Obtaining a degree in health care administration prepares individuals to work in the health care industry as managers. Health care administration is the process by which the health care is planned out, coordinated, supervised and implemented. Degrees in health care administration are available from the bachelor's level on, though most individuals will seek at least a master's degree. It is important to note that similar degrees can also be obtained to work as a health care administrator, such as a business administration degree or public health. A master's program can take between 2-3 years to complete and will often include a year of supervised administrative work.

Courses offered in a health care administration program may include:

• Health Care Finance
• Health Care Operations
• Health Care Human Relations Management
• Strategic Marketing and Communications
• Organization Development

Though a bachelor's degree may be sufficient for some entry level positions, a master's degree is typically required for advancement. A health care manager will have varying responsibilities based on where he or she will work. In a smaller setting a health care manager may be responsible for policy, financing and hiring, whereas in a larger setting such a hospital he or she may only be responsible for a specific department and physicians will outline policy. Health care administration is expected to grow faster than average in the coming years as the need for effective healthcare management increases. This is a competitive field, beginning at the post-secondary level where space is limited.

The average salary of a health care administrator is $80,000. The average wage increases in settings that serve more physicians.

Those interested in health care administration may also be interested in medical administration, business administration and medical insurance specialist.

Also, check out our blog post if a master's degree in healthcare administration is really worth it?