Auburn University at Montgomery has launched a fully online bachelor’s degree in health care management to prepare students for administrative roles in the rapidly expanding medical sector, reported this fall. Housed within the nationally accredited College of Business, the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management (BSHM) aims to bridge clinical operations with practical business capabilities.
College of Business faculty support administrative training
The program targets individuals seeking administrative careers without requiring a clinical background. Department of Healthcare Administration Chair Michael McEachern stated that every health care organization needs professionals capable of managing finances, technology, quality, operations, and regulatory duties. By placing the BSHM inside the College of Business, AUM connects students directly with faculty experts in finance, human resources, economics, information systems, and organizational leadership.
The curriculum integrates two graduate-level courses from AUM’s Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program, which holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. This structure provides qualified undergraduate students with a head start toward graduate education and advanced leadership positions.
Health services management jobs show strong growth
AUM developed the online curriculum in response to strong projected job growth across the United States and Alabama. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for medical and health services managers to increase by approximately 23 percent from 2024 to 2034, creating about 62,100 annual openings nationwide. In Alabama specifically, employment in medical and health services management is projected to grow from 9,130 positions in 2022 to 11,810 by 2032, yielding nearly 1,000 openings each year when accounting for growth and replacement needs.
Before finalizing the program, AUM surveyed 100 mid-level and senior-level health care leaders to ensure the curriculum aligns with future employer demands. The survey reinforced the necessity for a flexible, 100 percent online format tailored to working professionals, military personnel, and transfer students.
Transfer students can complete degree in two years
The BSHM program accommodates transfer students entering with an associate degree or significant prior college credit. Students can transfer approximately 60 approved credit hours and complete the remaining degree requirements in about two years, depending on their individual academic plans. Faculty members bring more than 100 years of combined practical industry experience, utilizing real-world case studies to teach cost control, quality improvement, and regulatory compliance.
Graduates can pursue entry and early-career roles such as practice manager, clinic coordinator, health care operations coordinator, patient services manager, quality improvement coordinator, and compliance assistant in hospitals and health systems.
Who can enroll in the BSHM program?
Who is eligible to enroll in the BSHM program?
The program is designed for traditional college students, current health care workers, and transfer students entering with an associate degree or prior college credit. Students may transfer roughly 60 approved credit hours toward the degree.
How does the curriculum connect undergraduate and graduate studies?
The BSHM curriculum incorporates two graduate-level courses from AUM’s Master of Healthcare Administration program, giving qualified students a direct pathway toward advanced graduate education and senior leadership development.
What job roles can graduates pursue with the degree?
Graduates can target positions such as practice manager, clinic coordinator, health care operations coordinator, patient access supervisor, and compliance assistant across hospitals and health systems.
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