If you’re interested in advancing your healthcare administration career, read on. You’re making the right decision, too, because of the excellent salaries and job growth.
Medical and health services managers earned $110,680 in median annual wage (May 2023, BLS). With extensive work experience, the highest earners raked in more than $216,750 per year.
Featured Programs
Their projected employment growth is among the fastest, too, at 29% (2023-2033).
What’s the fastest route toward taking advantage of these exciting things? Enrolling in one of the best accelerated healthcare administration programs.
You’ll love their excellent quality, affordability, and accessibility as well as convenience. Both newbies and veterans in healthcare administration love them, too. You can use your master’s degree to enter the industry or advance your career in it.
But be careful about choosing the right program for your interests and goals. Your choice will significantly impact your career readiness and job prospects.
In the following sections, we’ll discuss the best healthcare administration schools. Then, you’ll know the factors that you must consider when choosing from these schools.
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Understanding Accelerated Healthcare Administration Programs
You will find many of these programs are available on-campus and online. Every program has its unique features and offerings, too.
There are many commonalities that you can use for comparison purposes.
Shorter time-to-completion
You can earn an MHA degree in 12-24 months, not in 36 months typical in traditional programs. The time-to-completion varies depending on your prior learning assessment and academic progress.
Faster completion of courses
You must prepare for the fast-paced coursework due to the condensed coursework. Either you have more frequent classes, or you’re covering more content in your classes. Your physical and intellectual abilities will be pushed to their limits.
The typical coursework covers topics in healthcare policy, management, finance, and leadership. Core courses complement the research and elective courses.
More intensive internships, capstone projects, and master’s thesis
Even the internships are shorter but more challenging because of their intensive focus. Add a capstone project or a master’s thesis, and the challenge can be overwhelming.
So, before you choose from among accelerated healthcare administration programs, read that again. You must have a realistic view of the challenges ahead.
Why Consider an Accelerated Healthcare Administration Program?
With that said, the benefits of choosing a healthcare admin degree outweigh its challenges.
Save time and money
Why spend three years on earning an MHA degree when you can do it in two years? If you can apply for prior learning credits, you can earn it in 18 months. Sources of prior learning credits include professional portfolio, military training, and licenses/certifications.
With time savings come money savings, too, since you’ll spend less on direct and indirect costs. Imagine saving at least $15,000 per year on indirect costs.
Be competitive for leadership positions in healthcare administration sooner.
You can grab career advancement opportunities faster with an accelerated MHA degree. Being able to apply your advanced knowledge and skills is a bonus.
Plus, you can enjoy returns on investment sooner. You’re able to recoup your costs in less time with a higher salary. Let’s say you spent $50,000 for an MHA degree, and your average salary is $110,680/year. Your return is 3.4 times your cost within two years of post-graduation employment.
There’s also a wide range of workplaces for healthcare administrators. Hospitals and clinics, public health organizations, and nursing homes are a few examples.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Program
Be careful when choosing the right MHA program because of its impact on your pockets and career. Here are four of the crucial factors in doing so.
Always look for active and current accreditation.
First, check for the university’s active national or regional accreditation. Both are acceptable, but regional accreditation is preferable for these reasons:
- Higher quality standards, including academics and student support services
- Transferability of credit
- Wider recognition among the academia and industries, including healthcare
- Federal aid eligibility
Also, regional accreditation applies to four-year colleges and universities. National accreditation applies to career-focused colleges, including technical and vocational schools.
Look for Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) accreditation, too. This is recognized as the industry’s gold standard. The CAHME accreditation signifies that the MHA program meets rigorous quality standards.
Consider the programs’ delivery format.
In the digital age, there are three main healthcare management degree options:
- On-campus programs or in-person programs provide candidates with a traditional classroom setting. Candidates engage their peers and professors in face-to-face interactions. If you prefer in-person interactions and structured schedules, go for an on-campus program. You’ll also have effective access to campus services, resources, and people.
- Online programs offer candidates more flexibility and accessibility than on-campus programs. You can access your online classes anywhere with an Internet-connected computer. With asynchronous courses, you can study at your own pace. Even the internships and capstone project/master’s thesis can be completed online. Plus, there are fewer out-of-pocket costs for indirect costs like transportation and supplies. Many online programs also offer in-state tuition for all students.
- Hybrid programs feature the best of both on-campus and online programs. Classes are conducted, and assignments are submitted online, usually through the LMS. However the internship requirement and group projects are completed in person.
When choosing from among these delivery formats, consider your:
- Work and personal commitments
- Distance from the campus
- Lifestyle habits
- Learning style and study habits
There’s no right or wrong choice – only what fits your unique needs the best.
Factor in the specializations and electives offered.
Many fast-track healthcare administration programs offer specializations or electives. If possible, prioritize these programs because specialization brings many benefits, including:
- Enhanced expertise in a specific area
- Improved job prospects because prospective employers may prefer applicants with specialist competencies
- Increase in earning potential
Common specializations include:
- Healthcare policy
- Hospital management
- Health information systems
- Long-term care administration
Consider the faculty expertise and student support services.
What you learn is as crucial as who you learned it from. You must then consider the qualifications and experience of the professors in an MHA program. Besides doctoral degrees, look at their work experience and industry connections.
Then, consider the types, quality, and scope of the student support services. Your academic and career success partly depends on their quality and accessibility.
Ask current students and alumni, if possible, about these services:
- Admissions support
- Academic planning and advising
- Career counseling
- Tutoring
- Writing center
- Libraries and databases access
- Networking opportunities
Take your time when considering these four crucial factors.
Top 5 Accelerated Healthcare Administration Programs
We selected these five top accelerated healthcare administration programs for their:
- Current regional and programmatic accreditation
- Reasonable tuition rates and fees, as well as financial aid opportunities
- Exceptional quality of instruction, expert professors, and student support services
- Relevant specializations or electives
University of Southern California (USC) – Executive MHA (Master of Health Administration)
If it’s a recognized healthcare admin degree for career goals you’re after, consider USC’s program. USC itself has a strong reputation for excellent healthcare education for managers. Plus, its extensive alumni network brings many benefits to its students and graduates.
University of North Carolina (UNC) – Master of Healthcare Administration
UNC offers among the best healthcare leadership degrees in online and accelerated formats. Candidates learn the 24 targeted competencies for success during the two-year program.
George Washington University – Healthcare MBA with Administration Focus
If you want to combine the best of an MBA degree and a healthcare degree, consider GWU’s program. You’ll gain solid business skills with practical applications in healthcare settings. All courses are online, but in-person learning opportunities are available.
Purdue University Global – Accelerated Master of Health Administration
Yet another excellent online healthcare administration degree is Purdue’s MHA program. Online students praise the affordable tuition and flexible schedules. You can earn this degree in 18 months.
University of Michigan – Executive Master’s in Health Management and Policy
UMich offers advanced courses for leadership roles in its Executive MHMP program. This hybrid program is known for its rigorous courses and experiential learning.
Tips for Maximizing Success in an Accelerated Program
Even the best professors at accredited healthcare administration programs can only do so much. You must take full responsibility for your success in an accelerated MHA program.
- Adopt effective management and study habits. Set priorities, create a schedule, and be consistent.
- Take full advantage of campus and online resources and student support services.
- Build industry connections and expand your network.
- Maintain a healthy work-study-life balance. Take regular breaks. Manage your stress. Adopt healthy lifestyle habits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, consider the accreditation, delivery format, faculty credentials, student support services, and specializations in accelerated healthcare administration programs. Choose based on your unique interests, needs, and goals. Then, maximize the time you spend on earning your MHA degree. Doing so will have a positive impact on your career.
