Inside Online Associate Degrees in Healthcare Administration

How These Programs Work

When you’re ready to start researching programs, it’s important to ask yourself a few core questions. These will help you identify and narrow down schools and programs that could be a good fit. Here’s a list of starter questions to get you started:

• How fast do I want to learn? If you want to get in and out as quickly as possible, an accelerated program may be your best bet. Look for associate programs in health administration with completion times of 12-18 months. Most other programs will be the standard two years or longer if part-time.

• Which program format suits my learning style the best? These associate programs come with a variety of online learning options. Some will be fully online, others partially online. Consider if you prefer online learning, visiting a campus, or a little bit of both.

Expert Insight

I’ve found it extremely important to carve out scheduled time as if your studies are a part-time job. Some online courses, especially accelerated courses, require a lot of reading and it’s important not to fall behind.

Abrie Edwards, BSN, MHA

• What can I afford? Some programs are more affordable than others. Things like school type (community college vs. private college) can be a factor. Know your budget and use it to narrow your options.

With these basic questions in mind, let’s review how these programs work in more detail. The following program reviews should give you considerable insight into the online associate in healthcare administration, and even help you find a program (or type of program) that works.

Common Student Questions

What courses do you take in an online healthcare administration associate degree program?

The courses in your online associate degree in healthcare administration program will vary, but most focus on the development of practical knowledge and skills in management and leadership as they apply to specific healthcare administrative roles and responsibilities. Core concepts and specific topics you’ll cover include:

• Supervision, management, and leadership theories and practices.
• Organizational structures of managed healthcare systems and facilities.
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Interpersonal and organizational communication skills.
• Human resource management and practices.
• Analysis and application of healthcare information, statistics, and data.
• Medical records management and coding, including electronic records systems.
• Accounting principles and their practical applications.
• Medical terminology.
• Applicable medical laws, regulations, and ethics.
• Overview and analysis of current practices and trends in healthcare management and the broader healthcare industry.

Expert Insight

While the course titles may sound intimidating if you’re new to healthcare, remember that these programs are designed for those with minimal experience in the field. The concepts introduced in these courses are designed to build on each other, so be sure to ask questions early on to be successful.

Abrie Edwards, BSN, MHA

How long does it take to earn a healthcare administration associate degree online?

Most healthcare administration associate degrees consist of 60-66 credit hours of coursework, which generally require one-and-a-half to two years of full-time study to complete. Online programs, however—particularly those whose coursework is presented asynchronously—typically offer both full-time and part-time options that allow students to tailor their studies to fit their schedules. This means students could take up to three or four years or longer to finish all their degree requirements, depending on their rate of study.

Flexibility in class choices, degree completion times, and other study options will depend on the program you choose. Be sure to carefully review the specific curriculum requirements for all programs under consideration before enrolling.

Expert Insight

If you’re new to online programs and are still working full-time or even part-time, start with one course to help gauge the amount of time you will need to dedicate to your studies and get into the rhythm of an online learning structure. If one course is easy enough to handle and you’re still able to balance your work life and personal life, you could consider adding a second course.

Abrie Edwards, BSN, MHA

How much do online healthcare admin programs cost?

Costs of online healthcare administration associate degrees vary from program to program. Common factors impacting cost include the type of school (two-year community vs. four-year, public vs. private) and a student’s place of residency (within or outside the program’s home state). In our profile schools above, tuition ranged from $229 to $533 per credit.

Keep in mind, however, that total program costs will also include application and student fees, as well as the cost of books and supplies. Financial aid can help with this: if you attend a school with financial aid available to healthcare admin students or if you qualify for any relevant scholarships, out-of-pocket cost can be much lower.

Will my healthcare associate degree credits transfer to a bachelor’s program?

In most cases, yes. Most two-year healthcare admin degrees feature curriculums and individual courses that meet specific requirements for healthcare administration or healthcare management bachelor’s degree programs at students’ schools and other four-year colleges and universities. Not all programs do this, however, so you should confirm credit transferability prior to choosing an associate degree program, regardless of whether you intend to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree or not.

Expert Insight

Regionally accredited programs are more likely to be accepted/transferred to other schools. Otherwise you risk losing credits. You can also look into programs (like community colleges) that have partnerships with four-year universities. Do the research and have a plan before applying to a program, and remember to keep up solid grades! Some schools require minimal grades (C or B) to transfer credits.

Abrie Edwards, BSN, MHA

How much can I make with a healthcare administration associate’s?

An associate degree in healthcare administration may not be enough to get you to a management position, but it’s a great springboard into other relevant jobs that will prepare you for eventual management. Here are some of the jobs your degree will prepare you for and their average annual salaries:

• Medical Records Specialist – $48,780
• Medical Assistant – $42,000
• Health Information Technician – $46,331
• Patient Services Representative – $39,680
• Medical Transcriptionist – $37,060

As you continue your education and gain relevant experience, you’ll qualify for leadership and management positions that can get you up to double the salaries listed above. As always, salaries will vary by state and even by region within states. You can find more detailed information on sites like O*NET.

Careers with a 2-year Degree in Healthcare Administration

There are two primary career paths one can take after earning a healthcare administration associate degree. The first is to continue to a four-year college or university bachelor’s degree program in healthcare administration, management, or closely related major; the second is to head directly for the job market.

For those intending to immediately start their careers upon graduation, there’s good news: many entry-level positions in the field offer decent wages and have robust job growth expectations over the next decade. Below is a small sampling of popular positions available to healthcare administration associate degree holders.

Medical Administrative Assistant

A medical administrative assistant manages office tasks in healthcare settings, such as scheduling appointments, handling patient records, and billing. They ensure smooth office operations in hospitals, clinics, or private practices.

• Pros: stable work environment and regular hours
• Cons: desk-bound tasks, high patient volume, and occasional stressful deadlines

Medical Records Specialist

A medical records specialist manages patient health records, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with regulations. Responsibilities include organizing, updating, and retrieving medical data. Work environments include hospitals, clinics, or insurance companies.

• Pros: steady demand and job security
• Cons: repetitive tasks

Health Information Technician

Similar to a medical records specialist, health information technicians manage and organize patient data, ensuring its accuracy, security, and compliance with healthcare regulations. Responsibilities include coding diagnoses, maintaining electronic health records, and data analysis. Work environments include hospitals, clinics, or insurance companies.

• Pros: high demand, career advancement with certifications, remote work
• Cons: detailed tasks and long hours

Patient Services Representative

A patient services representative handles patient inquiries, schedules appointments, verifies insurance, and processes billing information. They work in hospitals, clinics, or doctor’s offices.

• Pros: regular interaction with patients and healthcare teams
• Cons: can be stressful with high patient volumes, dealing with difficult situations, and long hours at times

Medical Transcriptionist

A medical transcriptionist listens to audio recordings from healthcare professionals and converts them into accurate written documents. They ensure proper medical terminology and grammar. Work environments include hospitals, clinics, or remote settings.

• Pros: flexible work options and job stability
• Cons: repetitive work, potential for eye strain, and hard deadlines

Best Online Associate Programs in Health Administration

Comparing different qualities can be helpful when going deeper into your search for a program that meets your needs. We’ve researched many schools across the country and pulled out the most important attributes, including school accreditation, online program components, tuition, the average institutional financial aid given to undergrad students, student-to-faculty ratios, and the existence of academic counseling and career placement programs. For more information on how we rank the schools, see the methodology pop-up above.