What Are the Differences Between the Degrees, and Which Are Most Relevant to Healthcare Administration?
Broadly, college degrees are divided between undergraduate- and graduate-level programs. Undergraduate programs include associate and bachelor’s degrees, while graduate programs include master’s, specialist and doctorate degrees. Each program requires a certain number of credit hours pre-determined by the college or university offering the degree.
An Associate Degree
An associate degree is a degree granted for the completion of a college-level program at least two years in length for full-time students.
Trevecca Nazarene University offers online associate degrees in general studies, business management and human services. The associate programs in Human Services and Business Management would be most relevant to getting started in the healthcare administration field.
Learn more about what you'd be taking in these programs.
Wondering what it costs and how long it takes to get an associate degree? That's a great question, and we have the answers.
A Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor’s degree is a degree awarded upon the completion of a college-level program ranging between three and seven years in length when a student attends school full-time.
Trevecca offers online bachelor’s degrees in Christian ministry, general studies, management and leadership, psychology, computer information technology and health care administration. For moving into or advancing in healthcare administration, the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration is the choice.
Learn more about this degree and see what courses you'd be taking.
See more information about the cost and amount of time required to get a bachelor's degree.
A Master's Degree
A master’s degree is a degree awarded upon the completion of a graduate-level program. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (what’s an accredited institution?) usually must be completed before acceptance into a master’s program, though sometimes the bachelor’s and master’s programs are integrated. A master’s program are normally two years in length for students going to school full-time, but many take longer.
Trevecca offers 12 master’s degrees, including healthcare administration, education, business administration, religion and counseling. The Master of Science in Health Care Administration, Master of Organizational Leadership and Master of Business Administration with a focus in Health Care Administration are the most relevant for the individual looking at a career in the healthcare industry.
Learn more about these programs: MBA, Master of Organizational Leadership, and Health Care Leadership and Innovation.
How long does it take and how much does it cost to get a master's degree?
A Specialist Degree
A specialist degree is most commonly seen in the field of education. It is a degree program studied after the completion of a master’s degree and takes one to two years to complete. A specialist degree is not commonly used for entrance to or advancement in the healthcare administration field.
A Doctorate Degree
A doctorate degree is the most advanced degree in a particular field of study. You’re probably familiar with an M.D., which stands for medical doctorate, but doctorates are often awarded as a Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) or an Ed.D. (doctor of education). Trevecca does not offer a Ph.D. in Health Care Administration.
