Healthcare administration course curriculum

Gaining the relevant knowledge for a career in healthcare administration will depend on your desired role and setting. However, for learners just getting started, it’s important to become familiar with general duties and skills that can serve as a foundation for future coursework.

Look for courses that cover healthcare administration basics, like:

• Financial management

• Strategic planning

• Regulatory and ethical compliance

• Human resources (HR)

• Patient relations

• Information technology

• Public relations (PR) and marketing

These classes can offer opportunities to practice important soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. You may also find it helpful to study topics related to healthcare administration. Supplement your skills by gaining further expertise handling non-medical challenges such as business administration, human resources, and informatics.

Start building the knowledge you need to work in the healthcare administration field with edX. From accelerated boot camps to comprehensive programs that allow you to earn a bachelor’s degree or (for more advanced learners) a master’s degree, there are many different learning formats available to fit your needs. Busy professionals can even take advantage of executive education courses tailored to those in leadership and management positions. Find the right course for you.

Explore healthcare administration jobs

Working in healthcare administration allows you to contribute to a positive patient care experience while facilitating important organizational functions. Roles can be found in different work environments, with varying responsibilities, including:

• Clinic administrator: Manages the daily operations of a medical practice or clinic, including managing staff, finances, scheduling, and patient relations.^{Footnote 1}

• Patient care coordinator: Coordinates patient care activities, schedules appointments, manages referrals, and facilitates communication between patients and healthcare providers.^{Footnote 2}

• Health services manager: Oversees the operations of a healthcare department or specific service area within a hospital or clinic, managing staff, budgets, and services.^{Footnote 3}

• Hospital administrator: Manages the operations of a hospital or healthcare facility, including strategic planning, financial management, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement.^{Footnote 4}

• Nursing home administrator: Manages the operations of a nursing home or long-term care facility, including staffing, regulatory compliance, financial management, and resident care.^{Footnote 5}

While many of these roles exist within similar industries, employment qualifications for careers that utilize knowledge of healthcare administration may differ based on the position and employer. Some roles may require a higher-level degree while others may only ask for a demonstration of skills that can be acquired in a boot camp, for example. Before deciding on which learning path will work best for you, research potential roles you hope to pursue and align your coursework with your professional aspirations.