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This page gives you more information about what is involved in studying online health care management, where you can study it, and how much you can expect to earn after completion.

What is health care management about?

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.

What is studied in online health care management?

Health Care Managers need to liaise with many departments, so a broad education is required in an online health care management program.

An online Bachelor of Science in Health Administration or 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.

An online Master of Health Administration or Management program is designed for students to learn to critically examine and evaluate issues. The curriculum includes content in finance, policy, research, technology, quality improvement, economics, marketing, and strategic planning.

An online PhD in Health Care Administration or Management typically includes advanced research and course work in analysis, strategic planning, organizational change, ethics, law, and quality improvement, focused on the health care field.

Where can you study an online health care management program

There are several universities where you can study an online health care management program, including:

Bachelor's degree level: Argosy University; Grand Canyon University; South University; University of Phoenix; Walden University.

Master's degree level: American InterContinental University; Argosy University; Jones International University; University of the Rockies; Marylhurst University; Walden University.

PhD degree level: Capella University; University of the Rockies; University of Phoenix; Walden University.

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

Your studies prepare you to work as a Healthcare Manager in many areas of the industry. Your job title might be:

• Hospital Administrator
• Medical Office Manager
• Health Service Manager
• Associate Administrator
• Health Care Administrator

According to the 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.

What are the education requirements for a job?

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. Some schools/colleges offer a joint degree, e.g., an online Masters degree in Business Administration and Public Health.

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

According to the US Department of Labor–Bureau of Labor Statistics web site:

Earnings in this 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

More information relevant to online health care management programs

Check the online health care management in nursing.

For information on Complementary Health, Education and Well Being try Choice Health Mag.

Go to the forum to discuss specific questions about online health care management programs in the Forum.