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One of the fastest-growing professions in the world, healthcare administration offers an opportunity to be at the center of all services delivered to patients. Working with their medical staff, healthcare administrators are responsible for planning, executing, and improving patient care processes on a day-to-day basis. A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration lays a strong foundation for students in this dynamic field.
A number of universities offer online bachelor’s programs in healthcare administration. They generally comprise 120 credit-hours and offer a curriculum similar to their offline counterparts. Some of the courses included are healthcare economics, healthcare financial management, long-term care, and health law. Students learn how to read regulations regarding the US healthcare system, the management of different stakeholders in a health organization, communication, and leadership. Further, they become proficient in delivering quality patient care.
The following article covers exceptional online bachelor’s programs in healthcare administration and two distinguished faculty members from these programs.
Featured BS in Healthcare Administration Programs
Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online bachelor of science in healthcare administration (BSHA) degree. This program has been developed in alignment with standards from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). It offers the following concentrations:
- Health Information Management Concentration
- Patient Safety And Quality Concentration
Admission requirements for the program include a completed online application, transcripts from any schools attended, and an electronic attestation form stating that the student has graduated from high school or received a GED. SAT scores are not required for admission.
The program comprises 120 credit-hours and equips students with interpersonal and communication skills necessary to succeed in the field of healthcare. Some of the courses included in the curriculum are healthcare economics, healthcare delivery systems, healthcare research and evaluation methodologies, human resource management, human relations in administration, and healthcare quality management.
Concentration-specific courses include:
- Health Information Management Concentration – Healthcare data management, communication and technologies, healthcare IT infrastructure and network management
- Patient Safety And Quality Concentration – Patient safety systems and strategies, healthcare regulatory compliance and accreditation, performance improvement measurement and methodologies
Students learn how to engage with the various stakeholders in the field of healthcare, get an understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic principles, and can assess rules and regulations pertaining to the healthcare system in the US. Upon completion of this program, graduates demonstrate the four competencies identified by AUPHA as critical to their success: communication, computational skills, critical thinking, and societal and cultural context.
At the end of the program, graduates can pursue jobs in behavioral health organizations, governmental healthcare agencies, consulting firms, health insurance companies, long-term care facilities, and hospitals.
- Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Saint Joseph’s College offers an online bachelor of science in health administration (BSHA) program. The program is designed for students who wish to have a positive impact on patient outcomes.
Applicants to the program must submit a completed online application form and official transcripts from all regionally or nationally accredited institutions previously attended, among other documentation.
Made up of 120 credit-hours, the program provides students with a framework for growth as a healthcare administrator or manager. The courses include instruction on the American healthcare systems, human resource management, healthcare financial management, legal aspects of healthcare administration, ethics in health administration, and quality in healthcare administration. The program helps students develop leadership skills as well as an understanding of professional and ethical conduct.
The program can open up various career paths for graduates such as clinical leadership, health information management, and healthcare marketing.
- Location: Standish, Maine
- Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
The University of Central Florida offers an online BSHA program. Students are not required to have any previous healthcare experience to pursue this degree.
In order to apply to the program, students must submit an official high school or homeschool transcript, official SAT or ACT scores, an application essay, a “C” (2.0) or better score in each health services administration course, and TOEFL scores (for international students).
The program consists of 120 credit-hours. It is designed to prepare future health services administrators and healthcare managers to effectively plan and direct the delivery of healthcare. Students study courses such as U.S. healthcare systems, healthcare finance, long-term care and administration, healthcare economics, quality management, health law and ethics, and medical terminology.
Through the program, students are introduced to public health systems and hospital networks and the delivery of quality healthcare. They are also prepared to pursue advanced education in health services administration.
Graduates of the program can take up roles such as health information manager, patient care services administrator, human resources associate, nursing home administrator, community health manager, and training and development manager.
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Drexel University offers an online bachelor of science in health services administration. The curriculum for the program focuses on career skills defined by the National Center for Healthcare Leadership and provides students with a solid foundation in health services administration.
Admission requirements include high school diploma or GED, previous college semester credits from a regionally accredited institution (preferred but not required), official high school transcripts, official ACT/SAT scores no more than five years old, and proof of English proficiency for international students.
The 180- to 184 credit-hour program offers students a blend of healthcare and business education. The coursework explores topics such as healthcare human resources, healthcare law, financial management in healthcare, healthcare marketing, and management of health services.
The program equips students with fundamental skills to manage healthcare operations effectively. Additionally, they also get a chance to grow their professional network and develop a host of marketable skills.
On successful completion of the program, graduates can work in hospitals, private practices, healthcare consulting firms, health analysis firms, insurance companies, and clinics. They are well-equipped to pursue a career in fields such as insurance analysis, medical office management, marketing and communications, HR and recruitment, and pharmaceutical account management.
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
The Indiana Wesleyan University College of Adult and Professional Studies offers an online bachelor of science with a major in healthcare administration (BSHA) program. The program trains students to mitigate complex problems in healthcare and design plans for growth.
Program applicants must submit high school graduation proof (or GED), original transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities, completion of at least 60 transferable credit-hours from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education, and TOEFL scores (if English is not the student’s primary language).
This program comprises 120 credit-hours (including at least 60 transferable units). Some of the courses include healthcare management and leadership, communication in business, human resources management, technology and information systems for healthcare, healthcare principles and policies, and healthcare marketing.
The program helps students create communication strategies for their organization, implement ethical standards in all their decisions, and evaluate new technologies for their healthcare organization. It opens up opportunities in various types of healthcare settings for graduates.
- Location: Marion, Indiana
- Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Regis University offers an online bachelor of science in healthcare administration (BSHA) degree. This is a 100 percent online program and does not require any campus visits. The program equips students with the necessary leadership, analytical, technical, and communication skills for a management position.
Admission requirements for the program include a minimum GPA of 2.5 or above, 12 semester-hours of college-level coursework, a criminal background check, official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions attended, a current resume, personal statement, and TOEFL scores, if English is not the first language of the applicant.
The program is made up of 120 credit-hours. The coursework includes foundations of health law, an assessment of quality care and patient safety, healthcare informatics and information systems, project management in the healthcare sector, and health statistics and research methods. Students get a thorough understanding of healthcare delivery systems, healthcare policy, strategic and project management, healthcare information systems, and finance. They become qualified to evaluate, hire, and train staff; manage financial operations; and help the business side of their healthcare organization run smoothly.
Graduates of the program can take up roles such as healthcare administrator, nursing home administrator, clinical manager, hospital administrator, and practice administrator.
Regis University also offers a master of science in healthcare services administration (MSHA).
- Location: Denver, Colorado
- Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 30 months
University of California Los Angeles
UCLA offers an on-campus bachelor of science in public health, as well as a bachelor of arts in public health. Both require 180 credits, with the difference being the number of credits required in the life sciences. Students learn the concepts of health issues and solutions, research, and upstream and downstream approaches to public health.
Admission to UCLA is competitive. Applicants must have met specific prerequisites in public health, life sciences, statistics, chemistry, and math before applying. They will need to complete a personal statement and a resume and submit their transcripts.
The curriculum includes an introduction to public health, biostatistics, promoting healthy communities, environment and health, epidemiology in public health, healthcare systems: structures, functions, and policies, and three electives. Two capstone projects in public health are required.
Graduates of the BS program are prepared for a variety of positions focused on health care policy, while BA graduates are better qualified for general and global health care issues.
UCLA also offers an online master of healthcare administration degree. Applicants to that program must have at least three years in healthcare management. It requires two on-campus immersions.
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Accreditation: Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
The online BSHA degree at Rasmussen University includes 23 courses and 90 credit-hours. Students may choose the general track or opt to specialize in public health. Courses in both tracks align with Rasmussen’s accelerated MHA and MPH degrees.
Applicants must have an associate degree and a C average. SAT and ACT scores are generally optional, however most students will need to take an entrance placement exam. A background check may be required.
The curriculum includes subjects such as quality improvement in healthcare, healthcare operations management, international healthcare, financial management of healthcare information services, health law and compliance, and data analytics and informatics in healthcare, among others. The public health specialization track adds topics that include health education and training, healthcare advocacy, and epidemiology.
Graduates of the general BSHA program are qualified for positions that include healthcare manager, healthcare administration, hospital director of admissions, clinic manager, and nursing home manager. Those that chose the public health specialization are prepared for roles that include healthcare and social assistance, finance/insurance, educational services, and public administration.
- Location: Bloomington, MN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 months
The online BSHA program at American Public University requires students to choose a concentration from the following:
- Addiction treatment facility management
- Correctional healthcare facility management
- Emergency management
- Leadership
- Mental healthcare facility management
Each concentration requires 15 semester-hours of the total 120 credit-hours for the degree.
Applicants may transfer up to 90 credit hours. Admission requirements include submission of a government-issued ID, official transcripts, and proof of English proficiency for non-native English speakers. SAT/ACT scores are not required.
As well as general education coursework, the 48-credit core curriculum includes introduction to healthcare management, health services organization, healthcare reimbursement methodologies, healthcare delivery systems and documentation, legal and ethical principles in healthcare, organizational behavior, and human resources management, among others. Students then complete the coursework relevant to their chosen concentration.
Graduates will have leadership, quality and safety, research management, strategic planning, marketing, communication, and critical thinking skills that will allow them to seek employment in a variety of facilities, organizations, and healthcare systems.
- Location: Charles Town, WV
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months