Online Healthcare Management Associate Degrees: School Review

Featured Online Healthcare Management Associate Programs

Earning your associate degree in healthcare management lays a solid foundation for a long-term, dynamic career. And earning a degree online offers added flexibility compared to in-person programs.

Most online HM associate programs offer all of their didactic coursework entirely online, often delivered asynchronously, meaning that students can attend to their studies according to their own busy schedules. Keep in mind, though, that many programs include internships or practicums that require in-person participation typically with healthcare facilities in the school’s or student’s local area. Additionally, credits earned in most online HM associate degree programs can be applied to bachelor’s degree programs in healthcare management and related majors, providing students with tremendous time and cost savings if and when they’re ready to pursue advanced studies.

We’ve profiled below three healthcare management online associate degree programs to give you an idea of the key features and requirements you can expect to find during your program search.

FAQs About Online Healthcare Management Associates

How do these programs prepare students for real-world scenarios in healthcare management? Are there opportunities for specialization at the associate degree level?

Coursework in online healthcare management associate degree programs is often presented in a hypothetical scenario format that allows students to apply problem solving strategies learned in their studies to real-world practice issues. Students in many programs are additionally required to complete in-person internships or practicums in which they’ll apply skills gained in their studies to actual practice settings. However, because they’re designed to give students a foundation in basic concepts necessary for entry-level positions in a broad range of settings, opportunities for specialization are rare on the associate degree level.

Are there prerequisite courses or academic qualifications needed for admission?

The admissions requirements for online healthcare management associate degree programs vary from program to program, but they rarely include prerequisite coursework. In a few cases you may be required to demonstrate proficiency in subjects such as English or mathematics. This is typically done through assessment tests or by completing courses in those subjects prior to or immediately after admission into the degree program. Virtually all programs require that you possess a high school diploma or equivalent (sometimes earned with a stated minimum GPA) for admission.

Can I transfer credits from my associate in healthcare management program into a bachelor’s program in the future?

That will depend on both the specific associate degree program you complete and the bachelor’s degree program you wish to pursue. In most cases, though, you will be able to transfer in some or possibly all of the credits from your online HM associate degree into a bachelor’s program in healthcare management or a closely related major, particularly if both degree programs are from the same school. Just be sure that the programs you choose are properly accredited.

What is the cost of an associate degree in healthcare management?

Total program prices range from the low-to-mid four figures to as much as the mid-$10,000’s or more. With some schools, you’ll pay additional fees on top of tuition, but with others, fees, books, tuition, and more are included in one flat price. So you’ll need to do a bit of legwork to create a true apples-to-apples comparison. It’s important to remember, however, that you may be able to lower the bottom line cost of your degree program by taking advantage of financial aid resources and scholarships for which you’re eligible.

What support services are available to online students?

Students pursuing a healthcare management associate degree online typically have access to all or most of the same school-sponsored support services as their in-person counterparts. These include online tutoring and technical support services, access to online library resources, one-on-one communications with instructors, academic and career counseling, and more. The availability of quality student services can play a critical role in your academic and job-seeking success, so don’t overlook these services in your program search.

Career Profile: What Can You Do with an Associate in Healthcare Management?

Your healthcare management associate degree comes with a wide range of management and leadership career options in the healthcare and health services fields, starting with the five popular ones we’ve listed below. It’s important to note that an HM associate degree is designed to prepare you for entry-level roles and advancement in your career may require returning to school at some point to earn your bachelor’s degree. Further advancement into senior leadership positions will likely mean obtaining the specialized knowledge and training provided in a master’s degree or doctoral degree program.

Admissions Coordinator

Admissions coordinators are primarily responsible for gathering relevant personal and medical information from patients and helping to determine whether they should be admitted to the facility. Other common job duties include collecting health insurance information, obtaining pre-certifications for patient services, and collecting copays and deposits. Good communication skills and proficiency in the use of records management systems are among the most important job qualifications.

Healthcare Administrative Assistant

Healthcare administrative assistants (aka medical administrative assistants) are employed in clerical roles in all types of facilities throughout the healthcare field. Common job duties include scheduling appointments, answering phones, greeting and admitting patients, updating medical charts, sending lab results to doctors, and filling out insurance forms and processing insurance payments.

Healthcare Quality Improvement Assistant

In basic terms, healthcare quality improvement assistants work with quality improvement specialists to enhance and improve patient care. Important job responsibilities include collecting and reviewing patient information and data to identify specific areas of practice that require improvement, conducting audits to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards, and developing and implementing new and revised patient care programs and protocols.

Medical Records & Health Information Technologist

Medical records and health information technologists (aka medical records technicians) are chiefly responsible for creating and maintaining electronic health records (EHRs). They review records for accuracy, record patient codes, and employ a variety of software programs to input and manage patient data. Medical records and health information technologists additionally ensure that digitized records are easily accessible and transferable to other healthcare services providers.

Patient Representative

Patient representatives (or patient advocates) assist patients in obtaining healthcare services, understanding applicable healthcare policies, and making effective health decisions. Common tasks include explaining rights and benefits to patients, referring patients to the proper healthcare resources and services, and facilitating communication between patients, family members, and healthcare staff.

Ranking the Best Online Associate Healthcare Management Programs

We’ve surveyed the current landscape of online HM associate degree programs available in the U.S. and ranked what we believe to be the best of the bunch. The top ranked schools listed below are based on an evaluation of several student-focused program elements, including proper accreditation, academic quality, affordability, study flexibility, and access to useful student support services. To learn more about our selection process, click the “About the Rankings” button.