Top 49 Online Master's in Healthcare Management Programs for 2019

The healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing areas of employment in the United States thanks to evolving medical technologies and significant changes in healthcare policies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows an expected growth of 20% between 2016 and 2026. Growing industries need strong leadership if they are going to remain effective, and healthcare management is paramount to keep people safe and healthy.

It's why you should consider getting your online master's in healthcare management, especially if you are already working in the field. At the highest levels and with the right credentials, healthcare managers can make up to $160,000 annually .

What Are the Best Online Master's in Healthcare Management Programs?

Top 49 Online Masters in Healthcare Management Programs for 2019

1. George Washington University — Washington, DC

George Washington University has already started racking up places on best-of lists for 2017 , continuing its reputation for excellence. Should you get your master's in healthcare management online from them, you can count on a very good program. In addition, more structured pathways are available through optional graduate certificates offered by the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (e.g. Graduate certificate in Health Care Quality, Health Sciences, Regulatory Affairs, or Clinical Research Administration).

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2. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health — Omaha, NE

3. Clarkson College — Omaha, NE

4. University of St Francis — Joliet, IL

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, NC

6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine — Standish, ME

7. Champlain College — Burlington, VT

8. Concordia University — Irvine, CA

9. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, MN

10. Rivier University — Nashua, NH

11. Concordia University — Mequon, WI

12. MCPHS University — Boston, MA

13. Ohio University — Athens, OH

14. Belhaven University — Jackson, MS

15. Seton Hall University — South Orange, NJ

16. University of Mary — Bismarck, ND

17. Pfeiffer University — Misenheimer, NC

18. Roberts Wesleyan College — Rochester, NY

19. Friends University — Witchita, KS

20. Valparaiso University — Valparaiso, IN

21. Southern New Hampshire University — Manchester, NH

22. Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, VA

23. Park University — Parkville, MO

24. Utica College — Utica, NY

25. Independence University — Salt Lake City, UT

26. Our Lady of the Lake College — Baton Rouge, LA

27. Mount Vernon Nazarene University — Mount Vernon, OH

28. University of Saint Francis — Fort Wayne, IN

29. Minnesota State University — Moorhead, MN

30. Pennsylvania State University — University Park, PA

31. Franklin Pierce University — Rindge, NH

32. Midwestern State University — Wichita Falls, TX

33. Southern Adventist University — Collegedale, TN

34. California State University-East Bay — Hayward, CA

35. Point Park University — Pittsburgh, PA

36. Jefferson College of Health Sciences — Roanoke, VA

37. University of Southern Indiana — Evansville, IN

38. King's College — Wilkes-Barre, PA

39. Louisiana State University — Shreveport, LA

40. Our Lady of the Lake University — San Antonio, TX

41. Adventist University of Health Sciences — Orlando, FL

42. Tiffin University — Tiffin, OH

43. Brandman University — Irvine, CA

44. Hodges University — Naples, FL

45. Colorado State University — Fort Collins, CO

46. Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences — Tulsa, OK

47. Montana State University — Billings, MT

48. Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, SC

49. Franklin University — Columbus, OH

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What Can You Do With an Online Healthcare Management Master's Degree?

You can do nearly anything that involves the medical industry. The most obvious career is hospital administration, where you can achieve everything from mid-level management all the way up to CEO. Beyond that, you can work as a consultant to various healthcare systems or go to work in the pharmaceutical industry. Government healthcare agencies are also always on the lookout for talent in maintaining the nation's complicated system of care. Others find work managing care facilities like nursing homes, rehab centers, and other in-patient systems. Many of these positions can be entered into with a bachelor's degree, but employers usually show a preference for someone with the drive to achieve the next level of their education.

Salary Outlook for Healthcare Management Program Graduates

As millions of baby boomers move into retirement, the demand for healthcare services will continue to increase. The BLS projects that job growth rates for medical and health services managers to increase 20% between 2016 and 2026. By comparison, job opportunities for all other management positions will likely grow by only 8% during the same period. The salaries for healthcare management positions exceed those for all other management occupations by about 11%.

What Makes a Good Master's Program in Healthcare Management?

An online master's in healthcare management balance business with the specificity of healthcare. Most programs expect a bachelor's degree that includes some basic statistics and finance courses. Some also require work experience in the field, organizational strategy, analyzing and responding to ethical issues, and understanding the economics of healthcare and practicing advanced finance and accounting within health systems.

Online courses let people expand their careers without putting work or families on the back burner. Many people who earn their master's degree in healthcare management online can do so entirely on the web in an asynchronous format, which lets you determine your own schedule without having to skip a meeting or a soccer game. Some even offer virtual residencies, or will allow you to apply your coursework to your current employer. The best of them will have you preparing for or earning certifications in the industry as your education progresses.

What Else Can I Expect From an Online Master's in Healthcare Management Program?

Every online healthcare management master's program offers some amount of flexibility for students, though this varies from school to school. Some programs offer courses asynchronously online, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. These self-paced programs can often be completed in just 18 months. Others schools organize students into cohorts, allowing them to move through the program with the same group of peers on a fixed schedule.

Curriculum for an Online Master's in Healthcare Management

• Healthcare Law In this class, students examine the role of law and policy in healthcare systems as it relates to all administrative decisions. Coursework addresses topics like finance, legal control, risk management, and equity. The course also analyzes moral and ethical considerations and their impact on balancing the needs and rights of individuals while serving the needs of society at-large.

• Healthcare Strategic Planning and Marketing This course addresses a core need of every healthcare institution: the ability to ensure its own corporate viability. Students learn how to identify and build on an institution's unique strengths and market around them accordingly. Coursework covers topics like public relations and health education outreach.

• Healthcare Organization Management In this course, students learn how to analyze, design, and improve the operations of all units within a healthcare organization. Coursework emphasizes procedural design and improvement. Students also explore human behavior issues related to recruiting, hiring, and training staff.

• Long-Term Care Administration This course analyzes the challenges and opportunities inherent in serving the diverse healthcare needs of a rapidly growing senior population. Students examine the types of care given in different long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted living centers, home care services, and other options for seniors.

• Healthcare Finance In this course, students discuss financial management principles and practices as they relate to the challenges and constraints of healthcare institutions and programs. Coursework addresses topics such as capital management, forecasting, financial systems controls, budgeting, and institutional financing. This course also usually addresses the peculiarities of communicating financial needs and operations to the stakeholders of a healthcare institution.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Master's in Healthcare Management?

Online master's in healthcare management programs can be completed in 18 months or over several years, depending on the school. Programs offered entirely online through asynchronous, self-paced courses can usually be completed in shorter time frames. The amount of credits required is another important factor to how long it takes to earn an online healthcare management degree. Most healthcare management online degree programs require between 42 and 51 credits, which can take between two and two-and-a-half years to complete.

Certifications and Licenses a Master's in Healthcare Management Prepares For

• Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) : This certification is considered the premier credential of healthcare executives and is only available to tenured members of the organization. Requirements include healthcare management experience and community service or civic involvement.

• Certified medical manager (CMM) : This certification, offered through the Professional Association of Healthcare Office Management recognizes knowledge, skills, and experience in office management within healthcare settings. While the certification focuses primarily on small groups of physicians or healthcare individuals, its credibility extends to other healthcare contexts as well.

• Certified nursing home administrator (CNHA) : Nursing home administrators can earn this certification through the American College of Healthcare Administrators (ACHA) to expand their career opportunities. The ACHA does not require applicants to be members of the organization. This can be earned by those with only a bachelor's degree, though most professionals who earn this certification have a master's degree.

Financing Your Online Master's in Healthcare Management

Earning a degree in healthcare management online allows students to continue working, which can reduce the need for financial aid. Regardless, most students will need some form of financial aid to pay for their degree. All students should start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if they qualify for federal financial aid. Students should also contact the financial aid department of the school to learn about the financial aid options offered, such as scholarships and work-study programs.

Scholarships for Master's in Healthcare Management Students

Scholarships are another great way to help finance your education. One of the biggest advantages to scholarships is the fact that, unlike student loans, they don't have to be paid back. You can find scholarships through your school, professional organizations, and many other sources. Below are a collection of scholarships that are specifically earmarked for healthcare management students.

To determine the best online Master's in Healthcare Management programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 49 best online Master's in Healthcare Management programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.