Hospital Administration Degrees
The first step towards a career in hospital administration is to pursue higher education. To work in this arena, at least a bachelor’s degree is required. Any additional education can lead to professional advancement. Use the links below to learn more about hospital administrators and the areas of study related to hospital administration.
Job Outlook and Responsibilities
Healthcare Administration Degrees
Healthcare Management Degrees
Popular Degree Programs in Healthcare Management and Administration
Public Health Degrees
Typically, hospital administration is not a degree option. However, healthcare administration, healthcare management, and public health, are degree programs that prepare students to become hospital administrators or managers.
A degree in healthcare management is oriented towards business on a large scale by developing the ability to communicate with multiple departments to ensure the organization’s success. A healthcare administration program teaches students how to supervise staff within a department and knowledgeable of clinical policies. Public health is geared towards the community rather than the business itself.
Job Outlook and Responsibilities
A hospital administrator, often also referred to as a healthcare administrator, healthcare manager or healthcare executive, can manage the operations of an entire facility. As a hospital administrator, you need to have a complete open availability and be able to multi-task efficiently. Here are several of the daily activities to expect as a hospital administrator:
Increasing Efficiency Between Departments
Managing Department Records
Organizing Patient Records
Creating Schedules
It is important to keep in mind that the responsibilities listed are the fundamentals of a hospital administration or management job. At smaller organizations the tasks of the administrator and manager may be combined into one position. Additional tasks may vary depending on whether you are overseeing a mental health department, private practice, nursing home, or hospital.
This is a great time to work in hospital administration. People are living longer now more than ever thanks to the advances in medical technology. The graph below, provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), illustrates the projected demand of hospital administrators and other medical services managers from now until 2022, at an astoundingly above average 23%.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections Program
As one of the top growing industries, a career in the hospital administration field can be a very rewarding experience. Due to the high demand, you have many degree options to choose from. Whether you are just beginning your academic career or are well on your way to becoming a top-tier professional, there is always more to learn in hospital administration.
Healthcare Administration Degrees
A degree in healthcare administration prepares students to oversee the staff of a facility or a specific department, depending on the overall size of the health center. The primary difference between what this degree program and a healthcare management program prepares you for is, as a healthcare administrator, you are more involved with patients and overseeing staff whereas a healthcare manager is more focused on the success of the business. As a healthcare administrator, you should have working knowledge of the latest procedures, technologies, and laws related to your specific department. Graduates of this program will be prepared to act as a liaison between the healthcare manager and the staff and patients if needed.
Check out some available programs for healthcare administration:
Associate in Healthcare Administration
Bachelor in Healthcare Administration
Master in Healthcare Administration
Doctorate Degree in Healthcare Administration
Typical Curriculum
Both associate and bachelor degree programs focus on the fundamentals of healthcare as a whole. Primarily, courses cover such topics as healthcare ethics, policy processes, and insurance practices. Many programs also include core classes on topics such as economics, management theory, and qualitative and quantitative analysis as they pertain to the healthcare industry.
If you choose to pursue a master’s degree, you will learn more about the following:
Epidemiology
Health Law
Performance Improvement Methods
Strategic Planning
Financial Management
Healthcare Management Degrees
Pursuing a degree in healthcare management prepares students for high-level management positions. The main responsibility of healthcare managers is to ensure that the organization functions as a successful business. This means that you will be working with the heads of accounting, human resources, marketing, and you will be a representative of the organization at board and investor meetings. A large portion of the career is staying current with the latest laws, procedures, and technologies applied broadly within the healthcare industry, and making sure that they are implemented successfully.
To find out more, check out the different degree programs offered for healthcare managers:
Bachelor in Healthcare Management
Master in Healthcare Management
Typical Curriculum
An undergraduate program in healthcare management introduces students to management as it applies to the healthcare industry. Most programs will teach you evidence-based management strategies as well as discuss the ethical, financial, and communication responsibilities of a manager in a medical setting. In addition to management courses, other core classes may discuss health information technology, legal healthcare, and provide an introduction to healthcare policies.
At the master’s educational level, classes will become more in depth and will most likely cover these topics in relation to management:
Decision Making
Managing Healthcare Finances
Cultural and Behavioral Differences
Change Management
Research Methods
Popular Degree Programs in Healthcare Management and AdministrationIn order to work in hospital administration or related field, you’ll need the right credentials in place. The schools listed below offer the education you’ll need to work towards your career goals.
SchoolPrograms
Kaplan UniversityAccreditationHLCNCABS in Healthcare AdministrationMaster of Healthcare AdministrationMBA in Healthcare Management
Ashford UniversityAccreditationWASCBA in Health Care AdminMA in Health Care Admin
Walden UniversityAccreditationHLCNCAMSM in Healthcare ManagementMaster of Health AdministrationMBA in Healthcare Management
Liberty UniversityAccreditationSACSMBA in Healthcare ManagementClick here to see more Hospital Administration degrees
Public Health Degrees
Public health programs teach students how to implement change on a larger scale in order to prevent injuries and diseases from spreading. This program focuses on protecting people as a whole community rather than only within the confines of a medical organization. With a career in public health, you will plan and conduct public health studies, analyze statistical data, and create or modify treatment plans. There are many different opportunities for health and medical professionals interested in pursuing a public health degree.
To get started, take a look at the programs available for public health:
Master in Public Health
Doctorate in Public Health
Typical Curriculum
Staples of a public health degree include courses such as public health policy, environmental health, critical thinking, and health literacy. There are many different aspects of public health, and as a result there are many different courses and concentrations that are available in public health graduate programs.
Here are several of the classes often available to those interested in a public health education:
Biostatistics
Epidemiology
Public Health Toxicology
Psychological Issues in Public Health
Management Opportunities in Public Health
While each of these courses can be found in general public health programs, they can also be available as specific concentrations depending on the educational institution. For example, there are many different types of management opportunities in public health, ranging from managing a healthcare business to the management of non-government organizations dedicated to public health research. Online degree programs are also a viable option for students interested in a variety of specializations in public health.
