Is 40 Too Old To Get a Degree in Healthcare Administration?

Interested in a healthcare administration career but are wondering: Is 40 too old for a healthcare administration degree? Maybe you're already in healthcare and are looking for a promotion, or you already work in management and are looking to transition into the healthcare field.

Whatever the reason, you may be wondering if it's too late. Is 40 too old to get a degree in healthcare administration?

No, 40 is not too old to get a degree in healthcare administration. You're never too old to pursue a new degree, and majoring in healthcare management can be a great career move at this time in your life.

Keep reading as we discuss this topic in greater depth.

Getting a Healthcare Administration Degree at 40

If you're thinking about going back to school at age 40, you're not alone. A growing percentage of adult students are returning to the classroom in an effort to change or advance their careers.

Getting a healthcare administration degree in your 40s can help you pursue a range of new career opportunities. It will give you the credentials you need to enter a field that is likely a good fit for someone your age.

Many 40-year-old professionals already have a couple of decades of work experience, often in leadership or management roles. If you have held an administrative position in any field, then you have probably already developed the soft skills you'll need as a healthcare administrator.

So, whether you already work in healthcare or are looking to transition into the field, you are not too old to pursue a healthcare administration degree. On the contrary, your status as an older student may help you find success.

Will a 40-Year-Old Healthcare Administration Graduate Get a Job?

Generally speaking, many employers prefer to hire younger applicants. Though age discrimination in the workplace is illegal, the reality is that older job hunters often struggle to stand out from the crowd of younger ones.

That said, it is far from impossible for you to get hired as a new graduate in your 40s. As noted in the previous section, your age and experience may be seen as assets in healthcare administration roles.

To give yourself the best chance of getting hired, tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your professional successes, even if you worked in a completely different field than healthcare.

Hiring managers want to hear about your skills, your achievements, and your past experiences. Don't downplay your accomplishments; your past work history can do a lot to convince prospective employers to hire you.

It's also a good idea to network with other healthcare administrators and people in the healthcare and business worlds. Knowing people who can put in a good word for you with employers can often mean the difference between getting the job and getting passed over.

Finally, you may want to go the extra mile to show employers that you are a good fit. Create an introductory video or website to give a snapshot of your personality, and don't hesitate to reach out to hiring managers after applying to express your particular interest in the job.

Do You Need a Degree to Become a Healthcare Administrator?

As an older professional, you probably want to get started in your new role as soon as possible. Especially if you have past management experience, you may be wondering if it's necessary to get a degree to work as a healthcare administrator.

If you already hold a degree in business or management, this may be enough to get your foot in the door of the healthcare administration field. However, if you don't have a degree, or your degree is in an unrelated field, you will most likely need to go back to school.

The vast majority of hospitals, clinics, and other facilities require healthcare administrators to hold at least a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

The highest-paying employers usually require a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA).

As an older job candidate, you will want to give yourself the best chance of landing the job. If you don't already hold a relevant degree, it's best to invest the time and money in completing a degree.

Can You Get a Degree Online?

Many healthcare administration degree programs can be completed online, allowing you a more flexible study schedule that you can fit into your life as a busy professional.

If you study full-time, you can expect to complete your degree in about four years. If you have transfer credits or enroll in an accelerated program, you may be able to finish even sooner.

Is a Healthcare Administration Degree Right for You?

You may be wondering if investing in a degree and pursuing a career change is right for you. And, ultimately, you're the only one who can make that decision.

That said, there are many good reasons in favor of getting into healthcare administration.

Healthcare workers are always in high demand, and healthcare administrators are no exception. The field is projected to grow at a faster-than-average rate over the next ten years or so, with hundreds of thousands of jobs expected to open during that time.

What's more, healthcare administrators are often well-compensated for their work. Though salaries vary widely depending on experience, location, and other factors, you can generally expect higher-than-average pay and job security as a healthcare administrator.

Finally, there are various specialized types of healthcare administrators who work in different environments. This allows you to pursue the particular work environment that appeals to you.

Some of these specific roles include:

• nursing home administrator
• medical office manager
• healthcare consultant
• records and information technician
• clinical supervisor

If you have strong management skills and would like to make a difference in healthcare without being directly involved in patient care, a healthcare administration can help you reach your goals.

Start Your Healthcare Administration Degree Today

So, 'Is 40 too old for a healthcare administration degree? As long as you are willing to do the work to get your degree and find the job, this work will likely pay off by providing you with a rewarding career.