Information About the Bachelor of Science in Health Administration Degree Program
Higher Education Articles August 26, 2014Those interested in healthcare administration positions should look into Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) degree programs. Students are required to complete business-related and healthcare policy courses, in addition to an internship to obtain hands-on experience.
Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) Degree Programs
Aspiring healthcare administrators enrolled in these degree programs are provided with the skills needed to occupy supervisory and management positions within healthcare organizations. Hands-on experience may be gained by students through an internship that involves working alongside trained healthcare professionals in the field. Through completion of the 4-year program, students can expect to become adept at managing people and other resources, and gain knowledge about trends in healthcare and healthcare laws.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma, in addition to completion of some prerequisite courses, in subject areas such as biology or chemistry. In some instances, students may accomplish advanced standing within a bachelor’s degree program through completion of previous coursework in related areas of study.
Coursework
Coursework requires completion of business-related courses such as organizational management, budgeting and accounting. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Ethics in healthcare
•Case management
•Legal issues in Healthcare administration
•Health information systems
•Introduction to long-term care
•Study of healthcare policy
Career Choices
Though employers for some positions with larger healthcare providers may prefer holders of master’s degrees, those who complete a bachelor’s degree program may seek entry-level careers involving administrative work in some work settings. They can choose from popular career options such as:
•Health information manager
•Health insurance specialist
•Health services administrator
•Human resources specialist
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2010 – 2020 decade, job growth rates of 22% have been predicted for medical and health services managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, these professionals brought home an average annual wage of $88,580 (BLS).
Continuing Education and Professional Certification Choices
Graduates from the bachelor’s degree program can seek continued education by pursuing a Master of Health Administration (MHA) program, in order to ensure career advancement. Coursework in the program covers healthcare marketing, healthcare law and healthcare systems design. This program, which focuses on the cultivation of the leadership skills of healthcare administrators, take at least two years to complete.
