Bachelors in Health Care

A bachelors in health care lays the foundation for a stable and rewarding career path. Career outlook is very good in the health care industry, with an estimated 14 million jobs currently filled by health care professionals. Even better, the industry is expected to grow to include an additional 3 million jobs between 2006 and 2016, meaning there's never been a better time to earn a bachelors in health care.

Career Paths in Health Care

Though the majority of jobs in the health care industry are filled by workers with less than four years of college education, a bachelor's in health care is required for numerous supervisory and advanced positions. Some health care career paths available to those who possess a bachelor's degree include:
  • dentist
  • physical therapist
  • physician
  • registered nurse
  • social worker
  • surgeon.

A Bachelor Degree in Health Care Administration

One of the most popular and accessible online health care degrees is the bachelor degree in health care administration. This program educates students on how to manage and develop successful health care operations within a variety of health care facilities. Upon completion of the coursework, graduates will be properly prepared to accept a management position in a hospital, private doctor's office or other health care facility.

Bachelor Degree Health Care Coursework

A bachelors in health care typically requires the student to complete four years of coursework. Though each college program is unique, a traditional four-year bachelor degree in health care administration will require about 120 semester credits. Specialized classes and topics covered may include:
  • Business Management
  • Health Care Economics
  • Health Care Ethics
  • Health Care Finance
  • Health Law and Regulations
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Public Relations
  • Resource Allocation
  • Strategic Planning and Marketing.

Bachelor Degree Health Care Costs

Tuition and other costs related to earning a bachelors in health care vary from one learning institution to another. However, online health care degrees can be obtained for about $5,000. Furthermore, cost-effective payment assistance programs are available for both on-campus and online higher learning institutions. The Pell Grant, Stafford Student Loan and PLUS Loan are a few of the more accessible grant and scholarship options available to individuals pursuing a bachelors in health care.

Online Health Care Degrees

There are dozens of accredited online learning institutions offering a bachelors in health care. A few of the more popular and respected programs are offered at the following universities:
  • Ashford University
  • DeVry University
  • Ellis College
  • Keiser University
  • LA College International
  • National American University
  • University of Phoenix.

A Bachelors in Health Care: Job Prospects

Upon completion of a bachelors in health care degree, graduates can look forward to an exciting and promising career in one of the following leadership roles:
  • clinical services representative
  • health services administrator
  • hospital administrator
  • nursing home director
  • private practitioner office manager.
Though salaries vary depending on experience and other factors, it is not uncommon for health care administrators to earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually.
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