Laying the Foundation: Health Care Administration Degree Prerequisites

The health care industry is growing rapidly, making this a solid choice for workers who want abundant job opportunities. The World Health Organization estimates a shortfall of 10 million health care professionals by 2030. However, clinical occupations aren't the only option. The health care sector has a growing need for administrative staff. A career in health care administration requires strong leadership and organizational skills. Training in related subjects can help build a strong foundation for future education in this field.
 

Overview of Health Care Administration Programs

Health care administration programs can prepare students for management roles in health care organizations. The curricula of these programs cover administrative responsibilities and the unique complexities of working in a health care environment. Health care administrators require many key competencies, from refining communication skills to mastering medical terminology. Programs typically have a list of prerequisite requirements before students can move on to advanced study.

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Common Prerequisite Requirements

Prerequisites can vary by program. They provide the foundational knowledge necessary to fully understand the more advanced training that follows. Students may cover some of these topics in high school, particularly if they take college-level courses during their junior and senior years.

English Composition

Health care systems rely on written documentation outlining the policies, procedures, and partnerships that keep the facility running. Health care administrators have a strong command of grammar, style, structure, writing mechanics, and proofreading skills to communicate with entities such as insurance companies, stakeholders, and patients.

College Algebra or Statistics

Foundational math courses, such as algebra and statistics, prepare prospective health care administrators for complex data analysis and financial management tasks. Administrators need a solid mathematical foundation to evaluate medical research, understand patient data, and budget accordingly.

Biology or Anatomy and Physiology

Health care administrators require a basic understanding of the human body. This foundational education empowers future administrators to understand diagnostic methods and treatment concepts.

Introduction to Psychology or Sociology

Sociology helps explain why people do what they do, with a focus on the social structures that influence their decisions. This knowledge is essential for health care administrators who may design public health programs or facilitate community outreach. Psychology provides valuable insight into human behavior, which is necessary for managing employees and patients within a health care facility.

Introduction to Computer Science or Information Systems

The health care system is increasingly reliant on computer technology and information systems. A core understanding of computer science may equip future administrators to adopt new systems for managing electronic data relating to patient records, disease registries, and clinical studies.
 

General Education Requirements

When students complete the necessary prerequisites, they typically move on to the general education they require to work as a health care administrator. These programs offer a well-rounded knowledge base for career-specific classes.

Humanities and Fine Arts

Humanities can illuminate the intricate ways that human cultures and historical events affect the health care experience. Humanities often cover topics such as empathy, observation, interpretation, communication, and teamwork. Mastering these skills may assist health care administrators in connecting more meaningfully with patients and employees.

Fine arts courses encourage flexible thinking, emotional engagement, and social connection. Arts in health programs are becoming increasingly popular to support well-being and improve the patient experience in health care facilities. An educational background in the fine arts may equip health care administrators to make optimal use of this innovative programming.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Studying social sciences can help health care administrators demonstrate cultural competence in their communities. Social and behavioral sciences demystify workplace dynamics within the workforce. This knowledge enables health care administrators to promote better communication and collaboration for enhanced patient care.

Natural Sciences

Science literacy equips health care administrators to understand basic scientific concepts in health, nutrition, treatments, and medications. Understanding the natural sciences provides a solid basis for evaluating medical research and applying the results to make meaningful changes in the health care setting.

Mathematics

Competency in mathematics is necessary for mastering the quantitative skills required for a health care administrator's daily tasks. Quantitative methods address operational problems by evaluating data, facts, and logic. A strong foundation in math can help health care administrators use optimization techniques for resource management, probability for public health measures, and mathematical models for health care scheduling.

Communication

Clear and effective oral and written communication is crucial in health care. Miscommunication can lead to a patient's poor health care experience and safety risks. Health care administrators communicate efficiently to facilitate decision-making, strategic planning, policy development, and regulatory compliance. Good communicators are typically better at handling team coordination, streamlining operations, and managing resources.

General education courses usually account for a significant portion of degree requirements. The exact curriculum varies by program, but most Bachelor of Science in Health Administration programs require at least 36 credit hours of general education classes.
 

Foundational Health Care Training

Introductory training covers topics specific to health care. This lays the groundwork for advanced study and provides in-depth knowledge of health care systems, administration, and management.

Introduction to Health Care Systems

An introduction to health care systems is essential for administrators, providing an overview of the health care industry and its various components. These classes explain the revenue cycle, regulatory compliance, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, health record systems, risk management, patient scheduling, and more.

Medical Terminology

Medical terminology is health care-specific language that industry professionals use to document and discuss patient care. Health care administrators develop a comprehensive understanding of medical terminology to understand patient records, prescriptions, medical imaging, referrals, consultations, and billing. This terminology is also used in health care education, medical research, and health information systems. Medical terminology features in the structure, components, and pathology of all major body systems and diagnostic procedures, imaging techniques, and laboratory tests.

Health Care Ethics

Health care administrators ensure that their facilities uphold high standards of ethical practice. This task requires careful navigation of local, state, and federal rules and regulations, as well as social and cultural norms. Health care facilities should maintain an environment of trust and safety, which is supported by the administrator's background in ethics.

Introduction to Public Health

Public health addresses communities as a whole, focusing on identifying risk factors and providing a preventive response. Public health programs may address healthy eating, injury prevention, and how to avert the spread of infectious diseases. Public health may also encompass public policies, research projects, and public health services. Understanding population health concepts can equip health care administrators to best guide their facilities in effectively addressing key community issues.

Foundational health care education may also include elements of human resources, law, ethics, operations, accounting, assessment, and evidence-based practices. Students could also get an introduction to emerging medical technologies poised to play a significant role in the future of health care, such as digital biomarkers, mobile medical applications, telehealth, and digital therapeutics.

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Preparing for Success: Tips for Prospective Students

Following health care industry news and information can be helpful as students prepare to enter a health care administration program. Students can learn administrative aspects of health care settings by volunteering at a hospital or taking on part-time entry-level work at a health care facility. Working as a patient services representative or medical receptionist can provide practical experience in this specialized environment.

Volunteer work, internships, or entry-level employment in health care may also provide valuable networking opportunities. Seminars, conferences, and other industry events are often attended by professionals who may be happy to help postgraduate students.

Students can prepare for their health care administration degree requirements by focusing in high school on subjects with college credit. They can also refine their study habits and time management skills to prepare for a college degree program's advanced workload.

Obtaining the correct prerequisite credits will help you build a practical foundation for a health care administration degree program. Concorde Career College's Health Care Administration Bachelor's Degree online program offers the opportunity to train for a career in health care administration through the Concorde - Kansas City campus. The program can be completed in as few as 17 months and is delivered online for optimal flexibility. Research Concorde's program requirements to tailor your preparations. Concorde does not guarantee transfer credits.