Healthcare is a $1.7 trillion industry in America, making up nearly 16% of the U.S. gross national product. The healthcare industry is on the cusp of its largest expansion ever as "Baby Boomers" approach retirement age, making way for a new generation of industry leadership in states across the country. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the employment of medical and health services managers is expected to increase at a faster-than-average rate over the next several years.
Many reputable institutions of higher learning have responded to the needs of the working adult population by providing online degree programs, ideal for individuals just beginning their education as well as those working toward furthering their career with an advanced degree. Completing a degree program while still maintaining employment and personal responsibilities can prove difficult. These challenges often hinder a student’s ability to attend a traditional college. The solution to this dilemma is often presented in the form of distance learning options. Online programs offer the same high quality degree programs as traditional institutions. Curriculum for online programs is designed to meet standards prescribed by highly-regarded professional organizations regulating the education of health care professionals. Obtaining a degree through online coursework can provide the same career advancement opportunities as completing a degree program on campus.
What Are The Top Online Bachelor of Health Management and Health Administration Programs?
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Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH |
Assessment: Become a leader in healthcare by earning an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration at Southern New Hampshire University. Program: Healthcare administration professionals make decisions every day that help improve the lives of their patients. They’re responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating health services and working closely with medical staff to positively impact patient care. Not only is working in healthcare rewarding, but it’s one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the country. Become a leader in healthcare by earning a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration online at Southern New Hampshire University. Developed to align with the curriculum principles established by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA), this online BS program will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to develop your career in leading healthcare organizations such as hospitals, physician offices, care facilities, and other healthcare settings. Regional Accreditation: Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE). |
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Purdue Global University |
Assessment: Building on Purdue's mission to provide greater access to affordable, world-class education, Purdue University Global delivers a fully personalized online experience that's tailored to working adults. Program: Purdue Global University offers 180 online degree options as the virtual arm of the Purdue University system. Healthcare degrees include the 180-credit Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and the 52-credit Master of Health Care Administration. In both fully online degree plans, faculty give students a solid foundation in healthcare and acquaint them with innovations in the industry. The BS program includes the study of healthcare policy and economics, organization and management, IT and systems, and finance for healthcare. The MHA program prepares learners for leadership roles in healthcare with the study of theoretical healthcare principles, leadership and management strategies, and statistical and financial methods to evaluate program effectiveness. Course topics include health law, health policy, healthcare operations, and healthcare marketing. A capstone course culminates the program and allows students to apply concepts in a comprehensive project. Admission to the BS program requires a high school diploma or GED; the MHA program requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Regional Accreditation: Purdue Global University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). |
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Capella University Minneapolis, MN |
Assessment: Capella’s online learning model lets you design your course schedule to fit around your life. The University’s FlexPath program allows you to learn at a pace dictated entirely by you. Is a master’s degree your end-goal? Complete master’s-level credit as you earn your bachelor’s degree, with Capella’s combined options. Program: Capella’s online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management combines the business and health care policy skills and knowledge you need to be an effective leader in healthcare environments. Through case studies, readings, and discussions, you’ll learn to consider quality of care in decision-making with the goal of improving patient care and overall outcomes. Quality assurance and risk management are also woven throughout the curriculum, with consideration given to state and federal policies that govern health care quality. This program opens doors to becoming a supervisor or manager in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care centers, the pharmaceutical industry, insurance and managed care companies, and more. Regional Accreditation: Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Higher Learning Commission, 800.621.7440 Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www.capella.edu |
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Herzing University Minneapolis, MN |
Assessment: At Herzing, we believe that providing you with a caring, supportive community will have a positive impact on your learning experience. We know our students by name and are committed to your academic, personal, and professional success. Discover why Herzing's student-first approach, individual attention, and caring community set us apart from other colleges and universities. Program: Healthcare is one of today’s fastest growing industries. Herzing Online's healthcare programs are designed to meet the expanding needs of employers, with a focus on direct patient care and healthcare administration. Healthcare professionals at every level are in demand. Whether you are interested in direct patient care or behind the scenes healthcare administration, you will graduate with the right skills and credentials for lifelong career opportunities with a healthcare degree from Herzing University. Regional Accreditation: Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. |
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Saint Leo University Saint Leo, FL |
Assessment: The oldest Catholic university in the state of Florida and a respected pioneer in online and distance education offers an excellent online bachelor’s in healthcare management, complete with competitive tuition. Program: Saint Leo University’s online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management is a 120-credit hour program. The program offers students a combination of traditional liberal arts courses and more specialized business courses focusing on the leadership, financial, policy-related, and legal dimensions of healthcare management. Leadership is taught from a Catholic, values-centered perspective, respectful of people from all backgrounds and faiths. The program is completed entirely online, but students are invited to the Saint Leo campus for graduation ceremonies. Regional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. |
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American InterContinental University Schaumburg, IL |
Assessment: For more than 40 years, AIU has offered specialized, flexible degree programs at its campuses in Atlanta and Houston, as well as on its award-winning Virtual Campus of AIU Online. Program: AIU offers dedicated healthcare management degree programs with specializations in health services administration management and gerontology management. These programs are perfect for those who wish to pursue careers in healthcare organizations such as hospitals, nursing homes, managed care organizations, health insurance providers, and other organizations that serve the healthcare industry. Regional Accreditation: American InterContinental University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. To contact the Higher Learning Commission please visit www.hlcommission.org. |
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The Value of an Online Health Management or Health Administration Degree
The healthcare field is historically one of the most stable, in-demand professions. Across the nation, the healthcare industry is in need of educated professionals. The demand for nurses is especially high, and expected to consistently continue to rise significantly over the next 10 years. Obtaining a degree in the field of nursing can provide individuals with extensive career opportunities in a range of settings, without geographical limitations. Individuals interested in beginning a degree program in a challenging field with substantial career opportunities may find nursing an exciting prospect. Students who have already obtained a certificate or undergraduate degree in the field of nursing will find that higher levels of education and experience are commensurate to substantial career advancement opportunities and salary increases.
Those with healthcare experience and solid business management skills will be in the best position to move into administrative and leadership positions. An online bachelor’s in health management or health administration provides students with business and management skills, as well as the knowledge they’ll need to navigate a complex and rapidly changing industry. Graduates will be immediately qualified for entry-level leadership positions in hospitals, clinics, retirement communities, ambulatory care centers, rehabilitation and long-term care facilities, and home health care settings.
Advantages of Online Health Management and Health Administration Degree Programs
Online health administration and health management degree programs are among the most popular. Prospective students seeking an accredited online health management or health administration degree now have several first-rate choices for their education. In fact, many of the very best health administration programs in the country are now offered online. Among the many advantages of earning a degree from a top online health management program is that students can maintain their employment and/or family responsibilities while completing the program. Many of the best online health administration degree programs can be completed entirely online, without any campus visits required.
How We Rank Online Health Management and Health Administration Degree Programs
Online colleges and health administration degree programs vary widely in terms of quality, name recognition, and value. To assist those looking for an accredited online health administration degree program, we’ve put together this ranking of what we consider to be the very best online schools offering healthcare administration and healthcare management degree programs for 2019. Our rankings of the top online schools offering healthcare management and healthcare administration degrees are based on publicly available data evaluated according to several different criteria, including reputation, accreditation, student satisfaction, ratio of students to instructors, and tuition. All schools in our rankings are regionally accredited, the highest form of accreditation a school can achieve. You can read more about our rankings philosophy and find a list of other top college and degree rankings on our rankings page.
To determine the best online Bachelor of Health Management and Health Administration degrees, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 5 best online Bachelor of Health Management and Health Administration programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.