Health administration is technically a healthcare career. However, instead of working directly with patients, healthcare administrators are responsible for the management and leadership aspects of the industry. They may work in doctor’s offices, hospitals, nursing homes, or even for the government, and are seen as healthcare professionals, just like doctors and nurses. If this sounds like an interesting career choice, read on for more information.
Possible Careers
As mentioned above, those who choose to study an online masters in health administration have lots of career choices available to them. To start with, graduates are usually offered graduate positions working for pharmaceutical companies and consulting firms. Once they gain experience, they can then look for management jobs in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They could also choose to work on a consulting basis, in sales, or in admissions. Over 100,000 people currently work in health administration in the United States today, and that figure is increasing as there becomes an increasing need for more health professionals.
The Education Required
Health administration degrees are available at both a bachelor level and a master’s level. Most people in this field choose to study for a traditional bachelor’s degree, gain a few years’ experience and then study for their MHA degree online. The benefit of doing this is that you can continue to earn money as you study and you can apply your education in a practical way without having to wait to finish your degree. Although some people do stick with just their bachelor’s education, obtaining a master’s degree will open you up to more career opportunities, many of which are better paid.