Advance your career with healthcare management courses in an online format
Are you passionate about combining leadership and business skills in a healthcare setting? Do you need the convenience and flexibility of learning on your own time? Then choose an online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration with Mercy College.
Healthcare Administrators are responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and managing the direction of their chosen healthcare facility. The healthcare administration degree balances business and leadership courses to prepare students for managing in a hospital or health center setting.
Students can earn their degree online in as little as five semesters.
With the flexibility of online courses, many students continue to work
full time while they earn this degree.
The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program courses
begin in the fall (August), spring (January), and summer (May)
semesters.
Education for advancement
Karen Dziengelewski, a HCA graduate, shares her perspective as working mother pursuing a Master of Health Administration.
: HCA at Mercy College - Designed for Working Professionals and Adult Learners
The HCA program is available full or part-time and prepares you for career growth and advancement.
-
100% Online - No On-Campus Requirement -
Transfer Up to 84 Credit Hours -
Complete Program in as few as Five Semesters
Program Overview
The Healthcare Administration (HCA) degree completion program provides a foundation in healthcare management skills and healthcare business knowledge. Coursework and an elective practicum experience will assist the student in current or future management positions in healthcare facilities. This program emphasizes building strong communication skills and organizational competence — critical skills critical for healthcare managers.
Healthcare administration careers:
- Mid-Level Hospital Manager
- Long-Term Care Administrator
- Managed Care Organization Administrator
- Clinic Administrator
- Public Health Administrator
- Healthcare Consultant
Program At A Glance
100% online
Flexible design for working professionals and adult learners
Transfer up to 84 credit hours
Of required coursework from previous institutions
As little as 5 semesters
To program completion
No on-campus requirement
Complete your degree online
Healthcare business classes
Core-curriculum focuses entirely on business of healthcare
Double play to save money
Earn graduate credits at undergraduate tuition rate
Faster program
Builds on previously earned credits
Focused on success
Positions you for career advancement
Full-Time or Part-Time
Choose what works for you
Prior learning credit/credit for credentials is available for a variety of content-related credentials. Save time and money! Check out the credit for credentials information below to see if you qualify.
| Credential | Course Equivalent | Courses Waived |
| Certified Coding Associate (CCA) (American Health Information Management Association) | 3 | HCA 419 |
| Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional (cHAP) | 3 | HCA 301 |
| Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) | 3 | HCA 410 |
| Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) | 3 | HCA 316 |
| Certified in Healthcare Human Resources (CHHR) | 3 | HCA 312 |
| Certified Medical Manager (CMM) | 9 | HCA 312; HCA 410; HCA 419 |
| Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM) | 12 | HCA 312; HCA 410; HCA 412; HCA 450 |
| Certified Professional Biller (CPB) | 3 | HCA 419 |
| Certified Professional Coder (CPC) (American Academy of Professional Coders) | 3 | HCA 419 |
| Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO) | 3 | HCA 412 |
| Certified Professional in Health Care Risk Management (CPHRM) | 3 | HCA 412 |
| Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) | 3 | HCA 435 |
| Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) | 3 | HCA 435 |
| Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) | 12 | HCA 312; HCA 410; HCA 435; HCA 450 |
| Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE) | 3 | HCA 419 |
| Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) | 3 | HCA 419 |
| Certified Revenue Professional (CRCP) | 3 | HCA 419 |
| Certified Specialist Accounting & Finance (CSAF) | 3 | HCA 410 |
| Certified Specialist Payment & Reimbursement (CSPR) | 3 | HCA 419 |
| Certified Specialist Physician Practice Management (CSPPM) | 6 | HCA 410; HCA 419 |
| Health Care Quality & Management Certification (HCQM) | 3 | HCA 435 |
| Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | 3 | HCA 312 |
| Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) | 6 | HCA 316; HCA 419 |
| Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) | 3 | HCA 312 |
| Society for Health Care Strategy & Market Development (SHSMD) | 3 | HCA 318 |
MHA Fast Track
Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration now also have the option to take one or more (maximum of six credit-hours) 500 level graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. The course options are part of the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program. More information about the MHA fast-track option is below.
At the completion of the Healthcare Administration program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. healthcare system.
- Identify legal and government regulations that impact healthcare organizations.
- Demonstrate fiscal and economic principles necessary for value creation within healthcare organizations.
- Determine practices required to support, develop, and motivate a diverse healthcare workforce.
- Identify essential organizational processes, infrastructure, and quality initiatives required within healthcare organizations.
Students holding an associate/bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.3 from an institution that is approved/accredited by a recognized accreditor and a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), will be considered for program admission. Students whose GPA falls below a 2.3 but above a 2.0 will be considered on an individual basis. A student without an associate/bachelor’s degree will be considered for admission provided he/she has earned 60 or more transferable credit hours, with a minimum GPA of 2.3, and has completed the following general education coursework: Natural Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (GNST) (6 credit hours), Oral and Written Communication (GCOM): ENG 101 or equivalent (3 credit hours), Math, Statistics, and Logic (GMSL) (3 credit hours), and Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) (3 credit hours).
To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration students must complete all college requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree including the following:
General Education Requirements
SOC 211: Specific courses are required by the program.
Complete All of the Following Courses:
Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 Minimum
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
Math, Statistics, and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| SOC 211 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
Arts, Humanities, Culture, and Diversity (must include 6 credit hours in Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 9 minimum
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
Natural Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (GNSI) - 6 minimum
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
Additional hours from one or more of the above categories - 6 minimum
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
Required Healthcare Administration Program Course Requirements
Complete All of the Following Program Courses:
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| HCA 301 | Introduction to the United States Healthcare System | 3 |
| HCA 310 | Organizational Behavior in Healthcare | 3 |
| HCA 312 | Human Resource Management in Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HCA 316 | Healthcare Information Systems | 3 |
| HCA 330 | Principles of Accounting for Healthcare | 3 |
| HCA 410 | Introduction to Healthcare Finance | 3 |
| HCA 412 | Healthcare Law and Ethics | 3 |
| HCA 419 | Reimbursement, Insurance, and Managed Care | 3 |
| HCA 435 | Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| HCA 440 | Fundamentals of Population Health for Healthcare Administrators | 3 |
| HCA 450 | Healthcare Management | 3 |
Healthcare Administration Program Elective Course Requirements
Complete Two of the Following Program Courses:
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| HCA 318 | Principles of Healthcare Marketing | 3 |
| HCA 399 | Special Topics in Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| HCA 420 | Fundamentals of Healthcare Economics | 3 |
Fast Track
Program Goals
Sample program of study for Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HCA 301 | Introduction to the United States Healthcare System | 3 |
| HCA 310 | Organizational Behavior in Healthcare | 3 |
| HCA 312 | Human Resource Management in Healthcare Organizations | 3 |
| HCA 316 | Healthcare Information Systems | 3 |
| HCA 330 | Principles of Accounting for Healthcare | 3 |
| HCA 410 | Introduction to Healthcare Finance | 3 |
| HCA 412 | Healthcare Law and Ethics | 3 |
| HCA 419 | Reimbursement, Insurance, and Managed Care | 3 |
| HCA 435 | Quality Improvement and Patient Safety | 3 |
| HCA 440 | Fundamentals of Population Health for Healthcare Administrators | 3 |
| HCA 450 | Healthcare Management | 3 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HCA 318 | Principles of Healthcare Marketing | 3 |
| HCA 399 | Special Topics in Healthcare Administration | 3 |
| HCA 420 | Fundamentals of Healthcare Economics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEN | Oral and Written Communication | 6 |
| GEN | Math, Statistics, and Logic | 3 |
| GEN | Social and Behavioral Sciences | 6 |
| GEN | Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity | 9 |
| GEN | Natural Sciences, Technology and Innovation | 6 |
| GEN | Additional General Education Coursework (any category) | 6 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Curriculum effective Fall 2021. For students enrolled prior to Fall 2021, please reference the Mercy College catalog.
Attend a program Online Information Session
part of Healthcare Worker Wednesday at Mercy College
Career Outlook
Employment Growth
Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the large baby-boom population ages and people remain active later in life, there should be increased demand for healthcare services.
This means greater needs for physicians and other healthcare workers, medical procedures, and healthcare facilities, and therefore greater needs for managers who organize and manage medical information and healthcare staff.
Employment is projected to grow in offices of health practitioners. Many services previously provided in hospitals will shift to these settings, especially as medical technologies improve. Demand in medical group practice management is projected to grow as medical group practices become larger and more complex.
Job prospects for medical and health services managers are likely to be favorable. In addition to rising employment demand, the need to replace managers who retire over the next decade will result in some openings.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Alumni Job Titles and Salary Information
A student holding an associate/bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.3, will be considered for program admission. Students whose GPA falls below a 2.3 but above a 2.0 will be considered on an individual basis. A student without an associate/bachelor’s degree will be considered for admission provided he/she has earned 60 or more transferable credit hours, with a minimum GPA of 2.3, and has completed the following general education coursework: Natural Sciences (6 cr. hrs.), ENG 101 or equivalent (3 cr. hrs.), Mathematics (3 cr. hrs.), and Social and/ or Behavioral Sciences (3 cr. hrs.).