Within the United States, the demand for professional and qualified health care workers is predicted to increase substantially through 2018 per the U.S. Bureau of Labor And Statistics. As technology advances and the healthcare industry expands to accommodate a growing and aging population, the demand for qualified healthcare administrators may increase accordingly. Competition for jobs within the field of healthcare administration is predicted to be competitive, particularly for management level degrees.
Featured Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
- Kaplan University BS in Healthcare Administration
- Capella University BS in Health Care Management
Candidates seeking careers in the field of health care administration must possess the combination of educational and work related experience to achieve professional goals. One of the best means of acquiring the skills needed to propel personal, educational, and career goals in the field of health care administration is by earning a degree through an accredited online school. As many students presently manage family or job responsibilities while pursuing higher education, most colleges and universities now offer innovative curricula to extend instruction to students who can not attend on campus courses. Most online health administration degree programs provide students with the knowledge, training, and skills necessary to qualify as professionals within the field of healthcare administration through courses, instruction, and materials equivalent to their traditional, brick and mortar counterparts.
Individuals who expand their skills through the participation of an online healthcare administration degree program create solid foundations for future career success. Choosing an online degree program is a challenging process as students must select programs which meet their specific needs, educational goals, and personal preferences. To assist in the selection process, we’ve comprised a list of the best colleges and universities offering the best health care administration programs in 2011.
The following list offers students the top 10 online healthcare administration colleges to propel your educational, career, and personal goals:
1. Kaplan University
Originally founded during 1937 as the American Institute of Commerce, Kaplan University was the first open admission, for profit institute for higher learning. The university expanded very quickly after founding, developed multiple degree programs, and was renamed Quest College. The university assumed its present name following a merger during 2004 with the Davenport, Iowa based Kaplan University. The university presently offers 66,000 students instruction from its 10 campus locations in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland, and Florida with a faculty of 3,600 licensed instructors. In addition to its on campus instruction, Kaplan provides some of the top online healthcare administration degree programs. Courses provide students the opportunity to gain the knowledge necessary for employment as a qualified health care professional and maintain supervisory positions within the health care industry. Students research and learn the principles, problem solving, decision making, and daily operations of the health care system with courses based in administration, management, law, economics, and policy. Courses at a bachelor level include: human resources for health care organizations, introduction to health science, health care administration, introduction to public health, leadership and ethics in health care, health care policy and economics, operational analysis and quality improvement, information technology and systems for health care, research methods for health sciences, epidemiology and biostatistics, organizations and management for health care, finance for health care, and strategic planning and organizational development for health care. Courses at a master’s level include: leadership in health care, health care finance and economics, organizational development for health care, health law, human resources for health care managers, health care statistics, health care operations and quality assessment, health policy, community health assessment, health information management and assessment, health care ethics, and health care marketing. Kaplan offers online students enrolled in the discipline of healthcare administration one of the top programs to complete their degree with flexibility of course scheduling, live seminars, audio lectures, and Power Point presentations. Kaplan is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Click HERE for more info on Kaplan University’s online healthcare administration degree programs
3. Strayer University
Founded as Strayer Business College of Baltimore, Maryland in 1892 by S. Irving Strayer, Strayer University is a private, for profit educational institution specializing in providing instruction to working adults. The university changed its name to Strayer College shortly after founding upon gaining approval to award bachelor degrees. The university quickly expanded its degree programs to offer certificates and degrees in accounting, economics, business, criminal justice, management, information systems, public administration, education, and health services administration. During 1987 Strayer was approved to award master’s degree and expanded its graduate degree programs. To allow capital expansion and open public access to it’s programs, the university was purchased by Strayer Education, Inc. in 1996. That year the university launched its first online degree programs, extending instruction to international students and those unable to attend traditional, on campus instruction. One year later, the university quickly expanded its campuses with 90 locations throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Strayer’s online programs are internationally recognized as one of the top universities offering students one of the best online educational experiences in the field of health care administration. Master level courses include: health care administration, managerial epidemiology, health financial management, medical and health services managers, health services human resource management, medical and health services managers, directed research project, research methods, principles of economics, health services strategic marketing, and health economics. Strayer is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and offers some of of the top online degree programs available.
Click HERE for more info on Strayer University’s online healthcare administration degree programs
4. Florida Institute of Technology
Founded during 1958 as the Brevard Engineering College within Melbourne, Florida. As an independent, private university specializing in technical research, engineering, and science, the institute assumed the name Florida Institute of Technology or Florida Tech during 1966. The institute quickly expanded its programs and campuses upon the receipt of a $50 million dollar grant bestowed by the F.W. Olin Foundation. Presently Florida Tech provides instruction to 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students offering some of the best online programs available to students whose job or family responsibilities make attending on campus courses difficult. Florida’s Tech offers students a solid educational background for online and on campus students with an interest healthcare administration with a bachelor degree program in business administration and specialized courses in healthcare management. Florida Tech’s healthcare management program provides students with a solid background in accounting, community health, economics, law, management, and healthcare policies and organization. Students interested in a bachelor degree in healthcare administration participate in courses like: accounting, applied decision methods for business, strategic management, macroeconomics, microeconomics, medical ethics, healthcare organizations, managed care, community health evaluation, health planning and policy management, finance for managers, principles of management, management information systems, management of human resources, continuous quality management, organizational behavior and development, principles of marketing, and statistics. Florida Tech provides one of the best online healthcare administration degree programs accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Click HERE for more info on Florida Technical Institute’s online healthcare administration degree programs
5.Tiffin University
Tiffin University was founded during 1888 as a “new kind of institution” providing students the highest “education for life.” As a coeducational university established on a 110 acre campus within Tiffin, Ohio, Tiffin offers students a practical educational experience personalized to assist students toward meeting educational, professional, and personal goals. Tiffin’s faculty provides students with a unique learning environment combining course instruction with hands on experiences. The university offers nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees within 25 programs to international and stateside students with Ohio based locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, Fremont, Toledo, and Lima as well as innovative online programs. Students with family or work responsibilities may advance educational and professional goals in the field of healthcare administration by participating in Tiffin’s online healthcare administration master’s degree program. Courses include: marketing management, financial accounting, managerial accounting, management of human resources, statistical methods for managers, managerial economics, managerial finance, business research analysis, managing healthcare systems, legal and ethical issues, current issues in health care administration, operations management, strategic management, healthcare policy, law and ethics, global and transnational management, and healthcare processes management. Tiffin’s programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and offer students an exceptional opportunity to achieve one of the top online degrees available. Courses like: business finance, business statistics, information systems for business professionals, legal environment of business, organizational behavior and theory, marketing, human resource management, business policy and strategy, health service systems, gerontology and long term care, health care law, health services management and epidemiology, health services financing, health services administration and policy, and health economics provide students with knowledge necessary to obtain their master’s degree.
Click HERE for more info on Tiffin University’s online healthcare administration degree programs
6. University of South Dakota
During 1862, the Dakota Territorial Legislature founded the University of South Dakota (USD) on a 286 acre campus located in Vermillion, South Dakota. As the oldest university within the state, USD is one of six other institutions under the leadership of the South Dakota Board of Regents. USD offers one of the best educational experiences to students with through on-campus and online classes based upon a liberal arts curriculum. USD offers a large variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs within it’s 8 schools and online distance learning programs. USD houses South Dakota’s largest and oldest political science school as well as the community oriented, family medicine based Sanford School of Medicine with clinics and hospitals located throughout the state. For students who can not attend on campus instruction, USD provides some of the best online degree programs based upon virtually the same educational experience as on campus courses. Students interested in a healthcare administration degree at a bachelor level participate in courses like: health care law, business finance, business statistics, information systems for business professionals, health services systems, legal environment of business, organizational behavior and theory, marketing, human resource management, business policy and strategy, and health economics. USD’s degree programs are accredited by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities and give online students one of the top opportunities to propel educational, personal, and career goals.
Click HERE for more info on University of South Dakota’s online healthcare administration degree programs
7. South University
South University was founded as Draughon’s Practical Business College by John Draughon in Savannah, Georgia, during 1899. As an institute of higher learning, the university has a long tradition of providing students with personalized attention and academic excellence. The school quickly expanded programs and began awarding two year degrees and purchasing land to expand campus locations. In 1974, the university was purchased by the family of John T. South III and renamed South College during 1985. In the years that followed, the school was renamed South University upon gaining formal approval to award master and doctoral level degrees. Owned by Education Management Corporation, the university offers some of the best business, health care, design, legal and criminal justice, nursing, and pharmaceutical programs available at associates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels. South offers some of the best online degree programs for distance learning students interested in the field of healthcare administration at a graduate degree level. Courses include: organizational behavior and communication, quantitative analysis and decision making, strategic marketing, managerial environment, operations and supply chain management, public health organization and management, health policy, financial management of healthcare organizations, human resource management of healthcare organizations, and healthcare structure, organization, and management. South’s programs are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and provide students with a unique educational experience through its top rated online degree programs.
Click HERE for more info on South University’s online healthcare administration degree programs
8. Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University (GSU) was founded during 1906 within Statesboro, Georgia as part of the University System of Georgia. Originally named the First District Agricultural and Mechanical School, GSU gave homemaking and agricultural instruction to rural students. During the early 1900s, the school expanded to encompass the demand for teacher education throughout the region. By 1924, the university was renamed the Georgia Normal School and was recognized formally as a teacher college by 1929 when the school gained senior college status. Upon this recognition, the school was renamed the South Georgia Teachers College. The school’s name was changed in 1939 to Georgia Teachers College and officially became Georgia Southern College in 1959. In 1990, upon a surge in enrollment, physical expansion of its campus, and reorganization of its “students first” mission, the university adopted its present name of Georgia Southern University. As a national public university, GSU is the fifth largest center of higher education within the southern portion of the state of Georgia. GSU is a research facility recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching since 2006. GSU offers it’s 19,086 enrolled students one of the best options for advancing their educational and career goals with 100 academic majors at a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree level. GSU offers some of the most highly recognized online bachelor and master’s degree programs for students unable to attend on campus instruction due to family or work responsibilities. GSU gives students access to one of the best master’s level programs in the discipline of healthcare administration with courses in: accounting, macroeconomics, statistics, organizational behavior and communication, managerial economics, law and ethics for managers, quantitative analysis and decision making, strategic marketing, operations and supply chain management, advanced accounting information systems, health policy, public health organization and management, quality performance and management, health policy, and healthcare structure, organization, and governance GSU’s online and on-campus degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and provide students with the skills, knowledge, and training necessary to meet personal, educational, and professional goals.
Click HERE for more info on Georgia Southern University’s online healthcare administration degree programs
9. University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
The University of Colorado, at Colorado Springs (UCCS) is the fastest growing campus within the University of Colorado. UCCS is one of three campuses governed by the University of Colorado. UCCS first began offering courses in Colorado Springs during the 1920s to meet the educational needs of regional students at Colorado College. During the 1960s, UCCS began construction of its permanent campus on Austin Bluffs Highway when George T. Swire sold the state the Cragmor Sanatorium for one dollar. UCCS quickly expanded its educational programs to presently offer 34 bachelor’s, 19 master’s, and 5 doctoral degree programs to its 8,500 students within six schools. UCCS ranked among the fourth best public universities and has gained world wide recognition for providing students with quality educational experiences through on campus and online forums. Students interested in a master’s degree in the discipline of healthcare administration expand knowledge necessary for future career success with courses like: accounting, macroeconomics, business statistics, corporate financial management, information systems, marketing strategy, strategic management, business operations, investment management and analysis, healthcare administration, health care policy, heath care ethics and law, and health care budgeting and finance. The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs is accredited by the Southern Colorado Higher Education Consortium and provides its students access to a top rated educational basis to build future success.
Click HERE for more info on University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ online healthcare administration degree programs
10. Benedictine University
Benedictine University was founded within Chicago, Illinois, by monks of the Saint Procopius Abbey during 1887. Originally named St. Procopius College, the university educated men of Slovak and Czech descent combining instruction with Catholic spirituality. During 1901, the university’s campus was moved to Lisle, Illinois, expanded instruction, erected its first buildings by 1921, and became coeducational during 1968. Three years later, the university was renamed the Illinois Benedictine College. The university began offering graduate, doctorate, and adult learning programs to meet the needs of regional students. During 1996, school received approval to become Benedictine University. The university offers students the spiritual and educational tools necessary for success with student focused programs based within innovative curricula, on campus instruction, and online classes. Benedictine offers innovative curricula through on campus and online instruction within five schools. Benedictine also provides students with a unique and intensive accelerated learning program to maximize an individual’s educational experience. The university awards varying degrees, from the certificate, associate, bachelor, master or doctoral levels, and online courses. Students interested in healthcare administration degrees find one of the best programs available through Benedictine’s online master’s degree in public health concentrated in healthcare management. With core courses based in a Master’s of Business and concentrations in healthcare administration, students learn the skills necessary to become qualified professionals. Courses include: health systems, statistics, behavioral and social aspects of public health, health policy, ethical and political issues in public health, epidemiology, environmental health, methods of research in public health, cultural context of health care within the U.S., biology of public health, community health analysis, management for health professionals, health systems, health policy, finance in public health and health care delivery systems. Benedictine’s programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and give students a unique learning experience to base future educational, personal, and career success upon.
Click HERE for more info on Benedictine University’s online healthcare administration degree programs
That concludes our list of the top healthcare administration colleges online for 2012. Choosing any of these ten schools will prepare you for a solid career in health care administration.
Recommended Healthcare Administration Degree Programs
- Kaplan University BS in Healthcare Administration
- Capella University BS in Health Care Management
