Online master's degree programs in health care administration

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The landscape of health care is constantly changing, with new health care and insurance reforms on the horizon, a mandate for electronic medical records (EMRs) by 2014, rapidly advancing medical technology, and an increased focus on preventive care. If you envision yourself guiding a health services department or organization into this brave new future, explore a career in health care management.

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Coursework for online master's degree programs in health care services administration

The standard educational requirement for a health care manager is a master's degree. Once you've decided you're ready to take your career to the next level, the last thing you want to do is quit your job to go back to school for that all-important graduate degree. You'll need a master's degree program in health care management that will allow you to both work and study, so explore online programs.

An online master's degree in health care services administration can prepare you for management positions in doctors' offices, hospitals, clinics or other health care facilities. Depending on your program, your coursework could include:

Hospital organization and management
Marketing and strategic planning
Accounting and budgeting
Law and ethics
Biostatistics or epidemiology
Health information systems
Health economics
Health care policy

Master's degree programs in health care management generally take 2 to 3 years to complete and require about one year of supervised administrative experience.

Careers for graduates of master's degree programs in health care management

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that medical and health services management positions should grow at a faster-than-average rate of 16 percent in the 2008-2018 period. While no degree can ever guarantee any particular position or salary, graduates of master's degree programs in health care management may find themselves in a more advantageous situation. Some potential careers for graduates, along with mean annual salaries as reported by the BLS, include:

Medical and health services managers (also called healthcare administrators or executives) plan, direct and oversee health care delivery in hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics or other health care organizations. This category may also include clinical managers and health information managers. May 2009, mean salary for medical and health services managers: $90,970.

General and operations managers in health care settings plan and direct activities in departments, programs or public and private sector health care organizations. May 2009, mean salary for general and operations managers: $110,550.

Computer and information systems managers oversee the implementation and administration of technology within health care organizations. May 2009, mean salary for computer and information systems managers: $120,640.

For more information, visit our Guide to Majors in Medical & Health Sciences. WorldWideLearn.com's Guide to Master's Degrees in Health provides a fuller explanation of what to expect in graduate-level programs. You'll find detailed information on specializations in health care administration, nursing administration, and public health.

You can simply browse below to find a list of traditional and online master's degree programs in health care services administration. When you find a program that interests you, simply fill out a short form and a representative will contact you to answer all your questions. Expand your career potential by exploring online master's degree programs in health care services administration.