Learn healthcare administration
Healthcare administrators manage the non-clinical functions of healthcare organizations and centers. Their work contributes to the quality of patient care as well as the day-to-day logistics of a department, section, or an entire facility.
Why learn healthcare administration?
Healthcare administration courses and programs focus on the management side of healthcare delivery. Their learning goals typically include:
- Managing human and financial resources
- Optimizing patient outcomes
- Choosing and implementing health technologies
- Building decision-making skills for healthcare settings
Non-degree courses and programs can help established healthcare professionals advance in their roles or transition from care delivery into administration. Degree programs explore the field in greater depth, preparing students to enter careers with growth potential.
Time requirements vary. Non-degree programs may last weeks or months. A bachelor's degree typically takes four years, while a master's degree in healthcare usually requires about two years.
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Choosing the right healthcare administration program for you
When choosing healthcare administration courses or programs, consider factors like program length, delivery format, academic content coverage areas, and relevant career paths.
By considering program features and your career goals, you can determine if a learning opportunity might be worth it to help you meet your objectives.
edX offers flexible learning formats to help you meet your learning goals on your own terms. Program options include:
- Standalone courses
- Healthcare admin degrees
- Executive Education
Healthcare administration courses
Standalone healthcare admin courses can help you learn about targeted topics, such as financial management, data science in healthcare settings, regulatory compliance, or patient relations. They may be ideal if you want to enhance your existing knowledge or acquire new skills.
Courses typically take 4-12 weeks to complete, and some may not have academic prerequisites, but general familiarity with the subject matter may benefit your learning.
Healthcare administration degrees
Degree programs might be a good match if you are looking to develop deep knowledge for your career. You can enroll in a healthcare administration degree program offered by reputable universities through edX.
Typical completion timelines depend on degree level:
- Associate degree: About two years
- Bachelor's degree: About four years
- Master's degree: About two years
Undergraduate programs tend to require fewer prerequisites than graduate programs. Master's, professional, and doctoral degree programs are usually designed for learners with related degrees, firsthand career experience, or both.
Executive education in healthcare administration programs
If you're already working in healthcare administration and want to broaden your knowledge base, fill in skills gaps, or explore specific aspects of the healthcare industry, executive education might be right for you.
Executive education programs in healthcare administration typically do not award academic credits, but participants do earn a certificate of completion or another credential. These programs can usually be completed in about 6-8 weeks, making executive education an excellent way to enhance your résumé by obtaining a credential from a prestigious institution.
Jobs in healthcare administration
Jobs in healthcare administration are available for professionals of various education levels. Some entry-level roles require only a non-degree certificate. For positions with more responsibility and advancement potential, you'll usually need an undergraduate or master's degree in healthcare.
Consider the following career options in healthcare administration:
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