With a Master's in Healthcare Administration in Public Administration degree, graduates are prepared to begin a career that offers opportunities to make a difference in the lives of entire communities and society in general. This specialized degree program is designed to shape the future leaders of healthcare organizations and other related areas in order to drive policy, create and develop new policies and techniques, and support the pursuit of high quality throughout the healthcare and medical industries.

Degree Outcomes and Objectives

Completion of a graduate degree in healthcare administration with emphasis on public administration results in the development of numerous skills. Future healthcare executives and policy makers will take away advanced skills in leadership, management, and decision-making. The public administration degree is designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge and ability needed to apply to the public services field. When combined with healthcare administration, graduates are able to make the decisions necessary to best support the community in issues of health care to deliver the highest quality services possible.

In addition to learning techniques and strategies for management and leadership of an organization, graduates of these programs also gain an advanced understanding of ethics, diversity, finance, theoretical foundations in public service, application of value of the public in all decisions, and innovation.

Healthcare Administration Graduate Core Curriculum

To begin a degree program at the graduate level in healthcare administration in public administration, students complete several courses focused on the field of healthcare. Common courses include legal studies in healthcare, professionals in the healthcare organization, public policy in healthcare, healthcare delivery systems, federalism and healthcare, and financial management in healthcare organizations. These requirements ensure that graduates are prepared to lead various types of healthcare organizations to help manage all operations to deliver the highest quality of care possible.

Specialization in Public Administration

After completion of the core healthcare courses, graduate students focusing a concentration in public administration will also complete a number of additional courses to build a background and understanding of public services in general. Courses are likely to include program evaluation, planning, technology management, administrative law, budgeting in public services organizations, organizational theory, and innovation in public services. In addition to completion of these types of courses, students are often also required to complete internships and fieldwork observation in which they are able to gain experience in the practical application of the concepts and theories learned in classwork.

Careers in Public Administration in Health Care

A future healthcare administration professional with a specialization in public administration is ready for a number of roles in various types of organizations. Whether choosing to work in a hospital or government agency, graduates are likely to find positions as director of public health programs, administrator, or public services specialist. More information on potential career paths can be found on the Career Resource Center of the American College of Healthcare Executives website.

Related Resources: Long-term Health Administration

The delivery of high quality healthcare to all individuals requires strategic planning and management of public services at all levels, from private hospitals and medical care clinics to federal government agencies and research firms. A Master's in Healthcare Administration in Public Administration is often a necessary step in gaining the professional qualifications needed to make a difference in this area.