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What is Healthcare Administration?
Healthcare administration involves managing the operations of healthcare facilities like hospitals and clinics. Professionals in this field oversee tasks such as budgeting, staffing, policy implementation, and ensuring regulatory compliance. They play a key role in delivering efficient, cost-effective healthcare services while improving patient experience and managing daily operations.
As the population ages and more people gain healthcare access, the industry expands rapidly. This growth requires new workers, not only clinicians and technicians but also administrators and managers. For example, hospital administrators help doctors and nurses manage costs, oversee work schedules, budgets, and more.
If you're in Texas, consider a career in health administration. Not everyone is suited for patient care or medical equipment, but focusing on the business side of healthcare allows you to earn a great income while helping your community maintain health and well-being.
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Online Healthcare Administration Education in Texas
Online Bachelor's Degree in Health Administration (BSHCA)
To launch your career, it's best to complete an undergraduate degree focused on healthcare administration. While a general business degree is an option, a specialized degree will likely serve you better. Hiring managers will appreciate your clear dedication to the healthcare field, setting you apart from generalists interviewing for various industries. You'll be able to demonstrate your commitment from your first college course.
There are several degree types that will steer you directly towards healthcare. These include:
- Bachelor of Health Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration with a Healthcare Focus
Before you graduate, there are a few key decisions to make, starting with choosing the right program. There are many options available, some better than others. The goal is to find the program that best aligns with your career goals, even if it's not the so-called "best" program. For instance, even if you get into Harvard, their healthcare focus may not match what you're seeking.
When researching colleges, closely examine the courses included in the program. Even similar degree types can differ in focus—some may emphasize marketing, while others may prepare you for finance roles in healthcare. Pay attention to the course catalog, as it will shape the knowledge you bring into the workplace.
Online Bachelor’s Curriculum
That said, here is a brief list of courses you might take to pave the way to success in your field:
- Healthcare accounting
- Medical terminology
- Public Health Policy
- Human Resources in Healthcare
- Healthcare Economics
- Business communications
- Technical writing
- Healthcare Management
- Healthcare Informatics
When searching for a health administration program, consider the role of online education. You could choose a fully online program for your entire degree or take core classes online (like algebra or English) and transfer credits to another school to complete your major studies.
Integrating online education into your degree allows you to work while studying or take courses from distant institutions. If you continue working, try to gain experience in the healthcare field, even in a low-impact role like hospital orderly. This experience will help you understand hospital operations and gain respect as a manager later on.
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Online Master's Degree in Health Administration (MHA)
You should start thinking about healthcare admin graduate school as soon as possible. These days a graduate degree is becoming more and more expected, especially at the upper levels of management, and academia has responded. There are many degree types that cater specifically to those seeking to work in healthcare.
These degrees include:
- Master of Healthcare Administration
- Master of Business Administration with a Healthcare Focus
- Master of Science in Healthcare Administration/Management
- JD/MSHA – joint law/healthcare management degree
- Master of Public Health
To qualify for the best graduate school, you will want to begin thinking about your graduate school application packet as soon as you begin your undergrad program. This may seem a bit premature, but if you start early you will be exceptionally prepared later on.
Start thinking about and/or collecting the following:
- Minimum GPA for your desired program(s)
- GRE scores – keep your math and verbal skills sharp
- Letters of recommendation – cultivate the best academic and professional contacts you can
- Personal statement – continually evaluate your goals in healthcare
Careers and Salary Outlook
Salary and Earnings Potential
Due to high demand for medical managers, the profession offers top salaries. In 2023, the national median salary for medical and health services managers was $110,680, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These workers typically had a bachelor's degree and under five years of experience, working in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and doctor's offices. The BLS also notes this career path includes titles like healthcare executives, administrators, or managers, which can refer to specific roles like operations manager.
The national median salary for this career is impressive, but salaries in Texas can be even higher. The mean wage in Texas is $120,200, with the 90th percentile across the country reaching $216,750. Keep in mind, an annual salary often doesn't reflect the full compensation, as it may include benefits, perks like a company car, and bonus structures for strong performance.
Additionally, the field of healthcare administration is not limited to just office managers for doctors nor hospital administrators. Indeed, if you pursue an education in health administration, you might follow any one of a number of career paths, including, but not limited to:
- Management
- Accounting
- Finance
- Communications
- Public Relations
- Public Policy
- Information Technology
- Software Development
- Sales
- Marketing
As you work toward your bachelor's degree, consider gaining practical experience outside the classroom. Even if you're an intern mainly doing tasks like making photocopies, you'll absorb valuable knowledge that will benefit you later. Keep an open ear, and you'll learn a lot about your field and make useful contacts. Many internships can also lead to future job opportunities.
Career Options
You will not run out of opportunities to work in this field, especially in Texas. Below is a brief list of sample job titles. Take a look at this small cross-section – you may one day hold one of these job titles:
- Executive Director
- Director of Operations
- Administrative Director of Operations
- Healthcare Analytics
- Practice Manager
- Regional Operations Director
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Additional Helpful Resources
Prominent Employers
There are many large healthcare employers in Texas. With so many large urban centers, you are bound to find a major hospital or health system corporation who will love to have you aboard.
Here is a brief list of major healthcare employers in the Lone Star State:
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Baylor University Medical Center
- Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center
- Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
- Medical City Dallas
- Baylor Scott and White Medical Center-Temple
- Seton Medical Center Austin
- Amarillo Center for Skilled Care
- Ballinger Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Health Administration Associations
To take your career to the next level, you will want to join a professional association. These associations often will advocate for your industry at the statehouse in Austin, or even in Washington, D.C. As a member, you can meet colleagues at meetings and conferences. You might choose to lead a panel discussion or take advantage of the continuing education opportunities your favorite association offers. There are also leadership opportunities and more.
Here are a few of the associations you can join:
- Texas Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration and Education
- Texas Midwest Healthcare Executives
- Medical Group Management Association of Texas
- Healthcare Financial Management Association
- Texas Association for Healthcare Quality
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
The next step is up to you! Find the best educational program for yourself and launch a career today!