Certificates in Healthcare Administration Online: See Top Programs

A Healthcare Administrator’s Guide to Certificate Programs

Many healthcare administration certificates take place 100% online with no in-person requirements. Courses may occur in an asynchronous format (learn anytime) or a synchronous (attend online lectures on a specific time and day) format.

To help you find the best fit, we’ve spotlighted three popular healthcare administration certificate online programs. These excel due to their high-quality curriculum, affordability, flexibility, and potential to transfer credits to a fully-fledged degree program.

All You Need to Know: Healthcare Administration Certificate FAQs

What are the admissions requirements for an online certificate in healthcare administration?

Admission requirements for a health administration certificate online programs can vary by institution and whether you plan to pursue a graduate or undergraduate certificate. For undergraduate certificates, applicants generally need to have a high school diploma or equivalent, while graduate programs typically require a bachelor’s degree and a minimum average GPA of 3.0. Professional graduate certificate programs often have additional requirements, including:

• Professional references
• A resume proving your previous experience, often with an emphasis on healthcare, like at the University of Cincinnati
• At least one letter of recommendation, though some schools ask for as many as three
• A letter of intent or statement of purpose outlining your career goals

Can I transfer my credits from a healthcare administration certificate to a degree program later?

It’s quite common for credits earned as part of a health administration certificate online to be transferable to a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the same field, as is the case at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and Oklahoma State University. Credits earned are typically considered standard college credits and thus eligible for transfer to another school, though this may differ depending on the school. It is important to consult with academic advisors before relying on transfer credits.

Can I get financial aid to help pay for my online healthcare administration certificate program?

Federal, private, and school-based financial aid is often available for health administration certificate online programs. However, eligibility can depend on your school, the exact program, and your unique financial situation. You can learn more about navigating the financial aid application process in our financial aid guide and more about specific scholarship opportunities in our healthcare admin student scholarships guide.

How long are healthcare administration certificate programs and can I earn one part-time?

That can depend on how much time you have to dedicate to coursework. Whether you’re earning an undergraduate or graduate healthcare administration certificate online, many programs are designed with accelerated course formats. They can be completed within six months to one year of full-time study. Part-time students can expect up to two years to complete their certificate.

What’s the difference between a healthcare administration certificate and a healthcare management certificate?

Though these terms are often used interchangeably, healthcare administration and healthcare management are distinct from one another. Healthcare administration focuses on managing healthcare organizations’ day-to-day organizational needs, financial concerns, and operations. In contrast, healthcare management is geared toward overseeing the big-picture, strategic decision-making of a healthcare facility or system. Our complete guide provides more details about online healthcare management certificate programs.

Why People Are Choosing Healthcare Administration Certificates: Potential Career Paths

Studying to become a health care administrator online can open up career paths and opportunities in settings including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and outpatient care centers.

As reported by Michigan State University, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to more than double by 2060. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for Medical and Health Services Managers to grow by 23% from 2024 – 2034. The median pay for these professionals was $117,960 in 2024.

Hospital Administrator

A hospital administrator oversees the day-to-day operations of a facility including staffing, patient care, compliance, and budgeting. This job may be mid-level or in the case of the CEO, CFO, or COO, it can be executive level. Administrator jobs may require an advanced degree such as a masters or a doctorate. Certain certificate programs have transferrable credits should you decide to pursue an advanced degree such as a masters in healthcare administration.

Nurse Manager

A nurse manager serves as a bridge between the clinical and administrative sides of a healthcare facility. Nurse managers are usually RNs with an advanced degree in healthcare administration and they often oversee scheduling, staffing, budgeting, and quality of patient care.

Health Information Manager

A health information manager oversees electronic health records, navigates health information systems, and analyzes data to improve patient care. This is a mid-level position that isn’t patient-facing, so if you prefer to work behind the scenes in healthcare, this could be a good option.

Clinical Director

Compared to a hospital administrator or facilities manager, a clinical director focuses less on day-to-day operations and more on patient care and staffing. A clinical director will also ensure that a facility complies with government rules and regulations. This position typically requires several years of healthcare work experience and an advanced degree.

Facilities Manager

If you’re interested in the brick-and-mortar aspects of a healthcare facility, this type of role may be fulfilling. Facility managers ensure that a hospital or clinic is well-maintained and operating at optimal levels of health and safety. This role may work non-traditional hours as hospitals are open 24/7.