Master’s in Healthcare Administration Degree Concentrations
- Health Policy
- Operations
- Gerontology
- Informatics
- Education
If you’ve always seen yourself working in the field of healthcare, but you’re unsure as to whether medical school is for you, consider looking into a Master’s in Healthcare Administration degree. A health administration degree can open up a number of opportunities and career options in the healthcare field. Healthcare administration involves the supervision and management of various health systems within our society, including hospital networks and public health systems. When you are earning your master’s degree in healthcare administration, there are several concentrations on which you can focus.
1. Health Policy
A master’s degree in healthcare administration with a health policy concentration is ideal for students who have strong business administration skills and health-related job experience. Health policy is a rapidly changing field, and students who wish to become leaders on the front lines of these changes will likely succeed in a health policy career. Graduates from these programs may seek employment in public health agencies, federal regulatory agencies, consulting firms, and medical facilities to help create solutions for the healthcare issues society faces.
2. Operations
Graduates who have pursued a master’s program in health administration and who have also chosen to focus on operations will be prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary to help healthcare organizations meet and exceed their goals. It takes more than a group of experienced medical providers to run a successful practice. Having the ability to efficiently manage all of the moving parts such as finances, marketing, professional knowledge, patient records, and employees is vital for a successful future. When you earn a master’s degree in healthcare administration and choose an operations concentration, you will be prepared to work in an insurance company, manage or direct a healthcare facility, work in a laboratory, or pursue a career as a healthcare consultant.
3. Gerontology
Over the past 100 years, the lifespan of the average American has increased. As more seniors are reaching the age of retirement and striving to balance a high-quality lifestyle with their current health condition, more medical providers are required to help them. According to the Administration on Aging, the number of people ages 65 and older will double between 2013 and 2060. Keep in mind that elder care involves more than medical treatment, however. The field also includes aging adults’ social, emotional, and physical needs. A concentration in gerontology will prepare graduates to develop strategies for medical facilities that offer elder care with the goal of humanizing the aging process while being understanding of these patients’ needs.
4. Informatics
One of the most important parts of healthcare administration is the handling of patient information and records. It goes without saying that privacy is crucial in patient care, and regulations for managing this information are continuously developing as the healthcare industry progresses. Earning a Master of Healthcare Administration degree with a concentration in informatics examines topics such as the use, storage, and organization of information, including patient records. With an informatics specialization, students may help medical practices optimize their recordkeeping methods to ensure that information is easily accessible and patients retain their privacy.
See also: Top 50 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Healthcare Administration 2018
5. Education
Teaching in the field of healthcare involves providing patients and their loved ones with information as well as helping professionals take on more responsibilities and learn new skills within their scope of practice. An education concentration will help students learn how to evaluate and assess different learning and teaching approaches, and students will be exposed to curriculum development. After graduation, graduates are ready to provide continuing education to healthcare professionals. Students may also act as leaders who know how to deliver appropriate knowledge to different audiences and how to effectively harness the changing trends within the field of healthcare.
The exact concentrations offered will depend on the university you are attending. If you wish to earn a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, it is important to consider your interests, knowledge, and past experience in order to select the right concentration for your interests and career goals.