind of generic, but I don't want to get too specialized either. The MPH course offerings at AMU/APUS are heavy in public health as it relates to disaster management/terrorism, which is very interesting, but possibly not practical for me. I am shying away since I can't just apply to all the federal agencies and take an offered job, plus it would be a long time before I could take a position that involved travel (which I would assume anything involved with homeland security and all under its umbrella would eventually entail). Of course, I could always volunteer at the American Red Cross (which is everywhere we would go), but somewhere along the line I need to get a ROI for the money I laid out. It sounds like I need to find a happy medium between very generic and too specific. I need to stay somewhat generic so I can find a job when I have no control over where we will live. That may end up being the MPA with a Health Policy concentraton at AMU or APU (is there even a difference?). I have come full circle and am back at needing to scrutinize the program course lists again, this time with some helpful information from you all. I appreciate all of your feedback.
The MPH from A.T. Still University might be a good choice for you. A degree (MPH) that is in demand, with concentrations in Health Policy and Health Planning. Keep in mind that with an MPH (preferably CEPH accredited) will qualify you to work in a local, county or State Public Health office. All of these positions require very little in the way of long distance travel (at least at the local and county levels). Anyway, good luck in your search! Tom
