Are Online Healthcare Administration Degrees Legit?

Planning to get a healthcare administration degree? Perhaps you're considering getting your degree online. Before committing, however, you want to make sure pursuing an online degree is a good move. Are online healthcare administration degrees legit?

Yes, there are many legitimate online healthcare administration degrees. When deciding which online school to enroll in, make sure you choose one that's accredited to ensure you receive a valid degree when you graduate.

Also, keep in mind that many affordable online healthcare administration degrees are available. Want to learn more? Keep reading.

Do Employers Respect Online Healthcare Administration Degrees?

More and more, employers are getting used to seeing online degrees from potential job candidates. They are learning firsthand that these candidates are just as skilled and well-trained as those who hold in-person degrees.

This is true across a variety of fields, including healthcare administration. Most employers will not discriminate against online-educated job applicants as long as their degree comes from a respected, accredited institution.

In fact, they may not even be able to tell that you obtained an online degree. Many schools offer the same degree programs to both online and in-person students, and the degrees they award don't make a distinction between the two.

What To Look For in an Online Healthcare Administration Degree Program

So, how do you choose a reputable online school? There are several factors to keep in mind as you consider the various possibilities.

Accreditation

As noted above, any institution you choose must be accredited; otherwise, employers will not accept your degree. Before enrolling in any online school, make sure it is accredited by a national or regional accrediting body, such as the Higher Learning Commission.

Reputation

It's always a good idea to choose a school with a good reputation for its:

• Academics
• Teaching staff
• Overall conduct

Respected degrees come from respectable schools; those who hold a degree from a less-respectable institution may have a harder time finding a job.

Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Degrees

Nonprofit schools are those that put any income they receive back into the school. For-profit schools spend a lot of money on advertising, with the ultimate goal to earn a profit. Nonprofit schools are generally more respected than for-profit schools, though many for-profit institutions provide highly flexible degrees that are entirely legitimate.

Graduation Rates

Schools with higher graduation rates are generally seen as being better than those with lower graduation rates. This is because the graduation rate can provide clues as to the quality of the curriculum and availability of student support services.

Aim for a school with a graduation rate of 70 percent or more.

Differences Between Online Healthcare Administration Degrees and Traditional Healthcare Administration Degrees

Most people are familiar with traditional college degrees. Students attend classes on campus at set times each day, studying and completing assignments both in and out of class. Students interact with each other and with teaching staff face to face.

Meanwhile, online degree programs require a lot of self-motivation, as they are often self-directed. Students complete coursework whenever and wherever they want by participating in remote classes. Some of these may have set time periods, but most allow students complete flexibility to choose when they study.

Online healthcare administration programs are not only more flexible than in-person, but they are often more affordable as well. On the other hand, online students have fewer opportunities to interact with classmates and professors.

Benefits of Earning Your Healthcare Administration Degree at an Online School

Though some students struggle with the more unstructured approach of online learning, many students thrive in this environment. Getting an online degree enables them to set their own schedule and practice their time-management skills.

Online degrees also make it possible to fit school into your life, not the other way around. Online students have the ability to study when it's convenient for them while still making time to prioritize family, work, and other commitments.

Finally, those who are on a budget often find that online degrees are less expensive than in-person degrees. Without having to pay for room and board, transportation, and a variety of other expenses, financial aid and other funding can be fully applied to online tuition and fees.

Featured Online Healthcare Administration Degree Programs

Keep reading as we take a look at some top online schools offering respected healthcare administration degrees.

1. Purdue Global

Purdue Global provides flexible online learning opportunities to students around the world. It is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Online health administration degrees include:

• Bachelor of Science in health care administration
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in health care administration
• Master of Health Care Administration

2. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is a large public school. The majority of its students attend classes online, though it also has a physical campus in Arizona. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The following online healthcare administration degrees are available:

• Bachelor of Science in health care administration
• Master of Business Administration in health systems management
• Master of Public Administration in health care management
• Master of Science in health administration
• Doctor of Education in organizational leadership in health care administration
• Doctor of Health Administration in operational leadership

3. Drexel University

Drexel University is a private school with a reputation for offering high-quality online degrees. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Students can pursue the following healthcare administration degrees:

• Bachelor of Science in health services administration
• Master of Health Administration

4. Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a top online school providing affordable and flexible competency-based degree programs for nontraditional students. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Several healthcare administration degrees are available at this school, as follows:

• Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration
• Master of Healthcare Administration
• Master of Business Administration in healthcare management

5. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private school known for providing a variety of flexible online degree programs. The New England Commission of Higher Education accredits the school.

Two healthcare administration degrees are available at this school:

• Bachelor of Science in healthcare administration
• Master of Science in healthcare administration