Homeonline collegeshealthcare administration degrees Online Healthcare Administration Degree Healthcare administration (HA) degrees ready people to manage others in health care settings. With demand for these skills high, now is the perfect time to start. There are a wide range of online schools that offer life friendly HA degrees at all levels. An online healthcare administration degree studies the business and operations side of health care. Most programs touch on ways to manage people, budgets, facilities and quality patient care. There are three main levels for online degrees in HA. Bachelors, masters (MHA, MBA healthcare) and Doctorates (PhD and DHA). Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration A bachelors in health care admin is either a BA or BS degree. Either one is the entry point to a career in health services management. Most BA/BSHA programs cover about 120 credits and may take four years full time to complete. The course work in a BSHA program aims to build a range of health care related business skills. Things that have to do with how to run the behind the scenes operations of medical facilities. For instance, how to coordinate hospital staff and the challenges that go with it. While gaining knowledge in these areas, you may also learn how to meet an organization’s goals. This takes a certain kind of critical thinking and being able to solve problems. To do these things you often study financing, marketing, accounting and law. You should also know there are online schools that offer a focus. One example is Columbia Southern U. They have a BS in health care admin with a focus in medical services management. It aims to ready EMTs, fire fighters and other first responders to pursue leadership in the EMS field. How much does it cost to earn a BSHA online? An average tuition for an in state school that has HA degrees is $6,578. For out of state schools, the average cost is $27,520. Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration Master of Science in HA programs often award the MHA degree. Many employers today want those with this level of study. Most MHA programs cover about 36 credits and may take about two years full time to complete. They usually cover a wider range of management topics. Things like strategy, policy setting and quality improvement. Some programs also involve a supervised admin experience. This might be in a hospital or a health care setting. But this is not always the case. There are many grad students that are mid career who work in the health care field. They may seek an extra set of leadership skills or to refine their management style. If you want to build more business skill, there’s also the MBA with a focus in health care. Online health care MBAs focus on areas like finance and marketing. Then stack on a handful of topics relating to the system and functional sides of health care. Many online schools offer dual degrees too. One example is Pfeiffer U’s MHA/MBA program. It is an intensive that stacks admin and health service focused topics. PhD in Healthcare Administration vs DHA Many schools offer either the DHA or the PhD in Health Care Administration. Both are the highest level of study and ask for quality research. But are distinct paths to know about. A PhD in health care admin is a research based degree. It often requires learning the field from the inside out. Then, coming up with an original theory or published work. The work of a PhD may allow for new ideas in policy, practice and patient improvements. As such, it often appeals to those who want to excel as thought leaders or educators. A DHA is a practitioner focused degree. Some refer to it as a doctorate degree for health care execs. It may also appeal to those who already have a doctorate (E.g. D.N.P. M.D., D.O., J.D., or PharmD). One goal of a DHA program is to help people that work in upper levels of management. Courses often build a deep knowledge of how to make data driven decisions. Decisions that improve patient outcomes. Or cut costs without giving up safety and quality of care. How much does it cost to earn an MHA, PhD or DHA degree online? The average cost of a of a grad degree from a public college is $11,617 per year. This means you will be able to find programs both easier to afford and more costly than this. What can I do with an Online Healthcare Administration Degree? A health care admin degree may help you start or step up a career as a health services manager. You’ll often need a bachelor’s degree to enter the field and a grad degree to climb the ladder. At last check, the most common work force degree is the bachelors, with a 64.6% share. Many health care admins also have a masters (23%), professional degree (7.5%) or doctorate (4.88%). Health services managers work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and doctor’s offices. In these settings, they often go by different titles depending on what or who they manage. Experience and education may also impact career choice and movement. Clinical DirectorNurse Manager or Nursing DirectorProgram ManagerHuman Resource Manager If you are less inclined to want to manage in a corporate setting, there are other career paths to think about. Health care policy analysts often have a PhD, as do post secondary teachers. In both areas, research and skills in how to communicate plus subject matter expertise are crucial. Is a Degree in Healthcare Administration worth it? An online degree in HA may be worth going for. Five and six figure salaries coupled with high demand may mean a bright future. First, on high demand. Per the BLS, the need for skilled managers in medical and health services is growing by 18% to 2028. That’s much faster than the average for all other occupations. There are a few reasons that make this so. Among them is an aging population. As people age, they need more procedures, places to take care of them, services etc. Another factor is the wide spread use of informatics in health care. Electronic health records (EHRs) are creating jobs for those with health care IT skills. Especially for those with health care IT skills and a master’s degree. Second, salaries. Per the most recent BLS figures, the median yearly salary for medical and health services managers was $100,980. True, there’s a scale. But it ranges from $58,820 to $189,000. Health Administration Degree Jobs & Salary Occupation Average Salary Jobs Medical and Health Services Manger $100,980 406,100 Nursing Care Facilities Manager $92,750 22,670 Clinical Informatics Manager $90,920 633,900 Medical Services Manager $100,980 406,100 Top States for Jobs as a Medical and Health Services Manager State Jobs Annual Mean Wage CA 36,940 $133,040 TX 33,320 $107,880 NY 25,740 $147,000 PA 17,330 $98,560 MA 15,810 $132,960 What classes will I take with an Online Healthcare Administration Degree? HA classes vary and depend on the degree level. That said, most programs balance management themes with insight into health care systems. Bachelor’s Degree Courses A bachelor’s program will tackle broad themes and work to build basic skills. They often begin with an overview of the U.S. health care system and medical language and terms. While learning the basics of ethics and patient rights, you may learn business too. Classes of this nature center around key functions. They may teach topics like: Health Care Professional Development The health care pro development class is a starter course. It aims to help students learn about the health care sector as a whole. Students may learn about learning outcomes and working in a professional organization. They may also learn about their learning path. This program may help students define what their futures may be. Organizational Behavior This healthcare administration course often focuses on the dynamics at play in this environment. It often includes a focus on how groups and individuals impact the organization as a whole. Students may learn about conflict negotiations. They may learn about implementing change. Often, they may learn about culture and design of organizations. These programs may help students understand relationships in health care. Health Care Accounting Some students may take a health care accounting course. The goal of this course may include teaching students about health care billing and costs. It may discuss some areas of accounting practices. This may help a student who wishes to work in a managerial position within a health care company or practice. Key concepts are used in this program. Health Care Management This course helps students learn management theory in the health care world. They may learn about the way health organizations are structured. This type of program aims to teach admin concepts like problem solving and planning. It may include some areas of decision making as it applies to the industry. Students may also learn about major and modern issues in this field. Graduate Degree Courses Masters programs like the MHA often study management from a deeper angle. Usually this includes more statistics, analysis and tactical planning. It also means knowing how to funnel data into cost effective decisions. As you study strategy, other classes build your knowledge in leadership. This often entails learning about policy, standards and process. You might also want to study one area of HA in more detail. A focus area groups a few topics, and many schools offer them. One example is an MHA in informatics. This may provide more guidance in how to manage data privacy. You might also learn how to lead data driven initiatives. These often enhance patient quality, safety and care. Doctorate programs like the PhD and DHA cover many research methods, writing and skills in how to present. More so with the PhD, as we mentioned earlier. If you are working towards a DHA degree online, chances are many classes will explore the finer points of leadership. This often means learning your own style and refining it further. Yet other topics may address negotiation and labor relations tactics for health care. You may study strategic change management and other areas as well. These may build a broader knowledge of issues, trends and practices. Classes have different names from school to school. Here are a few samples of some classes you may take online. Navigating the Regulatory Environment In Health Care This type of course usually focuses on rules in health care. Students may cover topics related to compliance. They may also discuss ethics and the role of health care in providing support. Privacy and compliance are often key concepts of this type of program in some cases. Students may also learn about privacy laws, auditing, and monitoring. They may learn about correction steps, too. Scanning the Health Sector as An Industry Expert This advanced program aims to help students learn about emerging trends in the industry. Students may learn about trends in delivery, systems, and the health of residents. They may also learn things like how to validate info to ensure it is accurate. They may learn how to communicate solutions properly even in various contexts. Tackling the Talent War In The Health Sector This type of program aims to help students to learn about trends in the health sector. This may relate to hiring and developing a workforce. They may learn about recruiting new talent. They may also learn about succession planning and retaining employees. Often, topics will include diversity, morale, engaging employees, and supporting an aging workforce. Ethical Marketing This type of program aims to help students to learn aspects of marketing in health care. The goal is generally to market in the most ethical manner. Students may learn about value propositions and new markets. They may learn how to use social media and branding. The focus is often on helping to market health care providers in the industry. How long does it take to get a Healthcare Administration Degree online? A bachelors degree in HA may take four years full time if not less. Some online schools offer faster paced paths that may take 18 months. These usually apply to students with transfer credits. If you’re working towards an MHA degree online, such programs may take from one and a half to two years. Some can even take more time if there is an internship or you study part time. Earning a PhD or DHA degree online may take three or four years if you study full time. Some online schools help you apply prior MHA or master’s credits to a doctorate. If you have fewer courses, this may mean a shorter time frame. University Level of Degree # of Credits Required Starts Per Year Minimum Months to Complete Concordia University Chicago Bachelors 128 3 18 National University Bachelors 180 12 48 Stratford University Bachelors 180 3 30 Clarkson College Masters 39-45 3 16 Purdue Global University Masters 52 4 24 University of Phoenix – AZ Masters 36 3 17 Southern New Hampshire University MBA 36 5 15 Central Michigan University DHA 63 3 36 A.T. Still University DHA 62 2 36 Northcentral University PhD 60 Weekly 45 15 Online Healthcare Administration Degrees Many online schools offer health admin degrees at all levels. In most cases, you take all your courses via web technology, though there are a few exceptions. We have ranked our top 15 schools based on the number of graduates from the program in 2019. Our process looks at 2019 data from the NCES. And, it may help you narrow your search down. Concordia University ChicagoNational UniversityOregon Tech OnlineOttowa UniversityColorado State University GlobalClarkson CollegePurdue University GlobalUniversity of Phoenix – ArizonaSouthern New Hampshire UniversityMinnesota State University MoorheadCentral Michigan UniversityA.T. Still UniversityNorthcentral UniversityCapella UniversityFranklin University FIND AN ONLINE HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATION DEGREE Let’s take a closer look at the online health care administration degrees that these 15 schools have to offer. 1 Concordia University Chicago BA/BS in Health Care Management Fully Online This online BA requires 128 credits. It includes a wide range of courses and an active learning project. The main goal of the classes is to cover key areas of a health care organization. A few topics you may study are: Intro to Health Care LawHuman Resource ManagementSystems Approach to Organizational Change Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $32,880Grad $9,180 Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$20,207 Average Net Price:$17,051 Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program & credit for military training. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission 2 National University BS in Healthcare Administration Fully Online This online BS entails 180 quarter credits. Apart from courses, the program includes planned internships and a capstone. Topics range from policies to analysis of health care data and: Case and Outcomes ManagementIntro to HC Planning and EvalHA Budgeting and Finance Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $13,320Grad $15,480Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$5,202 Average Net Price:$29,382 Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training, dedicated point of contact, recognized student veteran organization & member of SOC. Accredited:WASC Senior College and University Commission 3 Oregon Tech Online BS in Health Care Management Fully Online This BS offers several options. One is a clinical option (182 Q credits). The other is a Radio logic Science option (205 Q credits). Students must have a current state or national registry in an approved allied health field for the clinical option. Or hold the ARRT registry for the Radio logic Science Option. If you are a freshman with no health care experience, there is also an Administrative option. This option has two tracks: Health Data AnalyticsPsychology Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $29,637Grad $22,245Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$7,568 Average Net Price:$16,670 Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training, dedicated point of contact & recognized student veteran organization. Accredited:Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). 4 Ottawa University BA in Health Care Management Fully Online This online BA consists of 124 credits (non clinical track). The clinical track will enable those who have a registry or license (e.g., radiologist, RN, etc.) to transfer in course work and complete the core courses. Some of the topics you may study are: Health Care Policy and RegulationQuality in Health CareHuman Resources in Health Care Organizations Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $12,316Grad $11,770Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:N/A Average Net Price:N/A Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training & dedicated point of contact. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission 5 Colorado State University Global BS in Healthcare Administration and Management Fully Online This online BS entails 120 credits. There’s also a dual enrollment option. It involves taking three grad level courses while going for the BS. Doing this may help you gain early admission to CSU’s MHA program. As an undergrad, you’ll study areas such as: Population Health ManagementIntro to Health Care StrategyHealth Care Information Systems Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $8,400Grad $9,000Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$3,682 Average Net Price:N/A Military Programs:Credit for military training, dedicated point of contact, recognized student veteran organization & member of SOC. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission 6 Clarkson College MS in Health Care Administration Fully Online This online MS requires from 39 to 45 credits. All students must complete designated service courses as part of their course work. Among the required classes are topics such as: Health Care Project ManagementStrategic Planning in Health CareHealth Care Quality and Regulatory Issues Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $14,040Grad $11,658Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$5,739 Average Net Price:$20,153 Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission 7 Purdue Global University Master of Health Care Administration Fully Online This online MHA consist of 52 credits. All the classes revolve around management in health care. There’s also a capstone. In the core content, you’ll study health law, health care ethics and some business topics. These include areas such as: Health Care Financial ManagementHealth Care MarketingHuman Resources for Health Care Managers Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $14,358Grad $10,580Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$5,289 Average Net Price:N/A Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training, dedicated point of contact, recognized student veteran organization & member of SOC. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission 8 University of Phoenix – AZ Master of Health Care Administration Fully Online This online MHA program entails 36 credits. The program aligns with the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). You can pursue the MHA on its own or add a focus. There is also an option to pursue a dual MHA/MBA degree. Another part of the program is that it uses the Novel Initiative. Apart from learning key manager topics, you may read two novels: “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (Skloot, 2010)“The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down” (Fadiman, 1998) Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $9,552Grad $16,752Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$4,010 Average Net Price:$12,767 Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training, dedicated point of contact, recognized student veteran organization & member of SOC. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission. 9 Southern New Hampshire University MBA Healthcare Fully Online This online MBA requires 36 credits. Nine of these courses deal with core business and manager topics. The other three classes are about how to run the day to day operations in health care. These may be: Health Care InformaticsQuality ManagementSocial and Organizational Issues in Health Care Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $31,136Grad $18,810Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$3,913 Average Net Price:$39,743 Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training, dedicated point of contact, recognized student veteran organization & member of SOC. Accredited:New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). 10 Minnesota State University Moorhead Master of Health Care Administration Fully Online This online MHA consists of 43 credits. The program melds parts of the MHA with MBA and economic graduate course work. Nursing professionals may also enroll in a dual MHA/MS in Nursing program. Any of these degrees focuses on expanding your manager skill sets. Classes for this MHA might be: Health Info SystemsHealth Care Delivery SystemsOrganizational Strategy and Systems Leadership Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $16,586Grad $9,540Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$5,221 Average Net Price:$16,589 Military Programs:Credit for military training, dedicated point of contact, recognized student veteran organization & member of SOC. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission. 11 Central Michigan University Doctor of Health Administration Online modules with occasional face to face seminars This online DHA program entails 63 credits. It combines theory and practice with research for a dissertation. The main focus of the program is to help health care execs learn applied skills. Such as when and how to revise strategy to boost the success of their business. You may gain these skills while learning: Comparative Health SystemsProbability and Stats for Health CareHealth Care Dynamics Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $24,120Grad $17,150Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$7,882 Average Net Price:$15,266 Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training, dedicated point of contact, recognized student veteran organization & member of SOC. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission 12 A.T. Still University Doctor of Health Administration Fully Online This online DHA program requires 62 credits. Some of these are core courses, others relate to the dissertation. The core courses stack management science and leadership with areas like: Health Policy, Law and RegulationQuality Improvement and Performance ExcellenceCoaching, Mentoring, Interpersonal Communications Tuition and Fees:Undergrad N/AGrad $37,486 Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:N/A Average Net Price:N/A Military Programs:Dedicated point of contact, recognized student veteran organization & member of SOC. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission 13 Northcentral University PhD in Business Administration – Health Care Administration Fully Online This online PhD BA entails 60 credits (20 courses). It focuses both on research and business admin theories and skills. As such, it may study health care through the lens of strategic planning. Since NCU offers both the PhD and DHA degrees, there may be some overlap in content. Here are a few topics you may be taught: Health Law, Ethics, PolicyCommunications, Marketing, PR for Health Care Admin LeadersData Driven Decision Making Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $12,474Grad $18,095Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$3,144 Average Net Price:N/A Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training, dedicated point of contact & member of SOC. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission, WASC 14 Capella University Doctor of Health Administration Fully Online This online DHA program entails 76 quarter credits and asks for at least 100 hours of supervised practice. Courses cover leadership and health policy process. You may choose the basic study plan or add a focus in one of these: Leadership in Health CareHealth Care Quality and AnalyticsHealth Policy and Advocacy Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $14,540Grad $15,233Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$3,781 Average Net Price:$17,368 Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training, dedicated point of contact & member of SOC. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission 15 Franklin University Doctor of Health Administration Fully Online This online DHA program entails 58 credits. While it has a research core and requires a final dissertation, there’s also a focus on leadership. Students can also customize their program with a menu of electives. Among the major courses are: Advanced Health Info GovernanceHealth Care Policy, Regulations and ReformHealth Care Quality, Process and Improvement Tuition and Fees:Undergrad $9,577Grad $16,080Special rates available for military students. Avg Grants & Scholarship Aid:$8,438 Average Net Price:$12,459 Military Programs:Yellow Ribbon Program, credit for military training, dedicated point of contact, recognized student veteran organization & member of SOC. Accredited:Higher Learning Commission *Unemployment Earnings. Sources for school stats and data include the NCES and IPEDS.