Overview of Master Degree Programs in Medical Administration
Majors Overview August 9, 2018This article talks about two master’s degree programs in medical administration and their education requirements, coursework, career options, job and wage outlook, and continuing education options.
Master Degree Programs in Medical Administration Overview
The Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration (M.B.A./H.C.A.) or the Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) is available in most graduate degree programs in medical administration. The emphasis of the former is on the business aspect of medical and healthcare administration. Healthcare professionals seeking knowledge and skills in the field may target the latter, the latter places emphasis on the business side of medical and healthcare administration.
Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.) Program
A school or department of public health or policy, planning and development is the most likely place to offer this type of program. Approximately 45 credits must be completed, including administration courses and electives in healthcare. Program coursework is devised to develop the leadership and management skills of current health and medical care management professionals. The best contemporary practices and the latest theories related to healthcare marketing, finance, and policies are covered.
Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration (M.B.A./H.C.A.) Program
The emphasis of the Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration (M.B.A./H.C.A.) program is on business-related medical administration topics, including law and ethics in healthcare management theory and policy analysis. Students enrolled in the program learn about ways of integrating the disciplines of economics, finance, politics, medicine, and the social sciences into a healthcare or medical organization.
Education Requirements
Incoming students to a master’s degree program in medical administration are not required to complete any specific education prerequisites. They would find it useful to complete prerequisite undergraduate courses such as accounting, computer science, economics, and statistics.
Coursework
Program coursework includes the requirement to gain practical experience through the completion of a residency, administrative internship, or capstone project to put classroom instruction into practice. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Financial management of medical and health services
•Statistical methods for business decisions
•Human behavior in public organizations
•Legal problems and issues in the medical field
•Economics for policy, planning, and development
Career Options
The best career opportunities are likely to be available to individuals with strong management and business skills and healthcare experience. Program graduates may choose from available career options such as:
•Healthcare planning
•Long-term care administration
•Consulting
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2017-2027 decade, a 20% job growth rate has been predicted for medical and health service managers, including health information managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2017, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $98,350 (BLS).
Continuing Education Options
Program graduates may seek continuing education by enrolling in doctorate-level programs in policy, planning, and development, public policy and management, and urban planning and development. They may also seek certification programs and annual conferences offered through the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management and the American College of Healthcare Administrators, among other professional organizations.
