Best Online Healthcare Administration Degree Programs

Healthcare administration is going through a number of changes thanks to new technologies, laws and medical breakthroughs, making it an interesting and challenging time to be working in this field. Baby boomers and a growing, aging population are placing different demands on healthcare systems — giving rise to diverse career opportunities. In fact, job opportunities in the field are expected to grow 20 percent from 2016 to 2026 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is much faster than average for all other occupations.

Successful healthcare executives must combine business and leadership skills with a working knowledge of the healthcare system. Online health administration programs cover a wide variety of business and health related topics.

Healthcare administrators are also known as medical managers, health service managers, or healthcare executives. While a large number of healthcare executives work in hospitals, many are also employed by individual medical practices, long-term care and nursing facilities, or various government agencies. Depending on their qualifications and experience, they may manage anything from a small medical practice to a large hospital. A typical healthcare manager may carry out the following duties:

  • Maintaining records
  • Managing finances
  • Working with healthcare professionals in the facility to develop better practices to improve the quality of services
  • Organizing work schedules
  • Working closely with department heads to monitor and develop goals
  • Ensuring staff is recruited and trained
  • Staying abreast of regulations, laws and ensuring compliance
  • Representing the facility at investor or board meetings

Healthcare administrators are required to coordinate between different administrative and departmental levels and therefore people skills, leadership, communication and analytical skills are essential.

Choose a Degree to Help You Meet Your Career Goals

Different degrees will help reach different career goals. While certificate programs are widely available and can be typically completed in less than a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration is generally considered the minimum barrier for entry-level employment. However, many employers are looking to recruit candidates with a master’s degree or higher.

Take a look at the education level most medical and health services managers have:

Medical and Health Services Managers
Education Level Required & Percentage of Respondents
Assosiate
19%
Bachelor's
65%
Masters
12%
Source: 2018 Occupational Information Network (O*NET), U.S. Department of Labor, onetonline.org

For information on what you can do with a degree in healthcare, check out our infographic.

While admissions criteria can vary from college to college, take a look at what you can expect to learn under the different degree program levels, the typical time it takes to complete the program and the career possibilities after earning your degree.

What can I expect to learn in an online associate degree?

As changes in medicine, technology and the law move the industry forward, qualified individuals who contribute to the business side of healthcare may play an increasingly important role.Online associate degree programs in healthcare administration teach students how to perform the day-to-day functions that keep medical facilities operating smoothly.

Typical duration: Two years

General prerequisites: High school diploma or GED

Typical coursework: The core curriculum of these programs can include courses in finance, facility operations, personnel practices, and managerial techniques. Some of the course topics may cover:

  • Introduction to medical terminology
  • Medical law and ethics
  • Healthcare entrepreneurship
  • Healthcare management

Possible electives: Healthcare communication, human resources management, sociology

What can I do after earning an associate degree?

An associate degree may be used to obtain an entry-level position in the field of healthcare administration. Potential careers include:

  • Health office receptionist
  • Medical transcriptionists
  • Customer service representative
  • Health office manager
  • Medical coder and biller
  • Assistant healthcare administrator
  • Medical assistant
Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Administration

What can I expect to learn in an online bachelor’s degree program?

Online bachelor’s in healthcare administration is designed to give students the ability to step up into leadership roles. Students in a bachelor degree program can learn the skills they need to manage workforces at healthcare facilities including employee relations and how to implement training programs for staff.

Typical duration: Four years

General prerequisites: A high school diploma or an associate degree in healthcare administration, GRE

Typical coursework: In addition to fundamental subjects like finance, facility operations, staffing and personnel practices required to pursue management jobs in the healthcare field, courses may include:

  • Healthcare management
  • Ethics and law in healthcare
  • Healthcare entrepreneurship
  • Introduction to public and community health

Hands-on experience can vary from course to course and can be through different exercises like writing an employee training manual, participating in a simulated job interview, and drafting a case study on a hypothetical healthcare organization.

Possible electives: Biology, healthcare economics, death and dying, healthcare terminology, algebra, anatomy and physiology, project management

What can I do after earning a bachelor’s degree?

A bachelor’s degree is often the minimum degree required to work at many larger healthcare facilities. Some of the possible careers are:

  • Healthcare administrator
  • Social or community service manager
  • Human resources manager
  • Healthcare consultant
  • Health services manager

What can I expect to learn in an online master’s degree program?

As technology, laws and industry standards evolve in the field of medicine, more and more qualified leaders will be needed to help healthcare organizations navigate through new challenges and come out on top. Online master’s degree programs in healthcare administration (MHA) are designed to train these leaders.

Typical duration: Two years

General prerequisites: A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from an accredited institution and/or an entrance exam

Typical coursework: Students in these programs can learn the core concepts of running a healthcare organization by taking courses in subjects such as healthcare law and ethics, healthcare informatics, marketing and strategic planning, human resources management, finance and accounting and project management. Some of the course topics covered may include:

  • Healthcare economics
  • Healthcare marketing
  • Healthcare policy
  • Healthcare leadership

Additionally, students in these programs may be required to complete a comprehensive examination or a master’s thesis that focuses on a research area of the healthcare field. Supplementary business classes like business writing courses or sociology can also boost your profile.

Possible electives: Gerontology, epidemiology, long-term care

What can I do after earning a master’s degree?

The specialization you choose during your master’s program can help you procure a role in the field that interests you the most. Here are some potential careers:

  • Healthcare administrator
  • Social or community service manager
  • Human resources manager
  • Program manager at a rehabilitation center
  • Administration and policy
  • Research assistant

What can I expect to learn in an online doctoral degree program?

Online doctoral degree programs in healthcare administration focus on teaching students the business acumen needed to run a healthcare facility — such as human resources management, finance, healthcare ethics and healthcare informatics.

At this level, there are several ways that healthcare administration students can earn a degree.

  • A Doctor of Health Administration, or DHA, is a degree program that focuses on the real-world management skills that can help students pursue managerial roles in the field.
  • Students who are interested in the research end of the profession can pursue a Ph.D. in health administration, which prepares them for more academically driven careers in healthcare.
  • Students who want to combine healthcare administration with business can earn a Doctor of Business Administration with a specialization in healthcare administration.

Typical duration: Three to seven years

General prerequisites: A master’s degree in healthcare administration from an accredited institution

Typical coursework: The curriculum in these programs aims to prepare students for upper managerial positions as well as high-level policy-making roles in the in the healthcare system. Courses may cover public administration and public safety, healthcare finance and accounting, and healthcare marketing. Other course topics can include:

  • Healthcare research methods
  • Healthcare communication
  • Legal and ethical issues in the healthcare industry
  • Healthcare management

What can I do after earning a doctoral degree?

Doctoral degrees open up a higher level of potential job roles — some of which allow autonomous research. Some of the positions that may be open to candidates with a doctoral degree are:

  • Political scientist (healthcare policy research and analysis)
  • University professor
  • Healthcare executive
  • Researcher

Specializations in Healthcare Administration

Healthcare administrators are needed to oversee operations in a variety of health-related fields. While many work in hospitals, others do not. Some specializations for medical management professionals include:

  • Hospital administration
  • Clinical administration
  • Group practice administration
  • Nursing home administration
  • Assisted living administration
  • Home healthcare administration
  • Healthcare policy research and analysis
  • Insurance and pharmaceutical consulting
  • Health information management

Some career tracks may be available immediately upon graduation, while others might require years of work experience. Regardless, online degree programs in healthcare administration can help prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to begin a career in the medical management field.

We’ve used factors that students that are especially useful for students interested in online healthcare administration programs. To present you with the best opportunities, our methodology has taken into consideration factors like number of online programs offered in healthcare administration, tuition, ratio of students participating in distance education programs compared to the total enrollment, student-faculty ratio, services such as academic and placement, and more.

NOTE: The accuracy of data derived from IPEDS depends on colleges regularly reporting to IPEDS. Not all colleges are as regular as they should be in updating this information with IPEDS. OnlineDegrees.com, therefore, has gone a step further to ensure the rankings you see are accurate and verified. We manually check each college website to provide you the top rankings you can rely on. Because of this double-check, the number of colleges may vary for each degree level.

Associate's
AS
Bachelor's
BS
Master's
MAS
1
Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO
Average in-state tuition
$22,718
No. of online programs
52
% of students in distance education
58%
Avg. amount of Aid
$9,279
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
52%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
2
Waldorf University
Forest City, IA
Average in-state tuition
$20,934
No. of online programs
38
% of students in distance education
81%
Avg. amount of Aid
$8,644
Admissions Rate
75 %
Graduation Rate
29%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
No
3
Bossier Parish Community College
Bossier City, LA
Average in-state tuition
$3,335
No. of online programs
7
% of students in distance education
51%
Avg. amount of Aid
$4,099
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
N/A%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
4
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Granite Falls, MN
Average in-state tuition
$5,146
No. of online programs
34
% of students in distance education
49%
Avg. amount of Aid
$3,490
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
N/A%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
5
New England College
Henniker, NH
Average in-state tuition
$24,452
No. of online programs
78
% of students in distance education
44%
Avg. amount of Aid
$17,330
Admissions Rate
100 %
Graduation Rate
25%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
6
Berkeley College-Woodland Park
Woodland Park, NJ
Average in-state tuition
$22,053
No. of online programs
21
% of students in distance education
47%
Avg. amount of Aid
$14,310
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
38%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
7
Herkimer County Community College
Herkimer, NY
Average in-state tuition
$4,670
No. of online programs
18
% of students in distance education
37%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,826
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
N/A%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
8
Terra State Community College
Fremont, OH
Average in-state tuition
$3,876
No. of online programs
3
% of students in distance education
48%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,233
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
N/A%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
9
Concordia University-Wisconsin
Mequon, WI
Average in-state tuition
$29,180
No. of online programs
46
% of students in distance education
36%
Avg. amount of Aid
$12,359
Admissions Rate
65 %
Graduation Rate
59%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
10
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI
Average in-state tuition
$4,026
No. of online programs
19
% of students in distance education
30%
Avg. amount of Aid
$4,303
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
N/A%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
1
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
Average in-state tuition
$11,160
No. of online programs
62
% of students in distance education
74%
Avg. amount of Aid
$3,788
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
24%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
2
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Shreveport, LA
Average in-state tuition
$5,656
No. of online programs
9
% of students in distance education
82%
Avg. amount of Aid
$8,971
Admissions Rate
87 %
Graduation Rate
33%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
3
Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME
Average in-state tuition
$35,650
No. of online programs
32
% of students in distance education
50%
Avg. amount of Aid
$20,353
Admissions Rate
84 %
Graduation Rate
63%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
4
University of Maryland-University College
Adelphi, MD
Average in-state tuition
$7,056
No. of online programs
86
% of students in distance education
90%
Avg. amount of Aid
$3,315
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
15%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
No
5
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN
Average in-state tuition
$22,275
No. of online programs
55
% of students in distance education
65%
Avg. amount of Aid
$8,794
Admissions Rate
97 %
Graduation Rate
59%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
6
Montana State University Billings
Billings, MT
Average in-state tuition
$4,485
No. of online programs
19
% of students in distance education
58%
Avg. amount of Aid
$4,497
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
29%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
7
Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH
Average in-state tuition
$24,600
No. of online programs
52
% of students in distance education
55%
Avg. amount of Aid
$13,771
Admissions Rate
69 %
Graduation Rate
29%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
8
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
Average in-state tuition
$5,490
No. of online programs
6
% of students in distance education
50%
Avg. amount of Aid
$6,246
Admissions Rate
71 %
Graduation Rate
42%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
9
Champlain College
Burlington, VT
Average in-state tuition
$40,910
No. of online programs
61
% of students in distance education
53%
Avg. amount of Aid
$16,124
Admissions Rate
75 %
Graduation Rate
64%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
10
Purdue University Global-Davenport
Davenport, IA
Average in-state tuition
$13,356
No. of online programs
114
% of students in distance education
100%
Avg. amount of Aid
$4,150
Admissions Rate
N/A %
Graduation Rate
48%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Additional Info
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Accreditation

Completing an accredited program can give you higher validation in terms of employability and can allow you to transfer credits while applying for further education. Well-known accrediting bodies for healthcare administration degree programs include:

  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
  • Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA)

These organizations assess healthcare administration education programs rigorously based on educational processes, assessment structures and other criteria.

Licensing requirements vary from state to state, but administrators in all are required to hold licenses to work in nursing care facilities. Most states require healthcare executives to have at least a bachelor’s degree along with passing a national licensing exam. The National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) has information on examinations and licensing for assisted living facilities.

Certification is not mandatory, but is available through various associations such as:

  • Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management
  • American Health Information Management Association
  • American College of Healthcare Administrators

It may be worthwhile to spend some time researching the course you are applying for before enrolling

While a degree in healthcare administration generally leads to a position in medical services management, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (shown in the table below) lists several other related occupations, along with current wage and employment data.

Career
Employment
Median Salary
Projected Job Growth
Medical and Health Services Managers394,910$115,16017.6%
Receptionists and Information Clerks1,057,370$44,0908%
Medical Transcriptionists341,600$35,270-2%
Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other341,600$44,0908%

Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

Employment Statistics

Healthcare Services Managers

Industries with highest concentration of employment
  • Outpatient Care Centers
  • General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
  • Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals
  • Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories
  • Other Ambulatory Health Care Services
States with highest employment level
  • California
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
  • Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
  • Nassau County-Suffolk County, NY Metropolitan Division
  • Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division
  • Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
 

Source: 2016 Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

Other resources for aspiring students of Healthcare Administration

See Methodology Information Here

Sources:

  • B.S. Degree with an a Major in Office Administration and Technology, Valdosta State University, https://www.valdosta.edu/programs/b-s-degree-with-a-major-in-office-administration-and-technology/, Accessed May 2018
  • Business Administration Program Curriculum, Ashworth College, https://www.ashworthcollege.edu/bachelors-degrees/business-administration-degree-online/curriculum/, Accessed May 2018
  • Certificate in Business Office Administration, Charter College, https://www.chartercollege.edu/programs/business/office-administration-certificate, Accessed May 2018
  • Diploma Mills and Accreditation, U.S. Department of Education, https://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/diploma-mills/, Accessed May 2018
  • Office Administration Certificates, Okanagan College, http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/Programs/Areas_of_Study/Business/Business_Programs/Office_Administration_Certification/, Accessed May 2018
  • Online Associate in Arts in Business Administration, Strayer University, https://www.strayer.edu/online-degrees/associate/business-adm, Accessed May 2018
  • Program of Study for BS in OAT, Valdosta State University, https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/adult-and-career-education/degree-programs/undergraduate/OAT/BS-in-OAT-POS-Online.php, Accessed May 2018
  • Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm#tab-4, Accessed May 2018
 

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