If you have your sights set on a management career in the health and medical field, then you might consider getting an MBA in Healthcare Administration.
This business-focused degree will include specialty courses that give you an in-depth look at healthcare leadership and management principles.
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Through this program, you can develop an in-demand skill set. Your knowledge and abilities could be useful in hospitals, medical sales companies, nursing homes, and other health-related organizations.
Online MBA in Healthcare Administration Programs
An MBA is a Master of Business Administration, and it’s a graduate degree program for people who want to be leaders and managers in the business world.
MBA students often choose specializations or concentrations for their degrees. Healthcare administration is a strategic choice for anyone who plans to pursue a health-related line of work. In this type of program, you’ll study general business as well as healthcare. The topics covered typically include:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Economics
- Health data and informatics
- Health law
- Healthcare delivery
- Human resources
- Marketing
- Medical technology
- Organizational management
- Quality assurance
You can also earn a healthcare administration MBA online. There may be readings, discussion boards, and video lectures. You’ll probably have tests to take and assignments to upload, and there may even be group projects.
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Some colleges have MBA students participate in practicums or internships with local organizations. Engaging in such experiences can help you see how classroom lessons apply in real-world settings. In addition to choosing healthcare management as your concentration, you may be able to further specialize. For example, you may be able to do in-depth studies related to finance or information technology for healthcare settings.
When looking for a degree program in healthcare administration, you may want to seek out those with programmatic accreditation. In this industry, programmatic accreditation is given by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). By choosing a CAHME accredited school, you can feel confident that your education will meet current industry standards.
After graduating with an accredited degree, you might have a range of job options to consider. Some graduates work in small medical practices. Others join large healthcare corporations. Possible employers include hospitals, public health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, and residential nursing facilities.
Job titles for professionals in this sector could include health information manager, nursing home administrator, or clinical manager. Some professionals lead a specific department, such as finance or marketing, in a healthcare setting.
Healthcare Administration Careers & Salaries
Many MBA graduates end up in a management career after completing their studies. Those with a healthcare administration specialization are often employed with a company in the health and medical sector. That could include a wide variety of employers. Hospitals, physician practices, and outpatient clinics are some of the most common ones.
Of course, there are many other options as well. Examples include long-term care facilities, community health organizations, and the government. There are also potential jobs in the pharmaceutical, medical equipment and technology, and insurance sectors.
The potential job titles can vary depending on your main responsibilities. They can be quite similar to jobs you’d do in other businesses. Examples include jobs in financial, human resources, or administrative services management. In some positions, your healthcare training could be highly influential in how you approach your job. For example, project managers may need to understand the health implications of their initiatives.
Sales and marketing professionals may need to understand the medical benefits of their products or services. They might sell or market pharmaceutical products, medical tech systems, or long-term care apartments. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for management occupations is $102,450.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Marketing Managers | $135,030 |
| Financial Managers | $131,710 |
| Sales Managers | $127,490 |
| Human Resources Managers | $126,230 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $99,290 |
| Top Executives | $98,980 |
| Project Management Specialists | $94,500 |
| Management Analysts | $93,000 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
Your healthcare administration background could help prepare you for a variety of business roles within medical organizations. Some MBA graduates have broader responsibilities rather than overseeing specific departments.
The job category of medical and health services managers includes health information managers and clinical managers. Nursing home administrators fall into that classification too. Some people with healthcare MBAs become top executives, even CEOs. They may work for small medical startups or new hospital systems.
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Others find work with community health agencies, such as public health departments or low-income clinics. Finally, healthcare MBA graduates may also work as analysts or consultants who advise healthcare organizations about their management and operations practices.
Healthcare Administration MBA Curriculum & Courses
In a health administration MBA program, you’ll have a core set of business courses to take, and you’ll take specialization classes in healthcare as well. Here are some example courses:
- Accounting and Finance: There might be one or more courses teaching you to handle accounting and financial responsibilities at an advanced level.
- Global Business: To prepare you for working in a highly connected world, the curriculum may include classes about international trade, economics, and business relationships.
- Health Analytics: This course will help you use data and modeling to make decisions and long-term plans for your healthcare organization.
- Healthcare Law and Ethics: You’ll discuss the federal health policies, privacy laws, and ethical dilemmas that will affect your work in this sector.
- Healthcare Technology: The program may include a course about advances in medical technology and the ways that innovation is improving patient care and health outcomes.
- Information Systems for Healthcare: Health data is a big deal in today’s world, so you’ll need to learn how to collect, organize, safeguard, and use it.
- Medical Entrepreneurship: You may have the opportunity to take a course on starting your own company within the healthcare sector.
- Organizational Management: This course might cover leading people, navigating change, and designing policies.
- Quality Management in Healthcare: You’ll study methods of lowering costs while maintaining quality care and improving patient outcomes.
- Systems and Delivery of Healthcare: This class may provide a comprehensive look at the US healthcare structure and the players involved.
During your program, there may be opportunities to gain real-world experience in local healthcare settings.
Admissions Requirements
To get into an MBA in Health Administration online program, you may need to gather an assortment of application materials.
In addition to an application form and fee, common requirements include:
- Essay or writing sample
- GRE or GMAT scores (not required at all colleges)
- Interview with admissions staff
- Resume
- Transcripts from all previous colleges (undergraduate and graduate)
Some MBA programs require students to have taken a selection of business prerequisites at the undergrad level.
Accreditation
An MBA is a rigorous academic program that can be beneficial for professional development. There’s a catch, though.
If you get your degree from an unaccredited school, employers might not value or recognize the work you put into it. Regional accreditation shows that a college meets widely accepted standards for a good education. It’s valued by employers as well as by other colleges.
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Regionally accredited coursework often transfers from one school to another. Accredited degrees can also help you gain admission to doctoral programs. In addition, attending an accredited school is necessary for securing government financial aid.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Before you start paying for your healthcare MBA program, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on this form and other financial assistance programs, you may be able to go back to school for less than you’d expected.
Federal government assistance is determined by your financial status as reported on the FAFSA. Your state may use this data as well. Most students qualify for government loans or work-study opportunities. The federal government doesn’t usually give grants to grad students, but your state might.
Scholarships can contribute to your financial aid package as well. Some may be given to you by your college upon enrollment. Others might come from outside scholarship programs to which you’ve applied. Employers sometimes pay for grad school costs, too, especially if your degree will benefit the organization.
What Can You Do with an MBA in Healthcare Administration?
If you get a business degree in healthcare administration, you may be well-qualified to work as a manager in a healthcare organization or related company. Examples include medical tech companies, nursing homes, pharmaceutical companies, and health insurers.
Many graduates work as medical or health services managers. That job category includes a variety of specific job titles. Nursing home administrator is one example. You could also look for work as a particular type of manager over a department in a healthcare facility. For example, some graduates become HR managers, sales managers, or administrative services managers.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Healthcare Administration MBA Degree?
You can generally finish an MBA in Health Care Administration in 1 to 2 years. Most programs last right around 2 years.
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Some grad programs are offered in accelerated formats so that students can get done in just 1 year. Those programs usually have fast-track classes that are held year-round. Each course may last only about 8 weeks. If you enroll in school part-time, you might need more than 2 years to finish. A grad program may let you stay in school for up to 5 years to complete your degree, depending on the school.
What’s the Difference Between an MHA vs. MBA in Healthcare Administration?
Both an MHA and an MBA could be useful for a degree in healthcare management.
| Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) | Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
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The two degrees share many overlapping career options.
What’s the Difference Between an Online MBA in Healthcare Management vs. Healthcare Administration?
Some schools offer an MBA in Healthcare Administration, but others have a healthcare management concentration instead.
| Healthcare Administration | Healthcare Management |
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Despite the differences, these two programs include similar courses and often lead to similar jobs.
Is an MBA in Healthcare Administration Worth It?
Yes, an MBA in Healthcare Administration is worth it for many students. MBAs, in general, are useful for landing a career in the lucrative field of management.
Healthcare administration could be an especially strategic specialization, as healthcare administrators are in demand in the workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for medical and health services managers will grow at a 28% rate over the next decade.
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Plus, healthcare administration is a line of work that can make an important difference in people’s lives. You might contribute to people’s healing or overall well-being.
Universities Offering Online MBA in Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Ball State University offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. The program offers flexible start dates, online classes, and part-time and full-time learning options. On average, students can complete this 39 credit degree in 2 years. Students who have previously completed a business degree can potentially qualify to have 9 credit hours waived.
Ball State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Cedarville University offers a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration. The program boasts a unique biblical perspective on the ethics of management in the field of healthcare. Potential classes include Healthcare Systems, Policy and Data Analysis, Quality Management, and Ethical Issues in Healthcare. Students can attend classes fully online.
Cedarville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Champlain College offers an online program for a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Administration.
Many graduates of the program pursue positions as clinic managers, hospital administrators, nursing directors, or healthcare consultants. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours to graduate. Students without a previous management degree may be required to complete additional business coursework as well.
Champlain College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Lamar University offers a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration. The curriculum covers key concepts, like economics, information systems, entrepreneurship, strategy, finance, and healthcare policy. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours to graduate. The program is housed 100% online, and its requirements can typically be finished in 12 months.
Lamar University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Maryville University offers a Master of Business Administration in Health Administration. The curriculum consists of courses such as Healthcare Operations, Population Health, and Healthcare Law, Ethics, and Risk Management.
The program requires the completion of 39 credit hours of core, healthcare leadership, and capstone courses. Students can attend classes entirely online and have around-the-clock access to their coursework.
Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Rivier University offers an online program for a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration. It seeks to help students develop the critical thinking, communication, and management skills required for leadership in the healthcare industry. The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours. Each class is 7 weeks long, and students can usually complete the degree requirements in 2 years.
Rivier University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Inc.
Southern Illinois University offers a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. Individuals who are passionate about supporting the success of healthcare organizations may find an excellent fit in this program. Students can potentially complete the program’s 36 required credits in 12 months of full-time study. All classes meet 100% online.
SIUE is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southern Utah University offers a fully online program for a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration. It emphasizes dynamic leadership and project-based learning. Many students can complete the program’s 33 required credit hours in just 12 months. Graduates often pursue careers as health directors, healthcare administrators, or clinical operations managers.
Southern Utah University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi offers an online program for a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration.
The program utilizes a convenient online learning format. This 36 credit program can usually be completed in 12 months of full-time study. Courses cover core concepts like organizational behavior, software-based business solutions, healthcare policy and ethics, and operations management.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College
The University of Louisiana—Lafayette offers an online program for a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration. It is a collaboration between the university’s health sciences and business disciplines. The program requires the completion of 39 credit hours. Key topics covered in the curriculum include interpersonal, economic, and technological concerns in healthcare.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Massachusetts—Amherst offers a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Administration. The program’s interdisciplinary curriculum blends fundamentals from public health and business fields. Potential courses include Globalization and Health, Healthcare Data Analytics, and Ethical Issues in Public Health. All classes meet entirely online.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The Master of Business Administration program at the University of North Carolina—Pembroke offers a specialization in Healthcare Administration. Students can tailor their education to their goals by selecting electives in marketing, human resources, or entrepreneurship. On average, students can finish the program’s 36 required credits in 1 year of full-time study. The program utilizes a 100% online learning model.
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Northern Colorado offers a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration. The curriculum covers topics like healthcare systems, data analysis, qualitative management issues, and organizational leadership. The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours, which can typically be done in about 12 months of full-time study. All classes meet online.
UNC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Master of Business Administration program at the University of Southern Indiana offers a concentration in Healthcare Administration. It seeks to help students develop the practical knowledge and skills needed to succeed in leadership positions in healthcare. The program requires the completion of 30 credit hours. Students can complete their studies using the program’s convenient online learning format.
The University of Southern Indiana is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Administration. Students interested in pursuing leadership roles in the field of healthcare may find an excellent fit in this program. Classes are typically 7 weeks long. On average, students can finish the program in 12 months. The program is housed entirely online.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Getting Your MBA in Healthcare Administration Online
Earning a healthcare MBA could be the strategic next step in your career. By completing this degree, you can gain a solid set of business skills and knowledge. You can also develop specialized expertise in the field of healthcare business.
Having this degree could help you qualify for a variety of healthcare management roles. As with online healthcare compliance degree programs, with the help of online healthcare administration degrees, going to school for an MBA can also be something you do alongside your work and family obligations.
By taking accredited courses online, you can gain the same education that you would in a classroom. So, why not start exploring accredited schools today?
