Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degrees in Health Care Management
Majors Overview August 21, 2014Receive information about bachelor’s degree programs in health care management and their coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and licensure and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Health Care Management
Schools offer bachelor’s degree programs in health care management as a Bachelor of Health Care Administration (B.H.C.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Students enrolled in a health care management program can expect to gain a firm grasp of the supervisory, clinical and business aspects of a medical facility.
They learn about health care delivery systems, health care studies and business organization and management. Students will be allowed to choose a concentration in long-term care or community health. Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma.
Coursework
Coursework in a health care management program is devised to teach students the skills necessary for managing multiple levels of work, such as day-to-day administration duties, medical paperwork, responsibilities, and customer service. They are imparted hands-on experiences through internships in health service settings. Core coursework may include topic areas such as:
•Health care law
•Health information systems management
•Human resource management
•Health psychology
•Health informatics
Career Choices
Health management graduates can expect to gain the management and administration expertise necessary for handling daily decisions, in addition to the interpersonal skills necessary for coordinating with personnel; these skills would prepare them for entry-level careers in residential care facilities, physician’s offices and hospitals. They can choose from popular career options such as:
•Nursing home administrator
•Medical manager
•Health services administrator
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2010 – 2020 decade, job growth rates of 22% have been predicted for health and medical services managers, with the highest demand in nursing home facilities and group practice administration (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, these professionals working in nursing homes brought home an average annual wage of $88,580 between the lowest and highest figures of $53,940 and $150,560 (BLS).
Licensure and Continuing Education Choices
Graduates from the bachelor’s degree program can seek continued education, aimed at boosting career prospects by earning a master’s degree in public health, public administration, long-term care administration, health services administration, health sciences or business administration. However, many employers in the field prefer holders of bachelor’s degrees for entry-level positions. Interested individuals may also seek licensure in the subfield of assisted living; they would have to satisfy testing and educational requirements to obtain the same. Licensure is compulsory in all states for professionals who seek occupations in nursing care facilities.
