If you’re looking for a career with tremendous opportunities, think health care administration. Health care is the largest industry in the United States and the second-largest employment sector.
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that 28 percent of all new jobs created between 2010 and 2020 will be in the health care and social assistance sectors.
Health care is undergoing rapid change and growth, and the industry will need leaders who can deliver services, improve efficiencies, stay abreast of changing laws and regulations, and manage staff and budgets.
You can enter the field with a bachelor’s degree in health administration, but a master’s degree will help you advance more quickly.
"People in the field discuss whether a master's in business administration or a master's in health administration is most valuable," said Andrew T. Sumner, director and Joe Taylor Chair of Health Administration with the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. "Because there are so many business aspects to running health care organizations these days, we say, 'Why not have both?' "
Georgia State’s MBA/MHA dual degree program, which has been accredited since 1971, was ranked 36th in the nation for health administration by U.S. News & World Report this year.
“We have more than 1,200 alumni from this program who hold top positions in hospitals, medical practices, governmental agencies, health care associations, biotechnology companies and health information systems corporations across the country,” Sumner said. “The program is rigorous, but very worthwhile.”
Students who meet the requirements may enter the program without health care work experience. Admission standards are high, with recently admitted students holding an average 3.2 undergraduate GPA and average GMAT scores of 600. Students can attend part time or full time; most complete the program in two-and-a-half years. Tuition is about $36,000.
A second option for prospective students is the PMBA/MHA program, which is geared toward working professionals. Classes are at night at Georgia State’s Peachtree-Dunwoody Center. Because this format provides additional services and networking opportunities, the tuition is about $56,000.
Graduates of either program are trained to think strategically and to apply analytic and problem-solving.
“On the business side, students will take courses in finance, accounting, strategic marketing, information technology management, leadership and management,” Sumner said.
In health administration, students learn about health law, medical care concepts, health care financial management and planning, health care information systems, human resource management, managed care and integrated health systems, and executive leadership.
“We’re one of only six programs [in the nation] that require a post-course work residency [two semesters] at a health care organization that fits the student’s career goals,” Sumner said. “It gives them hands-on experience and ensures almost 100 percent employment rates for our graduates.”
The median average salary for medical and health services managers is $84,270, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.
For information, call 404-413-7630 or go to robinson.gsu.edu/healthadmin. To explore health administration careers, go to www.aupha.org.
— ajcjobs on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ajcjobs
