If you are interested in a career as a healthcare professional, then you might consider earning a health services degree online.
A Bachelor of Health Services Management degree program helps prepare students for administrative and management positions in healthcare organizations. As healthcare becomes a more important part of our economy, more and more educated professionals will be needed to manage healthcare organizations of scaling complexity.
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Healthcare is one of the most innovative industries in the country, and earning a bachelor’s degree in health services administration may help you break into this field.
Online Bachelor’s in Health Services Degrees
A health services major focuses on teaching you managerial methods for healthcare systems and the theory behind them. This degree is meant for people who are interested in becoming administrators or managers specifically in the healthcare industry.
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As a result, students who graduate with a medical and health services manager degree may be qualified to take on a number of critical roles in our healthcare infrastructure. As a health services students, your classes will likely cover subjects that reflect the degree’s focus as a management and enterprise-tailored degree. Some of the subjects you’ll study may include:
- Management
- Accounting
- Healthcare administration
- Health law
- Healthcare delivery systems
- Healthcare organization planning
- Health communication
After earning a health services degree online, you may be qualified to enter into the groundbreaking field of healthcare.
A health services degree could lead to a number of career opportunities, though the positions you’ll qualify for may depend on a variety of circumstances. Some graduates work as health services managers in hospitals, physicians’ offices, in-patient facilities, or government agencies.
You may also pursue work as an administrator or manager in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital system, overseeing different aspects of its operations—such as payroll or human services.
Common Online Bachelors in Health Services Degree Specializations
Some health services programs offer specializations, allowing you to take classes related to a specific aspect of health services management and administration.
These specializations may appeal to a diverse student body:
- Risk Management. This specialization focuses on identifying possible risks within healthcare organizations and finding solutions to the problems they pose.
- Information Technology. This specialization deals with the information technology systems used for healthcare administration data.
- Human Resources. This is a specialization for students interested in learning how to manage human resources in healthcare organizations.
- Mental Health Services. This specialization specifically deals with the management of mental health services and organizations that deliver these services.
- Nursing. This specialization is for students interested in the management and administration of nursing services.
Available concentrations for health services degrees can differ from university to university. If your program does not offer formal specializations for your degree, you may be able to take classes in a wide variety of subjects as electives.
Health Services Careers and Salaries
Earning a health services degree could be a strategic step toward entering the field of healthcare administration and management.
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Healthcare is an innovative field, and it is also growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in healthcare occupations is expected to grow by 13% over the next ten years.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $159,010 |
| Human Resources Managers | $126,230 |
| Financial Managers | $131,710 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Administrative Services and Facilities Managers | $99,290 |
| Top Executives | $98,980 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Health Education Specialists | $60,600 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $55,560 |
| Medical Records Specialists | $46,660 |
Many of these specific occupations are projected to have strong job growth over the next ten years. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 28% job growth for medical and health services managers.
Health Services Bachelors Curriculum & Courses
The courses that you take as a health services major are focused on learning health systems management and delivery.
These are some of the courses you may take in a health services program:
- Introduction to Health Services: This course introduces you to basic health services concepts and how the healthcare system works in the US.
- Healthcare Planning: This course teaches health planning and how to use specific resources in health systems in the most efficient manner.
- Healthcare Law: This course examines the laws that govern healthcare administration, nursing, and other parts of the healthcare industry.
- Healthcare Ethics: This course serves as an overview of the ethical issues that arise in healthcare.
- Healthcare Terminology: This course is an overview of healthcare and medical terminology, with a special focus on how terminology is constructed and used.
- Long-Term Facility Administration: This course introduces you to the management and administration practices of long-term healthcare facilities.
- Managerial Statistics: This course describes how statistics are applied in managerial settings.
- Research Methods: This course serves as an overview of research methodology for health services research.
- Human Resources Management: This course instructs you to the foundational concepts of health services HR management.
- Financial Management in Healthcare: This course overviews financial functions in healthcare systems.
In addition to your coursework, you may also complete a practicum or an internship experience in order to fulfill all your program’s requirements.
Admissions Requirements
When it comes to admissions criteria for health services degree programs, each university sets its own requirements for applicants.
Here are some general requirements that most accredited universities require:
- Online application
- High school or GED transcript
- SAT or ACT Scores (only some schools require them)
- Letters of recommendation
It’s beneficial to make sure that all your application materials are submitted to the universities you are applying to by their deadlines.
Accreditation
Regional accreditation is how you can be assured that you’re receiving a high-quality education from your university.
Accreditation is a process in which a private accrediting organization reviews a school’s institutions and programs and determines if they are delivering a high-quality education. Accreditation affects multiple aspects of higher education. For example, students who want federal student aid must attend accredited institutions.
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To see if the universities you are applying to are regionally accredited, and to learn more about accreditation, you can visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are many resources available that provide qualifying students with financial aid to help them pay for their college education.
One of the most common sources of aid is federal student aid, which is given out by the federal government in the form of loans, grants, and work-study programs. To see if you are eligible for federal aid, you can visit the Federal Student Aid website to make an account and fill out the aid application.
States may have their own student aid programs, applications, and websites. Scholarships given out by private or government organizations might also help you pay for college. There are many scholarship opportunities from your school or outside organizations that you can explore.
If you are employed, your employer may have an employee education program or a professional development program that could help you pay for college.
Health Services Professional Organizations
Professional organizations are part of a collective effort by a particular occupation’s practitioners to band together, self-regulate and set standards for themselves, and foster professionalism.
There are also organizations that allow members of a particular occupation to network and meet other practitioners. This has the result of advancing the profession. For health services degree holders, here are a few professional organizations that you may want to look into:
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM)
- American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
- Health Care Administrators Association (HCAA)
You can take your time to explore these organizations and determine for yourself if you are interested in joining any of these organizations as a health services professional.
What Is a Health Services Administration Degree?
A Bachelor of Health Services Administration degree is designed to teach students how to function as managers and administrators in healthcare and health-related organizations. This field of study involves being active in administration, planning, and implementation at all levels of organizations that deliver health services.
A health services administration degree can help prepare you for administrative roles and leadership positions in healthcare organizations and healthcare systems. Health services professionals manage healthcare facilities of all sizes and types, such as clinics or specific departments in healthcare organizations or health services providers.
What Can You Do with a Health Service Degree?
A health services degree can help you prepare for a range of careers in the healthcare sector. Your chosen degree concentration may impact your specialized expertise and qualifications.
Many graduates go on to become health services managers. It may be helpful to have an on-campus or online masters in health services administration to enter leadership positions.
There are many types of health services managers, including health information managers, clinical managers, and department managers. Other health services professionals work as administrative services managers, facilities managers, or social and community service managers.
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Some graduates begin in entry-level positions. Potential roles include health education specialist, human resources specialist, or health information specialist.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelors Degree in Health Services Management Online?
If you enroll full-time in a health services management degree program that follows a 16-week semester structure, you can generally complete your degree in 4 years.
Some online programs have 8-week semesters and allow you to be enrolled year-round. This route may let you finish your bachelors in less time if you study full-time and year-round. If your circumstances require you to study part-time, then it may take longer for you to complete your degree program.
Is a Health Services Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?
Yes, a health services bachelor’s degree is worth it for many professionals. This may be a strategic degree path to consider if you’re passionate about administration and want to be able to provide the best and most efficient healthcare services to patients.
The education you gain as a health service major may help you break into the growing industry of healthcare. There is a growing need for qualified individuals who can manage health systems and healthcare organizations and ensure health services are delivered in an efficient manner.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics even projects 28% job growth for medical and health services managers over the next ten years, which is much faster than average.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Health Services Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
The City University of New York offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration. Potential courses in this interdisciplinary program include Biology of the Human Body, Accounting Fundamentals, and Medical Terminology. The degree can be earned online. Graduates often pursue administrative positions in hospitals and similar settings.
CUNY is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Davenport University offers a BS in Health Services Administration that can be earned online or on campus. The program includes a 120 hour practicum to allow students to gain hands-on experience. The program’s current job placement rate for graduates is 93%. Students can choose from four specialties: Long-Term Care, Project Management, Human Resource Management, or Health Information Assurance.
Davenport University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Drexel University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration that can be earned on campus or online. Each course is 10 weeks long. Potential courses include Health Care Law, Financial Management in Health Care, Leadership in Health Services Administration, and Ethics in Health Care Management.
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Eastern Kentucky University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration. The program is available 100% online and allows students to transfer in up to 90 qualifying credit hours. Students can choose from concentrations in either Health Care Management or Health Informatics and Information Management.
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Florida International University offers a Bachelor of Health Services Administration that can be earned completely online. Potential courses include Leadership and Management for Health Professionals, Cultural Competency in Health Sciences, and Quality and Evidence-Based Healthcare Services. Prospective students can apply to begin in the fall, spring, or summer.
Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Marian University offers an online program for a BA in Health and Human Services. Courses are offered year-round, and each one is 5 or 8 weeks long to make it easier for students to fit their schoolwork into their schedules. The curriculum seeks to provide real-world career preparation through courses such as Intro to Epidemiology, Public Health and Society, and Principles of Management.
Marian University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
Missouri State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Services that can be earned 100% online. The program offers a Clinical Services track for those who already work in allied health professions. It allows students to count clinical education credits toward their bachelor’s degree.
Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Old Dominion University offers a BS in Health Sciences that can be earned online. The program is designed to prepare students for administrative careers in healthcare and is open to those with prior work experience in the field and those who are new. Some of ODU’s online classes have regular synchronous meetings, and others do not.
Old Dominion University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Robert Morris University offers a BS in Health Services Administration that can be earned on campus or online. The curriculum is up-to-date and taught by instructors with real-world experience. Potential courses include Health Care Law and Ethics, Basic Principles of Health Economics, and Healthcare Informatics. Courses are typically 8 or 16 weeks long.
Robert Morris University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Thomas Jefferson University offers a BS in Health Services Management that can be earned fully online. Each course is 8 weeks long, and students can usually finish the program in 2 to 3 years. Potential courses include Health Systems and Policy, Business and Healthcare Law, and Health Informatics. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Thomas Jefferson University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Central Florida offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration that can be earned online. The program is designed to prepare students for the evolving nature of the healthcare industry and to teach them practical skills for working in hospitals, clinics, and similar settings.
The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Louisiana—Lafayette offers an online program for a BS in Health Services Administration. Each course is 8 or 16 weeks long, and none of them require any visits to campus. The program does require internship experience. Online students at UL Lafayette have access to library services, tutoring, technical support, and other assistance.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a BS in Health Services Management. The curriculum was created with input from industry experts and employers. All courses are available online, and select courses are also available in a hybrid format. Potential courses include Introduction to the US Healthcare Sector, Healthcare Policies, and Healthcare Marketing.
The University of Maryland Global Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Upper Iowa University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration with areas of emphasis offered in Pre-Nursing, General Leadership, and Dental Hygiene. Potential courses include Healthcare Law and Ethics, Community and Public Health, and Long-Term Care Administration. UIU’s academic calendar features six 8 week sessions throughout the year.
Upper Iowa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Western Governors University offers a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services. Courses are asynchronous, and most students can finish the full program in less than 4 years. Potential courses include Pathophysiology, Cultural Awareness, and Medical Terminology, and the program culminates with a capstone project.
Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Getting Your Health Services Degree Online
A health services bachelors degree can help you prepare for an administrative or managerial role in the healthcare industry. Health services professionals are responsible for planning, implementing, and administrating services for healthcare organizations.
Your courses will explore a broad range of healthcare management and administration topics, and you may choose to specialize in a particular area of healthcare administration. You can reflect on your educational and career goals to determine which health services concentration is right for you.
The sooner you start exploring accredited schools, the sooner you may find the bachelors program in health services that’s best suited to your needs and interests.
