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What classes did you take in college to work in the “healthcare management or administration” field?
I’m going to be a highschool senior and a want to know what courses I should look out when applying to certain schools.
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5 answers
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James Colby’s Answer
The majority of colleges offer a Healthcare Administration degree, so you don't need to stress over specific courses. There are several paths you can take. For instance, I obtained a degree in Kinesiology before pursuing my MHA. Many individuals opt for an undergraduate degree in Healthcare Administration. The curriculum typically includes Healthcare Law & Policies, Leadership courses, Healthcare Informatics, Human Resource courses, and Healthcare Finance courses. However, each university may have slight variations in their program.
Thank you so much for the advice!
Nicole
Updated
Sehar’s Answer
Hey Nicole! If your heart is set on a career in healthcare, I'd really recommend considering a major in Public Health. It's a field that's constantly growing, filled with tons of opportunities, and offers a variety of fascinating courses. These will give you a broad and thorough understanding of the healthcare industry. To complement this, I'd suggest adding a minor in Business Administration. I followed this exact path and now, I'm working in Healthcare Consulting!
Micheal White, MBA
Reimbursement and Quality Metrics Management
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Panama City Beach, Florida
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Micheal’s Answer
Hello Nicole, I agree with James, you will have core courses that are required. I was a nurse first then Bachelor's of Business Administration with an Emphasis on Healthcare Management, minored in Emergency Management and Homeland security. I then got my MBA. I will say that for electives I focused on conflict resolution, negotiations, and leadership. Healthcare is a tuff spot right now post pandemic with staffing issues galore so it's good to be ready for overworked over stressed staff. I would also like to say that when you are in the position you want years from now just remember to practice servant leadership, it is an art all but lost in a lot of healthcare organizations today.
Updated
Davina’s Answer
I started as a telemetry tech in a hospital ICU, then worked in diagnostic imaging, and then transferred to an outpatient clinic as a referral coordinator. It was during my early years as a referral coordinator that I earned my bachelor's degree in healthcare administration. I've done a lot of volunteer work with my local public health department and the healthcare admin degree has helped with that.
Updated
Bo’s Answer
Hi Nicole,
I suggest looking at your major rather than specific courses. Most universities offer health administration degrees, which typically provide a great variety of courses that will help you. Also, don't underestimate internships/externships, as they are a great way to get hands-on experience and connections for potential job offers.
Here are a few courses that are typically offered in health administration curriculums:
• Business Administration and Management: Courses in business fundamentals, such as accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, and strategic management, are essential for healthcare administrators as they deal with the financial and operational aspects of healthcare facilities.
• Healthcare Policy and Law: Understanding healthcare regulations, policies, and ethical considerations is crucial for healthcare administrators who must navigate the complex healthcare landscape while ensuring compliance.
• Healthcare Economics: This course will introduce you to the economic principles and concepts specific to the healthcare industry, including insurance, healthcare financing, and cost management.
• Healthcare Information Systems: In this course, you'll learn about healthcare technology and how information systems are used for patient records, billing, and data analysis.
• Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety: Understanding how to improve healthcare quality and patient safety is vital for healthcare administrators to enhance patient outcomes and optimize healthcare delivery.
• Human Resources Management: Healthcare administrators work with diverse teams of healthcare professionals. Courses in human resources will help you understand recruitment, leadership, and employee relations in a healthcare setting.
• Healthcare Marketing and Communication: These courses will teach you how to effectively communicate with patients, healthcare professionals, and the community to promote healthcare services and initiatives.
• Public Health and Epidemiology: Knowledge of public health principles and epidemiological concepts is beneficial for healthcare administrators to address population health issues and disease prevention.
• Ethics in Healthcare: This course explores the ethical dilemmas healthcare administrators may encounter and helps develop ethical decision-making skills.
• Healthcare Leadership and Management: Focusing on leadership skills and management techniques, this course will prepare you to lead healthcare organizations and teams effectively.
I suggest looking at your major rather than specific courses. Most universities offer health administration degrees, which typically provide a great variety of courses that will help you. Also, don't underestimate internships/externships, as they are a great way to get hands-on experience and connections for potential job offers.
Here are a few courses that are typically offered in health administration curriculums:
• Business Administration and Management: Courses in business fundamentals, such as accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, and strategic management, are essential for healthcare administrators as they deal with the financial and operational aspects of healthcare facilities.
• Healthcare Policy and Law: Understanding healthcare regulations, policies, and ethical considerations is crucial for healthcare administrators who must navigate the complex healthcare landscape while ensuring compliance.
• Healthcare Economics: This course will introduce you to the economic principles and concepts specific to the healthcare industry, including insurance, healthcare financing, and cost management.
• Healthcare Information Systems: In this course, you'll learn about healthcare technology and how information systems are used for patient records, billing, and data analysis.
• Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety: Understanding how to improve healthcare quality and patient safety is vital for healthcare administrators to enhance patient outcomes and optimize healthcare delivery.
• Human Resources Management: Healthcare administrators work with diverse teams of healthcare professionals. Courses in human resources will help you understand recruitment, leadership, and employee relations in a healthcare setting.
• Healthcare Marketing and Communication: These courses will teach you how to effectively communicate with patients, healthcare professionals, and the community to promote healthcare services and initiatives.
• Public Health and Epidemiology: Knowledge of public health principles and epidemiological concepts is beneficial for healthcare administrators to address population health issues and disease prevention.
• Ethics in Healthcare: This course explores the ethical dilemmas healthcare administrators may encounter and helps develop ethical decision-making skills.
• Healthcare Leadership and Management: Focusing on leadership skills and management techniques, this course will prepare you to lead healthcare organizations and teams effectively.