People interested in running a medical or health services organization may consider a degree in healthcare administration. Healthcare administration positions help with the business management and the operations of healthcare facilities. Rather than managing a facility's clinical aspects, healthcare administration professionals oversee duties such as budgeting, staffing, and strategic planning.
Healthcare administration positions typically require a bachelor's degree. Prospective students seeking a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Enrolling in an online healthcare administration program offers greater flexibility for working students.
Graduates with a healthcare administration bachelor's degree can work as administrative services or facilities managers. They can also work as medical or health services managers, although this position often requires a master's degree.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for administrative services and facilities managers to grow 6% between 2019 and 2029, which is faster than average for other occupations. The BLS projects jobs for medical and health services managers to grow 32% between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than average.
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Best Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration Degrees 2021
What Are the Goals of a Healthcare Administration Degree?
Healthcare administration degrees prepare students to efficiently lead and manage the operations of a healthcare facility. This includes managing staff, organization finances, and business operations. Students also learn about different types of healthcare services, care strategies, and healthcare policies. Healthcare administrators generally work in hospitals, nursing homes, and group medical practices.
Students interested in coordinating activities in a healthcare setting pursue degrees in healthcare administration. Healthcare administration bachelor's programs may use different names, such as healthcare management, clinical operations management, and healthcare services administration. Many programs offer specializations such as healthcare leadership, health policy, and healthcare safety.
Bachelor's programs in healthcare administration offer courses to help students develop the skills needed to succeed in the field. Courses include public health management, healthcare policy, and health science leadership. Many learners also study health services writing and research in healthcare.
Why Get a Healthcare Administration Degree?
Earning a healthcare administration degree offers a variety of personal and professional benefits. Enrolling in an online healthcare administration program offers additional benefits such as saving time and money. The following list includes some of the top benefits of graduating with a degree in healthcare administration.
Career Opportunities Graduates typically pursue careers in human resources, patient finance, and managed care. A master's degree especially increases job opportunities in this growing field.
High Earning Potential Earning a degree in healthcare administration allows graduates to enter potentially lucrative careers. According to the BLS, the top 10% of medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $189,000 in 2019.
High Demand With large, aging populations who require specific medical needs, healthcare administrators and managers are in high demand. The BLS projects jobs for healthcare administration professionals to grow much faster than other occupations between 2019 and 2029.
Learn New Skills Healthcare administration programs offer a variety of courses that prepare students for careers in the field. Enrollees acquire the leadership, communication, and research skills needed to run a successful healthcare organization.
Help Others A career in healthcare administration makes a difference in the lives of patients and healthcare workers. Healthcare administrators create and manage the infrastructure needed to ensure quality healthcare to the public.
What Are the Requirements for a Healthcare Administration Degree?
Admission requirements for healthcare administration programs vary by school and program. Programs typically require at least a high school degree or equivalent to qualify for admission. Some programs require an associate degree in a related field, such as medical laboratory technology or radiology. Applicants submit transcripts demonstrating completion of these degrees. If a program requires previous professional experience, applicants generally submit a resume or CV.
Students in healthcare administration programs complete coursework that often covers finance in healthcare, ethical decision-making, and epidemiology. Many programs also require students to complete an internship in a healthcare setting. Other programs require students to complete a capstone project to demonstrate healthcare project development, implementation, and management.
Professional Organizations for Healthcare Administration Students
Professional organizations offer opportunities for healthcare administrators to network and advance their careers. Membership to professional organizations often provides continuing education resources, special access to conferences, and networking opportunities. The following list provides some examples of professional organizations available to aspiring healthcare administrators.
Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals
AHCAP supports healthcare administrators in the United States. Members pay an annual fee and receive preferred registration rates for AHCAP's annual conference. AHCAP offers regular, student, retired, and associate memberships. Regular memberships are available to professionals who provide administrative support to leaders in healthcare settings. Students in healthcare administration can apply for membership.
Health Care Administrators Association
HCAA offers resources to healthcare administrators such as benefit administrators, medical managers, and healthcare consultants. Members pay annual dues and receive education, advocacy, and networking resources. HCAA also provides special access to publications in the field. HCAA's two memberships include regular and affiliate.
American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
AAHAM provides education, advocacy, and networking resources to professionals in healthcare administrative management. The association supports professionals who fulfill a variety of tasks, such as reimbursement, data management, and medical records. Members receive an exclusive invitation to AAHAM's Annual National Institute and other educational resources. They also receive copies of the quarterly journal of Healthcare Administrative Management.
Healthcare Financial Management Association
HFMA supports individual professionals and organizations in healthcare financial management. Members receive practical tools, education, and strategic guidance. HFMA offers members specialty certifications and free access to online webinars. Professionals, students, business partners, and faculty can apply for membership.
Scholarships for Healthcare Administration Students
Scholarships help students pay for their degree and do not require repayment. Many aspiring healthcare administration professionals find scholarships to help fund their education. Students enrolled in an online healthcare administration program also qualify for a variety of scholarships. This list includes scholarships available to students earning a degree in healthcare administration.
Harry J. Harwick Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in healthcare administration may apply. Their attended program must be accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. Applicants must hold membership with the Medical Group Management Association. The American College of Medical Practice Executives sponsors this scholarship.
Amount: $3,000
Leaders Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in medical practice management may apply. Fields related to medical practice management include healthcare administration, public health, and business administration. Applicants must demonstrate Medical Group Management Association membership.
Amount: $2,500-$5,000
Living for Zachary Scholarship
Who Can Apply: North Texas high school graduates who plan to pursue a medical-oriented program at a two- or four-year college or university may apply. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and must submit an essay and an educator recommendation. Applicants should also demonstrate community service, volunteerism, and a commitment to leadership development.
Amount: $2,500
