Online Bachelor's Degrees in Clinical Administration - BS, BAS
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Effective administration is an essential part of the healthcare system. A healthcare organization cannot offer quality patient care without efficient management. A clinical administrator is responsible for overseeing various branches of healthcare such as finance, marketing, planning, disease prevention, and policymaking.
An online bachelor’s degree in clinical administration is useful for people with an associate degree or certification in the allied health professions who are looking to advance their skills and earning potential. Some of the courses in a clinical administration program include health promotion, planning, budgeting, human resources, and disaster management.
On completion of a bachelor’s degree in clinical health sciences, students can either pursue higher studies in healthcare administration or take up roles such as healthcare administrator and clinical manager.
The following guide discusses four online bachelor’s programs in clinical administration and related subjects, as well as two notable faculty members teaching them.
Featured Bachelor’s in Clinical Administration Degrees
The George Washington University’s online BSHS in clinical research administration is a degree completion program, where students can transfer 45 to 60 credits to the program to earn the degree. In addition to an associate degree, applicants to this program must have a GPA of at least 2.5, a personal statement, official transcripts, and one letter of recommendation.
It features courses including an introduction to monitoring clinical trials, pathophysiology, healthcare law and regulation, and the basics of clinical research, among others. Students can also take electives such as disease prevention and health promotion concepts, current issues in health science management, the principles of biostatistics for health sciences, quality improvement in healthcare, and the management of health science services.
Notably, this program can be combined with online master’s degrees in two areas: an MSHS in regulatory affairs or an MSHS in clinical research administration.
- Location: Washington DC
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $615 per credit-hour
The George Washington University also offers an online bachelor of science in health sciences focused on clinical operations and healthcare management. Similar to the program above, applicants to the online BSHS must have an associate degree and can transfer 45 to 60 college-level units. Additionally, they must at least a 2.5 GPA, a letter of recommendation, and a personal statement as part of their application.
Courses in this distance-based program include health policy and the healthcare system, the management of human resources in health sciences organizations, quality improvement in health sciences, finance for healthcare managers, and current issues in bioethics, among others. There are electives available such as healthcare in literature, disease prevention and health promotion concepts, the psychosocial aspects of health and illness, and pathophysiology.
- Location: Washington DC
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $615 per credit-hour
George Washington University also offers a reduced-cost online bachelor of science in health sciences (BSHS) in clinical health sciences degree. This program is only for active-duty Army Special Forces Medical Sergeants (18Ds), Navy Independent Duty Corpsman (IDCs), and Air Force Independent Medical Technicians (IDMTs). Coast Guardsmen who have completed a Navy IDC School might be eligible, depending upon their current assignment. It offers IDCs, 18Ds, and IDMTs a way to formalize their specialized military training.
As stated earlier, applicants to the program must be active-duty Army 18Ds, Navy IDCs, or Air Force IDMTs. They must have at least a year left on their contract. Application materials include a current enlistment contract and statement of service from the personnel section, a current resume, proof of current certification, official military transcripts, one letter of recommendation, a copy of one’s high school diploma or GED, and a statement of purpose.
This bachelor of science in health sciences with a major in clinical health sciences degree completion program is made up of 120 credit-hours. It divided into three components: advanced standing and electives (45 to 60 credit-hours) general education (24 credit-hours) and clinical health sciences major courses (36 credit-hours).
Coursework includes an introduction to telemedicine, leadership concepts, disease prevention and health promotion concepts, healthcare in developing nations, an introduction to epidemiology, infectious diseases and bioterrorism, and disaster response planning and management.
The program provides military personnel with advanced training and skills, so they can pursue promotion within their field. The program also provides students with access to top experts and resources.
On completion of the program, graduates can seek employment or pursue higher education in fields such as health services administration and public health.
- Location: Washington DC
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $250 per credit-hour
Arizona State University (ASU) offers two 120-credit online programs in health entrepreneurship and innovation, which are related to clinical administration: an online bachelor of applied science (BAS) for those with an associate degree and an online bachelor of science (BS) for those with a high school diploma.
The 20-class online BAS in health entrepreneurship and innovation includes courses such as written communication for managers, organizational ethics, the elements of statistics, evidence-based practice for the healthcare professional, and transforming healthcare: a systems perspective for innovation, among others.
The 40-class online BS in health entrepreneurship and innovation includes an introduction to human communication, an introduction to health innovation, an introduction to health professions in the U.S. healthcare system, and health entrepreneurship and value creation.
- Location:Tempe, AZ
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months to 48 months
- Estimated Tuition: $607 per credit-hour (non-residents)
Ottawa University offers an online bachelor of arts in healthcare management program with a clinical track. The clinical track enables those with a registry or license (e.g., radiologist, registered nurse, etc.) to transfer credits and complete the core courses. The program provides students with a complete overview of healthcare systems.
Admission requirements include a completed online admission application and official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended, among others.
Prerequisites for the clinical track include a minimum of 30 clinical/laboratory hours or a qualifying healthcare registry/certification. The required courses for the clinical track include planning and budgeting in healthcare, human resources in healthcare organizations, healthcare law and ethics, healthcare policy and regulations, quality in healthcare, management of healthcare organizations, and a seminar in applied healthcare management.
Students learn about the different perspectives and methods related to the delivery of health services. They also delve into management practices, healthcare finance, public policies, ethics, systems, and promotional strategies in healthcare. On successful completion of the program, students can work in a wide range of healthcare settings such as nursing homes, residential care facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, ambulatory services, and group medical practices.
- Location: Ottawa, Kansas
- Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: General public, $499 per credit-hour; military rate (active duty and spouses), $250 per credit-hour
The Oregon Institute of Technology offers an online bachelor of science in healthcare management with a clinical option. Through this program, students can acquire continuing education credits, advance their careers, or even prepare for a master’s degree program. The program has been designed specifically for allied health professionals with a current credential in an approved field of study.
In order to get accepted into the program, students must have an associate or bachelor’s degree, a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, high school transcripts or GED scores, TOEFL or IELTS for international students, and the equivalent of MATH 95 intermediate algebra and WRI 115 introduction to writing with grades of C- or better. Additionally, they must submit proof of a current national and/or state registry, certification, or licensing in an approved allied health field.
The program consists of 182 credit-hours of which 44 credits are granted for registry or licensure. Students can also transfer credits from another college. The coursework includes the following: healthcare marketing, healthcare systems and policy, total quality in healthcare, healthcare management, and an introduction to database systems.
Students learn about business and management topics that are relevant to the current healthcare system. They are prepared to work in managerial, supervisory, and administrative positions.
- Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 to 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: $257 per credit-hour
Rasmussen College offers an online bachelor’s degree-completion program in healthcare management, under Flex Choice, which allows students to combine traditional and online coursework and assessments to receive credits. The faculty for the program are experts in the field of healthcare.
One of the admission requirements for the program is an associate’s degree from an accredited institution or successful completion of 60 quarter- or 40 semester-credits with a grade of C or higher.
The program is made up of 180 credit-hours; students are required to transfer at least 90 lower-level quarter credits. Students who have fewer credits are required to take additional coursework. Courses in this program include business project management, foundations of managed care, an introduction to healthcare administration, healthcare marketing, international healthcare, healthcare operations management, and healthcare planning and policy management.
The program helps students develop a number of skills such as making budgets, evaluating revenue and expense sources, and taking on ethical challenges in healthcare. They also gain insight into the mind of clinicians and the management of human resources and policy.
Graduates of the program are well-equipped to take up opportunities in healthcare as healthcare managers, clinical managers, nursing home administrators, and healthcare administrators.
- Location: Bloomington, Minnesota
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Expected Time to Completion: 18 months
- Estimated Tuition: $229 per credit-hour
Professors to Know in Clinical Administration (and Related) Programs
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Marcia Firmani, PhD George Washington University
Dr. Marcia Firmani is a director of the medical laboratory sciences program, chair in the department of biomedical laboratory sciences, as well as an assistant professor teaching biomedical laboratory sciences at the George Washington University. She has been associated with programs such as translational health sciences, medical laboratory sciences, military-affiliated programs, and health intervention and disaster response at George Washington University. Some of the classes she teaches include clinical microbiology and molecular diagnostics.
Prior to George Washington University, Dr. Firmani worked at Louisiana State University, the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC), and University of Wisconsin. She has published her research work in top journals such as the Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infection and Immunity. Dr. Firmani earned her PhD from University of California, her MSPH from Tulane University, and her BS from Marist College. -
Christian Wright, DC, EdD Rasmussen College
Dr. Christian Wright serves as a department dean for health sciences and general education at Rasmussen College. His major interest and clinical focus has been neuroscience. His teaching helps enhance student experiences and helps them in their journey toward a career in healthcare. With over 20 years of clinical and educational experience, his work has always included being an educator to clients, students, and the healthcare industry.
Prior to Rasmussen College, Dr. Wright worked in private and non-profit community health clinics, providing education and patient care. Presently, he helps foster collaborative relationships within the college and with external partners. Professor Wright holds his EdD and MAAC from Argosy University and his chiropractic doctorate (DC) from the National University of Health Sciences.