Health Care Administration (MBA) Master's Degree Program
The healthcare industry is one of the largest in the country, especially as the aging baby boomer population continues to expand. This growth has generated an increased need for people who can manage and help operate hospitals and medical care facilities. An MBA in the field of healthcare administration can prepare you to fill this need. Read on for more information. Schools offering Health Care Administration degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Why Should I Pursue an MBA in Healthcare Administration?
Healthcare is a business. Like all businesses, to be successful, it must operate efficiently enough to turn a profit. Consequently, healthcare facilities need someone at the helm who has been trained in business theory, practices and procedures, as they apply to the specialized area of healthcare.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you may qualify for an entry-level position in healthcare administration with a bachelor's degree; however, a master's degree is often the industry requirement (www.bls.gov). Some common master's degrees that are acceptable include health service administration, health sciences, public health and public administration. An MBA with a concentration in healthcare administration or management will also prepare you for a healthcare administration position.
Can You Give Me Some Program Details?
You may qualify for an MBA if you hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited undergraduate institution. If your degree is in an area other than business or healthcare, you may be required to attend an introductory program or seminar prior to entering the program.
It will take you around two years to complete an MBA degree in healthcare administration program. Typical courses you might encounter include healthcare policy, health services delivery, marketing, economics, financial management, long-term care management, group practice management, compliance and information technology.
In most on-campus programs, you're required to complete an internship or field experience. This may be completed at a school-approved healthcare facility. Often, the internship takes place during the summer between the two academic years.
Graduation can qualify you to sit for a certification examination administered by the American Health Information Management Association. Depending on your ultimate place of employment, you may be required to sit for a state licensure examination.
What Are Some Online Possibilities?
Schools may give you the opportunity of completing your master's degree requirements entirely online. These programs are most often geared toward professionals already employed in the healthcare industry. In this case, your in-person training requirements will have already been filled. Depending on your work experience and how long you've been out of school, you may be required to sit for the Graduate Management Admission Test or Graduate Records Exam.
How Promising Is the Occupational Outlook?
In 2010, the BLS projected employment opportunities for medical and health service managers would increase 16% from 2008-2018. In addition to hospitals, employment of healthcare administrators will increase in businesses such as healthcare practitioners' offices and healthcare management companies. Also in 2010, the BLS determined the mean annual wage for healthcare administrators or managers to be $93,670.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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Master's Degrees in Business (MBA)
