Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the country due in part to advances in medical technology as well as recent changes in federal regulations. Students with a Bachelor’s Degree can pursue a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management in order to position them for significant advances in their career. There are many graduate programs in Healthcare Management that off a Masters Degree in less-traditional formats. This allows students to choose the ideal learning style that is right for them. Three types of programs for alternate learning are Hybrid Learning Environments, Web-Enhanced Environments and Fully Online Programs.
Fully Online Degree Programs
An online degree is an academic degree that can be earned primarily or entirely through use of Internet connected computer, rather than attending college in a traditional campus setting. Improvements in technology, the increasing use of the Internet worldwide, and the need for people to have flexible school schedules while working has led to a proliferation of online colleges that award Master’s Degrees. Improvements in technology and the need for flexible school schedules have led to proliferation of online colleges that award Masters degrees. Characteristics of online programs include:
• One hundred percent of the curriculum is available online with no required on campus class meetings
• Minimal required on-campus class meetings
• A learning management system that is used for all communications and class work.
Web Enhanced Programs
Web Enhanced Courses are those programs where the courses are set up in a traditional face-to-face format. A learning management system or other online tools is also used to help supplement face-to-face classwork, typically when meetings and class time normally occur.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid Programs are those programs where twenty to fifty percent of traditional class time is replaced with on line or out of class work. Courses in this type of program use learning management systems or other online tools for classwork and communication and class time is schedule to work with online coursework and activities.
Goals for Finding Appropriate Programs for Online Master’s Programs
It is important to find an accredited Master’s Degree Program that offers the flexibility that you need. The goal of educational accreditation, according to the United States Department of Education, is to ensure that programs of institutions of higher education meet acceptable levels of quality. Students seeking valid online degrees should obtain proof of accreditation from an appropriate national or regional accrediting body, such as the CAHME or CEPH. Some of the most important areas to evaluate when looking for an online Master’s Program are:
• Accreditation
• Average time frame for completion
• Cost
• Availability for degree focus.
Many students who pursue a Master’s Degree program are busy executives who are currently working in their career. This leaves many graduate degree seekers too busy to complete a degree on a full-time classroom schedule. Online programs allow the flexibility to pick the time and setting that works for their particular life style. Both curriculum and cost are generally similar to the more traditional programs. The learning outcome is often the same with identical material covered and a support system provided by program administrators. Online education enables individuals living with physical disabilities, busy full-time employees, soldiers, those living abroad, and stay-at-home parents to earn an accredited Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management.