Health Care Management: Online Bachelor's Degree
Advances being made in health care technology require individuals who can coordinate all the daily activities of medical facilities. You can develop these skills by earning a bachelor's degree in health care management. Read on to learn about online program options. Schools offering Clinical Research Administration degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Why Should I Pursue an Online Health Care Bachelor's Degree?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most health care managers hold master's degrees; however, a bachelor's degree may be sufficient for an entry-level position as a department head in a large health care facility or an overall manager of a small facility (www.bls.gov). An online bachelor's degree program may be ideal if you're already employed in the health care field and you want to improve your career prospects. Flexibility is a hallmark of online degree programs; they are designed to mesh with your existing work or home responsibilities.
What Will I Learn?
A Bachelor of Science program typically takes four years to complete and consists of about 120-140 credits of coursework. Typical courses you might encounter include hospital and nursing home administration, health care law and ethics, financial management, human resources management, operations management, clinical management and gerontology.
If your program includes an internship component, you'll have to complete it in person at a school-partnered facility or at your place of employment. You may also be required to complete a capstone project that demonstrates your grasp of the application of theory to practice.
What Are My Career and Salary Prospects?
Depending on the type career you intend to pursue, you may be required to hold a state license. According to the BLS, you'll need a state license to work as a nursing home administrator in the U.S. You may also need a license to work as an assisted living administrator; although, licensing requirements vary by state. You can earn nursing home administrator licensure by completing a state-approved training program, maintaining continuing education credits and passing an exam administered by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (www.nabweb.org).
While certification isn't mandatory, it can enhance your employment and advancement possibilities. A bachelor's degree in health care management could qualify you to earn certifications offered by the American Association of Heathcare Administrative Management.
In 2008, the BLS projected that employment opportunities for medical and health services managers were expected to increase 16% from 2008-2018. The median salary for medical and health services managers in 2010 was $84,270.
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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