Online Healthcare Administration Degrees: Finding the Right Program

How Online Degrees Work in Healthcare Administration

Online healthcare administration degrees help prepare students for various managerial and administrative roles in hospitals, physician’s offices, insurance companies, and other medical and health settings. The non-clinical nature of healthcare administration – meaning you don’t work with patients – makes it possible to earn your degree 100% online. Online associate and bachelor’s degrees are more foundational, with students moving into entry-level administrative positions after graduation. Master’s degrees and beyond offer more specialization and tend to attract students with at least some managerial experience or those who have larger-scale management careers in mind.

Before deciding on a school, program, or degree path, it’s important to know how everything works. How long does each program last? How much do they cost? What are the admissions requirements and do I qualify? What will I learn? The following profiles answer these questions and give you the inside scoop on what to expect from an online degree in healthcare administration.

Online Healthcare Administration Learning Center

Get detailed reviews of healthcare administration degrees by level, including a rundown of how they work, who they’re for, top programs, salary and job outlook, and more.

What Students Are Asking

Many prospective healthcare administration students have questions: about potential schools, programs, degree levels, online learning, and more. Here’s a list of 5 key questions that every student should ask before applying to a school or program.

Do online programs in healthcare administration have rolling admission?

Many programs do. For example, the programs at the University of Providence offer enrollment for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. This is common for online programs because many have work-at-your-own-pace scheduling, meaning it’s less critical to follow along with a cohort. However, some programs may stick to traditional admissions schedules, with all materials due either the January or April before a fall start date. Make sure you know what your shortlist schools require and by when.

How do online classes work in healthcare admin?

It really depends on whether or not your program is synchronous or asynchronous. With synchronous courses, students meet with instructors and cohorts at set times throughout the week. This could be for Q&A sessions, quizzes, online lectures, or other activities that benefit from real-time virtual communication. Other classes or activities tend to be asynchronous, meaning you can complete them on your own time (but watch out for deadlines).

Is there anything I can do to prepare for a healthcare administration program?

Absolutely. Before enrolling in a healthcare administration degree program, regardless of level, do your best to improve your math, English, and writing skills. You can do this officially via university classes or unofficially via free online courses. Math, English, and writing tend to be prerequisites for many upper-level classes in healthcare administration, so staying strong in those areas will be key.

Will I be able to earn an HCA degree while working full-time?

Yes, but that’s up to you. Online degrees in healthcare administration at all levels often cater to healthcare professionals who are currently employed. If you’re working full-time and considering a degree, consider programs with more asynchronous options. This means you can complete assignments, take exams, etc. on your own time and you’re not locked into a schedule that could conflict with work.

Can I transfer previous college credits to a new HCA program?

In general, yes, but you may be required to take a certain amount of credit hours at your new school. Most programs allow for transfer of general college or university requirements up to a certain number. Or, if you’re enrolling in a bachelor’s program in healthcare administration, certain associate degrees you’ve already earned may cover the bachelor’s prerequisites. Before enrolling in a program, contact any school at which you plan to enroll, ask the admissions office if your previous coursework will transfer, and then make your decision.

Comparing Tuition & Fees at Online HCA Programs

All higher education is a financial commitment. Healthcare administration degrees are no exception. As a student, you’re responsible for tuition, fees, equipment, transportation (if on-campus), and anything else you need to be successful. That said, not all schools and programs have the same cost profiles, and tuition and fees can vary by degree level and where you live (even if you’re taking an online program).

Because cost is such a critical factor in a school decision, we’ve compiled a list of healthcare administration programs and their associated in-state tuition and fees. We’ve skipped the room and board and other costs to create the most apples-to-apples comparison possible. This will give you an idea of what you might be facing once you decide to enroll.

Need Certification in Healthcare Administration?

While no certifications are required to work as a healthcare administrator, a number of them can increase your employability. In general, certifications show current and future employers that you have certain skills and can add value to a hospital or organization starting day one. Here are three credentials you should consider if you have a degree in healthcare administration and plan to stick your toe in the hiring waters.

Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)

CPHRM certification shows expertise in healthcare risk and is a prerequisite for many positions in healthcare administration. To qualify for the exam, you must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university plus five years of experience working in healthcare. Certification seekers without a bachelor’s degree may substitute an associate degree + 7 years of experience in healthcare, or a high school diploma online + 9 years of experience. Seekers must also have 3,000 hours of healthcare risk management or half of full-time job duties in the subject during the last three years.

Exam cost: $275 for ASHRM members, $425 for non-members

Certified Medical Manager (CMM)

This base certification is for managers with two years of healthcare experience and at last 12 credits in business management or healthcare management. The examination tests your ability in revenue management, risk management, patient education, data management, and human resources. Renewal is required every two years.

Certification in Healthcare Quality Management (CHCQM)

This certification by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians (ABQAURP) focuses on healthcare quality and patient safety. Candidates must have documented healthcare experience during the past five years, at least 208 hours in one of the exam’s categories, and 25 hours of continuing education. The exam is Pass/Fail and contains 175 multiple-choice questions.

Salary & Career Outlook

Best Online Healthcare Administration Programs

Each year, EduMed collects data from the U.S. Department of Education, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and colleges and universities themselves to rank post-secondary institutions across dozens of subjects and degree levels. Our data scientists review tuition and fees, accreditation types and status, number of online programs, institutional aid, and more, to identify the schools and programs that give students the best chance for success. Below, you’ll find our ranking of the top healthcare degree programs in the nation either fully or partially online. See if one of these schools could be right for you.