Graduate Certificates in Health Care Management
A graduate certificate in health care management will give you a grounding in such topics as health care financing and health care operations, readying you for an administrative position in a healthcare institute. Learn in detail who the course is best suited for, online study options, common course topics, as well as career prospects and salary figures for someone in the healthcare management industry.
Who Should Apply to a Health Care Management Certificate Program?
<p>Graduate certificate programs in health care management are often aimed at working professionals, but you usually only need to hold a bachelor's degree to apply. Students who benefit from the program can include recent college graduates, non-health professionals who want to transition into the health care field and current health professionals like nurses and physicians.
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<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Audience</b></td><td> Non-health professionals with an eye on transitioning to health care, nurses, physicians</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Options</b></td><td> Yes, fully online study options available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Health care financing, current health care issues, strategic management, health care regulations</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Opportunities</b></td><td> Health service administrator at a health insurance company, medical clinic or hospital</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Additional Education</b></td><td> Graduate certificate credits may be applied to earning a health care management master's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 32% growth (<i>for all medical and health services managers</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---CanITakeClassesOnline">Can I Take Classes Online?</h3>
<p>You can enroll in an entirely online health care management graduate certificate program. You'll communicate with instructors and classmates through discussion boards and interactive presentations. You also can attend lectures via Podcast.
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<p>Online programs usually recommend that you have a high speed Internet connection, along with sounds cards, speakers and a microphone. Programs also might have specific Web browser requirements. You often can take all your exams online as long as you complete them during a timed period.
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<h3 id="section---WhatWillIStudy">What Will I Study?</h3>
<p>During these rigorous programs, you'll learn how to adapt to new health care regulations and the growing number of senior citizens requiring medical care. The program will also supply you with business and marketing knowledge.
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<p>The graduate certificate program usually takes one year to complete and consists of five courses. Classes often only meet once or twice a week to accommodate to students' work schedules. Typical health care management subjects you might learn about include:
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<ul><li>Strategic management
</li><li>Health care financing
</li><li>Current health care issues
</li><li>Health care operations
</li><li>Human resources management
</li><li>Health care regulations and policies
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatCareerOpportunitiesAreAvailable">What Career Opportunities Are Available?</h3>
<p>The graduate certificate program in health care management can help you assume an entry-level or mid-level position as a medical or health services administrator or manager at a hospital, health clinic or health insurance company. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that medical and health services managers earned an average of $118,800 in 2020 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>).
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<p>You also can go on to earn your Master of Business Administration or Master of Science in Health Care Management. You usually can apply the credits earned from your graduate certificate program toward your degree.</p>