Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Management

When researching the best bachelor’s in healthcare management online programs, students should consider factors like program length, cost, and reputation. For example, some programs offer accelerated timelines or generous transfer credit policies that allow students to expedite graduation.

Prospective students should also research the total cost of the degree, factoring in tuition, other education expenses, and financial aid opportunities. To evaluate a program’s quality, prospective students should consider graduation rates, job placement statistics, and accreditation status.

An online bachelor’s degree in healthcare management prepares graduates for careers like healthcare administrator and health services manager. Learners study topics like healthcare administration, budgeting in the healthcare field, and medical terminology. Many programs also incorporate business administration classes.

In addition to courses within the healthcare management major, students complete general education classes in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. During these classes, healthcare management majors strengthen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Earning a healthcare management degree online usually takes four years of full-time study. Transfer students with prior college credit and/or an associate degree can often complete their bachelor’s degrees in less time. Graduates can pursue healthcare management careers or graduate study, such as a master’s in healthcare administration.

Courses vary by program, but most online bachelor’s healthcare management degree programs include classes like healthcare economics, legal and ethical issues in healthcare, and healthcare administration. We cover several common courses for healthcare management students below.

Students who wish to earn a healthcare management degree should research a school’s accreditation status before applying. Accreditation indicates that a school meets high standards for faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, and academic rigor. Institutions can earn regional or national accreditation. Generally, liberal arts and research institutions hold regional accreditation, while vocational and technical colleges hold national accreditation. Regional accreditation is typically considered the more prestigious of the two.

Certain programs within a school may also receive programmatic accreditation. AACSB and the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education both grant programmatic accreditation to healthcare management programs.

Accreditation benefits students in several ways. First, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only recognize and accept credits and degrees from accredited institutions. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire candidates with an accredited degree, and some professional certifications require an accredited degree. You can learn more about college and university accreditation here.

Professionals with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management can work in roles like healthcare executive, medical services manager, and human resources manager. We cover several common careers for graduates below.

Healthcare managers oversee daily operations and long-term planning for hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare facilities. They supervise staff, allocate financial resources, and make sure facilities follow government regulations. These professionals also work to improve patient outcomes. Most healthcare management jobs require a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, though some may require a master’s in healthcare administration.

Graduates with a bachelor’s in healthcare management can work as healthcare administrators, patient care managers, practice administrators, and healthcare executives. In these roles, professionals oversee the operations of hospital departments, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare facilities. With experience, healthcare managers can work as healthcare executives and directors.

Healthcare management salaries vary by experience, job title, and location. However, according to the BLS, medical and health services managers earn a median salary of $110,680 per year.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management typically takes four years of full-time study. However, some programs offer accelerated timelines, allowing students to graduate within two to three years.