Online Bachelors Degree in Healthcare Administration

Not all health care careers require years and years of medical school and a massive student loan obligation. In fact, you'll discover that administrators play a critical role in health care by overseeing the strategy and direction of medical facilities. These professionals are a necessary part of the health services system, like the doctors providing treatment.

Bachelor's degrees in health care administration focus on business and medical synergy, with lessons in finance, human resources and health information systems at the core of the curriculum. And, of course, knowledge of life sciences is also useful in this field.

Undergraduate programs typically include general education requirements such as English, math or psychology classes, which offer communication and quantitative skills to use in the workplace or further studies. Degrees are offered in online, on-campus or hybrid formats at public and private universities.

Career options, outlook and salary

Graduates with bachelor's degrees in health care administration can seek entry-level roles, particularly in smaller medical facilities or departments, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS expects employment of medical and health services managers to increase by 22.4 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is faster than the national average. May 2010 median annual wages reached $84,270 with general medical and surgical hospitals offering the highest wages, followed by physicians' offices and nursing care facilities.

Beyond the bachelor's degree

Due to the complex nature of health care administration, employers typically encourage advanced studies. As of 2012, the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education lists 43 colleges and universities offering a master's degree in health care administration.

Your desire to advance in responsibility and salary may lead you to pursue a master's degree or specialized training. For example, technical knowledge is needed in the in-demand field of health information management, focusing on the safe handling of patient records in a digital world. As an administrator, you also can specialize in clinical management and coordinate strategic operations in a field such as neonatal or geriatric care.

Further investigation into the benefits of health care management degrees may entice you into taking the first steps toward education and employment. Completing your studies via the online or hybrid format offers the freedom of anytime, anywhere classes fused with a technological component that could give you a defining edge in this competitive, rewarding field.

Not all health care careers require years and years of medical school and a massive student loan obligation. In fact, you'll discover that administrators play a critical role in health care by overseeing the strategy and direction of medical facilities. These professionals are a necessary part of the health services system, like the doctors providing treatment.

Bachelor's degrees in health care administration focus on business and medical synergy, with lessons in finance, human resources and health information systems at the core of the curriculum. And, of course, knowledge of life sciences is also useful in this field.

Undergraduate programs typically include general education requirements such as English, math or psychology classes, which offer communication and quantitative skills to use in the workplace or further studies. Degrees are …