Health Care Leadership and Management, BS, Online
Quick Facts
Credit Hours: 120 (Traditional Pathway), 67 (Step-Up Pathway) | Estimated Time to Completion: 2-4 years | Cost Per Credit Hour: $480.65 | Start Dates: Fall, Spring, Summer
Program Details
- Location
- Wayne Campus, Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Degree/Program Type
- Bachelor of Science / major
- Format
- online
- Course Info
- Course Sequence
- College
- Health and Human Sciences, College of (Dean's Office)
- School/Department
- School of Allied Health
Program Contact
- Dr. Kristine Kraft
-
Professor, Director of School
330-972-6516
Program Overview
The University of Akron Online offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Care Leadership and Management for health care professionals seeking leadership, supervisory, and administrative responsibilities within health care organizations. The program builds on prior clinical education and experience, helping students transition into roles focused on management, operations, and organizational performance.
Students develop an understanding of health care systems, regulatory requirements, quality improvement, finance, human resources, and health care information systems. Available through a traditional bachelor's pathway and a step-up option for students who have already earned an associate degree in a related field, the program recognizes previous education and professional experience while providing the leadership skills needed for career advancement.
Important: This program is intended for professionals pursuing leadership and administrative roles within health care organizations. It is not designed to meet requirements for professional licensure.
What You'll Learn
Develop the operational skills needed to manage health care teams and support organizational success.
Skills Gained
Health care leadership
Team supervision
Quality improvement
Health care finance
Human resource management
Strategic planning
Health care analytics
Regulatory compliance
Health care information systems
Intercultural communication
Core Practice
Analyze health care operations and performance
Lead health care teams and departments
Interpret health care regulations and legal requirements
Support quality improvement initiatives
Manage health care resources and personnel
Apply health care finance and budgeting concepts
Use data to support organizational decision-making
Key Topics
Health care management foundations
Health care finance
Quality management
Human resource management
Clinical information systems
Health care analytics
Legal concepts in health care
Health care planning and marketing
Medical insurance
Coding and reimbursement systems
Career Outcomes
Prepare for leadership, supervisory, and administrative opportunities across today's health care industry.
Job Titles
Health care manager
Department supervisor
Practice administrator
Clinical operations coordinator
Health services manager
Quality improvement coordinator
Health information manager
Patient services manager
Medical office manager
Health care operations specialist
Where You’ll Work
Hospitals
Physician practices
Outpatient clinics
Long-term care facilities
Rehabilitation centers
Community health organizations
Health systems
Public health organizations
Health care consulting organizations
Specialty health care providers
Additional Program Information
Health Care Leadership & Management Curriculum
The curriculum combines health care-specific management coursework with communication, psychology, economics, and health care operations concepts. Students learn how health care organizations function while developing the leadership and analytical skills needed to support patient-centered care and organizational success.
General Education Foundation
Complete coursework in communication, mathematics, sciences, social sciences, humanities, and global perspectives. These courses strengthen critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that support effective leadership in health care environments.
→ View general education requirements
Health Care Leadership and Management Core
Build expertise in health care analytics, information systems, finance, quality management, human resources, legal concepts, insurance, and strategic planning. Core coursework prepares students to lead health care teams, manage operations, and support organizational performance across a variety of health care settings.
→ View health care leadership and management core requirements
Traditional Four-Year Pathway
Students entering as first-year students follow the traditional bachelor's degree pathway. In addition to Health Care Leadership and Management coursework, students complete 15 or more credits of specialized coursework that leads to a minor or certificate in a related field, allowing them to customize their education based on their interests and career goals.
Step-Up Degree Pathway
Designed for students who have already earned an associate degree in a related health care field, the step-up pathway builds upon prior education and professional experience. Eligible associate degrees may include health services, health informatics, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, and other clinical health care programs. Students focus on the leadership, management, operational, and organizational skills needed to advance into supervisory and administrative roles.
Rankings
Recognized Among Top Online Universities
UAkron Online has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s top online universities, reflecting a strong commitment to quality and student success.
Flexible Pathways
Traditional and Step-Up Options
Whether you're beginning your bachelor's degree or building on an associate degree, multiple pathways help you advance your education and career goals.
Leadership Development
Bridge Clinical Experience and Leadership
Build on your health care background while developing the management, communication, and decision-making skills needed to lead teams and health care operations.
Admissions Information
From application requirements to financial aid, we're here to help you navigate every step of the enrollment process.
To apply to the online health care management degree, you’ll need to:
- Submit an undergraduate application
- Provide official academic transcripts
- Meet general university admission standards
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of $480.65
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View bachelor’s degree tuition estimates
→ View additional cost of attendance information
Students may be eligible for a range of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans and work-study programs
- Institutional scholarships and merit-based awards
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships and Value
- Many scholarships require no separate application
- Aid packages may include multiple funding sources
- Programs like the Tuition Guarantee help provide cost predictability over four years (for eligible students)
→ Learn more about scholarships
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
To apply to the online health care management degree, you’ll need to:
- Submit an undergraduate application
- Provide official academic transcripts
- Meet general university admission standards
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
- Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis of $480.65
- Online students pay in-state tuition, with a $1 per credit hour out-of-state surcharge
→ View bachelor’s degree tuition estimates
→ View additional cost of attendance information
Students may be eligible for a range of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Student loans and work-study programs
- Institutional scholarships and merit-based awards
The University of Akron awards significant financial aid annually, with a large percentage of undergraduate students receiving some form of assistance.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Scholarships and Value
- Many scholarships require no separate application
- Aid packages may include multiple funding sources
- Programs like the Tuition Guarantee help provide cost predictability over four years (for eligible students)
→ Learn more about scholarships
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid provides support throughout the process, including help with FAFSA, scholarships, and understanding your aid package.
Online Health Care Leadership Faculty & Staff
Learn from faculty who bring health care leadership experience into the classroom while helping students connect management theory to practice.
Online BS in Health Care Management FAQs
Health care management typically focuses on leading teams, improving operations, and overseeing health care services, while health care administration often emphasizes organizational strategy, policy, and executive leadership. In practice, the terms are frequently used interchangeably, and many professionals work across both areas. The Health Care Leadership and Management program at The University of Akron Online prepares students to understand health care operations, leadership, finance, quality improvement, and organizational performance.
Graduates may pursue supervisory, administrative, and management roles throughout the health care industry. Career opportunities can include health care manager, department supervisor, practice administrator, clinical operations coordinator, patient services manager, and health services manager positions. Health care leadership skills are valuable across hospitals, clinics, physician practices, long-term care facilities, and community health organizations.
Salary potential varies based on job title, experience, employer, and location. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical and health services managers earn a median annual salary of approximately $118,000. Earning a bachelor's degree in Health Care Leadership and Management can help prepare professionals for leadership and management opportunities that may offer increased responsibility and earning potential.
Yes. The University of Akron Online offers the Health Care Leadership and Management degree in a flexible online format designed for working professionals and busy students. Online coursework allows students to continue their education while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.
A step-up degree allows students with an associate degree in a related health care field to build upon their previous education and experience. Rather than repeating foundational health care coursework, students focus on leadership, management, operations, and organizational concepts that support career advancement. Eligible associate degrees may include health services, health informatics, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, and other health care-related disciplines.
Earn Your Bachelor’s in Health Care Leadership Online
Great health care starts with strong leadership. Build the knowledge and confidence to lead teams, improve systems, and shape the future of care.