Many universities and colleges in the U.S. are offering Healthcare Administration degrees to students who want to take up leadership and managerial roles in the healthcare field. If you want to learn more about these Healthcare Administration degrees, then read this article thoroughly.
What Is Healthcare Administration?
Healthcare Administration is the practice of administering, overseeing, leading, and managing the operations of complex and dynamic healthcare institutions such as pharmacies, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and hospitals. Individuals working in this field are responsible for guiding healthcare organizations through change and growth.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Healthcare Administration?
Individuals with a Healthcare Administration degree can pursue a number of career paths. They can work as Medical and Health Services Managers, Health Information Managers, Nursing Home Administrators, Home Health Care Administrators, and Administrative Services Managers. The employment statistics for some of these positions are mentioned in this section.
Medical and Health Services Managers
These professionals coordinate, direct, and plan the business activities of healthcare providers. Some of their job duties include improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery systems, managing the finances of the medical facility, and hiring and supervising staff members. Most of these individuals work at nursing homes and hospitals.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $100,980 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 18% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $115,160 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 36,940 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $150,040 |
Top Executives
Healthcare Administration graduates can also work as Hospital CEOs. Since the income data of these professionals is not available on BLS, therefore we will use the wage statistics of the broader category, identified as Top Executives. These professionals are responsible for devising policies and strategies to ensure that the organization meets its objectives and long term goals.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $104,690 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 6% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $193,850 (Chief Executives) | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level of Chief Executives, 2019 | California | 31,730 |
| State with the Highest Salary of Chief Executives, 2019 | South Dakota | $256,110 |
Administrative Services Managers
These professionals coordinate, direct, and plan activities that help organizations to run smoothly and efficiently. Their job duties include recommending policy changes, supervising the administrative and clerical staff, and monitoring the facility to make sure it’s well-maintained.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $96,940 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 7% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $106,550 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 41,650 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New York | $138,190 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics
What to Expect from a Healthcare Administration Degree?
An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Healthcare Administration program allows individuals to learn beyond the practical and technical aspects of healthcare. This degree introduces students to a wide range of interesting topics such as Healthcare Management & Administration, Electronic Health Records, Billing Procedures Theory, and Managerial Ethics. In order to graduate from this program, students need to complete around 60 credits.
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Administration program is a 4-year long degree that prepares students for entry-level management or administrative roles in healthcare organizations. To graduate from this program, students have to study a number of modules such as Global Health Systems, Healthcare Delivery Systems, Healthcare Reimbursement, Healthcare Finance, and Healthcare Economics. Students are expected to complete around 120 credits to graduate from this program.
The Master of Healthcare Administration program is a 2-year long degree that requires students to study a range of topics such as Financial Management for Healthcare Organizations, The Business of Healthcare, Public Health Administration, and Long-Term Care Administration. Program participants might be expected to earn up to 42 credits to graduate from this program, depending on the university.
How to Choose a Healthcare Administration Degree?
It is difficult to pick the right degree when hundreds of colleges and universities all around the U.S. are offering Healthcare Administration degrees. In order to make the selection process easier for you, we will discuss some key factors that you should take into account while choosing your degree. These factors include:
- The accreditation status
- The curriculum of the program
- The cost of the degree
- The location of the school
- The placement rates
Healthcare Administration Degree Admission Requirements
In order to enroll in a Healthcare Administration Degree, you will have to complete an admission application and send it to the relevant department along with your official high school/college transcripts, reference letters, personal statement, and/or ACT/SAT test scores. You will also need to submit an application processing fee to the admissions office. Exact admission requirements would vary from program to program.