Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Medical Office Administration
Majors Overview March 27, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in medical office administration and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Medical Office Administration
Students enrolled in medical office administration bachelor’s degree programs can expect to be taught how to plan, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of healthcare.
Coursework in a bachelor’s program in health administration involves an intensive examination of the various functions of healthcare agencies, in addition to providing a strong foundation in business administration.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (B.S.H.A.) degree is offered by some schools, while a medical or health concentration within their Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) program is offered by others. Successful completion of the program will enable a graduate to obtain many types of health administrator occupations. Coursework will feature topic areas such as medical information technology, public health, and financial reporting.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate, a high school diploma, or an associate’s degree, in addition to submission of proof of a high grade point average in high school, particularly for science and math courses. Students may be able to transfer some coursework from associate’s degree programs in a related field to the bachelor’s program, but these rules vary by institution.
Coursework
Coursework in healthcare management programs includes general education courses such as natural sciences, fine arts, and English, among others. Schools typically include internships. Core coursework may include topic areas such as the following:
•Introduction to epidemiology (the spread of disease)
•Medical information technology
•Providing healthcare to diverse populations
•Financial workings of hospitals
•Public health trends
•Principles of accounting and finance for healthcare
Career Choices
Those who complete a bachelor’s degree program may seek lower-level careers as health information and medical records technicians, and further career advancement could entail management positions.
Job and Wage Outlook
Medical and health services management professionals can expect a faster-than-average job growth rate (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 entry-level jobs in the management of various healthcare facilities, including medical offices, those who complete a bachelor’s degree program can seek continuing education and enhanced career prospects by earning master’s degrees.
They may also seek professional certification for many specialty areas within healthcare management offered by numerous organizations, including the American Health Information Management Association’s Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential. The credential is awarded on passage of an exam to holders of a post-baccalaureate or a bachelor’s degree from an approved program.
Individuals who seek graduate degrees in separate, but related areas such as research, medicine, public administration, public health, and law can build a preparatory foundation by completing a broad program in health administration.
