t of general education course work – in subjects like psychology or college writing.
If you eventually plan to seek a bachelor’s degree, it may be easier to transfer credits from a health administration degree to a four-year program, simply because more of the courses are applicable to other fields of study. On the other hand, if you’re mainly interested in a billing and coding career, you may be frustrated by the kinds of readings and assignments that general education entails.
If you’re considering an associate degree in healthcare administration, your best bet is to contact admissions counselors from several different programs. Ask how the programs differ from one another, what kinds of jobs graduates have earned, and whether or not most alumni have been successful in completing additional studies. This information will help you determine which school matches your plans and goals.
How do Health Administration Degrees (bachelor’s and master’s) Differ from General Business Management Degrees?
Many health administration degrees are similar to business degrees in that both sets of students study subjects like management, finance, economics and accounting. But health admin degrees focus specifically on how these lessons impact healthcare organizations. Class projects, readings and discussions will likely zero in on current trends and concerns in health management.
For example, instead of a taking a standard ethics course, health admin students might take a course titled “Health Law and Ethics.” Instead of taking a general economics course, health admin students might study “U.S. Health Policy and Economics.” Health field instructors and internships will also provide much more relevant feedback than general business education experiences.
What can you do with a Masters in Healthcare Administration? What are some Masters in Healthcare Administration Jobs?
Further, many health admin degrees – especially at the master’s level – allow students to choose a healthcare specialty or focus area. Popular specialties include medical ethics, health informatics, health communications and marketing and clinical research. These degree options provide even more industry-tailored training, which will likely outshine the resumes of general business students or MBA grads.
What’s the Difference Between an M.S., an M.B.A. and an M.H.A.?
A master’s of business administration (MBA) is a business degree, designed by a college’s business department. As such, the focus of an MBA – even one that allows you to specialize in healthcare – will always be best business practices and bottom line thinking. If you’ve never studied business, and you already have some experience in health or medicine, the heavy dose of business coursework might be a useful addition to your resume. It might carry more weight in corporate healthcare settings, where business people outnumber clinicians or nonprofit employees. An MBA is also a more versatile credential. So if you ever decided to leave the healthcare field, an MBA would be more widely recognized in the business world.
On the other hand, a lot of students pursue MBAs. There are far more MBA grads in the job market than there are MHAs or graduates with an M.S. in health administration. Many employers will favor the job candidate with the more relevant degree. If you don’t already have experience in healthcare, committing to a health-specific degree (an M.S. or M.H.A.) will demonstrate your commitment to people and the profession – whereas an MBA grad with little health experience might be regarded as a business person looking for any available option.
What Materials Do I Need to Apply for a Health Administration Degree?
Associate and bachelor degree applicants usually only need a high school diploma or a GED. Some colleges may ask for letters of reference, SAT scores, or a personal statement that outlines your career goals.
Masters in health administration programs are somewhat more competitive. Applicants will likely be asked to supply undergraduate transcripts, to prove that they graduated from an accredited colleg