To Get Ahead in Health Care Administration You Need a Master's Degree
By Jane Smallman
Nursing Schools Columnist
Health administration jobs are forecast to increase at a faster than average rate for the next eight to ten years, with employers preferring candidates with a Master's degree. To compete for the best jobs, consider studying at an online college to gain the necessary qualifications.
The business of health care is currently going through a period of extensive restructuring. Far-reaching changes in the way that health care is delivered and paid for already means that many new health administration jobs have been created.
If you want to work in health administration, now is a good time to be planning your future career. If you don't have a postgraduate degree, consider enrolling in one of the many programs offered at online colleges.
Where Are The New Health Administration Jobs?
Hospitals are still the biggest employers of health services managers overall, but many services are now being moved away from hospitals and into practitioner's offices and home health care agencies. This means that the fastest growth in administration jobs is to be found in these two sectors.
Other health industry areas in which administration jobs are expected to increase include
- Medical group practice management (caused by the increase in size and complexity of practices)
- Health care management companies (providers of management and administration services to hospitals and other health care agencies)
Earning a Master's Degree at an Online College
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a Master's degree in health services administration or another relevant subject (like public health, business administration, or health sciences) is almost obligatory for most management positions in health care administration.
If you need to earn a postgraduate degree to boost your career chances, think about investigating one of the many online colleges offering master's programs. The advantage of studying online is the flexibility it allows you. You choose when and where you study (providing you have access to a computer and the Internet) so you can start working on your new career without compromising existing home and work commitments.
Sources
U.S. Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
About the Author
Jane Smallman combines free-lance writing with running a mountain guiding business with her husband. She has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in the Social Sciences.
