Health Administration Degree: Types, Possible Jobs, and More

A health administration degree is a dynamic field of study that can help you get a job in health and business. Depending on your career goals, you can tailor your degree and internships toward health care or business administration. The market is promising: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts approximately 1.8 million jobs in health care to become available per year between 2022 and 2023, indicating growth that is much faster than the average for all occupations [1]. 

Job growth for medical and health services managers, in particular, is also much faster than average at 28 percent [2]. Health administration degrees help you prepare for management and leadership roles in health organizations such as nursing homes and hospitals, where you can apply your business acumen to improve the delivery and efficiency of health care services.

Discover types of health administration degrees and the potential jobs you may qualify for after obtaining one.

What is a health administration degree?

A health administration degree helps you prepare for managing and overseeing daily operations in a health care or medical facility. Completing a health administration degree program gives you the opportunity to gain the skills needed to succeed in leadership and administrative roles.

According to Zippia, over half of health services managers (54 percent) hold a bachelor’s degree, 20 percent have a master’s degree in health administration, and 16 percent have an associate degree [3]. A health administration degree can be any of these types. A degree in health administration typically qualifies you for a job as a health services manager, though the skills you’ll learn in this degree are broadly applicable. You may also work as a product manager for a health tech startup, go on to get an MBA, or even go to nursing school.

Health administration coursework

Coursework may vary depending on your program and university. Typically, you can expect to take health care administration courses in the following topics:

• Compliance, risk management, and conflict resolution

• Digital transformation

• Ethics

• Financial management

• Global and public health

• Health care planning

• Health care marketing

• Health care systems

• Health policy and law

• Human resource management

• Leadership

• Medical coding

Some programs allow you to specialize in a focus area. You may choose from concentrations such as policy and law, operations management, education, patient care, or health informatics.

Read more: What Is Health Care Administration? What You Need to Know in 2022

Types of health administration degrees

You may pursue a health administration degree at all levels, though you may find that different institutions offer different types. Take a look at the levels and types below to get an idea about what you may want to pursue.

Colleges and universities offer a variety of degrees at each level. A few examples include the following:

Online health administration degree vs. in-person degree

You can earn a health administration degree online or in person. Studying online is becoming increasingly popular for people who have full-time jobs or other priorities and prefer the flexibility of studying from anywhere. Although a health administration degree might involve some patient care tasks, it is less hands-on than, say, a nursing degree. Completing the degree online would not necessarily detract from your learning experience.

Studying in person can provide you with more interactive classroom experiences. You’ll be able to engage in the university’s community, resources, and facilities. But class schedules tend to be rigid and depending on where you want to study, you may have to relocate.

Entry requirements for a health administration degree

The admission requirements for a health administration degree will vary by school and the type of degree you’re seeking. Typically, you’ll need to submit the following for a bachelor’s degree:

• Official transcripts (high school GPA of at least 2.5 or 3.0)

• SAT or ACT test scores

• Letters of recommendation

• College (university) application, including a personal statement

• Application fee

For a master’s degree, you’ll need the following:

• Bachelor’s GPA of at least 3.0 

• GRE test scores 

• Letters of recommendation 

• Official transcripts

• Resume or CV

• Application, including a personal statement

Read more: What Is the Master of Health Care Administration (MHA)?

When you apply, highlight any personal or work experiences that emphasize your interest and ability to succeed in a health administration degree program. Admissions counselors look for candidates who express passionate about their chosen subject.

Is a health administration degree worth it?

A degree in health administration may be for you if you enjoy a challenging and rewarding career field with many opportunities for different roles and advancement. The health care industry also has many in-demand roles that pay well, meaning that the work you put in to earn a degree in health administration should lead to job satisfaction. 

Health care administration skills

Health care administration requires the necessary skills to qualify for roles within the health care industry. You may gain many of these skills while studying for your health administration degree. 

Workplace skills

Workplace skills apply to multiple jobs and include the ability to communicate well, think critically, and problem-solve. Popular workplace skills for health administration majors include:

• Communication: When you work in health care administration, you need to effectively communicate with other members of your team as well as patients to ensure they receive the best possible care.

• Leadership: Many health care administration roles include managerial positions, which require strong leadership skills. You must have the drive and ability to lead your workplace toward success in the health care industry and make changes that will optimize efficiency and provide patients with quality care.

• Organization: Organizational skills are highly valuable in the health care industry. Your ability to plan for the future, as health care policies change over time, will benefit your company.

Technical skills

When working in health care, you typically need technical skills that apply directly to your position. For example, if you’re a health administration manager, you’ll need to know how to access and analyze patient records. Other popular health administration technical skills include:

• Data analysis: As a health care administrator, you may have to analyze data trends to make informed decisions surrounding patient records and patient care. Knowing how to analyze data in the workplace may better optimize how the facility runs and benefits everyone, including your fellow employees and the patients you treat.

• Patient care: When you work in health care, you typically interact with patients daily. Because of these interactions, you should know how to schedule patients' appointments, appoint them to the correct care team, and answer any questions they may have about the care they’re receiving.

• Budgeting expertise: As a health care administrator, your role may include financial planning and managing a company budget. To prepare, you should know how to create a budget that reduces costs while maximizing profits.

What can you do with a health administration degree?

No matter what type of health administration degree you choose to pursue, you’ll likely have several career paths to choose from. You may find leadership or administrative positions in hospitals, nursing home facilities, and more. Most of your work will revolve around ensuring efficient operations, so you’ll need strong management and organizational skills, along with empathy and compassion for liaising with employees and patients.

Health administration degree jobs

Discover four roles you may qualify for in the health care industry with a health administration degree, as well as their salaries and daily responsibilities. 

1. Medical and health services manager

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $87,547 [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; licensing requirements vary by state

Medical and health services managers may fall under different job titles, but the majority of them coordinate the business operations for health care providers, facilities, and even insurance companies. You often work in health care facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes to plan, direct, and implement processes for hiring, marketing, and financial management.

2. Health care consultant

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $84,846 [5]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

A health care consultant, similarly to other types of consultants, examines existing processes within an organization and gives professional advice and guidance on how to improve patient care and reduce costs. As a health care consultant, you typically have a background and experience in health care or health care management, so that you can provide valuable expertise and training to help organizations overcome challenges and improve service delivery. 

3. Office manager

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $55,904 [6]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

Office managers in hospitals or other health care settings are responsible for a range of administrative tasks. Your daily tasks may include implementing office policies and procedures, supervising administrative staff, approving staff schedules, and collaborating with nurses and doctors.

4. Medical records technician

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $42,653 [7]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; some employers prefer you have completed certifications, including the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

Medical records technicians (MRTs) are administrators who manage patient records in a hospital or clinic. Though some office managers may take on MRT tasks, medical records technicians focus on maintaining patient records to ensure standardization across the health care system and accessibility to the patient, health provider, and insurance company.

While these are typical jobs you can get with a health administration bachelor’s degree, your degree (and career) is what you make of it. You may decide to start your own health-based company, go on to get a master’s in public health (MPH), or work in digital health. 

Pursue a health administration degree with Coursera

A degree in health administration could lead you to several promising career options in the growing health care industry.

Begin your career in health administration by pursuing a degree or exploring a Professional Certificate on Coursera. Consider the University of Michigan’s Master of Public Health, or enroll in Rutgers University’s Healthcare Organization Operations Specialization.