What is Healthcare Administration?
Often known as a healthcare manager, a health administrator oversees the operations that take place at a healthcare facility. Despite the fact that health administrators usually aren't in contact with patients, they are responsible for developing healthcare systems that are geared towards community health. Administrators are responsible for many different tasks in healthcare facilities to ensure smooth operations.
A strong understanding of medical terminology, professional skills and the way patient care organizations operate are key competencies required. Knowledge of health care delivery and financial structures is also crucial.
Maryland boasts some of the top healthcare facilities in the nation, and the industry is among the state’s highest employers. The quality and quantity of healthcare administration jobs in Maryland make receiving an education here particularly valuable in this growing field. Whether you earn a Master of Public Health, a Master of Health Administration (mha), or a Master of Science in Healthcare Management, your future will be bright indeed.
Featured Online Programs
Healthcare Administration Education in Maryland
Online Bachelors (BS or BSHCA)
- Coppin State University HCA Programs
Coppin State University, Baltimore, offers a major in health information management. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA for admission. Courses include Health Information Management; Healthcare Finance; Human Resources Management; Organization and Management in Health Information; Legal Aspects of Health Information Management; Health Information Systems; Medical Terminology; Financial Accounting and Advanced Concepts in Health Information. - University of Baltimore HC Programs
The University of Baltimore offers a degree in health systems management. The program requires 42 credits and an internship in addition to the 43 credit general education requirements for graduation. Courses include Health Indicators; Overview of Health Care Delivery Systems; Principles of Healthcare Management I & II; Healthy Policy and Politics; Strategic Management in Health Care; Health Care Law and Risk Management; Health Planning and Program Evaluation; Quantitative Methods for Health Care Managers; Health Finance; Introduction to Health Economics and Statistics for Health Administration. - Towson University HCA Programs
Towson University, Towson, offers a healthcare management major, with students choosing either a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree. Those majoring in this subject must minor in business administration. The major has 48 required units, as well as an internship. Classes include Health Care in the U.S.; Legal Environment for Business; Health Administration; Introduction to Gerontology; Information and Technology for Business; Writing for Business and Industry; Health Information and Quality Management; Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Administration; Human Resource Management for Allied Health Professionals; Research Methods in Interprofessional Health Studies; Services and Housing for the Long-Term Care Consumer and Financing and Organization of Health Care Services in the U.S. Towson also offers a minor in healthcare management, consisting of 18 units. Towson is accredited by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Find Your Online Healthcare Administration Program
Online Masters (MS or MHA)
- Mount St. Mary’s University HC Programs
Mount St. Mary’s University, Frederick, offers a Master of Health Administration degree that students may complete in two years on a part-time basis. Twelve courses are offered in eight-week sessions. Candidates must earn 36 credits toward their master's degree, but students may transfer up to nine credits. Candidates must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75, two years of relevant work experience or a 500 minimum score on the Graduate Management Admission Test. There is no application fee, but applications must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the first class. - Johns Hopkins Carey Business School HC Programs
Earn a Master of Science in Health Care Management at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Baltimore, studying on a full or part-time basis. Courses are also available online or at the Washington, DC campus for part-time students, but full-time students must takes classes at the Baltimore campus. Fulltime students may complete their degree in three years, with part-time students taking six years for completion. A GRE/GMAT waiver request is available based on work experience evaluation and academic background. Merit-based scholarships are available for qualifying applicants. Johns Hopkins offers literally dozens of master’s degree programs in various health sectors, including a master's degree in health policy and management. - The University of Baltimore HC Programs
The University of Baltimore offers a Master’s of Science in Health Systems Management through its School of Health and Human Services. Depending on the candidate’s professional experience and area of focus, completion of 39 to 45 credits is required for the degree. The master's degree program is available online and in class, and Saturday classes are offered for the working professional. Candidates who need professional experience can supplement coursework with an internship. - Frostburg State University HC Programs
Frostburg State University offers an online Master of Business Administration degree with a health care management concentration. The first candidates may enroll in the fall of 2018. All Frostburg State University business degree programs are accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.) - The University of Maryland HCA Programs
The University of Maryland’s School of Public Health offers a Master of Health Administration program at its College Park campus. Courses for the 46 credit MHA include public health services administration, epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics, health behaviors and determinants, health policy, health law and ethics, health economics and analysis, strategic management of human resources, health service information systems, financial management of health organizations, marketing for competitive health service, quality assessment and evaluation, and health care leadership and communications. The school is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Applicants for a master's degree must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and must provide all undergraduate and any graduate transcripts. They must send GRE scores received within the past five years.
The University of Maryland also offers online courses for a Master’s in Healthcare Administration. Completion of the program requires 42 credits, but up to six transfer credits are accepted. Three credit courses include Introduction to Health Care Administration; Financial Decision Making for Managers; Public Health Administration; Long-term Care Administration; The U.S. Health Care System; The Business of Health Care; Information Technology for Health Care Administration; Intercultural Communication and Leadership; Financial Management for Health Care Organizations; Strategic Issues in Health Care Leadership; Research Methods for Health Care Managers; Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration and Health Care Institutional Organization and Management. A capstone course is also required. All master's degree programs should have their requirements fulfilled within five years. Any transfer credits must also be earned within the five year timeframe.
Careers and Salary Outlook
Salary and Earnings Potential
Overall, the demand for health administrators is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2016-2026, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is much faster than average job growth. The field is expected to increase by more than 72,000 such jobs over the decade. The 2019 median pay was $100,980 annually, or $48.55 per hour.
As of 2019, the average salary of a Maryland healthcare administrator was $126,340. Much depends on location when it comes to salary, with administrators working in the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore areas generally earning more than those in more rural parts of the state. Bethesda has the most healthcare administrators of any area in the country. The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation predicts more than 10 percent job growth in the field in the decade between 2012 and 2021.
Career Options
A snapshot of available jobs in the health administration field in Maryland in July, 2018 includes practice administrator, MedStar Health, Leonardtown; traveling home care administrator, Erickson Living Health Services, Silver Spring; assistant administrator, FutureCare Health, Baltimore; nursing home administrator, Marquis Health Services, Catonsville; clinical administrator, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; health service administrator, Wexford Health Sources, Hagerstown; healthcare administrator, Network Recruiting , Rockville; academic program director, master of healthcare administration, Walden University, Baltimore; administrator, Signature OB/GYN, Columbia and regional health administrator, Correct Care Solutions, LLC, Baltimore.
Additional Helpful Resources
Prominent Employers in Maryland
Many of the state’s largest employers are in the healthcare or related fields. These include many federal agencies.
The largest employers of health administration professionals in Maryland include:
- University of Maryland Biotechnology, College Park
- University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore
- National Institutes of Health, Bethesda
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda
- Department of U.S. Health and Human Services, Windsor Mill
- Sinai Hospital, Baltimore
- Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring
- Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore
- Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis
- Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Towson
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore
- Med Star Franklin Square, Baltimore
- Frederick Memorial Hospital, Frederick
- Umms Laurel Regional Hospital, Laurel
- Medical Oncology, Bethesda
- Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown
- U.S. Veterans Medical Center, Baltimore
Health Administration Associations
As a state with a large number of residents employed in the healthcare field, Maryland has various organizations for the health administration professional.
The Maryland Hospital Association, Elkridge, advocates for the state’s hospitals, health systems, communities, and patients before legislative and regulatory bodies. Membership is comprised of community and teaching hospitals, health systems, specialty hospitals, veterans’ hospitals, and long-term care facilities.
The Maryland Association of Health Care Executives is an independent chapter of the American Association of Health Care Executives. Its mission is to “develop a network facilitating communication and an active support system; to encourage an exchange of information among our members through educational programs; to encourage membership in the American College of Healthcare Executives; and to enhance our member’s professional life and career.”
The Maryland Rural Health Association is a non-profit organization, whose mission is “to educate and advocate for the optimal health and wellness of rural communities and their residents.” Membership consists of health departments, hospitals, community health centers, health professionals, and community members in rural Maryland.
The Health Facilities Association of Maryland serves as an advocate for the state’s long-term care providers. The association’s mission is to “innovatively lead the long-term care community to ensure that the people of Maryland receive comprehensive care and service, and an enhanced quality of life.”
The Home Care Association of Maryland and DC represent both non-profit and for-profit health care providers in Maryland and D.C. including Medicare-certified home health agencies, private duty agencies and registries, home medical equipment businesses, and related businesses providing services to these agencies.
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