Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Hospital Management
Majors Overview March 19, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in hospital management and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, and job and wage outlook.
Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Hospital Management
Few schools, if any, offer bachelor’s degree programs specifically in hospital management; however, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Healthcare Administration program would best suit the needs of individuals that aspire to become hospital managers or administrators.
Coursework in a healthcare administration bachelor’s degree program typically includes topic areas such as marketing and material management, computer technologies and systems, human resources management, finance, and healthcare. Once they complete the four-year program, students may seek entry-level to mid-level administrative careers in various healthcare organizations, including hospitals.
Education Requirements
Students seeking admission to the program do not require prior experience. Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Schools also admit those who hold associate’s degrees in any subject while giving preference to holders of an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in a healthcare-related major and allowing them credit for prior completion of some core coursework.
Coursework
Foundation coursework in every area of healthcare management is available in this entry-level program. Coursework is mainly theoretical in exploring the U.S. healthcare system and the role played by it in the 21st century world.
However, coursework also covers practical coursework in patient care techniques, in addition to administrative and financial practices. The four-year degree program also includes courses in social sciences, communications, math, science, and general humanities.
Core coursework may cover topic areas such as the following areas of study:
•Management and human resources
•Medical ethics and laws
•U.S. healthcare systems
•Healthcare and policy and planning
•Communications in a professional environment
•Computer technologies and information systems
•Accounting
•Introduction to healthcare management
•Human physiology
•Psychology
Upon completion of the core coursework, students may choose specific administrative areas to specialize in, including finance, marketing, human resources, informational systems, staff relations, patient care, planning, and development and material management.
Career Choices
Although students may opt for diverse specialized career choices, they usually choose from popular career options such as:
•Head of hospital marketing
•System and database manager
•Hospital director
•Director of hospital human resources
Job and Wage Outlook
A job growth rate of 23% has been predicted for medical and health services managers over the 2012 – 2022 decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $88,580 (BLS).
