What Can You Do With a Hospital Administration Degree?

The field of hospital administration is a rewarding, challenging combination of patient care and business planning and execution. Hospital administrators have their fingers on the pulse of everything that goes on in their facility and they are responsible for ensuring that daily operations run smoothly.

People who are interested in improving patient care without the hands-on aspect of treatment and who have a talent in the business sector may thrive in a career as a hospital administrator.

What kinds of degrees are there for the hospital administration field?

Those looking to obtain a Hospital Administration Degree will find many programs available for them both in traditional classroom and online settings. Some entry-level jobs only need a bachelor’s degree, while others will require a master’s before an applicant is considered for the position.

Bachelor’s degrees that are accepted in the hospital administration field are varied. A Bachelor’s in Hospital Administration is preferred but not required. You can have a degree in health or business administration, science, public health or administration, or anything that is similar and be considered qualified for some positions.

However, to be considered for many upper-level and coveted healthcare administration roles, you will need to have a Master’s in Hospital Administration. You can choose from a Master’s of Healthcare Administration or a Master’s of Business Administration with a focus in Healthcare Administration.

Who should seek a Hospital Administration Degree?

There are many reasons that candidates seek a career in hospital administration. Beyond the fact that it is both challenging and rewarding, this career helps you to make a difference in people’s lives. You will be making decisions that impact patients’ lives every day and that is important to many who choose this field.

In addition to the social rewards, hospital administrators have flexibility in their careers. With this degree, your career options are expanded. Healthcare administrators are in demand, with the job outlook expected to grow over 20% by 2026 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. With a Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration, you can find a job anywhere in the country in important positions like hospital CEO, insurance managers, or even pharmacists.

Your career choices are always growing and there is always room for advancement as long as you keep gaining experience. And, due to the challenging responsibilities you will be taking on, you will have a competitive salary to look forward to that will more than return your investment on your education.

If you are looking into this degree, you can expect to receive your Bachelor’s in Health Administration for an average of $25,000 or less. This is a four-year program if you are starting fresh, and a two-year program if you already have your associate’s degree.

A Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration can be obtained in anywhere from 1.5 to 2 years, depending on your schedule and whether you are putting in full-time or part-time hours. Most Master’s in Healthcare Administration degrees average a cost of approximately $36,000, depending on your program and your in or out-of-state status.

What factors should you consider when choosing a hospital administration program?

There are many undergraduate and master’s programs that offer Hospital Administration Degrees, so you want to choose the one that is best for your schedule and budget, but also choose smartly.

Not all universities are created equal, and to obtain a job in the healthcare field you will need to receive a degree from an accredited school. Consider each school’s admission requirements as well to ensure that you meet their qualifications.

Undergraduate university programs from accredited schools are available through courses that offer degrees such as a Bachelor’s of Science in Healthcare Management, a Bachelor’s of Arts in Healthcare Administration, a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Services Management, a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration Healthcare Management, and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Health Services Administration.

Master’s programs from accredited universities include such degrees as a Master’s of Business Administration, Master’s of Healthcare Administration, Master’s of Public Administration, Master’s of Public Health, and a Master’s of Science. Dual degree programs may also be available.

If you prefer the online route, there are online master’s programs from accredited universities that may be in your budget and flexible for your schedule. Many of these programs are from well-known institutions. They tend to be created with working professionals in mind, so you can work at a convenient pace based on your needs.

What are the basic requirements for a degree in hospital administration?

Hospital administration requirements vary, but for most positions you will need a master’s degree. To get this degree, you will have to follow your program’s basic qualifications. These generally include, but are not limited to:

• A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA requirement
• A minimum of 42 to 44 hours of coursework
• A field experience requirement of at least six to eight hours
• Proficiency in the English language
• Letters of recommendation

Ready to join the healthcare administration field?

While the education requirements for a healthcare administrator may be strict, the field itself is ever-expanding and your degree will open doors for you that will allow you to constantly grow as a professional.

Healthcare administration needs passionate, knowledgeable people ready to make a difference in the medical field. If you are one of those people, the healthcare area is waiting for you to start the path to your degree!

Works cited:

“Healthcare Administration Bachelor’s Degree.” Learn.org. (n.d.) Retrieved November 7, 2018 from https://learn.org/articles/Health_Care_Administration_Bachelors_Degree.html.

“Medical and Health Services Managers.” Bureau of Labor and Statistics. (n.d.) Retrieved November 7, 2018 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.

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