Is a Healthcare Administration Degree Right for Me?

What To Expect From a Healthcare Administration Degree

Healthcare administration programs teach students how to manage the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations such as hospitals and long-term care facilities. Some of the skills students learn include:

• creating and managing budgets
• organizing health records
• maintaining medical facilities
• using problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to work through problems
• understanding healthcare policies and laws

These skills are taught though a series of core classes either in a classroom, online, or in a hybrid format. Students may also be required to work internships or participate in volunteer opportunities to gain hands-on experience.

Common Healthcare Administration Degree Programs

Those hoping to become administrative healthcare professionals can pursue various types and levels of degrees to learn the essential skills they need.

Bachelor's and master's degrees in healthcare administration are most common and lead to a wide array of job opportunities.

Those pursuing an associate degree in the field typically transfer into a bachelor's program. Those who obtain doctoral degrees have opportunities to advance to top-level positions in healthcare administration and may also pursue careers in education.

In addition to healthcare administration degrees, you could opt to pursue several related educational programs that can lead to healthcare administration careers. These degrees may include:

• healthcare management
• public health
• health information management
• medical information technology

How To Decide If a Healthcare Administration Degree Is Right for You

Now that you know a little more about healthcare administration degrees, you may still wondering whether this is the right path for you. Let's take a look at some tips you can follow to help you decide.

Determine Your Career and Life Goals

Where do you want your career to take you? Do you enjoy being in a position of leadership? Are you more interested in providing direct patient care, or would you rather apply your skills to the healthcare industry in a more behind-the-scenes, administrative position?

Try to be as specific as possible as you determine your career goals and try to think long-term. Having a strong understanding of your interests and the things you would like to pursue in life will help you determine whether healthcare administration is right for you.

Examine Your Skillset

Every position within the healthcare system requires a unique skillset as well as transferrable skills that can apply across industries. Many of these skills can be taught; others are inherent.

Take a good, honest look at yourself to determine if you have what it takes to work in healthcare administration and whether you're willing to grow in areas where you may be lacking. Some of the skills you will need include:

• organization and time management
• leadership ability
• business expertise
• critical thinking and problem solving
• communication skills
• adaptability
• technological understanding
• working knowledge of healthcare regulations and laws

Consider Your Financial Situation

A big consideration when deciding to go to college is determining how to pay for school. If you're interested in getting a healthcare administration degree, take a look at your financial situation and how prepared you are for the steep up-front costs of going to college.

Consider financial aid options available through the FAFSA, scholarships, work-study programs, employer tuition assistance, and military benefits. It may also be beneficial to find an online program in healthcare administration, as these degrees are often more affordable than in-person programs.

Speak To a Healthcare Administrator

One of the best ways to find out what it's like to be a healthcare administrator is to talk to one of these professionals. Look for opportunities to job shadow those working in healthcare administration, or ask to interview one.

Speaking with a healthcare administrator will enable you to get answers to specific questions and will give you a realistic idea of what it's like to work in the field. It can also help you make a new connection you could add to your personal network, which could come in handy later on.

FAQs About Healthcare Administration Degrees

Still not sure whether a healthcare administration degree is right for you? If you still have questions, keep reading as we take a look at some answers.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Healthcare Administration Degree?

The answer to this question depends on the level of your degree, whether you study full time or part time, and whether you bring any transfer credits into your program. On average, full-time students finish associate degrees in two years, bachelor's degrees in four, master's degree in one to three years, and doctoral degrees in four to seven.

Part-time students can expect it to take longer to obtain the required credits for graduation. On the other hand, those taking a heavier course load or who have significant transfer credits may be able to graduate sooner.

Is Healthcare Administration a Difficult Major?

Though the difficulty of any degree program is subjective, healthcare administration is not considered one of the more difficult majors.

It can be challenging in that students learn to master both business and healthcare in a single program, but it is not as difficult as many other majors, such as those in STEM fields.

What Are Common Career Paths for Healthcare Administration Majors?

You can pursue a variety of career paths as a healthcare administrator. Common job titles include:

• nursing home administrator
• health information manager
• human resource manager
• health services manager
• hospital administrator
• healthcare consultant
• medical office manager

Would a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration Advance My Career?

Yes, obtaining a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree is often considered an excellent career move. This advanced degree can make you eligible for a wider range of job opportunities, including senior positions you might not qualify for with only a bachelor's degree.