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Build Your Healthcare Administration Career

A successful career in healthcare administration starts with a strong foundation you can build upon. American College of Education (ACE) offers a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration that equips you with a strong starting point in key areas applicable to the business side of healthcare systems and organizations. You’ll explore legal issues, quality management, health policy evaluation, finance and more. Coursework is application-based, so you’ll gain hands-on skills you can leverage right away.

From working in hospitals or clinics to insurance companies or public health organizations, this program can help prepare you for impactful roles like health educator, patient care coordinator, medical administrative assistant and more. When you’re ready, you can continue your education with the Master of Healthcare Administration at ACE to position yourself for management and leadership roles.

Bachelor’s degree programs at ACE are also known as bachelor’s completion programs. This means that you’ll need either an associate degree or 60 undergraduate credit hours for admission.

Career Opportunities

Empower your students and community, and take the next step toward a future full of possibility.

Clinical Director

Medical practices are high-stakes, high-action environments where efficiency, professionalism and a personal approach to patient care are essential. From hospital wings to behavioral health centers, these facilities depend on strong leadership to ensure everything, from treatment programs to staffing and compliance, runs smoothly. This is where clinical directors come in.

Expected Growth: 61,400 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $117,960

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administration encompasses the business and operational side of healthcare used in various medical facilities including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and more. A healthcare administrator, sometimes called a healthcare manager, manages these non-clinical components to ensure high-quality patient care. If you’re interested in the medical field but don’t want a direct patient role, healthcare administration might be right for you. We’ve compiled a unique career guide to share all there is to know about becoming a healthcare administrator.

Expected Growth: 29%

Estimated Annual Wage: $110,680

Healthcare Manager

Healthcare managers are trained professionals responsible for overseeing the business operations of healthcare facilities. One of their biggest priorities is ensuring the smooth and efficient delivery of healthcare services by managing budgets, coordinating staff, streamlining processes and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Expected Growth: 29%

Estimated Annual Wage: $117,960

Pharmaceutical Representative

Medications and medical devices play a critical role in patient care and recovery. As pharmaceutical companies continuously develop new treatments, pharmaceutical sales representatives spread the word. They visit clinics and hospitals to educate healthcare professionals about uses, benefits and potential side effects of new products as well as clinical trial opportunities.

Expected Growth: 142,200 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $100,070

Patient Care Coordinator

Behind every successful medical treatment is someone ensuring that patients feel supported, informed and cared for every step of the way. Patient care coordinators are the people who make that happen. While doctors and nurses focus on the essential task of diagnosing and treating illnesses, patient care coordinators focus on the people. They help them understand their care, manage their appointments and navigate what can often feel like an overwhelming healthcare system.

Expected Growth: 23%

Estimated Annual Wage: $47,010

Patient Liaison

A patient liaison improves overall patient experience by ensuring clear communication and coordinated care in healthcare.

Expected Growth: 4%

Estimated Annual Wage: $43,380

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

Discover the vital duties of a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in maintaining healthcare financial systems and patient records.

Expected Growth: 7%

Estimated Annual Wage: $50,250

Patient Educator

Discover how a patient educator enhances health outcomes by making complex medical information accessible to patients and families.

Expected Growth: 4%

Estimated Annual Wage: $63,000

Legal Nurse Consultant

Explore the role of a Legal Nurse Consultant and how they bridge the gap between healthcare and the legal system.

Expected Growth: 5%

Estimated Annual Wage: $93,600

Community Health Worker

Discover the vital role of Community Health Workers in connecting families with healthcare support and improving community health.

Expected Growth: 11%

Estimated Annual Wage: $51,030

Case Manager

Explore the vital role of a case manager in navigating health challenges and coordinating comprehensive care and support.

Expected Growth: 74,000 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $78,240

Patient Advocate

Explore the role of a patient advocate and how they help individuals navigate complex healthcare systems effectively.

Expected Growth: 5,600 positions

Estimated Annual Wage: $45,120

Program Details

The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration provides students with the foundational skills and knowledge to pursue leadership roles in health administration within a variety of healthcare settings. Through application-based coursework, students learn how to analyze complex health data to promote evidence-based decision-making. The curriculum emphasizes the role of globalization, community health, interdisciplinary collaboration, and resource allocation in creating an effective balance in managing healthcare costs, quality, and access. After completing the program, students will have the training to evaluate research, advocate for health policies, and analyze legal and ethical principles to improve health outcomes.

Program Outcomes

Evaluate the impact of globalization and community health on healthcare, policy, delivery, and outcomes.(AO1)
Analyze legal and ethical challenges in healthcare, including resource allocation, regulatory compliance, and personal, professional, and social responsibility.(AO2)
Assess the influence of social determinants of health and the causes and potential solutions to address health inequities.(AO3)
Leverage analytical skills and healthcare information technologies to interpret complex health data and promote evidence-based decision-making.(AO4)
Apply foundational business principles, theories, and practices to healthcare settings to optimize organizational performance.(AO2; AO5)
Articulate the significance of the leader's role in supporting healthcare initiatives, developing a culture of quality and safety, and leading organizational change.(AO5)

Courses

Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. If no focus of study option is selected, you can choose any 3 courses from the study options below.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.

This program consists of

36 credits

Core Courses

HLTH4203 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Introduction to Healthcare Administration

This course is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of the role of health administration in managing healthcare organizations. Students will explore topics such as healthcare policy, globalization, health disparities, resource allocation, and health regulations.

HLTH4303 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare Administration

This course explores legal and ethical issues in healthcare management, with emphasis on HIPAA laws, case law, malpractice suites, risk management, and health power of attorney creation and execution.

HLTH4313 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Leading and Decision Making in Health Services

This course focuses on leadership and management models and styles. Organizational behaviors, organizational change, and change management will also be covered.

HLTH4343 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Health and Wellness Across Populations

This course explores the complexities of health issues and the delivery of health services across a wide range of populations. It examines the role of healthcare professionals in addressing the needs of individuals and communities. Socio-environmental factors influencing health behaviors are examined to address the health needs of individuals. Topics include healthcare access, professional responsibilities, and quality of care.

HLTH4363 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Marketing for Healthcare Administrators

This course will introduce students to basic healthcare marketing principles and practices. Students learn introductory-level healthcare marketing as it applies to the health and wellness field. Students assess market opportunities in wellness services, programs, and facilities, and create marketing strategies and tactics. In addition, students study the importance of strategic planning and its relationship to effective marketing.

HLTH4373 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Human Resources for Healthcare Administrators

This course provides a foundation of knowledge and skills applicable to human resource management in healthcare settings. Topics include principles, concepts, issues, and challenges related to human resource management; financing; insurance, and the role of leadership as they apply to heath organizations.

HLTH4383 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Finance for Healthcare Administrators

This course focuses on understanding financial statements, managerial accounting solutions, and cost analyses. Students also apply financial and managerial accounting principles to develop solutions that make a positive financial impact. Federal and grant funding as it relates to healthcare will be emphasized.

HLTH4393 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Quality Management for Healthcare Administrators

This course examines quality management methodologies used to analyze safe and effective healthcare operations. Techniques such as advanced quality planning and control plans will be studied to determine how they are utilized to drive quality improvement and optimization of healthcare organizational efficiencies. Emphasis will be placed on using statistical analysis techniques to increase healthcare efficiencies and improve health outcomes.

HLTH4403 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Healthcare Information Management

This course provides students an overview of informational technology as it applies to healthcare management. Students study web portals, online health risk assessments, electronic recordkeeping, interactive health tools, trackers, videos/podcasts, digital health coaching, online challenges, social networking, personal health records, and portable tracking devices (e.g., pedometers, glucose monitors, etc.).

HLTH4913 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Senior Capstone Experience: Healthcare Administration

This Capstone course culminates in students' development of a paper and project that showcase their healthcare knowledge. As part of the Capstone, students prepare a final web-based employment portfolio containing their project-based work in the program.

HLTH5453 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Health Policy Evaluation and Development

This course examines historical and current trends in healthcare policy and its relationship to health outcomes and the decision making process for healthcare administrators, policy makers, and practitioners. Students will examine how healthcare policies are created, developed, and evaluated at the local, state, and national level. The relationship between healthcare policy and delivery, as well as economic, legal, and liability concerns, will be analyzed.

RES4353 - 3 SEMESTER CREDITS

Evidence-based Health Education and Literacy

This course familiarizes students with research procedures for the design and evaluation of research and interpretation of statistical analysis in the health field. Students will critically evaluate the validity of health research and work on evidence-based health projects. Students learn how to assess, plan for, and infer health education needs based on research.

College Catalog

Start Dates

With flexible start dates, you can begin your program when it's best for you.

July 13, 2026 Term

Jul 10, 2026

Application Due

Jul 10, 2026

Payment Due

Jul 13, 2026

Term Start

Jul 17, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Aug 16, 2026

Term End

October 05, 2026 Term

Oct 02, 2026

Application Due

Oct 02, 2026

Payment Due

Oct 05, 2026

Term Start

Oct 09, 2026

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Nov 08, 2026

Term End

January 11, 2027 Term

Jan 08, 2027

Application Due

Jan 08, 2027

Payment Due

Jan 11, 2027

Term Start

Jan 15, 2027

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

Feb 14, 2027

Term End

April 12, 2027 Term

Apr 09, 2027

Payment Due

Apr 09, 2027

Application Due

Apr 12, 2027

Term Start

Apr 16, 2027

Unregister/Cancel Deadline

May 16, 2027

Term End

Tuition

We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.

Total Cost of B.S. in Healthcare Administration

Total Tuition

semester credit x $ per credit

Fees

Total Program Cost

Find a plan that fits your budget.

View Payment Options

Return on Your Investment

Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.

You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.¹

How to Pay for College

Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free.² Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.

$17,515

Average competitor total cost²

$9,655

Average ACE total cost^*

When we say low cost, we mean it

The proof is in the numbers. ACE’s commitment to keeping tuition and fees low means our price is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs.

Why ACE?

Low-Cost, High Quality

You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000^*. We also award over $1.2M in scholarships and grants each year.

Tuition & ROI

$1.2M

in
scholarships

Quality You Expect

We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 84% graduation rate.³ Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.

Success Stories

84%

graduation
rate³

Flexibility You Need

Our virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.

Support Services

24/7

student support
services

View Our Accreditations

See How ACE Stacks Up

Graduation and Satisfaction Rates

ACE Graduates With No Debt² vs. Master’s Degree Holders From Private, For-Profit Institutions⁴

87%

31%

ACE vs. Comparison Group for Better Than Expected Overall Student Satisfaction or Higher³

97%

82%

Stay Within Your Budget

Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.

Network Across the Globe

Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.

Gain Today’s In-Demand Skills

Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,³ while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.³

Learn From Custom-Built Curriculum

Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.

See how we're different

Student Success Stories

Alumni

M.Ed. in Health and Wellness Education

Kelly Wagner

Read Kelly's story »

Admission Requirements

ACE General Admission Requirements

Complete and submit all application components including the admission application, the enrollment agreement and payment agreement.
Submit the nonrefundable application fee. *
Provide official transcripts from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program. **
Secure electronic transcripts can be mailed to [email protected].

*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.

**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.

Program Admission Requirements

Minimum level of education required: Associates degree or 60 undergraduate semester hour credits from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education indicating successful completion of the level of education required for entry to the program.
Minimum grade point average 2.0 on a 4.0 scale for full admission
Minimum cumulative grade point average of 1.75 on a 4.0 scale for provisional admission

International Transcript Requirements

All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.

Transcripts that are international and/or not in English must be evaluated through a NACES-recommended agency.
Texas applicants for licensure programs may only submit evaluations from agencies approved by the Texas Education Agency.
International applicants must request the course-by-course evaluation. The evaluation report must show that the non-U.S. education is equivalent to the education/accreditation level required for the program.

English as a Second Language Applicants

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:

Submission of an official transcript showing a degree from a United States secondary school or regionally accredited college/university.
Submission of an official minimum score on the paper or internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
The minimum TOEFL score required for the internet-based version is 80, and the paper-based version requires a minimum TOEFL score of 20 for each of the three skills: Reading, Listening and Writing.
The minimum IELTS score required is 6.5. Note: IELTS is not acceptable for Texas programs leading to certification.
The testing agency must send test scores directly to American College of Education.
Applicants to the Texas Educational Leadership program whose first language is not English must submit a minimum scaled score of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading and 21 for writing from the Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) or evidence of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in Figure: 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C).

¹Lightcast Study

²Internal research conducted November 2025

³Across all ACE Programs. See Student Right to Know. Accessed May 28, 2026

⁴Education Data Initiative. Accessed January 28, 2026

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