Which Healthcare Management Concentration Should I Pursue?

Healthcare manager is becoming an increasingly attractive career option for aspiring healthcare professionals. Not only does a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration offer strong job security, it’s also incredibly versatile, preparing graduates to work in a variety of healthcare settings, from hospitals to healthcare consulting.

But, with so many different career possibilities to choose from, how do you know which is right for you?

The first step to a rewarding, successful healthcare management career is choosing the right concentration. Consider how each of these two core knowledge areas can help prepare you for the healthcare job you want:

1. Leadership

The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and healthcare managers are tasked with helping their organizations keep up with the pace of change. If you’re a forward-thinking problem solver, a leadership concentration might be the right path for you.

In order to lead their companies into the future, healthcare management professionals must possess a strong mix of critical thinking, decision-making and communication skills. In addition to helping organizations meet the growing demand for healthcare services, today’s healthcare managers might oversee how new information systems are integrated into an organization’s existing processes, or lead initiatives designed to improve employee education and enhance the quality of patient care.

Students who pursue a leadership track in their healthcare management program learn the fundamentals of healthcare management from a business standpoint, from change management to administrative law. Graduates can go on to pursue careers as a hospital administrator, medical practice manager, health and social service manager, and much more.

2. Managed Care

If you’re interested in helping to expand access to healthcare services, you might find yourself at home in the managed care field.

In today’s health insurance market, the majority of insurance providers and healthcare organizations provide some degree of managed care, which is a means of delivering healthcare services (such as insurance) in ways that improve quality and control costs. Managed care encompasses more than just insurance, though – you can also find managed care roles in public health, working to fulfill community healthcare needs.

Pursuing a concentration in managed care gives students an advantage in the job market for management and leadership roles at health insurance companies, managed care providers, hospitals, and more.

What you can do with a degree in healthcare management

Jobs in healthcare management range from recordkeeping and secretarial roles to executive level leadership positions in a medical institution. Your first step to achieving your goals is to get the education you need to become qualified. Learn more about how much you can make in healthcare management and the job outlook in coming years from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

No matter where your interests lie, there’s a healthcare management position for you. Building specialized knowledge through a career-focused healthcare degree program is the key to finding the role that’s right for you and ensuring your long-term career success.