March 28, 2024

How to Decide if a Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate Degree or Certification in Healthcare Management is Best?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for medical and health services managers in the United States is growing faster than any other areas of the employment market. It is expected to grow more than 22 percent through 2020 adding more than 65,000 more jobs. To determine which degree to pursue it is helpful to think about what career opportunities there are and the path you want to pursue. Although there are some jobs available at a bachelor’s level, for higher levels of responsibility and for top paying careers, it is necessary to have a graduate-level degree. Because healthcare is so rapidly expanding, there is an increasing emphasis on the finances and operations of health care systems and facilities. This provides a variety of great career opportunities in healthcare management. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top area of employment is in hospitals or hospital systems, currently employing about 30 percent of all healthcare administrators. Other top areas of employment for graduates of Healthcare management programs include:

  • Physician or group physician practices
  • Local and State Clinics
  • Nursing home facilities
  • Home healthcare
  • Centers for Outpatient care
  • Mental health organizations
  • Rehab centers

Available Degrees in Healthcare Management:

Certification Programs in Healthcare Management

Certification programs can provide career advancement for experienced professionals and for entry-level managers alike. Some certificate programs are designed for healthcare professionals already employed in lower-level management or administrative roles but want to take on greater responsibilities and challenges. There are also programs that allow advanced level management professionals to stay current on the newest and best trends in management methods and technologies.

Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management

A bachelor’s degree in healthcare management is required for entry-level positions in health administration and many universities and colleges offer undergraduate degrees with a concentration in healthcare/health services management. A bachelor’s of healthcare management degree will prepare students to enter the healthcare sector, which is one of the most thriving industries. There is a high demand for healthcare management professionals within hospitals, labs, and other medical units. Being one of the fastest-growing sectors, enrolling in a bachelor of healthcare management program can certainly prove to be a good career move for any student.

Master’s Degree in Healthcare Management

A master’s degree is required for almost every position in the healthcare management field. Students who want to pursue a graduate degree can choose many avenues depending on their specific area of career interest. Options for masters programs can include:

  • MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management
  • Master of Public Health
  • Master of Healthcare Administration
  • Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management
  • Master of Science in Public Health
  • Master of Science in Healthcare Administration
  • Master of Arts in Public Health
  • Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics

Some schools offer a joint degree—a master’s degree in both business administration and public health, or in both healthcare management and law. Graduate programs generally take two years for completion. They include coursework in healthcare policy and law, marketing, organizational behavior, healthcare financing, human resources, and other healthcare management topics. It is a great time to pursue careers in healthcare management to take advantage of this growth in advancing your education and career.