Hospital Administration Degree and Programs

Hospital administration, health management, or hospital administration is the discipline regarding management, leadership, and direction of a public hospital system, particularly a managed care hospital system, health maintenance organizations, rehabilitation centers, health centers, home health care agencies, acute care facilities, hospices and other medical facilities. It includes clinical administration of medicine, research, patient care, financial and technical aspects, budget preparation, quality assurance, administration of acquired and developed medical devices, policies concerning patient compensation, and other issues related to the organization and management of such medical facilities. The hospital manager or administrator is ultimately responsible for the supervision, care, and treatment of patients in a hospital system. Hospital administrators, therefore, are responsible for the day to day management of the facilities as well as for the supervision of physicians practicing within the hospital system.

Hospital Administration

For persons seeking a position in hospital administration, a four year undergraduate degree in healthcare management with a major in public or community health may be required. With this degree, one can specialize in hospital administration. One can obtain an Associates degree in this discipline via two methods, either by attending a full-time college or via a distance learning program. A distance learning program allows one to work and still receive an education. An online Bachelor’s degree in healthcare management is also available via this method.

An individual who is interested in pursuing a career in hospital administration should have a bachelor’s degree from a region of study that has become recognized as having a high percentage of graduates with the professional skills necessary for such positions. Most Associate’s degrees are designed to prepare students for specific vocations after graduation. Most Associate’s degrees require that graduates complete a minimum of two years at a community college or trade school for their education. This minimum requirement for completion often varies by state, so it is best to check with your state’s Department of Education. Some states, such as Texas, have a wider range of educational requirements for the degree, including passing the board exam.

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A number of the courses offered for those seeking to enter into the world of hospital administration may offer internships, professional certificates or certifications, or experience in an administrative capacity for employers. These experiences are considered experience in which the individual may put to use once they have graduated. Graduates of a Bachelors degree program can seek employment within hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, or outpatient clinics.

Some individuals may not pursue a Bachelors degree in healthcare management due to a lack of financial aid, or they may not feel they need this degree. There is, however, an option for those who wish to pursue healthcare administration but cannot afford to pursue a Bachelors degree. One can pursue an Online Bachelors degree in healthcare management. This option allows an individual to continue working while gaining experience in a hands on environment via the Internet. Online programs are accredited by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Accreditation for Healthcare Schools and Programs.

Those who do opt for the Bachelors degree in Hospital administration are normally classified as entering-level administrators. In the program, students will be educated in general business principles, leadership skills, and problem-solving techniques. Students will also learn the important role that finance plays in running a hospital. Financial management includes planning, organizing, managing, budgeting, and controlling the organization’s money. The Master degree in the same field is usually called a Doctoral degree; it typically takes two to three years to complete the coursework and requires that graduates meet some level of academic excellence.

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There are numerous online universities that offer master degrees in healthcare administration. A number of universities offer programs that allow their students to earn an Online Bachelors degree in Hospital Administration. As the name implies, the programs take place on the Internet, which allows the student to study from home. Many of these universities require that the student live in the United States in order to attend classes. It is also possible to obtain a university master’s degree in hospital administration from many other colleges and universities, as well as from community colleges and vocational schools.

Completion of any of these programs will provide you with a solid foundation in hospital administration. A few of the many areas of concentration that you may choose to include public health and healthcare administration, legal aspects of healthcare administration, communications skills, bookkeeping and financial management, among others. Many students choose to expand their focus to include administration of interventional procedures after earning their degrees. Other healthcare professionals and administrators choose to specialize in particular areas, such as oncology or neurosurgery administration.