Health Care Administrator Degrees

Health care administrators oversee the delivery of care at all different types of health care facilities. They help ensure that all patients receive the best care available, and they must also make sure the facility is in compliance with laws that affect health care providers, administrators, and organizations.

They help pan and develop policies; create budgets; and recruit, hire, and train staff. Health care administrators work in hospitals, medical group practices, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. In addition to a bachelor’s degree or higher in health care administration, health care administrators must have leadership qualities, self-control, sympathy, tact, and the ability to work well under pressure.

If you are interested in a career as a health care administrator, you should enroll in an undergraduate health care administrator degree program. After completing your undergraduate degree, you should consider earning a master’s degree. Most employers prefer an advanced degree plus experience for top positions. Many health care administrator students work in the field to gain valuable experience while completing their degree online.

Many traditional colleges and universities offer online options; and dozens of online colleges offer both undergraduate and graduate programs in health care administration. Much like traditional degree programs, not all online health care administrator degree programs are accredited. This means, when searching for a suitable degree program, you should check the school’s accreditation status as well as the curriculum, and admission requirements.

The following accrediting agencies are just a few agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It is important to note that, the *Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) accredits many online colleges and online degree programs.

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
  • *The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)

The following U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agencies offer regional accreditation:

  • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges
  • North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Online Health Care Administrator Degree Curriculum

Online health care administrator degree curriculums at top online colleges are usually similar to traditional curriculums for top on-campus programs. Core courses for the health care administrator degree (master’s) include:

  • Clinical Ethics: Theory and Practice
  • Development of Nursing Science
  • Independent Study in Nursing
  • Leadership Strategies in Nursing
  • The Practice Connection

Support courses will include:

  • Administration in Health Care Organization
  • Business Ethics in Health Care
  • Current Perspectives in Clinical Practice
  • Decisions in Health Care Marketing
  • Health Care Economics & Financial Management
  • Health Care Information Systems
  • Health Care Planning & Project Management
  • Political Action, Health Politics and Policy
  • Strategies for Quality Improvement & Outcomes in Health Care
  • Work Force Management in Health Care

Finding Online Health Care Administrator Degree Programs

To locate top accredited online health care administrator degree programs, check with traditional universities first to see what they have to offer. The online division for each accredited school will list offerings.

You may also search through comprehensive online directories such as Online Colleges USA. Each online degree program will offer information on accreditation status. The list of accrediting agencies mentioned in this article are just a few. For a complete list of recognized accrediting agencies, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website (ED.gov) for details.

Tip: According to BLS.gov, employment of medical and health services managers (administrators) is expected to grow 16 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. The healthcare industry will continue to expand and diversify, requiring managers to help ensure smooth business operations.