Find Programs & Earn a Degree in Healthcare Management
Doctors and nurses cover the clinical aspects of patient care, but the people at the front desks and in the back offices are just as important. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17 percent increase in employment healthcare management through 2024, as hospitals, clinics and other healthcare organizations turn to strong management teams to handle the business decisions that will both improve patient care and boost the bottom line. Keep reading for more information on getting a degree and finding a job in healthcare management.
Top Healthcare Management Programs: 2017
Pursuing a degree in healthcare management puts students on the path to become an essential leader in the medical field. Students learning in one of these programs will develop essential communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills that will be necessary for successful management of a healthcare facility. The first step to achieving a career in healthcare management is picking your school, which is why we've compiled a list of the top programs offered throughout the country. Explore the top-ranking healthcare management schools and programs for 2017 in the list below.
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Davenport UniversityLocation
Grand Rapids, MI
Graduation Rate40%
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University of ToledoLocation
Toledo, OH
Graduation Rate46%
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Long Island UniversityLocation
Brookville, NY
Graduation Rate42%
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Clarkson CollegeLocation
Omaha, NE
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University of Alabama at BirminghamLocation
Birmingham, AL
Graduation Rate48%
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Park UniversityLocation
Parkville, MO
Graduation Rate41%
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Saint Joseph's College of MaineLocation
Standish, ME
Graduation Rate51%
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Temple UniversityLocation
Philadelphia, PA
Graduation Rate66%
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Iona CollegeLocation
New Rochelle, NY
Graduation Rate65%
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Saint Louis UniversityLocation
Saint Louis, MO
Graduation Rate70%
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Ferris State UniversityLocation
Big Rapids, MI
Graduation Rate53%
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University of Southern CaliforniaLocation
Los Angeles, CA
Graduation Rate90%
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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityLocation
Tallahassee, FL
Graduation Rate40%
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Duquesne UniversityLocation
Pittsburgh, PA
Graduation Rate74%
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Pace UniversityLocation
New York City, NY
Graduation Rate56%
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Utica CollegeLocation
Utica, NY
Graduation Rate47%
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The College of Saint ScholasticaLocation
Duluth, MN
Graduation Rate65%
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Western Carolina UniversityLocation
Cullowhee, NC
Graduation Rate48%
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SUNY Polytechnic InstituteLocation
Utica, NY
Graduation Rate33%
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University of MississippiLocation
University, MS
Graduation Rate60%
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Regis UniversityLocation
Denver, CO
Graduation Rate59%
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University of PennsylvaniaLocation
Philadelphia, PA
Graduation Rate96%
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Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisLocation
Indianapolis, IN
Graduation Rate38%
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University of KansasLocation
Lawrence, KS
Graduation Rate64%
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Creighton UniversityLocation
Omaha, NE
Graduation Rate75%
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Southwestern Oklahoma State UniversityLocation
Weatherford, OK
Graduation Rate35%
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Tennessee State UniversityLocation
Nashville, TN
Graduation Rate35%
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University of PittsburghLocation
Pittsburgh, PA
Graduation Rate79%
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Texas Southern UniversityLocation
Houston, TX
Graduation Rate12%
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Baker College Center for Graduate StudiesLocation
Flint, MI
Graduation Rate25%
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Ohio State UniversityLocation
Columbus, OH
Graduation Rate82%
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Johns Hopkins UniversityLocation
Baltimore, MD
Graduation Rate92%
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East Carolina UniversityLocation
Greenville, NC
Graduation Rate58%
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University of North Carolina at Chapel HillLocation
Chapel Hill, NC
Graduation Rate89%
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University of Louisiana at LafayetteLocation
Lafayette, LA
Graduation Rate44%
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Graceland University-LamoniLocation
Lamoni, IA
Graduation Rate50%
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Harvard UniversityLocation
Cambridge, MA
Graduation Rate97%
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Franklin Pierce UniversityLocation
Rindge, NH
Graduation Rate50%
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Sacred Heart UniversityLocation
Fairfield, CT
Graduation Rate63%
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Sinclair CollegeLocation
Dayton, OH
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St Philip's CollegeLocation
San Antonio, TX
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Columbus State Community CollegeLocation
Columbus, OH
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Minnesota West Community and Technical CollegeLocation
Granite Falls, MN
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Central Arizona CollegeLocation
Coolidge, AZ
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Mt Hood Community CollegeLocation
Gresham, OR
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City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CollegeLocation
Chicago, IL
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Eastern Gateway Community CollegeLocation
Steubenville, OH
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Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeLocation
Milwaukee, WI
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Harper CollegeLocation
Palatine, IL
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Quinebaug Valley Community CollegeLocation
Killingly, CT
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Cuyahoga Community CollegeLocation
Cleveland, OH
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GateWay Community CollegeLocation
Phoenix, AZ
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Northern Essex Community CollegeLocation
Lawrence, MA
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Iowa Central Community CollegeLocation
Fort Dodge, IA
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Crowder CollegeLocation
Neosho, MO
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Capital Community CollegeLocation
Hartford, CT
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BridgeValley Community & Technical CollegeLocation
South Charleston, WV
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Community College of PhiladelphiaLocation
Philadelphia, PA
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Middlesex Community CollegeLocation
Bedford, MA
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Northwestern Connecticut Community CollegeLocation
Winsted, CT
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Delaware County Community CollegeLocation
Media, PA
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Flathead Valley Community CollegeLocation
Boston, MT
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Klamath Community CollegeLocation
Klamath Falls, OR
Earning a Degree in Healthcare Management
The range of opportunities in healthcare management means there is room for individuals with varying educational backgrounds. Those who wish to assume managerial positions will likely need at least a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration or healthcare management, and many employers prefer candidates with graduate degrees. However, it's also possible to enter the field more quickly – often as assistants or office workers – by earning a two-year associate degree, and then building experience and getting additional education to progress later. Following are some of the pathways for interested students.
Community College
- Time to Complete: 2 years
- Credential Earned: Associate degree
- Description: A high school diploma or GED is needed to enroll in an associate degree program in healthcare management, which is designed to provide specialized knowledge and career training for students who want to enter the field as clerical workers or administrative assistants, or assume other support positions. Graduates should emerge with a solid understanding of medical terminology, medical coding and billing procedures, and basic leadership skills they can apply in healthcare settings.
- Curriculum: Curriculum may include both online and classroom-based instruction in areas including electronic medical records (EMR), healthcare statistics and trends, and general healthcare management. Some programs also let students gain real-world experience by completing a practicum at an area medical facility. Students round out their training in healthcare management with general education classes in subjects such as English, mathematics, and social and natural sciences.
Sample Courses:
Associate degree programs in healthcare administration and healthcare management introduce students to the various business aspects of healthcare, including records management, office management, budgeting, and billing. Some programs offer training in the specialized field of medical coding and are designed to prepare students to sit for an exam that will certify them as medical coders. In addition to liberal arts coursework, students in these programs might also take:
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Medical Office Management -
Health Records Management -
Medical Coding -
Introduction to Medical Software
4-Year College/University
- Time to Complete: Four years
- Credential Earned: Bachelor's degree
- Description: Bachelor's degree programs in healthcare administration and management may be completed online, on campus or some combination of the two. They are comprehensive programs of study designed to provide a solid background in healthcare economics, law and ethics, health services management, and healthcare information systems, in addition to general education requirements. A high school diploma or GED, sometimes with a minimum GPA, is required for entry.
- Curriculum: Curriculum includes general business management courses, marketing and sales fundamentals, organizational communication, and the principles of accounting and finance. Specialized courses beyond the core curriculum may cover ethics and decision making in the context of healthcare, quality assurance risk management, and healthcare economics.
Sample Courses:
Coursework in a bachelor's degree program delves more deeply into healthcare management, including theoretical principles and their applications in the real world, and the evolving nature of healthcare delivery and policy in the United States. Graduates of bachelor's degree programs in healthcare administration should be prepared to take entry-level positions with healthcare organizations such as hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities or private practice offices. Sample courses for these degree programs include:
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Healthcare Policy -
Management Principles -
Health Insurance and Managed Care -
Human Resource Management
Healthcare Management Careers At-a-Glance
Healthcare management applies business principles to the delivery of clinical care. The people who work behind the scenes in a hospital, clinic or other healthcare organization make sure that things run smoothly. They may supervise a team of doctors, nurses, specialists, and other administrative professionals to coordinate activities and facilitate cooperation. Other tasks may include handling departmental conflicts, creating and managing budgets, and serving as a liaison between different staff members to help the organization achieve both its clinical and financial goals.
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Healthcare Management: Career Basics
Healthcare administrators oversee operations for a medical or healthcare facility. This may involve managing daily activities such as staffing and billing, or, farther up the ladder, creating and implementing organizational policies and making strategic business decisions. Hospital and practice administrators must have strong problem-solving and communication skills, and be competent to take on leadership roles to manage different departments effectively. -
Healthcare Management: In Depth
Hospital and practice administrators can wear many hats, but ultimately they are responsible for leading an organization and achieving its business objectives. They are involved with budgeting, marketing, hiring, and general operations of the facility. Work involves troubleshooting problems, monitoring progress on projects, and resolving conflicts.
In larger facilities, administrators typically work as a team, with each individual responsible for a specific department. In smaller clinics and practice settings, the duties of an administrator are often cross-departmental, with work involving conducting meetings with other managers, reviewing budgets, and outlining patient care and employee objectives.
Typically, a career in healthcare management begins with managing lower-level administrative staff, handling scheduling duties, and consulting with department managers. After gaining experience, they may be promoted to head a particular department or even an entire organization.
Specializations
As healthcare becomes more specialized, schools are responding by offering specific educational tracks to match. Several possible options include:
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Healthcare Informatics -
Healthcare Law and Policy -
Financial Management
In some cases, students pursuing a general business degree may choose a concentration in healthcare management. They learn to apply general business skills like marketing and accounting to the operations in a healthcare environment. Course topics may include ethics in healthcare, sociology of medicine, and health policy and politics.
Healthcare Management Career and Salary Outlook
Increased demand for medical services, especially by aging baby boomers, means that job opportunities in healthcare management should be plentiful. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the field will grow by 17 percent through 2024, far higher than the average of all occupations. Hospitals employ most medical and health service managers; for those who wish to work outside of traditional hospital settings, other options include nursing and residential care facilities and physicians' offices.
Industry | Total Employment (May 2015) | Mean Hourly Wage (May 2015) | Mean Annual Wage (May 2015) |
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General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 112,480 | $54.89 | $114,180 |
Offices of Physicians | 34,570 | $49.08 | $102,080 |
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 20,160 | $42.29 | $87,970 |
Outpatient Care Centers | 19,940 | $48.30 | $100,470 |
Home Healthcare Services | 19,670 | $45.80 | $95,260 |
Certificates and Salary Boosters
After earning a degree in healthcare management, individuals may add to their skills, improve their marketability, and potentially increase their salaries by achieving specialty certifications in various areas. Certification demonstrates not only knowledge but commitment to the profession, as most require continuing education for renewal. Following are just a few available certifications related to healthcare management:
Certified Professional Coder
Offered by the AAPC, an association for professional medical coders, this certification is available to those who pass an exam; individuals can learn the material through an associate degree or certificate program specializing in medical coding.
American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
This organization offers several tiered certifications, representing different levels of experience, for those focused on revenue cycle management.
Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems
Targeted to professionals who work with healthcare information, certification requires candidates to hold a bachelor's degree, have several years of prior experience, and to pass an exam.
Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
For individuals who have undertaken graduate studies, this board certification demonstrates advanced skills in administration and is appropriate for those in senior management positions.