Healthcare management degree programs are designed to help individuals aspiring to do this work develop managerial skills with an emphasis on the healthcare sector. As hospitals, doctor’s offices and other healthcare facilities expand their administrative capabilities, graduates with healthcare management knowledge can benefit from new job opportunities and career advancement. But is a degree in healthcare management worth it?  

What Is a Master’s in Healthcare Management? 

Healthcare management focuses on the administrative aspects of providing healthcare. Healthcare management professionals implement policies to improve patient care, streamline data management technologies and oversee the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities.  

A master’s degree program in healthcare management enables individuals to build the job-specific management skills required for a growing number of roles in healthcare organizations. In a healthcare management master’s degree program, students complete coursework in healthcare economics, health administration policy and human resource management. They often can choose to specialize in an area such as performance improvement, informatics or strategy and marketing.  

Graduates with a master’s degree in healthcare management are prepared to pursue both healthcare management and healthcare administration roles. When comparing healthcare management and healthcare administration, healthcare management positions typically emphasize daily operations while healthcare administration positions focus on strategy and policy. 

Healthcare Management Career Paths 

Most positions in healthcare management require at least a bachelor’s degree, and a bachelor’s in healthcare management can help individuals develop the skills they need for a number of advanced healthcare roles.  

Those who hold a master’s in healthcare management are qualified for advanced and leadership roles within the healthcare sector. Here are five examples of the types of positions available in healthcare management. 

Medical Practice Manager 

Medical practice managers supervise the staff and manage the day-to-day operations of a medical practice. Their duties typically include scheduling, healthcare information management and billing. Depending on the organization, medical practice managers may prepare budgets, ensure the practice’s compliance with healthcare regulations and implement policies to improve efficiency and patient satisfaction. 

The manager’s responsibilities and job requirements can vary depending on the size of the practice. Larger practices typically require managers to have at least a bachelor’s degree and healthcare work experience.  

Nursing Home Administrator 

Nursing home administrators manage the operations of nursing homes and other residential care facilities. They oversee staffing, coordinate residents’ services and monitor quality assurance processes. These healthcare managers also assess and implement the services provided by their nursing home.  

A master’s degree can significantly benefit those interested in pursuing a nursing home administrator career, which often also require a state-issued license. Related roles include residential care manager and long-term care administrator. 

Healthcare Quality Improvement Manager 

Healthcare quality improvement managers oversee improvement programs for medical and healthcare organizations. They analyze data to determine performance improvement targets for their facility and implement policies to achieve these goals. Quality improvement managers also conduct quality control audits. 

Healthcare organizations often prefer candidates with a master’s degree for this role. Quality improvement specialists also work in consulting roles. 

Hospital Manager 

Hospital managers oversee the daily operations of hospitals. They may specialize in an area such as financial management, human resources management or healthcare compliance. Depending on their specialty, hospital managers may monitor hospital resources, train employees and hire staff. 

Hospital manager positions require experience in healthcare or business. Many professionals interested in these roles pursue a master’s in healthcare management or administration.  

Health Information Manager 

Health information managers oversee information systems for hospitals and healthcare facilities. They organize databases containing patients’ records, implement security measures to protect patients’ private health data and recommend new information management technologies.  

A background in healthcare informatics and database systems is typically required for these positions. Employers may also prefer to hire candidates with a master’s degree. 

Healthcare Management Salary and Job Outlook 

Is a degree in healthcare management worth it? Salary and job data for healthcare managers shows that specializing in healthcare management can pay off. 

Medical and health services managers had a median annual salary of $117,960 in May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Those who worked in hospital settings had a median of $130,690, while those in nursing and residential care facilities had a median of $99,250.  

Healthcare managers also benefit from a positive job outlook. According to the BLS, positions for medical and health services managers are projected to increase by 23 percent between 2024 and 2034, which is much faster than average. In comparison, other management occupations are forecast to grow just 6 percent in the same time period. 

An expected increase in demand for healthcare services is driving this projected increase, as the growing healthcare sector will require more managers to perform administrative tasks and oversee staff.  

Earn a Master’s in Healthcare Management at SEMO Online 

Are you ready to advance in your career in the healthcare sector? SEMO Online’s flexible Master of Science in Healthcare Management program offers students the option to specialize in administration, informatics or quality and patient safety.  

Students can gain hands-on experience with an internship while working with faculty who bring industry experience to the program. In addition to the master’s option, SEMO Online also offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management program.  

Find out how SEMO Online can help you prepare for a rewarding career today. 

Recommended Readings 

Sources: 

Clinicas, Quality Improvement Manager 
CPR Asset Management, “United States: A Clear Acceleration in the Healthcare Sector” 
Indeed, “What Does a Health Information Manager Do?” 
Payscale, Average Hospital Administrator Salary 
Payscale, Average Medical Practice Manager Salary 
Payscale, Average Nursing Home Administrator Salary 
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers