California State University East Bay offers a fully online Master of Science in health care administration program. The degree program explores current strategies, theories, and technologies in healthcare and focuses on developing contemporary professional skills. Those who opt for the fully online program must have at least two years of paid professional experience in U.S. health care.
Admitted students join the program as members of a cohort model and take two courses per semester. The 34-unit curriculum includes required courses such as Evolution of the U.S. Health Care System; Health Disparities; and Policy and Health Care Legal, Diversity, and Ethical Issues. It culminates in a six-unit capstone that involves developing an original, field-based project.
What Is a Typical Job for a Master of Healthcare Administration Degree-Holder?
Master’s degrees in healthcare administration typically focus on the business side of the healthcare field, in areas from budgeting to human resources to policy-making. Healthcare administrators may focus on administration, leadership, management and/or supervision in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and other healthcare organizations.
Perhaps the most fitting career for graduates of typical MHA degree programs would be in medical and health services management. Medical and health services managers are responsible for planning and supervising business activities and operations in healthcare contexts. They may work to improve healthcare delivery, finances, policies, staffing, systems, and beyond.
Health services managers often develop strategic plans for healthcare departments, which may take into account factors such as budget, ethics, laws and regulations, new technologies, and so on. Other relevant health administration roles may include communicating with staff, creating work schedules, record-keeping, and recruiting new employees.
Health services managers may work in general health settings, such as local, state, and private hospitals; government agencies; nursing and residential care facilities; physician’s offices; and outpatient treatment centers. Some professionals may work in more specialized settings that focus on specific vulnerable populations or medical conditions.
The minimum requirement for medical and health services management positions is a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration or a relevant field, such as business administration. Master’s degrees are also commonly required, and work experience in administrative or clinical roles in healthcare settings are especially valuable.
According to a 2018 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for health services managers is $99,730. This is equivalent to $47.95 hourly. In 2018, there were approximately 406,100 health services management jobs in the United States. This number is projected to grow by 71,600 by 2028. The projected 10-year job growth rate is 18%, which is much faster than the average rate across all industries. This growth is likely due to the large, aging baby-boom population and the rise of preventive care and holistic health.
What Other Relevant Healthcare Positions Might I Explore?
Healthcare is a broad and growing field, with jobs ranging from athletic trainers and audiologists to vets and x-ray technicians. While some of these professions may require additional, specialized training, they may be enhanced by an MHA degree. With a knowledge of healthcare administration, individuals may be better equipped to lead, supervise, and thrive in specialized settings.
Individuals with technical and scientific expertise may be interested in careers such as clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. Individuals in these professions analyze samples of substances from the human body, such as blood, urine, and tissues. Many people in these professions work in hospitals, while others may work in laboratories or physician’s offices.
Some clinical lab technician positions require certification and/or licensure. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, lab technicians made a median 2018 salary of $52,330, and the field is experiencing a much-faster-than-average 11% growth rate.
An MHA degree may also lend itself to medical records and health information technicians’ careers. Individuals in these positions are responsible for organizing and overseeing health data, such as patient care records, clinical outcomes, insurance information, and so on.
Individuals in medical records and health information technician occupations may work in offices or from home, and they can expect to spend much of their time working on computers and databases. Most technician jobs require relevant certification. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median 2018 salary of $40,350 and a much-faster-than-average growth rate of 11% for health information professionals.
MHA degree-holders may also go on to become occupational health and safety specialists and technicians. These professionals gather and analyze data on healthcare work environments and procedures. These jobs may involve traveling to various healthcare facilities and organizations to assess safety regulations and operations.
Some occupational health and safety professions require certification and/or significant on-the-job training. Professionals in these positions earned a median of $69,370 in 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The demand for individuals to fill these positions is currently growing at a standard 6% rate.
If you’re interested in pursuing higher education, then you should check out ONLINE NURSING AND HEALTHCARE DEGREE PROGRAMS and THE TOP 20 BEST PRE-MED COLLEGES!
