In good economies and bad, healthcare remains an essential industry. However, it is one that is always evolving, incorporating technology to improve communication, record-keeping, and patient care. The healthcare industry is becoming increasingly reliant on college-educated leaders who can improve efficiencies and innovate when traditional methods are no longer viable. 

Just as there is tremendous opportunity to work in healthcare – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects as many as 1.9 million new health care jobs to be created through 2028 – there is also opportunity to lead in healthcare. Like every industry, healthcare organizations need thoughtful, strategic leadership and management qualities that are honed in a health care administration degree program.

What Is Health Care Administration?

In a nutshell, health care administration refers to the managerial aspect of the industry and the overseeing finance, patient data, public health services, and organizational policy. 

A health care administration degree program allows you to explore the social, political, ethical, legal, and economic factors contributing to the complexity of the American health care system, while preparing you to take on managerial and leadership roles. 

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Health Care Administration?

The surge in healthcare employment encompasses a broad spectrum of careers – everything from chiropractors to radiation therapists. But when you drill down to the knowledge and capabilities amassed in health care administration degree program, you start to get a clearer picture of what you can do. 

Here are just a few of the careers you could consider with your degree.

Ready for a Rewarding & Balanced Career? Contact The University of Arizona Global Campus Today!

Health Care Human Resources

Human resources is already a fast-growing field, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics citing, for example, “faster than average” demand for Human Resources managers. 

Further, the field of human resources has expanded far beyond hiring and discipline. Today’s HR professionals are often responsible for shaping organizational culture, and they are expected to have a deep understanding of compliance, corporate strategy, standards and practices, and employment laws.

If you are pursuing your Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Administration at the University of Arizona Global Campus, you’ll be exposed to these concepts in BUS 303 Human Resource Management. The course examines communication, motivation, and management of personnel; while touching on the legal environment as it pertains to HR. 

Facilities Management

With your bachelor’s degree, you can help fill the need for qualified managers at an independent health care facility, or as part of a larger conglomerate. Courses such as HCA 340 Managing in Health & Human Services, which is part of the Global Campus Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Administration, will bring your best management qualities to the surface, and immerse you in concepts that include management theory, organizational design, program planning and implementing supervisory relations, and managing finances. 

Medical Administration

If you are pursuing a role in medical administration, you will need a broad understanding of administrative and managerial responsibilities. The Global Campus Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Administration includes HCA 421 Health Care Planning & Evaluation – all of which can help you develop a foundation of health care knowledge, as well as the confidence to lead within the industry. 

Additionally, your bachelor’s degree can position you for opportunities that include:

  • Health care office staff
  • Hospital operations
  • Health care strategy
  • Health service management
  • Medical information management
  • Clinical research management
  • Clinic administrator
  • Health information manager 

What Jobs Can You Get with a Master’s in Health Care Administration?

While a bachelor’s degree will help open doors for you, professionals who aspire to lead organizations and create more opportunity for themselves often pursue a Master of Arts in Health Care Administration

This graduate degree examines essential health care topics –   finance, economics, leadership, quality improvement, risk management, health policy, law, ethics, strategic planning, information systems, statistical reasoning, and human resources, among them – from the point of view of senior management and executive-level leaders. 

With your master’s in health care administration, you can pursue careers that include:

Hospital Administrator

A hospital is a massive enterprise, and hospital administrators are responsible for overseeing budgets, staffing, organizational strategy, and more. The Global Campus Master of Arts in Health Care Administration students learn the necessary skills, and more, in courses such as MHA 616 Health Care Management Information Systems

Contract Negotiator

Negotiating contracts and navigating the legalities of today’s health care system require you to have a comprehensive understanding of everything from employment law to finance. If you are pursuing your Master of Arts in Health Care Administration at Global Campus, your program will prepare you for a role as a contract negotiator, with courses that include MHA 622 Health Care Ethics and Law, MHA 628 Managed Care and Contractual Services.

Other roles you can pursue with your master’s in health care administration include: 

  • HMO administrator
  • Administrative services director
  • Clinical department manager
  • Consultant health care administrator
  • Health care program director 

As the country’s largest employer, the health care industry employs one in eight U.S. citizens and is currently in a state of surging growth. Many of these jobs will require a college education, one that will not only help position you as the most qualified applicant for the roles you want, but also create opportunities for you to go further in your career. If you’re ready to start your education, talk to an advisor about a health care administration degree today.

Questions? Talk to an advisor

 

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Written by University Staff

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