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What Degree Is Required to Become a Healthcare Administrator?

By Kate Gibson
January 17, 2025

Healthcare is a complex and ever-evolving field, requiring skilled professionals to manage organizations and make critical decisions that shape patient care. Behind the scenes of every well-functioning hospital, clinic, and healthcare network is an administrator ensuring that everything runs smoothly. 

If you’re considering a long-term career in healthcare administration, you might be wondering what it takes to ensure job stability in this growing field. With so many educational pathways, it’s natural to ask, “What degree do you need to be a healthcare administrator?”

Whether you’re exploring healthcare administration for the first time or looking to grow your career, understanding your educational options is the first step toward achieving your goals.

What degree do you need to be a healthcare administrator?

Healthcare administration offers various entry points. Roles like patient service coordinator or medical office assistant often don’t require formal education, allowing you to quickly contribute to healthcare operations. 

However, if your goal is to make a lasting impact, formal education is essential. In fact, advancing into these higher-level roles, such as department manager, operations director, or healthcare facility administrator, can be incredibly challenging without a bachelor’s degree.

“A bachelor’s degree is a stepping stone,” says Bruce Laflamme, an adjunct instructor in the online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program at Northeastern’s College of Professional Studies. “It opens doors for future opportunities, especially when combined with work experience.”

Going back to school doesn’t have to feel like a step back though—especially if you’re already working in healthcare administration. Instead, it’s an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and collaborate with others who share your passion and drive. You and your peers bring real-world experience to the classroom, creating a collaborative environment. This dynamic helps you build the confidence and skills needed to tackle greater challenges at work.

But what specific degree do you need to be a healthcare administrator? Luckily there are several pathways available to you. Here’s an overview of the top educational options for healthcare administrators.

4 Healthcare administration education options

Program Name Core Areas of Study Potential Roles/Outcomes
Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration – Healthcare Policy
– Organizational Management
– Quality Assurance
– Healthcare Manager
– Medical Office Administrator
– Healthcare Analyst
Ideal for professionals motivated by improving patient outcomes through leadership and problem-solving.
Bachelor of Science in Public Health (Health Administration Concentration) – Community Health
– Public Health Policy
– Healthcare Program Management
– Community Health Coordinator
– Public Health Policy Analyst
– Quality Operations Specialist
Great for those passionate about merging public health and administrative leadership.
Bachelor of Business Administration (Healthcare Management Concentration) – Financial Management
– Organizational Strategy
– Operations
– Healthcare Financial Analyst
– Healthcare Consultant
– Operations Manager
Best for those focused on economic justice and business-related healthcare issues.
Healthcare Administration Certifications – Electronic Health Records (EHR)
– Data Management Systems
– Healthcare Compliance
– Certified Healthcare Administrator
– EHR Specialist (Epic Certification)
– Data Compliance Officer
Great for building specialized technical expertise for data-driven healthcare roles.

1. Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration

A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Healthcare Administration equips you with healthcare-specific management skills. This degree covers essential areas like:

  • Healthcare policy
  • Organizational management
  • Quality assurance

A BS in Healthcare Administration prepares you to navigate the complexities of healthcare systems and drive improvements in efficiency and patient care. Many professionals who choose this degree are often motivated to enhance leadership and problem-solving skills to create meaningful change. 

As Laflamme notes, many of his students are motivated by their experiences in healthcare and a desire to advance into roles where they can shape policies and influence patient outcomes.

2. Bachelor of Science in Public Health

A Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Health Administration combines public health principles with administrative expertise. Not all public health programs offer this focus though, so it’s important to research possible programs very carefully.

This degree covers various topics that are applicable to healthcare administration, including:

  • Community health
  • Public health policy
  • Healthcare program management

This path is ideal for those who want to work at the intersection of public health and administration, taking on roles like community health coordinator or public health policy analyst. 

However, you don’t need this degree to work in public health-focused administrative roles. In fact, healthcare administration graduates from Northeastern’s program have transitioned into positions like a Quality Operations Specialist in a biopharmaceutical company focused on addressing public health issues. This should demonstrate how healthcare administration training can integrate with public health knowledge to open diverse career paths.

3. Bachelor of Business Administration

A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a concentration in Healthcare Management combines business fundamentals with healthcare applications, making it ideal for those more interested in the business side of healthcare.

This degree focuses on topics like:

  • Financial management
  • Organizational strategy
  • Operations

“I often tell people that if they’re more focused on economic justice or business-related healthcare issues they’re better suited for a BBA with healthcare concentration,” Laflamme says. “It often better aligns with those goals.”

As a result, graduates of this program can pursue career paths that require more business acumen, such as healthcare financial analyst or healthcare consultant. By addressing the unique challenges of operational strategy in healthcare, a BBA prepares you to lead initiatives that balance financial sustainability with patient-centered care.

4. Healthcare administration certifications

Certifications in healthcare administration are valuable supplements to formal education that offer specific, practical skills that can boost your career prospects. These credentials often focus on areas such as:

  • Electronic health records
  • Data management systems
  • Healthcare compliance

As Laflamme advises, certifications are an excellent way to “supplement your knowledge,” particularly if strong data skills align with your long-term goals. These specialized qualifications can make you a more competitive candidate for roles requiring technical proficiency.

For example, the leading provider of EHR software, Epic, is widely used across the healthcare industry. Certifications related to Epic or similar systems can be valuable for roles that require technical proficiency and familiarity with healthcare technology. These credentials can help you stand out while building the expertise needed to advance in specialized or technical roles.

How to choose the right education in healthcare administration

With several educational paths available, selecting the right one depends on your career aspirations, current responsibilities, and long-term goals. Whether you’re aiming for leadership, seeking specialized skills, or balancing work and family, understanding your options will help you make a confident, strategic decision.

1. Consider your career goals.

When deciding on the right educational path in healthcare administration, it’s essential to assess your long-term career goals.

“One of the first questions I ask students is, ‘What are your long-term goals?’” Laflamme says. “Because the right education often depends on whether they’re aiming for leadership or specialist roles.”

For example, if your goal is to advance into supervisory or management positions, a bachelor’s degree is often necessary to break through the career ceiling many administrators face without one. Not only that, many times the right bachelor’s degree often depends on your interests, like healthcare systems management, public health, or business strategies.

For specialized goals, certifications can complement your degree or stand alone as focused credentials. These programs build expertise in areas like data analytics or informatics, making them a strong option for professionals who are already established academically, but want to develop specific skills without committing to another full degree program.

If your long-term vision includes senior leadership roles, however, you will need a bachelor’s degree no matter what. It not only equips you with foundational knowledge but also serves as a stepping stone to advanced degrees, like a master’s in healthcare administration or business administration, which are required at the highest executive level.

2. Explore flexibility options.

Balancing work, family, and education is a challenge for many professionals. Fortunately, many programs offer flexible formats, including:

  • Part-time: Advance at your own pace.
  • Online: Study from anywhere.
  • Hybrid: Combine online convenience with in-person collaboration.
  • In-person: Engage in a traditional classroom setting, ideal for those who prefer face-to-face interactions and structured learning environments.

Choosing a format that aligns with your lifestyle ensures you can fully commit to your education without disrupting your other responsibilities. Whether you’re transitioning into healthcare administration or advancing your career, understanding how a program’s structure fits into your life is key to making the right choice.

3. Assess the return on investment.

When choosing an educational path in healthcare administration, it’s important to consider the return on investment (ROI). ROI can mean different things depending on your goals though.

For instance, financially the investment in a bachelor’s degree can lead to an increase in earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers with a bachelor’s degree earned a median annual salary of $110,680 in 2023. This is more than double the median wage for all occupations, which was $45,760 during the same period.

Beyond financial returns though, earning a bachelor’s degree provides you with a voice within your organization. It equips you with the expertise and credibility to actively participate in decision-making processes and contribute to shaping policies that impact both operations and patient care. 

“Many students with this degree immediately feel the impact because they have more authority in their current roles,” Laflamme says. “It demonstrates to their employer that they have the knowledge and ability to handle healthcare challenges more effectively.”

Charting your path in healthcare administration

A career in healthcare administration offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by improving systems, enhancing patient care, and driving organizational success. Choosing the right educational path is essential for unlocking your potential and achieving your career goals.

The online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program at Northeastern’s College of Professional Studies is designed for individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the field. With its flexible format, Northeastern’s program is ideal for working professionals balancing career and personal commitments. You can learn at your own pace while applying new insights directly to your current role, allowing for immediate professional growth.

Northeastern also offers additional degree options for those with specialized interests:

No matter which path aligns with your goals, Northeastern’s programs are designed to empower you to succeed in today’s complex healthcare landscape. With a strong return on investment and a supportive learning environment, Northeastern graduates are well-equipped to take on impactful roles in healthcare organizations.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, join a community of dedicated healthcare professionals in Northeastern’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program. It’s more than a degree—it’s your pathway to making a lasting impact in healthcare.

About Kate Gibson

Kate Gibson is a copywriter and contributing writer for Northeastern University.