Certificates in Healthcare Management Online: Inside Look

Featured Online Healthcare Management Certificate Programs

Convenience and affordability are the hallmarks of online healthcare management certificate programs. These factors make them an attractive alternative to degree programs, particularly for working professionals. Most of these programs feature courses of study that are delivered fully online, often in an asynchronous format.

Students can view pre-recorded lectures and complete other course requirements at any time and at their own chosen pace. Another major benefit of HM certificate programs is that credits earned are usually transferable into degree programs in healthcare management and closely related majors.

Listed below are profiles of three exemplary online healthcare management certificate programs – one undergraduate and two graduate – to give you a solid idea of what you can expect to find in the programs you encounter during your HM certificate search.

FAQs About Online Healthcare Management Certificate Programs

What are the admissions requirements for an online certificate in healthcare management program?

Admission requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. Applicants for most undergraduate certificate programs need only a high school diploma, although some programs require an associate degree for admission. Graduate certificate program admission requirements vary more from program to program, but typically include:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
• Minimum cumulative GPA on undergraduate coursework
• Entrance exam scores (required by some programs)
• Statement of purpose or letter of intent
• Resume or CV
• Letters of recommendation

How long do online healthcare management certificate programs take to complete?

Completion times vary by certificate type (undergraduate or graduate) and the specific program a student enrolls in. Most programs are part-time and some are self-paced. Most undergraduate online healthcare management certificate programs are designed to be completed in approximately one year. With a few exceptions (like the Fitchburg University program highlighted above), the length of a graduate certificate program ranges from one to two years.

How much do healthcare management certificate programs cost?

Like completion times, costs for online healthcare management certificate programs vary (sometimes substantially) by certificate type and specific program. Total program costs range from a few thousand dollars to over ten thousand dollars.

Factors that often influence cost include the student’s state of residence (some public schools charge out-of-state students a higher tuition rate) and whether the school offering the program is public or private. You might be able to lower your total program cost by taking advantage of available financial aid opportunities.

Listed below are examples of current tuition rates for three online healthcare management certificate programs:

• Davenport University: $1,056 per credit hour
• Southeast Missouri State University: $427.74 per credit hour
• University of Kentucky: $624 per credit hour

Is financial aid available for online healthcare management certificate programs?

Yes and no; generally speaking, the most common types of financial aid, including federal financial aid, are not available for certificate programs. However, schools might provide their own funding opportunities to online healthcare management certificate students.

One example is Seton Hill University, which offers a number of financial aid options to qualifying certificate students. This aid includes tuition discounts and institutional scholarships. Some schools with professional development certificate programs offer financial aid.

Additionally, students might be able to obtain funding outside of their programs. For example, some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs to certificate-seeking employees.

The best way to find out if you’re eligible for funding help is to speak with the financial aid office at your program’s school. To learn more about financial aid opportunities, check out EduMed’s guide to financial aid.

Can I earn a healthcare management certificate fully online?

Yes; you’ll find that most online healthcare certificate programs are delivered entirely online. They are often presented in an asynchronous format that allows students to complete their coursework according to their own schedule.

There are exceptions; some programs include classes that require attendance via video at specific dates and times. So, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of exactly how coursework is delivered before you enroll in any program, even one that is fully online.

Can I transfer credits from a healthcare management certificate program to a degree program?

Credit transferability varies by program. However, credits earned in most online healthcare management certificate programs are fully transferable into the same school’s corresponding healthcare management or administration degree programs. (Undergraduate certificate credits can be transferred into bachelor’s degree programs and graduate credits can be transferred into master’s degree programs).

It might be possible to transfer credits from your certificate program into a degree program at another college or university. But, you’ll need to confirm that with the school that offers your degree program.

Career Profile: What Can You Do with a Certificate in Healthcare Management?

Earning a healthcare management certificate is a great choice for anyone who currently works or plans a career in the healthcare field and wants to move into a leadership role. Administrative and managerial positions are available at all levels (entry to supervisory) at hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, medical labs, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities.

Positions are also available with organizations such as insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms, medical supply companies, public health agencies, and health-related non-profit organizations.

The following job titles and descriptions offer a sample of the wide variety of careers that is available to healthcare management certificate holders.

Health Information Manager

Health information managers are responsible for managing and protecting patient information for a healthcare facility or organization. They’re also responsible for ensuring that digital and traditional medical data is properly stored, maintained, and protected from security breaches and made available only to authorized personnel. They must meet all applicable legal, medical, and ethical standards.

Hospital Administrator

Hospital administrators are tasked with the day-to-day operations of a hospital. This typically includes all aspects of those operations, including hiring, training, and management of staff, developing organizational standards, developing and implementing organizational budgets and finances, overseeing facility maintenance, and representing the interests of the hospital throughout the local community and beyond.

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee all aspects of the management of an organization’s employees. Specific job duties include recruiting, hiring, managing, assessing, and disciplining staff members, acting as a liaison between staff and upper management, developing and managing employee compensation and benefit programs, and resolving disputes between staff members.

Medical and Health Services Managers

Medical and health services managers are typically responsible for the management of one or more departments within a large healthcare organization. Common job duties include setting and implementing departmental objectives and goals, supervising staff members, reporting to senior administrative personnel, managing department budgets, and ensuring that all applicable laws and regulations are met within their departments.

Medical Office Manager

The role of medical office managers is similar to that of medical and health services managers, but on a smaller scale. Medical office managers are typically in charge of the operations of single physician or smaller physician’s group offices. This role might be a good choice for students who possess an undergraduate healthcare management certificate.

Ranking the Best Online Healthcare Management Certificate Programs

We looked at a range of online healthcare management certificate programs that are available today – both undergraduate and graduate – and listed what we deemed the best programs in the rankings below. Elements considered in making our selections include total costs, accreditation, academic quality, study convenience, and the availability of helpful student support services.

Click on the “About the Ranking” button for a detailed explanation of our program selection process.