A MBA in healthcare administration focuses primarily on establishing a strong business foundation for students in healthcare management; in addition to providing a practical experience where students are able to apply theories learned in class to real-world scenarios. Also, students learn how to strengthen their analytical and critical thinking skills while studying the essentials of finance and accounting. A MBA program focused in healthcare integrates business, finance, and healthcare courses that may be directly applied within the healthcare industry. A healthcare administration MBA may be offered as an on-campus, online, or hybrid program depending on which school you would like to attend. Many students finish a MBA program in two years, but this could depend on a few factors like academic progress and enrollment status.
Requirements to Enroll in a MBA Program
To enroll in a MBA program, you will have to fulfill admission criterion set by the university or college you choose to attend. These admission requirements may vary at each university, but may generally include:
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college
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A 3.0 GPA or above could be considered acceptable for admission
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Official transcripts from all previous academic institutes attended
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Two or more letters of recommendation
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Resume or CV
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GMAT test scores
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Personal essays or a personal statement
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Proof of English language proficiency in some cases, such as in the case of international students
Coursework
The curriculum for a MBA in healthcare in administration is designed so that students learn how to apply economic policy and analysis to healthcare administration, define and create efficient human resource policies, conduct market research while planning healthcare policies, and learn to use the latest technology to support practice and research in healthcare. The exact courses that students at different schools will take may not be the same, but similar core components may include:
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Data Analysis
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Marketing Management
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Economics
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Strategic Management
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Financial Management
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Healthcare System in the U.S.
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Healthcare Financial Systems
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International Health Policy and Management
Some universities or college may require students to do an internship between their first and second years. The aim of this internship is to give students a real-life experience where they learn how to apply various theories learned in the classroom to real-life scenarios.
Certifications and Licenses
Almost all states require nursing facility administrators to be licensed. Some states require assisted-living facilities administrators to be licensed too. Acquiring a certification is not obligatory, but it may display professional competency and ability. Several bodies in the United States provide certifications in this regard. For example, the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management provides the Certified Medical Manager certification, and the American College of Healthcare Administrators provides the Certified Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Assisted Living Administrator certifications.
Career Opportunities
Earning a MBA may provide you with an opportunity for career advancement, but you may have to meet other requirements to move up to higher position with more responsibility, such as department head or assistant administrator. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary of medical and health service managers, also known as healthcare administrators, was $88,580 per year in 2012. The bureau also estimated that the employment rate of people working as healthcare administrators would grow by 23 percent from 2012 to 2022.
The role of schools in the development of a student's personalities cannot be understated. The education, extra-curricular activities, and overall experience are pivotal in helping students become better professionals capable of tackling complex situations. In today's era, the field of educational leadership has arisen, which lays special emphasis on helping students maximize their potential and achieve greater results in their educational facilities. If you are interested in entering this field and helping students and schools become more goal-oriented, an educational leadership degree may be suitable for you.
What Will I Learn in An Educational Leadership Degree Program?
The primary aim of degrees in educational leadership is to enable educators to become effective leaders in the workplace. Students of these programs will be taken through the best practices to build teams and help students overcome their problems by being effective role models. They will also be taught how to effectively manage school policies and work with other educators in creating a positive atmosphere in the school, and facilitate student learning. Educational leaders are more than just teachers, they are excellent organizers and managers, who empathize with students and work with students on their terms to overcome challenges in the classroom and outside it. Educational leaders are also able to identify the best ways to groom students to take up more responsibility and become future leaders themselves.
Examples of courses that you may study in an educational leadership degree include:
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Introduction to organization analysis in education
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Ethical and legal issues in education leadership
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Creating a learning community
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Strategic marketing for academic institutions
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The social context of education reform: Public engagement and community development
Educational leadership degrees are available from the undergraduate to doctoral levels. Bachelor degrees usually last 4 years and equip students with the basic skill set to enter the industry as an educational leader. Graduate programs allow students to develop their leadership skills with a micro-managing perspective, so they can handle the intricate details with as much ease as bigger, holistic problems. Students at the doctoral level conduct research which can help improve the current practices in the field, which they can then teach to others or contribute as research papers. Through all levels, students will be taught how to establish close working relationships with parents, schools, and communities in order to help students get the perfect environment for their adult and professional development.
Online Educational Leadership Degrees
Many of the students interested in degrees in educational leadership may be teachers and educators holding full-time or part-time jobs. For such people, quitting the job to accommodate a degree may seem unfeasible. Fortunately, online degrees in educational leadership are available to help students gain access to the right training. These online degrees are perfect because they do not require physical attendance in a traditional campus. Students access resources through an online system and are able to work through lectures at any time and from anywhere they please. This flexibility is perfect because it can be slotted into your daily routine without any significant changes.
Job Outlook
In no way do online degrees hinder your real world opportunities. Graduates can apply for the same jobs as others, and use their skill set to excel in the workplace without any issues. As far as the income level is concerned, it depends on the exact job you find as well as your level of education and relevant experience. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2012, postsecondary education administrators earned a median annual wage of $86,490.