Healthcare is big business and regardless of where you call home, seeking accredited healthcare administration degree programs in Missouri could be your first step to becoming part of this dynamic field. If you like the idea of a career in healthcare but are more drawn to the business side of this industry, consider healthcare administration. With an estimated population of more than six million people within the state of Missouri, all needing healthcare at some time or another, the need for competent and trained administrators to keep the healthcare systems running smoothly is not likely to abate any time soon.

Saint Louis University

College for Public Health & Social Justice

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that caters to more than 13,500 students. In addition to academic excellence and world-class research, values here include a strong commitment to faith and service. Among the many colleges and schools that make up Saint Louis University is the College for Public Health & Social Justice, which in turn houses five departments dedicated to fields of health and health education, plus the School of Social Work. The Department of Health Administration is responsible for overseeing the following degree programs, both undergraduate and graduate.

Bachelor of Science in Health Management

The Bachelor of Science in Health Management degree at Saint Louis University provides a foundation in Jesuit-based liberal arts, the business side of the health care industry, and public policy. The degree is comprised of 120 credit hours, which include the general education and liberal arts requirements, as well as the specific coursework for the major. Students in this degree path will take 12 credit hours of business courses in accounting, information systems management, and the legal aspects of business. In addition, the degree involves 30 credit hours of health management coursework and 33 credit hours of electives. Students also have a choice of taking a minor in public health or social work as part of their Bachelor of Science degree. Required social science courses include subjects such as economics and the American political system. Courses for the major focus on business areas as they apply to health care.

Master of Health Administration

This Masters in Health Administration degree requires a total of 60 credit hours and involves preparing students to be leaders in the health management arena. Students concentrate on developing the skills and knowledge to manage and administer health services at all levels of health care, with particular emphasis on health care ethics and compassion. In addition to coursework that focuses on business subjects as they are applied to the health care industry, students gain practical experience through an internship that is undertaken during the summer following their first year of graduate school. U.S. News & World Report ranks this program among the top healthcare management programs in the country, providing students with a high quality health management education and preparing them for careers at all levels and areas of the health fields. Opportunities for graduates with this degree are available not only in St. Louis and Missouri, but around the world and in a vast variety of health care settings.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)

Contact
Saint Louis University
College of Public Health & Social Justice
Salus Center
3545 Lafayette Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63104
314-977-8100
[email protected]
http://www.slu.edu/publichealth.xml

University of Missouri

Graduate School

The University of Missouri provides educational benefits of two universities in one in that it is a large, public land-grant university, committed to service to citizens throughout the state of Missouri, and also the state's largest public research university. It services about 35,000 students through more than 300 degree programs across 19 colleges and schools, including the Graduate School. Graduate programs here offer flexible curricula to ensure the highest level of success among its post baccalaureate students, with programs offered on campus, online, or a combination of both. Practical experience is also a large part of all graduate programs here, regardless of field.

Master of Health Administration

The University of Missouri offers both a traditional, residential Masters program and an executive Masters program. The latter offers the same curriculum as the traditional program, but through monthly weekend sessions, independent study, and distance learning technology. Coursework in either provides a solid foundation in accounting, finance, economics, and statistics and then builds on this foundation with an integrative mix of courses that concentrate on managing complex organizations in the integrated health systems. Students participate in a management internship during the summer following their first year of graduate school, gaining practical experience that will serve them well when seeking leadership positions and careers following graduation. A total of 60 credit hours are needed for completion of this degree program. Students also have the option to earn a dual degree in Health Administration and a second related field, applying to each separately but completing the two degrees in less time and credits than if they were sought separately.

Accreditations

  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)

Contact
The Graduate School
210 Jesse Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-6311
http://gradschool.missouri.edu/

The healthcare industry is one of the largest employers in the country, a fact that is not likely to change in the near future. Just as important as medical staff and support staff is the administration staff that keeps healthcare operations running smoothly behind the scenes. Accredited healthcare administration degree programs in Missouri are a great start toward a rewarding career.