Best Online Associate in Healthcare Administration Degree Programs

As the United States faces increasingly complex healthcare regulations, the role of healthcare administrative professionals is becoming more vital to the success of a medical office. If you are someone who enjoys multi-tasking, organizational responsibilities and has an interest in medicine, then this degree could be your path to entering an exciting field. Graduates of associate in healthcare administration online programs can join a variety of professional environments, and with continuing education, grow into industry leaders.

Healthcare administration programs can be especially well-suited to online education, as technology skills are absolutely vital to the field. Healthcare administration professionals must be able to quickly adjust to new programs and coding procedures to ensure seamless operation of patient records and billing. The programs we have ranked below all provide students with the necessary technological as well as interpersonal skills needed to make an impact in the medical world.

Rank School Name School Logo City Cost Address & Contact Info School Links Acclaim for Online Programs School Description
1Pitt Community CollegeWinterville$$$$$1986 Pitt Tech Road
Winterville, NC 28590
(252) 493-7200

Pitt, located in Winterville, North Carolina, educates and empowers students by making their programs and services accessible to all students. They have expanded their accessibility through their online programs, offering 10 degrees and various certificates. Online resources include a mandatory orientation, access to PCC library online, an online tutoring service, and more. The school’s online programs include an associate degree in healthcare administration that focuses on the necessity of planning, directing, and controlling tasks to achieve the healthcare organizational objectives. It requires students to earn 73 credits in courses like payroll accounting, managerial accounting, law, and public speaking. Students who graduate from this online healthcare management technology program have the knowledge and accreditation to become successful in the healthcare management industry. Graduates are prepared for careers as cash management coordinator, patient financial counselor, patient accounts supervisor, and more.

2Minnesota West Community and Technical CollegeGranite Falls$$$$$1593 11th Ave
Granite Falls, MN 56241
(800) 658-2330

Minnesota West serves a diverse population with varied educational needs in an affordable, accessible, and supportive setting. Their online program provides flexibility and convenience for learners by allowing students to create their own schedule. The courses are offered through Desire2Learn Brightspace, an easy-to-use platform where courses are designed uniformly to ensure a smooth experience for all distance learners. Minnesota West’s healthcare administration degree online gives current healthcare workers the knowledge to pursue a management position while continuing to work. Sixty credits must be earned in classes like corporate compliance, leadership, and employment. Students will graduate with an associate of science degree in management and supervision in healthcare and will have the option to transfer to a four-year university. Online learners are also encouraged to use Smarthinking, an online tutoring service, which assists students in math, economics, accounting, and more. Students can also get feedback on writing assignments.

3Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne$$$$$150 West University Blvd
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 674-8000

Florida Tech, located in Melbourne, houses thousands of students each year and is home to The Scott Center for Autism Treatment. The center has undergraduate and graduate students work with children with autism and other related disorders to become specialists. Online courses are presented in eight-week terms and are designed to have students interact with peers and faculty through discussion boards and live chat. FIT’s online associate degree in healthcare administration provides students with instruction in areas of the healthcare industry, including healthcare organizations, managed care and medical ethics, and a range of business disciplines. Distance learners must earn at least 64 credits in classes like physical science, biological science, and accounting. Graduates are prepared for entry-level careers in the industry and have the opportunity to continue their education and earn a bachelor of arts in business administration – healthcare management.

4St Petersburg CollegeClearwater$$$$$6021 142nd Ave N
Clearwater, FL 33760-2822
(727) 341-4772

St. Petersburg’s eCampus offers more than 650 online courses and dozens of degrees to more than 20,000 students each year. Distance learners are welcome to visit the Clearwater, Florida, campus and use the wellness center, visit the Crossroads Gallery, or eat at the Hard Drive Café. The online associate of science degree in health sciences includes an embedded certificate in health care services. The certificate is earned after completing 32 credits of required courses. The program has 10 specializations, including dental hygiene, emergency medical services, general health, and health information technology. Each specialization is around 60 credits and has students complete general education, support, and major courses. Graduates are prepared for careers as medical and health services managers, medical office specialists, nutrition services managers, mental health program managers, and more. Students can access various resources online, including advising, financial aid, library online, and a technical help desk.

5Wayne Community CollegeGoldsboro$$$$$3000 Wayne Memorial Dr
Goldsboro, NC 27534-8002
(919) 735-5151

Wayne strives to be a catalyst for economic development, social equity, and personal enrichment by enabling individuals and responding quickly to the training needs of local businesses and industries. Unique to the school is their Wayne Business and Industry Center located on campus in Goldsboro, North Carolina. It’s a place for local companies to conduct business and employer training. WCU also offers online programs where students can earn various degrees or certificates, including a healthcare administration degree online. This program teaches students how to perform a wide array of administrative duties and prepares them for employment in medical settings like hospitals, clinics, medical offices, and insurance companies. The associate of applied science degree in medical office administration requires students to earn 68-69 credits in courses like procedure coding, diagnostic coding, professional development, and medical law and ethics.

6Concordia University - WisconsinMequon$$$$$12800 N Lake Shore Dr
Mequon, WI 53097-2402
(262) 243-5700

Concordia embodies and upholds their mission to develop each student’s mind, body, and spirit in every class, including online. The school offers more than 50 online degrees, including an associate of healthcare management degree. The program prepares students to enter the workforce. Throughout the program students are assigned an online student success advisor who personally assists them throughout all stages of their education. Distance learners must earn at least 64 credits in courses like health care ethics, financial issues, human resources management, and strategic healthcare planning and evaluation. Graduates are prepared for careers as medical records coordinators, nurse managers, nursing home administrators, and ambulatory care center managers. A health care practicum is required. The practicum has students earn on-the-job training. Students keep a journal while completing the practicum and turn in a research paper. Learners who want to sit for the State of Wisconsin Nursing Home Administrator exam must complete their practicum in a nursing home setting.

7Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville$$$$$2201 Hull Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28303-0236
(910) 678-8400

Fayetteville Tech offers more than 200 associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates; many are also offered completely online. The healthcare administration degree online provides students with the knowledge to apply management principles in a healthcare setting. The associate degree in healthcare management technology can be earned in five semesters and requires students to earn at least 65 credits. Courses include management of healthcare organizations, medical insurance, human resource management, and public speaking. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Patient Account Manager and the Certified Manager of Patient Accounts exams. Student resources include the Student Learning Center, counseling services, and more. Military training can be converted into class credits reducing the time it takes to complete a degree. Applicants must hold a high school diploma and have at least one unit of algebra. Graduates are prepared for careers in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and more.

8Lanier Technical CollegeOakwood$$$$$2990 Landrum Education Dr
Oakwood, GA 30566
(770) 531-6300

Lanier Tech provides students with an affordable and practical education. The school supports local economic growth by being a major resource for the surrounding county’s workforce development. LTC offers various degree programs online, including an online associate degree in healthcare administration. The health care administration program allows students already working in the industry to obtain their associate degree in healthcare management technology within 6 semesters, positioning them for managerial advancement. Learners must earn at least 73 credits in courses like anatomy, healthcare statistics, medical coding, and medical records and systems management. The program emphasizes the skills necessary to achieve healthcare organization objectives, specifically in the ethical and legal environment. Students have access to resources like tutoring, online orientation and tutorials, and an assigned advisor. Students are encouraged to use the career placement services to help them find a career.

9Community Care CollegeTulsa$$$$$4242 South Sheridan
Tulsa, OK 74145
(919) 610-0027

Community Care is a nonprofit, private institution located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The school is dedicated to helping students reach their career goals. Community Care’s online programs offer flexibility with the opportunity to create your own schedule. The college’s career and life development course helps students develop good learning habits. The development courses also teach students academic and career skills. Students can earn a healthcare administration degree online. The program teaches core competencies of the health care administration field while developing critical skills in scheduling, data entry, and insurance. Courses include medical law and ethics, medical terminology, diagnostic coding, and healthcare management. This program is structured with online lectures and a virtual internship experience to prepare students to succeed in a medical office setting. The program can be completed in eight months. Graduates are prepared for managerial positions.

10Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma CityOklahoma City$$$$$900 N Portland
Oklahoma City, OK 73107-6195
(405) 947-4421

Oklahoma State offers a variety of online associate degrees, including an online associate degree in healthcare administration. Students gain the skills and knowledge necessary of a healthcare administrator. Learners must earn at least 64 credits. Courses include health care provider relationships, health care management, business law and ethics, and medical terminology. Student services include the Student Success and Opportunity Center, where students can receive tutoring, attend study skills workshops, find one-minute study tips, and utilize the computer lab. The university has delegated an entire office to focus on student development, with the objective to aid in improving the overall student experience. Graduates are prepared for careers in sales and marketing, office management, customer care, and hospital administration. At least 15 credits must be earned on-campus, and students must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher. Thirty-seven credits are general education requirements.

11Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood$$$$$8787 West Alameda Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80226
(303) 963-3000

Colorado Christian is a private university known as the flagship interdenominational Christian university in the Rocky Mountains. CCU offers many of their degrees through on-campus classes or online. Online students take one, five-week course at a time, each taught from a Christian worldview. CCU’s healthcare administration degree online is designed for busy adult learners. Students must earn at least 60 credits, including 18 major, 36 general education, and six elective credits. The program gives students the knowledge necessary to make important decisions about patients and educates them in the field of human resources. Courses include health care terminology, healthcare informatics, human anatomy, and health care law. The degree can be earned in two years or less. CCU provides each student with a Life Directions advisor who offers students academic, career, and spiritual guidance. Students must earn a “D” or better in all courses, and graduates must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0.

12Iowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge$$$$$One Triton Circle
Fort Dodge, 50501
(515) 576-7201

Iowa Central, located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, offers a two-year, online associate degree in healthcare administration. Courses are taught in an eight-week format. The program is designed for entry-level employees and health care professionals. Students must earn at least 66 credits, and the program is usually completed in two years. Students who graduate with an associate of professional studies in health care administration degree are prepared to become health profession managers. Courses cover the topics of economics, management, accounting, and the aging population. Iowa Central provides students with an Academic Resource Center that is an educational support service providing in person tutoring, online tutoring, proofreading, and a writing center. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

13Bossier Parish Community CollegeBossier City$$$$$6220 East Texas
Bossier City, LA 71111-6922
(318) 678-60006206

Bossier Parish, located in northwest Louisiana, empowers the regional workforce by creating programs that align with regional employment sectors. BPCC created an online program that allows working students to earn a degree. They offer an associate of science in health care management degree online with two concentrations: professional practice and health studies. The professional practice concentration is designed for students seeking immediate employment. The health studies concentration is designed for students planning to apply to a baccalaureate program. Both concentrations provide students with necessary information to succeed in the healthcare industry such as, applying management theory to real world situations and the knowledge to work with the technology used in the industry. Students must earn at least 60 credits in courses like basic statistics, healthcare law, risk and insurance, and supervision. The professional practice concentration requires distance learners to complete an internship. Students have access to a personal advisor, writing center, online tutoring services, and career services.

14Guilford Technical Community CollegeJamestown$$$$$601 High Point Rd.
Jamestown, NC 27282
(336) 334-4822

Guilford Tech serves more than 40,000 students from its campuses around North Carolina; the main campus is located in Jamestown. Student services include academic advising, career services, financial aid, a student success center, online and in person tutoring, and 24/7 technical assistance. GTCC offers an associate of applied science in healthcare administration. The curriculum teaches students the knowledge necessary for employment in the business operations sector of healthcare. Courses include professional development, healthcare financial management, office editing, and human resource management. Students must earn at least 68 credits, including general education courses and science, math, humanities, and communication electives. Graduates are prepared for a variety of healthcare environments, including dental offices, hospitals, insurance companies, and medical supply companies. Students learn about many software packages and financial management tasks. Graduates will also be able to understand medical terminology.

From long-term care facilities to emergency rooms and private practices, those with an online associate in healthcare administration have a number of pathways to choose from. Depending on your degree, starting salaries tend to average out to $35,000 according the the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students looking to enter the field immediately are encouraged to look for programs that offer career training through for-credit internships.

The BLS also reports that job growth rates will be much faster than average, at 22% through 2022. So while there will be plenty of new opportunities opening up, students should be sure to be at the top of their class if they want to compete for the best positions. Having technological expertise above and beyond the average associate holder will go a long way in standing out to potential employers. Other qualities students should look to cultivate include interpersonal skills, managerial experience and compassion.

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