Health Administration Associate's and Bachelor's Degrees at a Glance
A health administration professional manages the daily operations of a medical institution, such as a long-term care facility, hospital or practitioner's office. This can include setting schedules, supervising administrative workers, communicating with medical staff and finding ways to improve delivery of healthcare services. In an entry-level position, you might perform tasks including medical billing and coding, insurance claim processing and electronic health records (EHR) management.
Many health administration careers are expected to experience employment growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that medical records and health information technicians could see employment grow 21% from 2010-2020 (www.bls.gov). The BLS predicts 22% growth for medical and health services managers over that same time period.
| Associate's | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals seeking entry-level jobs in healthcare environments | People interested in a career in medical administration and facility management |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | - Medical secretary ($32,000)* - Medical records and health information technician ($36,000)* | - Medical and health services manager ($96,000)* |
| Time to Completion | 2 years full-time | 4 years full-time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | Roughly 60 credits | Roughly 120 credits |
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures).
