Developments in technology and healthcare have prompted increasing numbers of professionals to enroll in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in healthcare program. More than ever before, this career path is luring students with financial and personal rewards. The online MBA with a Concentration in Healthcare Administration program from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) is a particularly valuable option for those who want to gain business expertise while preparing to become effective healthcare leaders.
Healthcare Developments
The passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) brought about major changes in healthcare administration. Because the act requires those in the U.S. to carry health insurance, the marketplace has seen an influx of patients, leading to increased administrative costs and workloads. Enter the healthcare administration MBA, a degree option that prepares aspiring administrators to run healthcare institutions.
Changes in Technology
The proliferation of credible online degree options also fuels the MBA in healthcare trend. Over the past 20 years, computers have become a staple in U.S. households, with the Pew Research Center reporting that 96% of adults in the U.S. use the internet. In addition, while internet use has remained common for certain age demographics since 2000 (18-29 and 30-49), older users (50-64 and 65+) have caught up over the decades and now match their use. This means more people have access to flexible opportunities for learning and career advancement.
Once only the purview of for-profit colleges, online education has gained legitimacy, and more accredited colleges and universities are offering online degrees, including online MBA programs like TAMU-CC’s. The flexible scheduling of these programs appeals to working professionals, as students can earn their degrees without interrupting their professional responsibilities.
Financial and Personal Benefits
According to ZipRecruiter, healthcare administration professionals earn an average annual salary of nearly $95,000, with the potential to make over $200,000 depending on factors such as experience and location. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports an even higher annual median salary of $110,680 and a job growth rate of 29%, much faster than the average of all occupations. With this lucrative return on investment, it’s no surprise that more healthcare professionals are pursuing the degree.
In addition, the aging population is increasing healthcare demand, driving a need for managers who can organize and oversee medical information and healthcare staff and employ relevant skills in an increasingly digital world. Per BLS, “Widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) will continue to create demand for managers with knowledge of health information technology (IT) and informatics systems.” TAMU-CC’s online MBA in Healthcare Administration program includes courses such as Software-Based Business Solutions, which introduce students to the computer-based technologies needed to solve business problems in a healthcare context.
Earn a Healthcare Administration MBA Online From TAMU-CC
Given the flexibility of online MBA programs and the benefits the degree offers, it is not surprising that so many are choosing to enroll. The ever-shifting healthcare landscape and increasing healthcare demands and provisions create a need for healthcare leaders.
Online MBA programs are looking to fill that need with programs tailored to the unique leadership challenges of the healthcare industry. Through TAMU-CC’s online MBA in Healthcare Administration program courses, such as Organizational Behavior and Theory and Health Care Financial Management, students prepare for rewarding careers as healthcare administrators, entrepreneurs, directors, and executives.
Learn more about TAMU-CC’s online MBA with a Concentration in Healthcare Administration program
