Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Hospital Administration
Majors Overview March 15, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in hospital administration and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Hospital Administration
Students enrolled in a four-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Healthcare Administration program are provided with the healthcare knowledge and management training they would need for running and operating a healthcare facility or hospital. The degree would also help prepare them for graduate studies or careers in healthcare research, business administration, or public health policy.
The bachelor’s degree program in healthcare administration is devised to impart education to students about the numerous mechanisms that can influence the day-to-day running of healthcare centers; these include human resources, quality management, accounting, and staffing and training.
An overview of the policies and laws that can change management operations within healthcare facilities and hospitals is also imparted to augment a firm grasp of basic healthcare procedures and medical terminology.
Students enrolled in many programs in healthcare and hospital administration are encouraged to complete work–study or internship experience in the field before they graduate from the program.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma, in addition to strong grades in basic college-level communications, mathematics, and business courses before they are admitted to a healthcare administration program.
Coursework
Coursework is devised to impart a strong grasp of the management and business principles that the healthcare system depends on. Core coursework may include topic areas such as the following:
•Operations management in health administration
•Quality improvement in healthcare
•Financial management in hospitals and healthcare facilities
•Healthcare in America
•Healthcare system basics
•Health personnel management
•Health administration and law
•Medical group practice management
•Global health issues
•Marketing of the healthcare system
•Medical terminology
Career Choices
Those who complete a bachelor’s degree program may seek employment in some administration and leadership roles within the healthcare field. They can choose from popular career options such as:
•Assistant hospital administrator
•Healthcare administrator
•Medical service manager
•Healthcare service manager
•Hospital department head
•Health information manager
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, job growth rates of 23% 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 Choices
While a bachelor’s degree in an area of holistic health would suffice to obtain work in the field, those who complete a bachelor’s degree program can seek continuing education by earning master’s or doctoral degrees offered by schools in several holistic health topic areas.
These programs will impart even more hands-on internship opportunities along with intensive seminars in management principles. Students often use master’s degrees to gain advanced jobs in healthcare facilities or hospitals. They may also become chiefs of staff or department heads.
