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10 Best Online Healthcare Management College Degree Programs

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: March 7, 2024, Reading time: 19 minutes

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Providing the best quality healthcare is integral in promoting longer and healthier lives. However, like any entity in communities and societies, healthcare systems and facilities need a leader or manager to oversee their operations and organization. This is what an online bachelor of science in Healthcare Management would train you for.  

Online Degrees in Healthcare Management - fact

Students and healthcare professionals wanting to take on administrative and leadership responsibilities in healthcare facilities can benefit from an online bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management. The healthcare industry combines and requires different perspectives on economics, finance, and human relations. An online bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management prepares students for a successful career in the industry.

After graduation, you can find employment as a medical and health services manager, which promises a 28% job growth in the next decade, as the Labor Statistics Bureau forecasts. 

The Lowdown

Being in the management side of healthcare opens numerous options for studies. But one concrete education is an online bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management. This program, which also shares the principles of a Healthcare Administration program prepares you for a wide range of administrative and managerial roles in the healthcare industry.

The Healthcare Management degree online program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in nursing and residential care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities. You will have several specialization options in order to match your career and personal goals. 

Methodology

Enrolling in an online bachelor’s in Healthcare Management is the best first step towards paving a management career in healthcare. When choosing each of the best online degrees, here are the factors that were taken into consideration:

Learn our process of ranking Healthcare Management online bachelor programs! Read our Methodology.

College Cliffs is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management Programs

Franklin University

Franklin University

Online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management

Franklin University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management degree program that is transfer-friendly. This online degree is ideal for those with no healthcare training or experience or for healthcare professionals looking for a competitive edge. The curriculum emphasizes practical tasks and career-ready skills. Your skills will be honed through case studies and fieldwork. 

Healthcare is fundamentally about caring for people, whether that means connecting with patients directly or working behind the scenes to enhance the procedures and regulations that influence the general patient experience. On average, Franklin students use 54 transfer credits toward their bachelor’s degree. Moreover, it provides a technical route that gives credit for prior patient care training.

What’s Unique About this Program:

Franklin University’s bachelor’s in Healthcare Management program includes a practical curriculum with simulations, hands-on case studies, and application of quality or performance measurement tools. This will further prepare you to put your skills into practice right away and increase your marketability to employers. This will expose you to real-world Healthcare Management scenarios and increase your professional networking opportunities.

Did You Know?

Graduates can assume management positions in a range of healthcare organizations, including acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, healthcare centers, or government and nonprofit healthcare associations. You can also explore practicing privately and join firms like insurance, pharmaceutical, and consulting firms.

Bellevue University

Bellevue University

Online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management

It’s time you get your Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management and become a manager in the healthcare industry. You may get ready to make wise, strategic decisions in the present regulatory climate by learning to evaluate the financial, human resource, and health information technology aspects of healthcare businesses.

The academic staff of the degree program in Healthcare Management has experience working for service providers, insurance firms, long-term care institutions, hospitals, and clinics. You’ll acquire the skills and experience you need to be successful in the workplace as a Healthcare Management professional through one-on-one mentoring relationships with people who have worked in the sector under the positions you’re aiming for, such as CEOs, consultants, and long-term care specialists. You’ll have direct access to their actual experiences and expertise. 

What’s Unique About this Program:

With a BS in Healthcare Management, you can study how to improve organizational and patient results, contribute to strategy and outcomes, and address issues in your current or future employment. One course at a time with the same group of peers will be taken online once you register for classes once at the start of the program. This will allow you to have more collaborative learning experiences and graduate with a better network to launch your career.

Did You Know?

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Institute of Technology

Online Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration: Healthcare Management

Combine business fundamentals with healthcare applications when you enroll at Florida Institute of Technology’s online BA in Business Administration – Concentration in Healthcare Management program. This online program explores a variety of contemporary healthcare delivery topics, including medical ethics and community health.

An online degree program in Healthcare Management may be suitable for students who are interested in administrative, management, or planning careers. The Florida Institute of Technology also offers master’s degrees in Healthcare programs so you can proceed after graduation. 

What’s Unique About this Program:

Healthcare Management synchronizes healthcare with business practices like resource allocation, budgeting, and human resource management. This is the primary skill that you can develop as you partake in this online degree. You will study management disciplines like leadership, organization, strategy, and planning in this online business administration Healthcare Management degree program. You will also be adept at planning for health services, controlling healthcare service quality, and managing healthcare systems. 

Did You Know?

If you decide to continue your studies at Florida Tech, you’ll graduate from a private, nonprofit institution with a high national ranking. They are ranked as one of the top national universities in the U.S. Florida Tech equips students to pursue success by offering its demanding academic programs 100% online.

Liberty University

Liberty-University

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration & Data Analysis: Healthcare Management (Online)

The online BS in Business Administration and Data Analysis: Healthcare Management program offered by Liberty University is an excellent choice for students looking to further their academic and professional careers. Contrary to a conventional business degree, this program prepares you to work in the rapidly expanding healthcare industry.

After all, managing the administrative aspects of healthcare, including marketing, financial operations, and human resources, is crucial for health organizations to succeed.

Businesses and healthcare institutions need Healthcare Management experts, and this program will prepare you for a career in this field. You can enter the highly competitive healthcare industry with this degree’s specialized training. You can definitely stand out from the competition with this online degree.

What’s Unique About this Program:

This program can help you get the competency-based training you need to start your career if you want to work in management for a healthcare institution. 

Did You Know?

Through lessons in accounting, business, economics, and health services, this online degree program offers instruction that combines theoretical understanding and real-world abilities. In your courses, you’ll learn about a range of legal and moral dilemmas that might occur in the healthcare industry, including lawsuits, data breaches, labor and employment concerns, and malpractice cases. 

Lindenwood University

Lindenwood University

Online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management

With a BS in Healthcare Management from Lindenwood University, you can advance your career in healthcare organizations. This is a high qualification to work in health insurance firms, hospitals, and healthcare facilities and centers. You can apply for higher positions or seek for promotion in your current job. 

Business, healthcare, and liberal arts courses are all part of the curriculum. You must fulfill the general education requirements and 24 semester hours of core health management requirements. The entire online degree in Healthcare Management requires a total of 120 credits for completion. 

What’s Unique About this Program:

Each of Lindenwood University’s health management professors has relevant professional expertise in the fields in which they teach. You can learn about routine tasks and gain an understanding of the range of projects you will be expected to finish if you are engaged as an information security analyst. Additionally, you’ll get the chance to network with classmates.

Did You Know?

University of Alabama

University of Alabama at Birmingham - School of Health Professions

(Online) Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management

The University of Alabama’s online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management has been offered for 5 decades now. For some, it opens the door to entry-level and mid-level management positions, while for others, it prepares them for graduate-level studies. This undergraduate online degree emphasizes the development of effective, creative, and moral leaders for entry- and mid-level management positions in health systems and health-related businesses. 

The future of healthcare will be influenced by these leaders. You can either take the coursework 100% online or combine it with on-ground classes on their campus.

This online Healthcare Management offers specialization choices such as:

What’s Unique About this Program:

After completing this Healthcare Management degree, you can land a career working in different work settings such as:

Expect their curriculum to be challenging but definitely rewarding. 

Did You Know?

A student is eligible to take the Alabama Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators’ licensing examination after completing the General Manager track and an internship with a long-term care concentration.

Ottawa University

Ottawa University

Online Bachelor of Arts – Health Care Management

You can learn how to run your healthcare organization smoothly and profitably by enrolling in Ottawa University’s accelerated online BA in Health Care Management program. This will enable you to continue assisting people in living better, healthier lives.

The field of health care is expanding on all fronts. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals are still in high demand, but the need for administrative and office support employees to run healthcare institutions is also rising. If you earn an OU health care management degree, you could fill these roles.

This online Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management degree program is divided into two tracks: students with clinical licenses or registrations can enroll in the clinical track, whereas non-clinical students with no clinical license or registry may enroll in the non-clinical track.

Those who want to hold leadership positions in companies focused on health will benefit from this major’s emphasis on organizational knowledge and managerial skills. For medical professionals with technical or clinical training, it is especially appropriate.

What’s Unique About this Program:

An awareness of intricate, dynamic, and integrated health care and reimbursement systems is encouraged by this accelerated, online health care management program. The viewpoints, procedures, and ethics involved in providing and paying for healthcare services are taught and discussed by their quality professors. In turn, students can get knowledge about how to assess patient needs, and financial limitations, and have exposure to managerial procedures and moral standards within the healthcare settings.

Did You Know?

The clinical track enables students who already hold a license or registry to transfer in at least 30 hours of clinical or laboratory training before finishing the required core courses to receive their degree. Professionals who hold an associate degree in a clinical field or 30 credits of professional clinical training are the target audience for this emphasis. 

Oregon Institute of Technology

Oregon Institute of Technology

Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Care Management

Those who wish to pursue management or supervisory positions in their respective healthcare positions can advance their degrees through Oregon Tech’s online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management program.

There are three specialization choices:

In all programs, you’ll study management and business topics that are directly applicable to the healthcare sector. Credits are awarded to students who finished prior courses from a recognized healthcare registry. These registry credits are combined with core general education courses and management courses.

For the clinical option, students must currently hold a state or national registry in an accepted allied health profession, and for the radiologic science option, they must hold the ARRT registry.

What’s Unique About this Program:

Did You Know?

This program provides the bachelor’s degree necessary for admission to master’s degree programs in addition to continuing education, job progression, or new career alternatives.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management

The BS in Healthcare Management program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center exposes students to the competencies required to prepare them for management and leadership roles in the healthcare industry. The bachelor’s degree requires 120 credits, which can be transferred from another college. However, these credits need to be assessed and evaluated for qualifications first by the admission staff or advisor.

Health care management degree at Texas Tech University includes all of the duties involved in overseeing today’s sophisticated healthcare delivery systems and infrastructure. Planning, directing, and organizing medical and health services are the responsibilities of healthcare managers, who are also responsible for making sure that the institutions and systems they oversee are fully compliant with applicable laws and regulations regarding healthcare.

Healthcare administrators and managers may oversee the overall administration of a facility, such as a hospital, a particular clinical department,, an emergency services operation, or a medical practice for a single doctor or a team of doctors.

What’s Unique About this Program:

One of the unique features of this online degree is its BSHM course rotation, which will guide students in creating a degree plan with their academic advisors. By combining the credits earned for the associate’s degree and the common core, students can earn a baccalaureate degree.

Did You Know?

The Texas Tech University System is playing a pioneering role in addressing the current and upcoming global challenges. They are also focused on expanding higher education, healthcare, research, and outreach.

Columbia College

Columbia College

Online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management

Columbia College is a public college that is connected to the Christian Church. They offer an online BS in Healthcare Management program designed to educate students on law and ethics in healthcare, management of healthcare systems, and human resources management. 

To graduate, students must earn 120 credits, which usually takes four years of full-time study. Due to its open admissions policy, Columbia College accepts all candidates, and 32% of its students earn degrees.

What’s Unique About this Program:

Organizations in the healthcare industry offer society incredibly valuable services. You’ll graduate from Columbia College prepared to use ethical business principles when managing and leading healthcare operations. You’ll be equipped to work in outpatient care facilities, residential care homes, hospitals, and doctor’s offices.

Additionally, you’ll be given the abilities required to do administrative tasks that are required to run and operate healthcare companies and organizations. Get ready to learn business fundamentals as well as terms and procedures related to healthcare.

Did You Know?

Students who are interested in the business aspect of healthcare should consider a Healthcare Management degree from Texas Tech University. The curriculum looks at the advantages and difficulties of running efficient healthcare systems. The administration of human resources, healthcare law and ethics, and healthcare systems and operations are all topics that students learn about.

Key Differences Between Healthcare Management and Healthcare Administration

Both healthcare administration and Healthcare Management call for a thorough grasp of business principles, excellent interpersonal and organizational abilities, and, of course, a passion for the medical and healthcare industries. Although there are some similarities between these professions, there are also many significant differences as well.

These differences include the scope and nature of the work, typical office environments, and the types of income potential and career possibilities that each post offers. Healthcare managers are usually tasked to cut budgets and manage daily operations,  which is why they must frequently have business skills and interdisciplinary backgrounds in financial management, healthcare, and data analytics.

To differentiate the two, while managers define the direction of the organization, healthcare administration is more concerned with directing and overseeing specific departments, units, and workflows within an organization. Those who take on management or administrative positions in the healthcare industry frequently work in institutions like hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, operating rooms, assisted living communities, or nursing homes. 

Healthcare managers can be found in virtually every type of healthcare-related business environment, including insurers, consulting businesses, and pharmaceutical firms, while a job in healthcare administration focuses on the personnel and individuals inside an organization. Teams of medical and administrative experts are supervised by health care administrators.

How to Become a Healthcare Manager

Understanding the abilities and credentials needed for this position might help you figure out how to become a healthcare manager. There are ways to fulfill the position’s minimum qualifications and land a job. The following tips will help you become a capable manager:

Enroll in an online bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management or other related majors.

A Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management or a closely related discipline is typically required of managers. You learn in-depth information about the health care sector and fundamental management principles when you study management. It’s crucial to choose a school or course whose schedule and content align with your professional goals.

Gain or grow your industry knowledge.

There are many ways to gain or grow your industry knowledge and this is a vital step as recruiters frequently favor individuals with prior industry expertise. For instance, in your Healthcare Management coursework, you’ll be exposed to internships and other hands-on learning opportunities that will help you be exposed more to healthcare industry.

Consider a master’s degree.

A higher degree, such as a Master of Business Administration in health care administration or a Master of Healthcare Administration degree, may help you advance to the position of industry leader. These advanced studies can help you stay current on trends, manage challenges strategically, and prepare you to address today’s health care issues. A master’s degree is always a valuable way to stand out from the pool of applicants.

Develop your leadership and communication abilities.

Health care managers with great leadership and communication abilities are in high demand, according to many recruiters. By also displaying the appropriate abilities necessary for managerial success, you can more effectively convey your education and professional experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a degree in Healthcare Management worthwhile?

A Healthcare Management degree, similar to a Healthcare Administration degree online, can be a wise investment because many jobs for healthcare managers report median annual salaries of around $77,000 and anticipate job growth that is substantially faster than the average for all occupations.

How much time is required to earn a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management?

An online Healthcare Management degree typically takes three or four years, and between 120 and 140 credit hours to complete. Accelerated online courses are also offered for students seeking faster degree completion.

What is the role of a healthcare manager?

Hospitals, physician offices, and other healthcare institutions are managed by healthcare managers. They supervise non-clerical workers, establish departmental goals, and check that healthcare regulations are being followed.

In order to pinpoint areas for development, healthcare administrators who have earned a degree in Healthcare Administration or Management also develop budgets, handle funds, and examine organizational records. They collaborate with administrators, governing bodies, and medical professionals in their capacity as managers.

Summary Points

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