Degree Overview: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in Medical Office Management
Majors Overview August 16, 2014Receive information about a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program in Medical Office Management and its educational requirements, coursework, and job and wage outlook.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree Programs in Medical Office Management
While schools offer Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Healthcare Administration programs, a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) are more commonly offered in this field. Coursework is a combination of business, clerical and clinical skills devised to train students to seek administrative management occupations in medical institutions.
An individual who completes a bachelor’s degree in medical administration can seek mid-level office management occupations in private practices, clinics and hospitals. The curriculum in most programs incorporates business topics such as healthcare management, healthcare policy, healthcare reimbursement, insurance, and accounting, included as complements to medical subject areas such as pharmacology, diagnostics, physiology, and anatomy.
The focus of the majority of healthcare administration programs is on technological literacy and involves the training of students in the purchasing and operation of medical equipment. Another important area of emphasis is in developing computer science skills.
Educational Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma. However, many employers have hired professionals who have completed associate’s degree programs in related fields. Admission criteria may also include the submission of a personal statement, in addition to high school transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Coursework
Classroom lectures are used to impart education via business classes; lab components are incorporated to ensure clinical education. BA or BBA programs may emphasize business classes; clinical education may predominate within a BS program. Core coursework may include such topic areas as:
•Business development
•Human resources management
•Imaging technology
•Principles of disease
•Medical coding
•Medical insurance
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). The optimistic projection is attributed to the increased health care needs of an aging population. In May 2012, these professionals brought home an average annual wage of $88,580. Wages averaged between a low $53,940 and a high $150,560 (BLS).