A master in healthcare administration degree places emphasis on management skills and leadership qualities in healthcare organizations. This program is designed to enhance the students' problem-solving and critical analysis abilities, resource management know-how, strategic thinking, and organizational awareness. The degree provides in-depth knowledge on the subject, so students may understand various angles of hospital operations and healthcare systems.
Master in Healthcare Administration Degree Program Admission Requirements
When applying to a master's degree in healthcare administration program, the college's admissions office will require you complete an application and submit required documents. There may be some differences that each school requires, but some similar documents to submit may include the following:
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institute
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A GPA of 3.0 or above
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GMAT, GRE, or MCAT test scores
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A resume
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A letter of intent
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Official transcripts from all previous attended academic institutes
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Letters of recommendation may require more than one
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Proof of English language proficiency in some cases
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Some universities may also ask you to come in for an interview
Although not all schools require prior experience, if students have prior work experience related to healthcare, in addition to students who have previously studied courses in microeconomics, accounting, and statistics may get preference when applying to a healthcare administration program.
Courses and Curriculum
The curriculum for a healthcare administration master's degree program is rigorous and highly structured. The courses are designed to introduce students to basic management disciplines such as information technology, finance, organizational behavior, human resources, and operations; and their application to real-world scenarios in the healthcare system. Students normally complete this program in two years, but the duration may depend on enrollment status. The coursework may vary, but could include the following similar core courses:
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Introduction to Managerial and Financial Accounting
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Healthcare Marketing
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Biostatistics
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Healthcare Services Planning
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Introduction to Corporate Finance
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Quantitative Methods for Healthcare Managers
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Human Resources Management
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Organizational Leadership in Healthcare
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Healthcare Finance
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United States Healthcare System
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Law and the Healthcare System
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Managerial Health Economics
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Principles of Epidemiology
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Decision Support Systems
Certifications and Licensure
It is mandatory for nursing-care facility managers to acquire a license to work anywhere in the United States; although, requirements may vary from state to state. In addition, several states also require assisted-living facilities managers to acquire a state license. A state license may not be required for other professions in the healthcare administration areas, but individuals should check with their state's board of health. Although not mandatory, earning a certification may display your professional competency and in-depth knowledge, and may help in career advancement or better career prospects. The American College of Healthcare Administrators provides certifications such as the Certified Nursing Home Administrator and the Certified Assisted Living Administrator.
Career Prospects
After you successfully complete your master's degree program in healthcare administration, you may be able to pursue one of the several careers in healthcare administration. Various titles may include nursing-care facilities manager, health service manager, and assisted living manager. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median salary of medical and health service managers was $88,580 per year in May 2012. The BLS also stated that the number of people employed as medical and health service managers would rise by 23 percent between 2012 and 2022.