Online and Distance Learning

An online health care management degree provides the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career in the health sector.

This page gives you more information about what is involved in studying health care management, where you can study it online, and the job and salary prospects after completion.

As health care responds to the political directives, changing demographics and health needs of the population it serves, there is an even greater need for effective management.  An online health care management program can provide the training you require to position yourself to meet the challenge.

Where can you study online health care management?

Here are some selected universities where you can study for a diploma, associate degree or bachelors in health care management:

• Capella University
  • BS - Health Care Management

• University of Phoenix Online
  • BS in Health Administration - Emergency Management
  • BS in Health Administration - Health Management

• Walden University
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Healthcare Management
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Studies - Health Management

• Kaplan University Online
  • B. S. in Management/Health Care Management
  • Case Management Certificate
  • Geriatric Care Management Certificate
  • BS in Health Information Management

• South University
  • Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management

• American InterContinental University
  • Associate's (AABA) - Medical Coding and Billing
  • Bachelor's of Business Administration in Healthcare Management

• Ashford University
  • B. A. in Organizational Management/ Health Care Administration
  • B. A. in Organizational Management/ Human Services Administration

• Independence University
  • BS - Health Services Management

• Grand Canyon University
  
  • B.S. in Health Care Administration

• Jones International University
  • BBA in Health Care Management

• Colorado Technical University Online 
  
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Health Care Management

Click here for Master's degree and PhD degree programs in health care management.

What are the education requirements for jobs in health care management?

Short online certificate programs in health care management are usually designed for health care professionals who have (or soon will have) supervisory or management responsibilities. The minimum requirement for participation is usually an associate degree, or equivalent experience.

A Bachelors degree is enough for some entry-level positions as administrative assistants, a few senior-level positions (department heads) in smaller operations, and for some middle management jobs in larger organizations. 

A Masters degree is required for almost every position in the health care management field. Graduates with a Master’s degree may enter the industry as an associate administrator or manager/supervisor of a department.

What is studied in online health care management?

Health care management professionals are those responsible for management and administration in healthcare. It is their responsibility to ensure that their organizations have strong medical, operational, and financial administration and managment.  They need to liaise with many departments, so a broad education is required in an online health care management program.

Associate degree programs are designed to enable you to learn about the healthcare delivery system, and also to develop knowledge and skills in management. Topics might include: healthcare administration, healthcare finance, healthcare records, human resources, reimbursement systems, regulations and legal issues affecting healthcare organizations.

An online bachelors degree in health care management will provide a foundation of general education and applied sciences, plus more specialized content, including: foundations of managed care; regulation and compliance; financial management; human resources management; medical law and ethics; quality improvement.  Thus, the bachelor of science in health care management found at Capella University, Walden University, Herzing University, and the other bachelor degrees listed here, can help you develop the transformational leadership skills needed to initiate and manage change within the health care system.  The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care Management from Colorado Technical University enables you to earn six Professional Certificates along the way without additional course or tuition costs.

What jobs are there after graduating with an online health care management degree?

Due to an an aging population and changes in government policies, the demand for healthcare services in a variety of settings will continue to expand.  According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical and health services managers is expected to grow 16 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than the average for all occupations.

With an associate degree, you can look for positions in health administration areas such as: medical records, medical claims, medical billing, release of information, patient financial representation.  With a bachelors degree, your studies prepare you to work as a healthcare manager or assistant manager in many areas of the industry, e,g., in clinics, hospitals, medical practice organizations, pharmaceutical companies.

How much can you earn after completing an online health care management program?

According to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics healthcare will generate 3.2 million new wage and salary jobs between 2008 and 2018, more than any other industry.

Earnings in a health care managment career vary depending on the size of the facility and level of responsibility. The median income for those employed as managers in medical and health services careers was $84,980 in May 2007. The lowest paid 25% earned $59,910 or less while the highest paid 25% earned above $99,680

For more information

Click here for information on health care administration degrees.

Click here for Master's degree and Doctoral programs.

If you don't find what you want here, you can use the search facillity on this site using online health care management as your topic.