The decision to pursue a degree in healthcare management does not mean you must spend a full two years working on your degree program. You can consider an accelerated healthcare management degree to speed up the process and finish your degree at a fast pace. The primary advantage of an accelerated health administration degree is the amount of time required for the program. In most cases, you can finish your degree in half of the time when compared to a traditional program. The exact duration may vary based on the program, so you want to evaluate the details of a specific program before you decide to pursue the degree.
In the case of an accelerated healthcare administration degree online, you also gain the advantage of a flexible schedule. You do not need to give up on your normal schedule. You can continue to work or keep up with personal obligations while you are working on your degree. Online programs offer a flexible solution that allows you to work on your class materials when you are available. An accelerated program also allows you to work through your own learning style. For individuals who find traditional classes slow and tedious, a fast-paced learning environment and learning style may help with your goals. It provides the opportunity to keep learning without waiting for the rest of the class. You work around your personal learning style and gain the opportunity to complete your degree at a faster pace than average.
Methodology: Ranking the Best Accelerated Healthcare Administration Programs
For the Great Business Schools ranking of the fastest healthcare administration bachelor’s programs, GBS editors started with accredited, trusted institutions that offer an accelerated program. But since speed isn’t the only factor that matters, we ranked programs according to their alumni salary, cost, and student satisfaction, using data from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and Niche.
1. Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers an online Healthcare Management BS in Business Administration (BSBA) degree program. WGU’s accelerated healthcare management degree online program requires the completion of 41 classes; however, on average, degree candidates transfer 34 credit units upon entering the program. These accelerated healthcare administration programs from Western Governors University allow students to complete the baccalaureate healthcare management degree in 2.5 years. Western Governors University’s bachelor’s degree program in health care management has received accreditation from the ACBSP – the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Western Governors University is a distance learning school established in 1997. WGU’s online student enrollment nears 120,000 students. WGU was established by the governors of nineteen western US states.
Highlight Western Governors University follows a competency-based learning model as compared to a more traditional cohort model.
Degree Business Administration: Healthcare Management, BS
2. CUNY Baruch College
The City University of New York (CUNY) Baruch College Zicklin School of Business offers an online BS in Health Services Administration that is a member program of the Business School Alliance for Health Management. Baruch’s accelerated healthcare administration programs require the completion of 49.5 credit units in thirty months. This accelerated health management degree online program from Baruch College offers advanced networking options and opportunities to degree candidates.
Baruch College is a constituent school of the City University of New York (CUNY). The City University of New York was established in 1961. The school operates 24 campuses and 25 schools, of which Baruch College is one. Baruch College’s roots can be traced to the Free Academy in the mid-1840s.
Highlight CUNY holds the distinction of being the largest urban institution of higher education in the nation.
Degree Health Services Administration, BS
3. CUNY School of Professional Studies
The City University of New York – CUNY School of Professional Studies offers a BS in Health Services Administration that is recognized among the top 5% of baccalaureate online degree programs. The City University of New York’s accelerated healthcare management degree online program prepares degree candidates for rewarding careers in health care leadership and innovations. Graduates from CUNY’s accelerated healthcare administration programs find rewarding work as a patient navigator, product managers, hospital administrators, quality improvement managers or operations managers, to name a few.
The School of Professional Studies is a constituent school within the City University of New York that was established in 2003. The City University of New York, as an entire parent institution, was established in 1961. The City University of New York operates 24 campuses throughout New York City’s five boroughs and 25 schools. The School of Professional Studies is one of CUNY’s component schools.
Highlight CUNY holds the distinction of being the largest urban institution of higher education in the nation.
Degree Health Services Administration, BS
4. California Coast University
California Coast University offers a BS in Health Care Administration that can be completed entirely online. The accelerated healthcare management degree online program has a rolling admission and self-paced distance learning coursework that includes the completion of a126 credit units. The classes for CCU’s accelerated healthcare administration programs include human resource management, medical law and ethics, business communications, financial management, and management principles, among others. Students enrolled in CCU’s healthcare administration degree program have the option to transfer up to 93 credit units, upon approval.
California Coast University is an online for-profit institution of higher learning established in 1973 as the CA Western University. The school’s student enrollment exceeds 7.900 students studying for both baccalaureate and graduate degree programs.
Highlight The school has recently expanded programs in criminal justice and health care management.
Degree Health Care Administration, BS
5. George Washington University
George Washington University offers a BS in Health Sciences with a concentration in Clinical Operations & Healthcare Management that is recognized among the top accelerated healthcare administration programs in the country. GWU’s accelerated healthcare management degree online programs require the completion of 60 credit units in a two-year timeframe. Degree graduates enter the workforce with the skills needed for clinically efficient and effective healthcare professionals. Students are required to complete 17 classes for a total of 51 credit hours to graduate. Fourteen classes are core courses, whereas three classes are electives.
George Washington University was established as Columbian College in 1821. The school’s campuses in Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon and throughout Virginia serve more than 26,000 students.
Highlight GWU is one of the few institutions of higher education in the United States that was chartered by an act of the US Congress.
Degree Clinical Operations and Healthcare Management, BSHS
6. Florida International University
The Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences (BHS) offers Florida International University’s Bachelor of Health Services Administration that is recognized as the best accelerated healthcare management degree online program in the nation, according to the Guide to Online Schools. FIU’s accelerated healthcare administration programs include core coursework like Cultural Competency in Health Sciences, Values and Ethics in Health/Urban Affairs, Healthcare Financial Management, Organizational Behavior, and Legal Aspect of Healthcare, to name a few. FIU permits up to 60 credit units to be transferred towards degree requirements.
Florida International University is a state university that was established in 1965. FIU is a space-grant institution of higher education with a student enrollment that nears 59,000. Florida International University is one of the member schools that comprise the State University System of Florida.
Highlight FIU holds the distinction of being the only school designated with emerging preeminence.
Degree Bachelor of Health Services Administration
7. University of West Florida
The University of West Florida offers a BS in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration that can be completed entirely online. UWF’s accelerated healthcare management degree online program requires the completion of 120 credit units. Bestcolleges.com recognizes UWF’s accelerated healthcare administration programs as the second-best online baccalaureate degree program in the nation. Coursework for UWF’s bachelor’s degree program includes health ethics, medical terminology, understand the US healthcare system, strategic planning for healthcare professionals, plus an internship, among others.
The University of West Florida (UWF) was founded in 1963. The school’s campus on the west coast of Florida covers more than 15,00 acres and serves more than 9,700 students.
Highlight The University of West Florida is the third-largest member school of the State University System of Florida.
Degree Health Sciences: Healthcare Administration, BS
8. Trine University
Trine University offers a BS in Healthcare Administration that provides students an opportunity to select from four academic tracks – Organizational leadership, Communication, Healthcare, and Information Systems. Trine University’s accelerated healthcare administration programs provide students with the training to enter the healthcare workforce in long-term care, government agencies, medical insurance companies, hospices, and physician’s offices, to name just a few. Trine University offers active military members a reduction for online tuition. Trine University’s accelerated healthcare management degree online program requires the completion of 120 credit units, including 30 credit hours of core coursework.
Trine University was established as the Tri-State Normal College in 1884. Trine University’s rural campus covers more than 400 acres and serves more than 2,000 students. Trine University operates other facilities in Detroit, MI, and Fort Wayne, IN.
Highlight Trine University is so named because it is located near to three states, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
Degree Healthcare Administration, BS
9. Liberty University
Liberty University offers a BS in Healthcare Administration that is available entirely online. Liberty University’s accelerated healthcare management degree online program requires the completion of 120 credit hours over 3.5 years. Liberty University’s accelerated healthcare administration programs allow for up to 90 acceptable credit units upon the university’s approval. Coursework includes legal and ethical issues, human resource management, and community health for businesses, to name a few. Bestcolleges.com ranks Liberty University’s online healthcare management program the best in the nation.
Liberty University is a private institution of higher education that was established in 1971 as Lynchburg Baptist College. Liberty University is recognized among the most comprehensive of evangelical universities in the country and the world.
Highlight Liberty University was founded by Elmer Towns and Jerry Falwell, Sr., with the current president being Jerry Falwell, Jr.
Degree Healthcare Administration, BS
10. Mercy College of Ohio
Mercy College of Ohio offers a BS in Healthcare Administration that can be completed entirely online. Mercy College’s University’s accelerated healthcare administration programs prepare students for rewarding careers as a clinical administrator, a public health administrator, a hospital manager, or a healthcare consultant. Core coursework for Mercy College’s accelerated healthcare management degree online program includes 39 credit units of Organizational Behavior, Health Information Systems, Healthcare Management, Healthcare Economics, and Law and Healthcare Ethics, among others.
Mercy College of Ohio is a health-focused institution of higher education established in 1917, initially as Mercy School of Nursing. The school serves more than 1,000 students on the Youngstown and Toledo, OH campuses.
Highlight In 2010, Mercy College of Ohio began a comprehensive academic partnership with Bowling Green University.
Degree Healthcare Administration, BS
Will a Healthcare Administration Certification Help My Career?
When you are looking into a healthcare administration program, you may consider certification rather than a master’s degree program. Online healthcare programs certifications may help with your career in certain situations; however, you want to make sure that the certification is recognized or accredited before you pursue the certification. You also want to make sure that the healthcare management online course you take relates to your career goals.
In some cases, an online healthcare management certificate offers specialized training that is useful in your career. It may teach specific skills, like leadership in healthcare, that you can apply directly to your career. In some medical facilities or states, you may also want to consider healthcare management certification online to keep up with the standards of the facility.
Some medical facilities may ask that you take a healthcare management online course to ensure that you have specific skills or training. The standards of a medical facility may vary widely based on the needs of the facility and the role of a healthcare administrator in the facility. The benefits of certification may vary based on your location, the medical facility where you are looking for work, and the laws of your state. In some cases, certification will help with your career goals. It depends on your goals, the certification program, and the needs of your job.
Can I Get a Job in Healthcare Management Right Out of School?
When you are looking for entry level healthcare management jobs, you want to start with the options that allow you to gain the experience you need for more advanced roles. Bachelors in healthcare administration jobs give you the background and basic training you need to improve your abilities for your carer. The key to finding entry level jobs in healthcare administration is focusing on the right positions.
Many entry level positions within healthcare management or administration require a bachelor’s degree or higher to start the work. Bachelors in healthcare management jobs may range from an executive assistant in a medical facility to a health informatics officer in a hospital. By starting out in bachelor of science in healthcare management jobs, you can work through your master’s degree while you continue to gain the experience you need to take on more leadership positions after you graduate with your degree.
You can find bachelor of science in business administration healthcare management jobs right out of school in medical facilities. You should be aware that the availability of entry level positions for healthcare administration may vary based on your locality, current demand for professionals, and the facilities in your area. A medical hospital may have more positions available when compared to a smaller facility or a doctor’s office. You should evaluate the options available in your location to clarify the current entry level positions available.
When you complete a master’s degree in healthcare administration, you may have more opportunities in your career. The higher level of education allows you to take on more advanced leadership roles. You may also need some experience in your field before you are able to start working on your degree in some colleges and universities, so be aware of the standards set by the school in relation to your experience. Since you can start working in healthcare administration with a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to continue working and maintain your current career path while you complete your master’s degree.
Carrie Morris
Author
Warren Dahl
Editor-in-Chief