Healthcare administration professionals manage today’s hospital and healthcare organizations. They are there to ensure that their organization has sufficient medical, operational and financial footing to serve the needs of patients, their families, and the community. They are skilled, trained professionals, who care about the quality of patient care. They work alongside physicians, nurses, and other professionals to provide care. Healthcare administrators help educate the community about health issues, and they also have the opportunity to improve the health of the communities their organizations serve. Many professionals in this field have specialized training in business administration, finance, computer and information technology, clinical laboratory science, and pharmacy.
The Application Process
Undergraduate Pre-Requisites
Students seeking master’s degrees in public health and administration come from a variety of educational backgrounds. There are no uniform prerequisites for applying to these schools and programs. However it is important to research individual schools, checking to see if they require specific undergraduate coursework. Undergraduate health management courses, while generally not required, may help you explore your interest in this field. Some programs require applicants to have work experience in the public health sector before applying.
Standardized Testing
The majority of schools require GRE test scores, but some institutions may consider other standardized tests such as MCAT, DAT, GMAT, or LSAT.
Degrees
A Master’s degree is required for nearly every position in the healthcare management field. The Accrediting Commission on Education for Health Services Education provides a list of accredited graduate health administration programs. These include:
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Science in Public Health
• Master of Public Administration
In the past, most students chose the traditional route of a master’s degree in health administration or public health. Today, students are investigating other options, including graduate degrees in business and public administration, with a concentration in health services management. Some schools offer a joint degree—a master’s degree in both business administration and public health or in both healthcare management and law.
Graduate programs generally last two years and lead to a master’s degree. They include course work in healthcare policy and law, marketing, organizational behavior, healthcare financing, human resources, and other healthcare management topics. Programs may also include a supervised internship, residency, or fellowship.