Types of Health Care Administration Degrees

The health care sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by a variety of factors, including an aging population, a growing population, as well as technological and insurance innovations that have given more people access to a wider range of health care services.

Many of the changes and new services involve significant “backend” work, particularly the administration of new technology, the safe collection, storage and retrieval of patient health data, and the assessment of healthcare trends and tools. These skills fall under the umbrella of healthcare administration, a critical support role that promotes and improves positive patient outcomes and provider care.

If you’re interested in exploring the health care administration field, it’s important to understand the various types of academic degrees available. There are certificate and degree programs tailored to meet various career goals and interests, including specialized areas like medical coding and community health education. Here’s an overview of why many choose this career path and the degree options available in this rapidly growing industry:

The State of Healthcare Administration

Although they do not have the same face-to-face interactions as nurses, doctors, therapists and other healthcare providers, healthcare administrators perform many critical roles. These professionals help hospitals and clinics with scheduling, keeping track of finances, patient records, purchasing and receiving equipment and medicine, and many other functions. As more technology is introduced to the medical field, it is often administrators who help implement and improve its use.

Although the industry is in a state of rapid growth, it is also suffering from a severe labor shortage, one which will, in all likelihood, continue in the coming years. This shortage places demands on hiring managers, as well as healthcare administrators who will be leaned on to find creative ways to do more with less. This is one of the many reasons why the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that this field will grow by 29% in the next ten years.

Health Care Administration Degrees

*Certificates and Specialized Programs

There is a growing desire for focused training within a professional specialization in today’s competitive job market. By earning a *certificate such as the ones listed below, students can learn specific skills related to healthcare leadership, medical documentation and various code sets.

Examples of Certificates in Health Care Administration

Associate of Health Care Administration

This degree is typically a two-year program that is an entry point into the health field. It is an ideal choice for people who want to begin working quickly while laying the groundwork for further study. Students who enroll in this program will be given a foundational understanding of the many principles and practices which healthcare administrators utilize in their work, including ethics, healthcare policy and patient privacy. Office management, recordkeeping, and medical coding and terminology are other skills acquired in the associate degree program.

Examples of Associate Degrees in Health Care Administration

CSU’s associate degree programs emphasize foundational knowledge in:

Electronic health records and insurance procedures
Healthcare ethics and policy
Interpersonal communication and conflict resolution in healthcare
Medical office procedures and medical terminology

Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles in hospitals, clinics or medical offices and may later transition to bachelor’s-level programs.

Bachelor of Health Care Administration

A Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration offers a broader and more in-depth curriculum, covering subject matter that goes beyond the day-to-day functions of health care administrators. This degree is for people who are looking for a role with greater challenges and responsibilities, and who are confident in choosing a career in health care administration.

Your studies will cover specific administrative skills as well as courses in group leadership, collaboration, and management. Students typically learn about healthcare quality measurement and improvement strategies, as well as healthcare finances, data collection and storage, IT provisioning and services. In addition to skills and knowledge acquired at the associate degree level, students will learn about legal risk, healthcare law, compliance, patient safety, organizational security, and public health.

Examples of Bachelor’s Degrees in Health Care Administration

A bachelor’s program is designed for individuals aiming for mid-level management roles in healthcare settings. It typically includes a blend of administrative, technical and leadership-focused courses.

Master of Health Care Administration

For professionals seeking leadership or executive roles, a Master of Science in Health Care Administration offers advanced instruction in strategic planning, operations, and policy development. Typically taken as a two-year program, these master’s-level studies combine practical administrative skills with those typically expected of managers and executives. The courses include:

Data modeling, projection, analysis and reporting
Epidemiology, public health and healthcare provider partnerships and collaboration
Marketing, sales, negotiation and communications strategies
Organizational structures, business models and leadership
Statistics, economic, legal and financial analysis

Examples of Master’s Degrees in Health Care Administration

Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management

Although it technically falls outside of the traditional health care administration track, an MBA in this field offers unique opportunities and skills. Health care management MBAs typically assume high level roles, often in charge of finances, sales, marketing or other growth-related aspects of their organization. They can also work as consultants, assisting healthcare organizations in all sectors with projects or issues. An MBA’s courses can include:

Communications and human resources
Accounting, data analysis and business operations
Advanced information systems management, database querying and automated reporting
Executive leadership and medium- and long-term strategy

This degree is suitable for professionals moving into executive positions or pivoting from clinical work to management consulting.

Earn Your Degree in Health Care Administration from Columbia Southern University

No matter what your current career journey, our flexible course schedule and diverse range of invaluable courses will help you move toward the next step on your journey. At CSU, you can pursue a degree at your own pace and on your own schedule, learning the fundamentals as well as advanced healthcare administration skills.

To learn more about how we work, take a look at our program page.

Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.

*These programs are not eligible for Federal Student Aid, military tuition assistance, VA funding or Learning Partner discounts.

CSU offers certificates, which are educational programs of study in a specific discipline intended to expand skills and knowledge. A certification requires passing exams and meeting other requirements determined by a third-party organization that sets industry standards. CSU does not offer certifications.

Types of Health Care Administration Degrees

The State of Healthcare Administration