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An online degree in healthcare administration offers a comprehensive education in healthcare management, policy, and ethics. These programs equip you with the skills to manage healthcare facilities, understand healthcare laws, and improve patient services. The curriculum typically covers subjects like medical terminology, health information systems, financial management, and human resources in healthcare settings.

Healthcare administration bachelor's programs are designed to teach students to perform common managerial functions in the healthcare industry, such as planning schedules, monitoring budgets, and hiring employees. Students who plan to go into management in this field need specialized knowledge of healthcare facilities, medical services, health informatics, and the U.S. healthcare system's regulations.

Many accredited colleges offer fully online bachelor's in healthcare administration degree programs. The majority of online programs on our list lead to a Bachelor of Science (BS), which is a more technically oriented program. The courses focus on developing both managerial and technical skills that help prepare graduates for positions in the healthcare industry, such as organizational management, data management, or IT management.

Some schools, however, offer an online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Healthcare Administration. This degree will likely have similar courses from arts and humanities programs, such as a bachelor's in psychology or a bachelor's in sociology. Much like a BS in Healthcare Administration, a BA also prepares students for management positions. However, given the inclusion of more general education courses, a BA in Healthcare Administration may be better suited for students interested in keeping their career options open.

If you're looking for an affordable degree, explore our rankings of affordable online bachelor's in healthcare administration and affordable online master's degrees in healthcare administration.

Yes, you can earn your bachelor's degree in healthcare administration online. However, you'll want to check with a program advisor to see if any on-campus coursework is necessary. Some programs require students to attend on-campus intensive courses where they spend several days in person at the start and end of a program. You may also have to complete an on-site practicum for real-world experience at a healthcare facility near where you live. A program advisor may be able to help you secure an opportunity.

Online programs offer the same rigor as on-campus programs, are often taught by the same instructors, and are becoming increasingly popular. They may also be more affordable than a traditional on-campus program, which may yield a higher return on your investment. Many also find their career opportunities just as competitive with an online degree as if completed on campus. The healthcare industry tops the list of industries that hire the most online graduates.

Online or on campus, healthcare administration bachelor's programs generally require the completion of 120-124 credit hours. Full-time healthcare administration majors may be able to complete the graduation requirements in four to five years, while part-time students may need additional time. Some online schools offer accelerated programs, which students can finish in approximately three years. Enrollees with an associate degree in a related area can shorten the length of a healthcare administration program by transferring credits that meet a program's coursework requirements.

Students enroll in online healthcare administration programs to learn about the unique challenges, laws, and technologies they are likely to encounter in the workplace after graduation. While coursework may vary depending on the program, the following is a list of common core courses in a healthcare administration bachelor's degree:

• Finance and Accounting in Healthcare: This course provides students with a basic understanding of managerial accounting. It typically covers accounting terminology, financial statements, budgeting, and the time value of money. Students may also learn how they can apply their knowledge to real-world examples from the healthcare industry.
• Health Informatics: Healthcare information systems are essential to improving patient care, increasing operational efficiency, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. In this course, faculty generally introduce students to healthcare technologies, explain how data helps deliver services, and emphasize the need for taking an ethical and legal approach to managing information.
• Human Resource Management: An introductory course on human resource management offers students a range of strategic approaches regarding how to manage employees and guide an organization's direction. Specific topics may include performance evaluations, retention, compensation, inclusion and diversity, culture, health and safety issues, labor union relations, and regulatory compliance.
• Management and Leadership in Healthcare: This course focuses on developing some basic managerial skills that a healthcare administrator could utilize in the field. These skills may include strategic planning, decision-making, communication, and critical thinking. Additional topics may include team and individual behavior in the workplace, diversity and equality issues, change management, and organizational development.

Depending on the admissions format of the college or university, prospective students can submit their applications as early as a full year preceding the fall semester when they plan to start attending college. Some colleges are more selective than others, and the most selective colleges often have earlier deadlines.

Many colleges require applicants to submit the following along with their online application:

• Official high school or GED transcripts, usually with a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0
• Scores from college entrance exams, such as the SAT or ACT 
• A personal essay on a designated topic
• One or more letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or other mentors
• A list of extracurricular activities, jobs, and volunteer activities

An online healthcare administration degree program helps prepare students for entry-level management positions in this growing field, with graduates potentially going on to work in areas such as human resources and general management. Some graduates may also pursue advanced degrees to position themselves for senior management positions in larger healthcare organizations.

An in the U.S. and the pandemic have increased the need for healthcare services provided by trained professionals with medical degrees, including managers with healthcare degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), are projected to grow significantly faster than the average for all occupations, with 1.8 million openings each year through 2032.

The U.S. healthcare industry is vast and diverse, encompassing many types of healthcare providers. Hospitals, nursing homes, private practices, and more need healthcare management professionals to keep them running smoothly and efficiently. Graduates with a bachelor's degree and some years of work experience may want to become a . They oversee the operation of private practices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers by setting policies, monitoring budgets, and evaluating employees' work. 

After earning a bachelor's in healthcare administration, the value of continuing a healthcare administration education at the graduate level depends on a student's career goals. Although some well-paying positions are available to bachelor's degree holders, those who aspire to the highest paying positions in the healthcare industry will most likely need an advanced degree. 

• Master's in Healthcare Administration: A master's in healthcare administration provides students with a deeper understanding of the healthcare system and helps in further developing their people management skills. Courses may cover topics such as leadership, healthcare laws and regulations, health informatics, and healthcare finance. Graduates with a master's degree may be equipped to manage large departments, such as the nursing team or surgery ward, or large private practices.
• MBA in Healthcare Management: Like a master's in healthcare administration, an MBA in Healthcare Management is designed to train students to manage the staff of larger healthcare departments or possibly entire facilities. However, an MBA program is likely to have more courses focused on broader subjects in general management and fewer courses dedicated specifically to healthcare.
• Doctorate in Healthcare Administration: At the highest level of education, students can choose between two types of doctoral degrees in healthcare administration. A Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) may be preferable for those who plan to continue working as executive-level leaders of healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance providers. A PhD in Healthcare Administration may be better suited for healthcare professionals who want to conduct research in the field by working in academia or for healthcare think tanks.

Healthcare administration can be a good degree to earn for those who are interested in both management and patient care. A bachelor's degree in this subject helps prepare you for a variety of lucrative management opportunities in the growing healthcare industry. Additionally, the technical and managerial skills you'll develop while earning your degree can be applied to an even broader array of occupations in other industries if you decide to take your career in a new direction in the future.

Earning a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration is a smart first step on the career path toward managerial roles in the healthcare industry. However, if you're eager to get started in healthcare without earning a four-year degree, you may want to consider completing an associate degree or certificate program in a related subject, such as an associate in medical billing and coding or a certificate in medical office administration. Most healthcare administration roles require some college education.

A healthcare administrator performs a range of managerial functions related to the staff of an entire healthcare organization or perhaps a smaller department within one. Primarily, they ensure that the facility's employees — all types of medical professionals — have the training and resources they need to provide quality care. They also manage work schedules, keep employee records, and hire new staff. Those who hold administrator roles in healthcare need a thorough understanding of management, human resources, and the healthcare industry.

Healthcare managers are typically high-level leaders in hospitals and larger healthcare organizations. They are responsible for running the entire operation, particularly overseeing the budget, which means that healthcare managers need a strong background in finance and accounting. Healthcare administrators often work in smaller facilities and individual departments, and their primary responsibility is to manage the staff and ensure that they provide excellent patient care.

Prospective students naturally need to consider whether a healthcare administration bachelor's degree will equip them for the career they have in mind. For example, some healthcare administration programs focus on specific aspects of management, such as operations, human resources, or health informatics, so students should take a close look at each program's curriculum to determine the most suitable options. 

Another essential consideration is accreditation, which is an important designation granted to schools that meet the national standards for educational excellence. The and the each offer a database of recognized schools, programs, and accrediting agencies. While schools can be accredited on an institutional basis, professional organizations can assess specific degree programs to determine whether they meet educational standards in a given discipline. The (ABHES) is the primary body evaluating online bachelor's degrees in healthcare administration. Programs accredited by ABHES have been proven to help prepare students for careers in the health services field by ensuring they have developed the necessary professional competencies.

In addition to these factors, prospective students must decide whether to pursue a healthcare administration degree online. Online programs usually offer greater flexibility than traditional programs because most are structured around asynchronous classes that students can engage in at their convenience. Students with strong time management skills may be better suited for online courses, while students who require more structure may prefer on-campus classes.