The online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management degree program offered by the School of Health Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham has been named the best in the nation by TheBestSchools.org, an independent resource for campus and online education.
TheBestSchools.org ranked programs based on academic excellence, types of available classes, faculty strength, rankings and reputation.
“Our mission is to develop leaders to shape tomorrow’s health care, and our excellent undergraduate program is an essential part of achieving that mission,” said Christy Lemak, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Health Services Administration. “We take pride in our ability to provide degree completion for students who began in other health-related professions and offer the online format for individuals seeking health care management education from around the state, nation and world.”
“This ranking is recognition of our program’s strengths and will aid in attracting high-performing students, which in turn will have a profound impact on our efforts to prepare the next generation of health care leaders,” said Pamela Paustian, Ph.D., the program’s director. “Many undergraduate alumni continue their graduate education in the health professions, and ultimately this ranking may enhance the breadth and depth of UAB’s impact on health care locally, nationally and internationally.”
| “The success of the online program is the result of hard work from a great team of faculty and staff who produce awesome results. This outstanding group has incredible team synergy. Together, we are committed to academic excellence and student success by delivering a curriculum that meets the expectations of leaders in the health care industry.” |
TheBestSchools.com reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 23 percent employment growth for medical and health services managers from 2012 to 2022, with median salaries in 2013 exceeding $90,000.
“The success of the online program is the result of hard work from a great team of faculty and staff who produce awesome results,” Paustian said. “This outstanding group has incredible team synergy. Together, we are committed to academic excellence and student success by delivering a curriculum that meets the expectations of leaders in the health care industry.”
TheBestSchools.org credits the UAB program with offering four curriculum options to prepare students for mid-level management positions. Students can apply to a track based on their personal interests, professional status and previous academic work.
“Being recognized as the best online program in health care management is a terrific recognition of the effort of our faculty and staff to develop and deliver truly exceptional learning opportunities,” Lemak said. “This new No. 1 ranking will help us attract even more highly qualified students, as well as help us diversify our student population in terms of background, experience and geographic location.”
The Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management degree, which prepares graduates for mid-level management positions in all types of health care organizations, is the terminal degree for some individuals and permits entry to graduate degree programs for others. Career opportunities for HCM graduates exist in long-term care, managed care, ambulatory care, corporate health programs, public health, pharmaceutical sales, and medical equipment and supply firms, as well as in consultant or vendor companies serving the health care industry.