AS/AAS in Healthcare Management Online: Finding a Program

What to Consider When Choosing an Associate Healthcare Management Program, from Nurses Who’ve Been There

An associate degree in healthcare management can be a practical, efficient path into the field, and the programs in this ranking all meet our quality criteria. Whether this is the right level for you depends on your current experience, your financial situation, and your long-term goals within healthcare. Our healthcare professionals share what to weigh in making that call.

Match Credential to Your Role

An associate in healthcare management is most useful as a credential for people who are already supervising a small team and need the title to catch up to their current responsibilities. If this isn’t your situation yet, I’d consider if pairing a shorter certificate with more on-the-job experience might move your career forward faster than two years in a classroom.

Cody DeBos, RN, BSN

Plan the Step-Up Strategy

Many people overlook this step strategy of starting with an associate degree, gaining some work experience, then transferring to a bachelor’s program. Most leadership roles require at least a bachelor’s anyway, so planning for that now can save you time and money later.

Maggie Aime, RN, MSN, CPC

Popular AS/AAS Programs in Healthcare Management (Online)

Earning an associate degree in healthcare management builds a strong foundation for a versatile, long-term career in the field. Choosing an online program adds flexibility, making it easier to balance school with work and personal commitments.

Most online healthcare management associate degree programs feature:

• Fully online, asynchronous coursework that allows you to study on your own schedule
• In-person internships or practicums completed at approved healthcare facilities, often near your home
• Transfer-friendly credits that apply toward a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management or a related field
• Cost- and time-saving benefits for students planning to continue their education

Below, we profile three online associate programs to help you understand what to expect in terms of curriculum, format, and admissions requirements.

FAQs About Online Healthcare Management Associates

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

Didactic coursework in online healthcare management associate degree programs is often presented in a hypothetical scenario format in which students 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 these programs are designed to give students a foundation in the basic concepts necessary for entry-level positions in a broad range of settings, opportunities for specialization are rare.

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. Virtually all programs, though, require that you possess a high school diploma or equivalent (sometimes earned with a stated minimum GPA.)

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.

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

In almost all cases, yes. You’ll likely 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.

Always check the credit transfer policy for any HM bachelor’s program you’re considering before you enroll. And be sure that both the associate and bachelor’s 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, while others combine tuition and program fees in to a single per-credit rate. And still other programs charge a single total program price that includes tuition, fees, books, etc.

Keep in mind that you’ll likely be able to lower your bottom line cost by taking advantage of one or more available financial aid resources.

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 campus-based counterparts. These typically include:

• Online tutoring
• Technical support services
• Online library resources
• One-on-one communications with instructors
• Academic and career counseling

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.

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 described below.

It’s important to note that an HM associate degree is designed to prepare you for entry-level roles, and that advancement in your career will likely 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 tasks include:

• Collecting health insurance information
• Obtaining pre-certifications for patient services
• 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
• Filling out insurance forms and processing insurance payments

Healthcare Quality Improvement Assistant

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
• 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 (aka patient advocates) assist patients in obtaining healthcare services, understanding applicable healthcare policies, and making effective health decisions. Common tasks include:

• Explaining rights and benefits
• Referring patients to the proper healthcare resources and services
• Facilitating communication between patients, family members, and healthcare staff

Best Online Associate Healthcare Management Degree Programs