You can study online for a masters degree, MBA or other graduate qualification in health administration. Online courses give you an opportunity to move into the field or be promoted to senior management.
- Health administrators plan, manage, monitor and coordinate systems of health care delivery. They work in hospitals and other health service facilities.
- Studying health admin prepares you for administration, management and planning positions.
Australian universities offer 100% online masters degrees in health administration. Leadership qualifications can be earned by studying wherever and whenever it's convenient for you.
Health administration positions are found at nursing homes, large hospital systems, home health agencies, and smaller clinics and facilities. The responsibilities of an administrator are varied. Most health administration professionals work in an office environment, even when they are housed in a hospital or clinic.
What is Health Administration?
Health service managers and administrators plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the delivery of health and related services.
- Managers and administrators may be clinical specialists in charge of a niche department or service.
- They might also be generalists who manage projects, multi-purpose facilities or health systems.
A good health administration course gives you essential knowledge and skills for management roles in health services. It develops you as a leader, imparting skills in strategic planning, managing service quality and safety, and making policy decisions.
- You come away equipped and qualified to work as a manager in different healthcare settings.
- Graduates and employed in hospital and community healthcare centres, aged care facilities, health departments, government and community organisations, and in primary care and general practice.
Some of the complex tasks carried out by health administrators are: integrating health care delivery systems, introducing technological innovations, reorganising work structures, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Study Health Admin Online
You can study online for a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree in health administration (or health management).
- Graduate certificate (4-unit) and graduate diploma (8-unit) courses count as credit towards a masters degree.
- Courses may include foundation units of a general nature and advanced specialist units.
- A full masters programs is 12-16 units (3-4 semesters) of study.
Distance learning programs can be fully online or require occasional attendance. They're ideal if you have significant work or family commitments – i.e. if you don't have time to attend campus classes.
Best Healthcare Masters Degrees
The best online health administration programs allow you to study useful topics in a convenient way. The courses we've chosen can all be completed without having to attend university campuses. They're also offered by health schools that are highly rated and/or which provide good value for money.
Masters programs in healthcare often embed graduate certificate and graduate diploma courses. That means you can potentially exit the program part-way through, leaving with a useful qualification. Or you can keep going if you enjoy the program and finish with a well-respected masters degree.
To apply, you generally need a degree (preferably in a health-related or public health discipline) and/or 2-5 years of relevant professional experience (e.g. in counselling).
SCU Master of Healthcare Leadership
SCU Online offers a well-rounded degree for any health professional looking to take on an administration or leadership role. Program participants are often nurses, people working in allied health fields and individuals wanting to start their own practice. Getting through the 100% online course is straightforward. You complete one unit at a time, each taking around seven weeks of part-time study. There's a short break before you start the next unit. A graduate certificate is 4 units, a graduate diploma is 8 units and the full masters is 12 units. Subjects include social and emotional competencies in the workplace, teaching and supervising in a clinical setting, and strategic health management.
JCU Master of Nursing
James Cook University Online has a nursing masters that's suitable for any experienced, division 1 registered nurse. You can major in (i) Leadership and Management (team management in a clinical setting, including business skills) (ii) Education (being an educator in a clinical environment) or (iii) Advanced Practice (build skills to deliver comprehensive care in clinical settings). The 12-unit program is 100% online and gives you the option to start with a graduate certificate (4 units) or graduate diploma (8 units). The program is designed to be studied part-time and is available year-round.
Monash Online Master of Health Administration
Monash Online offers a 12-unit health admin masters which can be completed over 2 years of flexible study. You can enroll any time of year (with 6 intakes annually), do 1 unit at a time, and never have to sit a long exam. The program is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Services Management, and meets the Fellowship Training Program requirements of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administration. Subjects include accounting for managers, health economics, biostatistics, developing health systems, and managing patient care.
MBA Programs With a Health Management Specialisation
If you're already in healthcare, you may want to consider the world's most recognised graduate degree: a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Health Management study streams are offered in some online MBA programs.
- An MBA is a general business administration and management degree.
- You can major in health management by doing a limited number of units focusing on the health industry.
- Program entry does not require you to have a business degree.
An MBA is a safe investment, bringing career advantages no matter where you may be employed in the future.
An MBA in Health Care Management has more of an overall business focus, with its core business courses covering skills transferrable to any industry. The MBA has big buckets of core business operations, such as analytics, leadership and finance.
~ Capella University
Southern Cross University MBA (Health Services Management)
Health Services Management is one of four specialisations available in the Southern Cross University (SCU) MBA program. To qualify for the major, students must do at least two of four health units offered: Leading Change in Healthcare, Healthcare Professional Portfolio A, Strategic Health Management, and Principles and Practice of Clinical Accountability.
The flexible and affordable 100% online course allows you to study on your terms. Embedded within the program are a 4-unit Graduate Certificate in Business and 8-unit Graduate Diploma in Business. The MBA is 8-16 units in total, depending on how much credit you receive for advanced standing. Each unit is completed in a 7-week teaching period and the program supports year-round part-time study.
University of Adelaide MBA (Health Management)
The University of Adelaide’s online MBA is a quality program delivered using the best e-learning technology. You benefit from the backing of the prestigious Adelaide Business School. At the same time, students have all the modern conveniences, such as 100% online study, 6-week teaching blocks, collaborative learning with fellow students and dedicated online support.
The 12-unit program gives you the tools to confidently manage health teams and projects. Topics include leadership, finance, marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship. Students also examine how to do business in the healthcare sector and the challenges facing health managers. You can choose to start the program with a 4-unit Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.
Health Administration Careers – Job Ad Snippets
Snippets from jobs ads. Random sample.
Endoscopy Project Officer – Gastroenterological Society
You will be primarily responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operation of the Conjoint Committee for the Recognition of Training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the National Colonoscopy Recertification Committee. Must have a relevant qualification such as a Bachelor of Nursing or Master of Health Administration, and must have nursing experience in endoscopy or gastroenterology.
Health Clerk – Department of Defence
This position within Robertson Health Centre is responsible for the oversight, supervision and training of all subordinate Health Clerks within ROBHC to ensure that all customer needs are met with regards to Defence policy, Medical and Staff-In-Confidence and Commercial-In-Confidence standards. The successful applicant will provide advice and support to other Defence Health Centres in the Darwin area and assist the Health Centre Manager with tasks associated with the day to day health administration management.
Manager Integrated Mental Health Team – SA Health
The Manager is responsible for the management of the Integrated Mental Health Team, working closely with the Clinical Lead Psychiatrist and Hospital management. Responsibilities include leading and managing the activities of the Multidisciplinary Teams, practices and procedures, management of human resources in matters including recruitment, performance management and for supporting the training and professional development of clinical staff across Nursing, Allied Health, OPS support workers and Administration Officer staff.
Medical Practice Manager – Comprehensive Family HealthCare
Responsibilities of the Practice Manager Role include ensuring that the medical centre is delivering excellent health care and customer service, overseeing day-to-day practice operations, working closely with all staff and ensuring that the practice remains financially viable. A Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Business or Health Management will be an advantage.
Clinic Coordinator – Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service
The Clinic Coordinator will be responsible for the delivery of a high quality primary/acute care clinical program to the Binjari Community. The role is responsible for coordinating the delivery of client services. In addition to this, the Clinic Coordinator is required to supervise other clinical and support staff in their program area, ensuring planning and supervision of their daily duties. We are looking for a Registered Aboriginal Health Worker or Registered Nurse who has a minimum of 5 years’ clinical experience and preferably previous experience with supervising / leading a small team.
Health Practice Manager – Department of Defence
If you are a highly motivated, outcomes-focused administrator with the ability to work autonomously to get the most out of a varied team of clinicians and support staff, and to achieve the best health outcomes for members of Australia’s military, then this position would suit you. This position is responsible for the effective operation of Duntroon Health Centre which includes Duntroon Clinic.
Health Service Manager – Far West Local Health District
You will be managing operational nursing and midwifery service delivery, culture and service improvements to achieve quality patient outcomes, sustainable access and collaboration in health care. The position requires a current nursing registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Appropriate qualifications in management from Postgraduate to tertiary (Masters level) with five years full time equivalent post qualification experience.
Primary Health Care Manager – Sunrise Health Service
The manager will play an integral role in the delivery of unique primary health care services to the Sunrise communities. A skilled and experienced leader, they will inspire a team of health professionals including Aboriginal Health Practitioners, nurses, GPs and visiting allied health professionals. Responsibilities include coordinating and helping to provide quality, comprehensive primary health care to the community and providing quality supervision, guidance, training and support for all staff.
Mental Health NDIS Project Officer – Alfred Health
The Mental Health NDIS Project Officer will work closely with Alfred Health Carer Services Disability, Mental Health and Young Carer team and Alfred Health Mental and Addictions Services to support carers and the person they care for to successfully transition to the NDIS and to support staff with information and skill building. Preferred candidates will have a Tertiary qualification in Health, Behavioural Sciences, or Social Sciences and experience working with carers, families and people with a mental illness.
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