Degree Overview: Bachelor of Health Service Administration (B.H.S.A.) Degree
Majors Overview August 21, 2014Management and leadership positions in health services, from entry-level to supervisory, are available to students in Bachelor of Health Service Administration (BHSA) degree programs. They will learn the skills necessary to coordinate the delivery of services through health care organizations, agencies, or systems.
Bachelor of Health Service Administration (BHSA) Degree Programs
A management and business point of view may be preferred to a strictly medical perspective by students enrolled in Bachelor of Health Service Administration (BHSA) degree programs while approaching the delivery of healthcare. These programs offer an overview of healthcare through courses in medical terminology, epidemiology, and community and public health, devised to assist future health services administrators assigned with directing healthcare programs and set policies.
Students learn about legal issues, regulatory issues, human resource management, and budgeting. Most programs also include field experiences or internships in healthcare institutions. Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma. In some instances, schools admit associate degree holders in a related field apart from recent high school graduates.
Coursework
Program coursework does not have a direct focus on medical knowledge and patient care, but instead relates to teaching students to direct and coordinate healthcare services. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Personnel management
•Health care law
•Health care economics
•Managed or long-term care
•Finance and accounting for health professionals
•Quality management in health care
•Computer information systems
•Public and community health
Career Choices
Those who complete a bachelor’s degree program may seek entry-level careers in various healthcare facilities, including nonprofit organizations, clinics, physician offices, and nursing homes and residential care facilities. They may also seek occupations with government agencies, pharmaceutical companies or insurance groups. Individuals seeking some administrative, management and supervisory positions may require additional education. They may choose from attractive career options such as:
•Medical records manager
•Clinical supervisor
•Nursing home administrator
•Practice administrator
Job and Wage Outlook
A 22% job growth rate has been predicted for medical and health services managers, over the 2010 – 2020 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, medical and health services managers brought home an average annual wage of $98,580 (BLS). The states in which these professionals can earn the highest wages include:
•California
•Rhode Island
•New York
•Connecticut
Continuing Education Choices
While employers for entry-level positions may consider appointing bachelor’s degree holders, many prefer holders of a master’s degree in health services administration or a related field (BLS). In 2010, bachelor’s degree holders comprised 52% of the positions for medical and health services managers, while master’s degree holders accounted for the remaining 41% (O*Net OnLine).
Graduates from the bachelor’s degree program can seek continued education by earning a master’s degree in public health, health services administration, or a related field, whereby they may ensure career advancement to top executive positions in health services administration. State licensure may be compulsory for some professionals, such as managers of assisted living or nursing care facilities (BLS).
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