Health Administration

Health care administrators (a.k.a. health services managers or health care managers) direct the operation of hospitals and other health care organizations. They are not involved directly with patients, but rather are responsible for facilities, services, programs, staff, budgets, etc. They help to shape health care policy and lead health-related organizations in a way that serves individual patients by improving health care systems. Health care administrators typically earn a master's degree from an accredited program after completing a bachelor's degree in biology, health sciences, or other related fields.

The five most popular careers in health care administration are:

• Social & Community Support Manager - Work with companies and organizations to provide insight into health-oriented practices that help everyone to live healthier lives.
• Training & Development Manager - Work to train incoming professionals and implement continuing training and professional development activities.
• Health Insurance Specialist - Work with patients to ensure that medical procedures and office visits are reported accurately to insurance agencies.
• Human Resource Manager - Work in hospitals, clinics, and other facilities to help employees navigate benefits, pay, and training requirements.
• Hospital CEO - Work to manage all departments within a hospital. 

Student Resources

Professional Associations and Accreditation

• American Health Information Management Association
• Association of University Programs in Health Administration
• Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
• Professional Association of Health Care Office Management
  

Entrance Exam

Many graduate programs in health administration require the GRE as an entrance exam. If interested in a specific program, inquire with that program about entrance exam requirements. Learn more about the GRE here.

Selected Regional Programs

• A.T. Still University
  Kirksville, MO
• Benedictine University
  Lisle, IL
• Central Michigan University
  Mount Pleasant, MI
• Clarkson College
  Omaha, NE
• Colorado State University
  Greenwood Village, CO
• Des Moines University
  Des Moines, IA
• Oklahoma State University
  Stillwater, OK
• Saint Louis University
  Saint Louis, MO
  
• University of Cincinnati
  Cincinnati, OH
• University of Denver
  Denver, CO
• University of Illinois at Chicago
  Chicago, IL
• University of Michigan
  Ann Arbor, MI
• University of Minnesota
  Minneapolis, MN
• University of Saint Francis
  Fort Wayne, IN
• Xavier University
  Cincinnati, OH
  

Important Note: Consult the admissions/application web pages of the professional programs for information on required pre-requisite courses and admissions tests, application procedures, and application deadlines. Some professional/graduate programs will not accept AP or CLEP credits, online courses, or correspondence courses for the core science and math pre-requisite requirements. Many programs also require that all pre-requisite coursework be completed within a certain period of time, e.g., within 5 years prior to application. Policies vary by school and program. Be sure you know the requirements.