How to Start and Advance a Career in Health Care Administration
Every health organization needs leaders who can keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. Whether you’re managing staff schedules or budgets, health care administrators play a critical role in ensuring patients get the care they deserve.
If you’re ready to start your career or step into a leadership role, the right degree can help you get there.
The 91Ƭ߹ۿ of Louisiana at Lafayette offers two 100% online programs designed for wherever you are in your career: a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration and an MBA in Health Care Administration. Both are flexible, affordable, and built for working professionals.
What Does a Health Care Administrator Do?
Health care administrators are the planners, problem-solvers, and decision-makers who drive progress in hospitals, home health agencies, assisted living facilities, and healthcare systems. While they may not interact with patients directly, their work has a major impact on the quality of care every patient receives.
Depending on the setting, administrators might oversee budgets, manage departments, coordinate staff schedules, or implement new policies. Others focus on patient experience to improve access, streamline operations, and increase satisfaction.
The scope of the role often grows with experience, and the demand for skilled professionals is rising fast.
Supporting both operations and outcomes is part of what makes this field so rewarding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for are projected to grow 29% by 2033, adding more than 61,400 new positions each year — nearly 10 times the national average.
As health systems evolve, organizations need professionals who understand both patient care and business operations.
Start Strong with a Bachelor’s in Health Services Administration
If you’re new to health care administration or working in a support role, earning a bachelor’s degree can open doors to meaningful positions. UL Lafayette’s online Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration combines core business skills with a deep understanding of health care systems.
You’ll dive into topics like health care ethics, policy, and leadership, plus the nuts and bolts of managing information and finances.
Courses are offered in both 8- and 16-week terms, giving you the flexibility to pace your studies around work and life commitments. Plus, as a student in UL Lafayette’s online programs, you'll have access to 24/7 online tutoring, tech support, and a dedicated online support team from day one.
Thessalonia Joseph, a 2020 graduate of the program, found it to be a perfect fit.
“I had been in roles before that dealt with management and administrative tasks, and I knew I enjoyed those things. I thought if I could pair that with healthcare, that would be perfect.”
Graduates often move into roles such as medical office manager, patient access coordinator, program coordinator, and practice manager. The bachelor’s degree sets a strong foundation to start or advance your career in this growing field.
Advancing Your Career with an MBA in Health Care Administration
If you’ve already gained experience in health care administration or are looking to move into leadership, an MBA can help you reach the next level.
UL Lafayette’s online MBA in Health Care Administration, offered through the AACSB-accredited B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration, helps you to build on your foundation by developing advanced skills in strategy, finance, and organizational leadership.
The curriculum covers essential areas like health care economics, data-driven decision-making, human resources, and health law, preparing you to lead in today’s rapidly evolving health care environment. Because the program is fully online, you can continue advancing your career without pausing your life.
For Melody Afekare, a graduate of the online health care administration program with a background in nursing, exploring the industry’s financial and operational side was a turning point in her career:
“It’s been really good to learn the business side of healthcare, and not just the everyday patient-facing aspect of it. It’s a business that you want to keep afloat so that it can serve patients and the community.”
Graduates often pursue roles such as hospital operations director, chief administrative officer, health care consultant, and department leader. This MBA prepares you to lead teams, manage resources, and drive innovation in a complex field.
Which Degree Is Right for You?
Whether you're just getting started or ready to move into a leadership role, a degree in health care administration can help you take the next step.
UL Lafayette’s online Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration is a strong fit if you're looking to enter the field or move up from a support role. If you already have experience or a bachelor’s degree and want to advance into senior or executive positions, the online MBA in Health Care Administration can help you lead with confidence and strategy.
Both programs are fully online, designed for working professionals, and backed by the resources of Louisiana’s second-largest public university.
Amanda Terry, a graduate of UL Lafayette’s online health services administration program, says combining health care and business gave her a broader perspective:
“To have a great blend of health care and business helped to make me a well-rounded professional. I didn’t realize the vast amount of opportunities out there for someone with that degree.”
Your path may start at different points, but the goal is the same: making a lasting impact in a growing, essential field.
Explore UL Lafayette’s 100% online undergraduate and graduate health care administration programs and find the one that moves your career forward.
