Online Healthcare Administration / Management Degree

Healthcare Administration / Management Degree Overview

Listed below are colleges and universities that offer online degrees, certificates, and diplomas in the major of Healthcare Administration / Management and a detailed list of the programs offered. Tuition, financial aid, course offerings, online classes, adult education, and distance learning options are available by request.

Healthcare Administration / Management Career Outlook

A Healthy Job Market

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 16 percent employment growth from 2008 to 2018 for medical and health services managers, which is faster than average for all occupations. The BLS expects hospitals to continue to have the most medical and health services manager positions through 2018 because of the huge size of the hospital sector. The BLS expects employment to grow fast in the offices of health practitioners. Home healthcare is another fast growing field.

Having a good grasp of finance and information systems is a big plus. Also, if you gain specialized expertise in one type of healthcare facility you’ll likely have an easier time finding a job in the industry.

Employers are seeking people who know how to improve the quality and efficiency of a healthcare facility’s operation and reduce costs. If you’re knowledgeable about healthcare information systems you’ll be in demand. If you know how to implement new technology and help healthcare facilities follow new regulations you’ll increase your chances of getting a good job.

If you’re interested in earning a degree in healthcare administration, click here to request more information or click here to learn about more opportunities in the healthcare administration field.

Healthcare Administration / Management Salary Information

Earn a Great Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 managers and administrators in the health care industry received an average yearly salary of $90,970. Salaries vary based on responsibilities, experience and the type and size of the facility. According to a report by the Medical Group Management Association, the more doctors working at a facility, the higher the salary for health services managers.

Here’s a list of the highest salaries in the sectors employing the largest number of health care administrators:

• 1. General and medical surgical hospitals
• 2. Outpatient care centers
• 3. Offices of physicians
• 4. Home health care services
• 5. Nursing care facilities

The American Health Information Management Association provides a Registered Health Information Administrator credential. The American Hospital Association (AHA) also has certification programs. These certifications indicate you have strong knowledge in a specific area and may lead to an increase in salary.

PayScale.com reports the average salary of people with an MHA depends on the job title:

Healthcare Administration / Management Required Job Skills and Knowledge

A master’s degree is the standard in the field. Many administrators have a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree; you have more than 70 schools to choose from.

To enroll in some graduate programs you’ll need an undergraduate degree in health administration or business, but some graduate programs accept you if you have a liberal arts background. Also, if you have experience in healthcare it’s easier to get admitted in a master’s degree program. You can complete the program in about two to three years.

With a bachelor’s degree you may be able to grab an entry-level position in a small facility or a department level job in some health care organizations or even in health information management. Some doctors’ offices and other facilities actually hire people who don’t have a degree but have plenty of on-the-job experience.

To land a great job in the field it’s best to get a master’s degree. It’s difficult to get a top-level job in a small facility or a middle-management job in a large facility with only a bachelor’s degree.

The popular master’s degrees in healthcare administration:

• € Health services administration
• € Long-term care administration
• € Public health
• € Hospital administration
• € Nursing administration
• € Health sciences
• € Public administration
• € Business administration