Online Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration

The delivery of health services requires employees who are familiar with health care technology, coding, business administration and finance. These skills are vital to smooth delivery of services of hospitals, doctor’s offices and public health agencies. Graduates of an online Master’s Degree in Health Services Administration hold valuable skills in administering and managing health programs in a variety of arenas.

Online Master’s Degrees in Health Services Administration Requirements

Experience in health care, nursing and management are desired for students entering a master’s degree program in health services administration. Math, science, and administration are particularly important in this program, so a solid background in these subjects is vital. Students in a top online master’s program in health services administration should also have excellent writing and communication skills.

Online masters in health services administration usually require a bachelor’s degree before application. Common bachelor’s degrees held prior to pursuing an online master in health services administration include:

• Bachelor of Science, Health Service Administration
• Bachelor of Science, Nursing
• Bachelor of Arts, Management
• Bachelor of Science, Management and Administration
• Bachelor of Science, Administrative Technology

A background in nursing, technology and administration are often required of applicants to an online masters program in health services administration. Many students have prior experience in these areas, and concurrently work and participate in a degree program. Common careers for students in a health services administration online masters degree program include nursing, doctor’s office managers and health care coordinators.

Online Health Services Administration Master’s Degree Education

Good online master’s degree programs in health services administration typically take between 2 and 3 years to complete. The types of degrees offered by the best health services administration master’s programs online include:

• Master of Arts, Health Services Administration
• Master of Science, Health Services Administration Technology

Information on Health Services Administration Courses

The field of health services involves expertise in administration, management, leadership, finance, medical terminology and strategic planning. Students pursuing an online master’s degree in health services administration will develop skills in a broad spectrum of disciplines within the field. While students will have a chance to focus their studies on a specialization of choice, general courses to gain expertise are required.

Some courses required to earn an online health services administration master’s degree include:

• Health Care Organization and Administration
  This is a survey course that looks at the multitude of health care entities (public and private), how they interact and the issues that are in today’s complex health care environment.
• Health Services Leadership
  Topics in this course include the roles and values of health services administrators, organizational behavior, adaptability and accountability.
• Health Services Technology
  This course introduces the student to the technology used in health care for administrative, clinical and facility needs. Support systems for health care are also explored.
• Health Services Law, Regulation and Ethics
  This course is an introduction to health-related legislation, regulation and certification/accreditation programming. In addition, the legal and ethical implications for providers and consumers of health care are explored.
• Process Improvement in Health Care
  This course examines strategic planning in health care, the application of quality management in health care and strategies as well as a systems approach to understanding concepts as they apply to health care.

Specializations and Concentrations

While required courses in a top online health services administration master’s program are required, students will also have an opportunity to specialize their studies in an area of interest. This allows students to understand and utilize all areas of health services administration, as well as finding their own niche in the employment market for this field. Health services administration can be broken down into several specialties, including:

• Long-Term Care administration
• Public Health Administration
• Health Services Business Administration
• Health Services Informatics Administration

Careers in Health Services Administration

Health services is a complex, fast-paced field that is currently experiencing significant change. Educated, skilled employees who have practical experience in all areas of health services are in strong demand. From business to technology, online health services masters degrees provide students with much-needed skills to compete in the job market.

Graduates of top online master’s programs in health services administration may pursue the following career opportunities:

• Clinical Manager
  A clinical manager establishes and implements policy, develop strategic goals and handle all financial issues and reporting for their department. Clinical managers earn an average of $87,040. Job growth is expected at an average rate.
• Health Information Manager
  Health information managers are responsible for the security and accuracy of all patient records. Information managers earn an average of $92,500 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.
• Nursing Home Administrator
  Nursing home administrators are responsible for all personnel, finance, facilities and admissions. Nursing home administrators earn an average of $71,190 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate as the US population ages..
• Public Health Services Administrator
  A public health services administrator manages providers, clinics and education topics for the community in which they live. Public health administrators earn an average of $89,000 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.
• General Health Services Administrator
  A general health services administrator works in a doctor’s office or health services institution, managing referrals, schedules, technology or patient services. General health services administrators earn an average of $87,040 per year. Job growth is expected at an average rate.

Health services administration is an industry that has expanded in every area, and continues to need qualified, skilled workers. An online master degree in health services administration provides essential skills and practice to enter the industry with confidence.