Online Health Care Administration Degree: An Overview
New regulations, technology advances and an aging population have created a booming market for health care administrators. More than 56,000 medical and health service manager positions are expected to be created from 2014 through 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This field is growing much faster than the average across all industries, and some positions require only a bachelor’s degree, like that obtained via a health care administration online degree program.
Responsible for the oversight of medical facilities, health care administrators coordinate care, create schedules, manage finances and work with medical staff. These facilities include hospitals, doctor’s offices, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes.
Professionals working in health care administration and management encounter dynamic issues such as reducing operating costs, dealing with drug shortages, managing technology decisions related to social media and patient privacy, anticipating changes related to public policy revisions and developing population-specific services – for example, for the elderly.
An online health care management bachelor’s degree program offers flexibility for students who are also working professionals. Web-based programs typically follow the same rigorous curricula as brick-and-mortar options, leading to similar opportunities for graduates. The online format is also ideal for students who must tackle additional commitments – such as child or family care – on top of their work and class schedules.
"Health care administration" and "health care management" are terms often used interchangeably in the names of bachelor's degree programs; these degrees typically share the majority of their core courses and available electives.
How long does it take to earn a bachelor's in health care administration online?
The total number of credits required for an online health care administration degree typically ranges from 120 to 126. Bachelor’s degree programs generally take about four or five years to complete for full-time students.
Those earning a health care administration degree online may find accelerated programs available, as well as part-time enrollment options. Some programs require completion of an internship or other field work, and some students choose to complete a related minor or specialization, or to pursue a dual degree. All of these factors can directly affect how long it takes to graduate.
How much does an online bachelor's in health care administration cost?
The cost of an online bachelor's in health care administration depends on several factors. State residency is an important consideration, since many colleges and universities charge higher tuition for out-of-state students. However, some schools charge flat tuition for online students regardless of state residency. Technology fees are another key factor; these fees often apply to online students but not their brick-and-mortar counterparts.
Per-credit costs for an online bachelor's in health care administration can be as low as $165 or reach around $900 for nonresident or private-college options. Students should expect to pay between $50,000 and $85,000 in total tuition for one of these programs.
Choosing an accredited online health care administration degree program
Accreditation status
is one of the most important considerations for prospective students. Colleges and universities in the U.S. receive accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; the accreditation process involves an extensive review of a school's educational programs and student services.
A school's accreditation impacts course credit transferability, as well as student eligibility for federal financial aid, so students should ensure the school offering the program has earned national or regional accreditation.
Coursework
Health care administration students learn the business side of the industry through coursework in leadership and ethics, legal issues, medical terminology, human resources, economics, finance and accounting.
Other courses are designed to specifically address the unique challenges of management in the health care sector. In a facilities management course, for example, students explore the regulations and trends in medical facility planning and operations. In a health care law and regulations class, students delve into the legal side of an industry strictly regulated by federal privacy laws and other mandates.
Some programs offer students options for capstone projects, practicums or internships. Coming near the end of a student's studies, a capstone assignment usually consists of a research paper or project that draws on what students have learned throughout their program. Other schools may encourage students to complete a supervised practicum or internship at a health care facility.
Health care administration degree specializations
Some undergraduate programs allow students to further specialize their studies in a niche area within the major of health care administration. Courses and internships in these programs are designed to prepare students for specific roles. These include positions related to finance and accounting, public institutions, policy and regulations, and technology systems.
| Example concentrations |
| Strategic communications |
| Operations management and supervision |
| Health information management |
| Project management |
| Patient safety and quality |
| Organizational leadership |
Professional Associations in Health Care Administration
Students who participate in professional associations can advance their early career development and stay current with trends in the field. Student membership rates may be available, as well as access to job listings and salary surveys.
- American College of Healthcare Executives: ACHE provides up-to-date information about issues affecting medical professionals, administrators, patients and communities. The organization also sponsors professional development opportunities online, through publications and in local chapters.
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management: Offering publications and professional development opportunities, AAHAM also provides information and training related to legislation and regulation. Additionally, the organization features resources covering the health care revenue cycle.
- Health Care Administrators Association: Providing advocacy, resources and professional development for third-party administrators working in health care-related environments – such as auditors, insurance carriers and underwriters, medical managers and human resources managers – HCAA offers conference and networking events as well as job listings.
Example courses
- Introduction to the U.S. health care system
- Personnel management and supervision in health care
- Accounting and finance for health care leaders
- Long-term care and administration
- Medical law and ethics
- Health care and the political process
- Economics of health care
Job Outlook and Salary
The health care administration field is projected to grow 17 percent over a decade by 2024, much faster than the national average for all occupations, according to the BLS.
Jobs in health care administration generally require management skills and an understanding of laws and regulations. A bachelor’s degree is also typically needed, the BLS says, although employers may prefer applicants with a master’s degree in the field.
Some jobs require licensing, and employers may also favor job candidates with certifications – such as those from the
Professional Association of Health Care Office Management,
t
he
American Health Information Management Associationand the
American College of Health Care Administrators.
What can you do with a bachelor's in health care administration?
Most health care administration jobs are in an office setting within a health care facility. Local, state and private hospitals employ the largest percentage of medical and health services managers, according to the BLS.
Graduates with a bachelor’s in health care administration can also work for the government, for nursing and residential care facilities, at group medical practices and for ambulatory health care services.
- Clinical manager: Those in this role typically manage staff and operations in small facilities or serve at the director level in larger medical organizations. Many have a medical background, such as nursing experience.
- Health information manager: Health information managers oversee the collection, storage and dissemination of patient and facility records. They also develop and monitor compliance with health information policy. Health information managers must maintain certification as a registered health information technician.
- Hospital administrator: Hospital administrators oversee staff and manage operations to promote the smooth functioning of hospitals. This position may involve work in human resources, budgeting and regulatory compliance.
- Medical office manager: These managers oversee the day-to-day activities of a medical office, including scheduling, expenses and processing of paperwork. They typically have extensive knowledge of medical billing and insurance processes.
- Medical practice manager: Medical practice managers work to ensure that medical facilities run smoothly by maintaining records, handling payroll and overseeing budgetary functions.
- Nursing home administrator: Nursing home administrators oversee management of facility personnel and operations, including finances, resident care, patient and family relations and related services. This work requires a state license and continuing education.
- Practice administrator: While the primary responsibilities of practice administrators center around administrative functions of a medical facility, they also work with external entities like medical supply companies, vendors and customers to coordinate inventory, negotiate contracts and deal with customer service issues.
