In the coming years, the American health care industry will require hundreds of thousands of new employees to keep up with the demands of an aging population. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing estimates that 641,800 new nurses will be needed by 2026. Approximately 122,000 new doctors will be needed by 2032, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Hospitals and health care systems will need new administrators to oversee this personnel influx. Prospective health care leaders can prepare for this challenging field by pursuing one of the five best bachelor’s in health care administration for 2022.
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How do I apply for a Bachelor’s in Health Care Administration?
Students interested in health care administration first need to gain admission to their desired college or university. A typical application for the best bachelor’s in health care administration includes a completed application form, high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a personal statement. The programs on our list also require an average application fee of $47. These fees range from $30, for the University of Mary, to $60, for Stonehill College. Once admitted, undergraduate students complete prerequisites before declaring the health care administration major. These prerequisites typically include composition, statistics, business administration, and accounting courses. Health care administration programs usually ask for minimum GPAs of 2.5 from undeclared students pursuing the major.
How much can I earn with a Bachelor’s in Health Care Administration?
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Health care administration graduates find plentiful job opportunities and strong salary outlooks when they hit the market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found an average salary of $99,730 in May 2018. This salary far exceeded the average salary of $38,640 for all occupations studied by the BLS. Hospitals, clinics, and corporations are driving the demand for health service managers, and 18% growth in this occupation is expected by 2028. The increasing complexity of health services, combined with aging patient and administrator populations, has created ideal conditions for entry-level professionals. The emphasis on practical experiences by the best bachelor’s programs in health care administration simplifies the transition from the classroom to the workplace.
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If you’re interested in health care administration, be sure to check our list of the 5 Best Bachelor’s in Health Care Administration!
Regis University
Regis University is considered one of the best schools for health care administration, due to its location and faculty reputation. The school’s Denver campus provides easy access to internships and employment with organizations like Centura Health and HealthONE. U.S. News & World Report recognized Regis with a No. 76 rank for Best Undergraduate Teaching and No. 202 among National Universities.
The Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions sets a 2.5 GPA minimum before a student can pursue the online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration. This GPA is calculated based on at least 12 undergraduate credits, including a required composition course. Regis University estimates completion of this degree in as little as 24 months, with full-time study.
Eleven required courses, such as Health Care Informatics, Policy, and Project Management, can be finished without setting foot in a classroom. Each course is offered in an accelerated 8-week format, to accommodate working students. A senior capstone project demonstrates a student’s familiarity with health care trends and best practices. Regis University prepares seniors for future careers with an internship requirement and resources through its Center for Career and Professional Development.
University of Mary
The University of Mary is the youngest institution on this list, with its first classes held in 1959. This Catholic university is based in Bismarck, ND, but it maintains campuses in five states and two other countries. Niche’s 2020 grades ranked the University of Mary No. 93 among Best Catholic Colleges in America and No. 463 among Top Private Universities in America.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration emphasizes flexibility and efficiency for working students. Admitted students can complete courses during the day, in the evening, or entirely online. This program can be finished in as little as four semesters when students study full-time. Eager applicants can get started quickly, thanks to 5-week terms scheduled throughout the year.
In-person students complete 25 required courses, while online students complete 22. Foundational courses in accounting, communications, and statistics prepare every student for complex management concepts. Day and evening students combine internships with upper-level courses, though the internship requirement is waived for online students. Advanced courses explore subjects like human resources management and financial management in health care. The University of Mary maintains a senior competency testing requirement for all students seeking graduation.
California State University-Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach was founded in 1949 to provide an affordable college education for people in the Los Angeles suburbs. Forbes confirmed the school’s reputation for value with a No. 37 rank among America’s Best Value Colleges 2019. Programs like its Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration have contributed to a No. 7 rank among the Top Performers on Social Mobility from U.S. News & World Report in 2019-2020.
Undergraduates at California State University, Long Beach are eligible to enter the program after completing 14 credits of prerequisites, and the program requires an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.6. The Department of Health Care Administration requires 12 core courses on topics such as Medical Terminology and Management and Information Systems.
Juniors and seniors in the program select three electives in subjects from Global Issues in Health Services to Medical Group Practice Management. The curriculum also features two required courses of field experience, which must total at least 240 hours. Seniors select from 300 approved internship options in Southern California. Graduates of the program can further their studies with the university’s traditional or accelerated Master of Science in Health Care Administration.
Stonehill College
Stonehill College held its first classes in 1948 on a quaint campus in North Eaton, MA. This Catholic university maintains a degree partnership with the University of Notre Dame, in Indiana. Niche’s 2020 grades placed Stonehill College at No. 42 among the Best Catholic Colleges in America and No. 116 in Best Value Colleges in America.
College Factual identified the Bachelor’s in Health Care Administration at Stonehill College as the No. 1 program in the nation for Health & Medical Administrative Services. Stonehill College creates strong foundations with lower-level courses in American Sign Language, Health Care Foundations, and AIDS and Emerging Infections. The curriculum challenges upper-level students with advanced lessons in Health Care Finance, Supply Chain Management, and Leadership.
Faculty members test student competencies with real-world cases through the required senior seminar. A 400-hour internship, completed between the junior and senior years, prepares each student for a health care job. Stonehill College has connected interns with organizations like the American Cancer Society and Yale-New Haven Hospital. The BS in Health Care Administration has led to alumni careers with organizations such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee provides a good launching pad for graduates of its Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration program. U.S. News & World Report promotes the school’s academic reputation with a No. 293 rank among National Universities for 2019-2020. The Milwaukee metro area features major health care employers like Aurora Health Care, Froedtert Health, and Ascension.
The College of Health Sciences requires a 2.5 GPA in general education courses as a prerequisite for the major. Prospective majors also need to complete six required courses ranging from Public Speaking to Health Care Delivery in the United States. Upper-level students advance to courses on Health Care Process Measurement, Principles of Marketing, and Reimbursement Systems.
Every student must complete an internship in health care administration prior to graduation. The College of Health Sciences sets a 120-hour minimum for all internships. The UWM Career Planning & Resource Center connects seniors with internships throughout the region, including the Wisconsin Heart Hospital and Northwestern Mutual. Alumni of the program typically receive job offers within six months of their final courses.
If you’re interested in pursuing higher education, besure to should check out 10 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Healthcare Administration and 5 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Health Informatics!
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