An online master’s degree in healthcare administration may provide students with the skills needed to direct and coordinate medical and health services. In this one to two-year program, students may learn how to manage the finances of healthcare facilities, supervise personnel, and remain fluent on current healthcare law. Program coursework may include core healthcare management classes including managerial decision making, health policy, and total quality management.

Graduates may either pursue entry to upper-level employment in their chosen field or enroll in a doctoral degree program. Master’s-level graduates may seek employment in hospitals, senior care facilities, clinics, physician offices, and hospice programs.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: Bachelor’s Degree
• Program Length: One to two years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Employment or Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 22% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum for master’s-level healthcare administration programs may include major core courses as well as a capstone course in which students apply the cumulative information learned to a research project. These courses may teach students how to apply strategies to improve healthcare systems, analyze the economic behavior of patients, and forecast financial decisions in a healthcare setting. Core online healthcare administration classes may include the following:

• Total Quality Management
• Decision Making for Managers
• Global Health Systems
• Health Policy and Regulation
• Health Economics
• Healthcare Finance
• Issues in Health Systems Management

Career Options

Master’s-level graduates may explore career opportunities in hospitals, medical clinics, physician offices, physical therapy centers, and home healthcare facilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for medical and health services managers are projected to increase by 22% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Nursing Home Administrator
• Clinical Manager
• Health Information Manager
• Assistant Administrator
• Hospital Administrator

Continuing Education

Those who successfully complete a master’s degree program in healthcare administration may have the opportunity to further their education by enrolling in a doctoral degree program. A doctoral degree in healthcare administration may provide enhanced training required to lead in healthcare settings and meet challenges in ever-changing healthcare environments. Employers may require a master’s degree to be eligible for upper-level employment; however, individuals with on-the-job experience may also qualify for upper-level positions.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook