Is a Masters in HSA Necessary for an Upper Level Job in the Field?

[Danielle Sarah]

I am currently on the path to receive my AA in General Studies by the Spring of 2016. From there, I will transfer to University and intend to acquire a BS in Information Technology. I previously wanted to major in Psychology but realize I do not want to enroll in another 6 years to complete graduate school and the job market is not very promising according to professors and other colleagues I have interacted with. I took a programming class this semester and failed, while I aced every other course I was enrolled in pertaining to IT. To find out, the IT degree program also requires you to complete multiple upper level programming courses and Physics (something I am TERRIBLE AT). So I was looking into other BS programs at the University I plan on attending and came across HSA (Health Services Administration). While my intention was to assist others initially in Psychology, HSA will provide me with the ability to lead a work environment and work in a prestigious medical facility. But IT usually requires a Bachelors Degree and you are set along with other certifications to acquire a prominent position, while I am not sure is HSA requires a Masters Degree to be able to be eligible to work at an upper level position/facility. I also figured HSA requires less upper level math courses and mostly management/accounting/HR courses, something I assume I will be strong at, along with an internship at the end of the Bachelors Program. So my question is: DO YOU NEED A MASTERS IN HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION TO BE ENTITLED TO AN UPPER LEVEL POSITION OR WILL A BACHELORS DEGREE BE ENOUGH?

 

[Choppy]

In my experience the people that get into senior health administration positions are those that work up to it through the ranks - so to speak. Often they are nurses or doctors with several years of experience. Some of them will go back to school for an MBA or some other kind of administration training. Some just learn on the job. In some cases people are promoted into administrative positions because they not effective in the clinic and administration is reluctant to terminate them for whatever reason.

I'm sure you can get into the field by doing some kind of HSA degree, but in most cases from what I've seen these are not entry-level positions.

 

[Danielle Sarah]

In my experience the people that get into senior health administration positions are those that work up to it through the ranks - so to speak. Often they are nurses or doctors with several years of experience. Some of them will go back to school for an MBA or some other kind of administration training. Some just learn on the job. In some cases people are promoted into administrative positions because they not effective in the clinic and administration is reluctant to terminate them for whatever reason.

I'm sure you can get into the field by doing some kind of HSA degree, but in most cases from what I've seen these are not entry-level positions.

Okay so let me get this straight, getting a Bachelors in this field will be considered entering an entry level position?

 

[Choppy]

Okay so let me get this straight, getting a Bachelors in this field will be considered entering an entry level position?

No. A bachelor's degree is getting an education related to the field. Once you have that you might be qualified for an entry-level position in healthcare administration, but I'm not sure what that would entail. They won't make you a nurse manager unless you have nursing experience. You might be able to apply for facility manager-type positions though, but even then they tend to hire management from within the organization already.

 

[Danielle Sarah]

No. A bachelor's degree is getting an education related to the field. Once you have that you might be qualified for an entry-level position in healthcare administration, but I'm not sure what that would entail. They won't make you a nurse manager unless you have nursing experience. You might be able to apply for facility manager-type positions though, but even then they tend to hire management from within the organization already.

Luckily that's why this program consists of an internship once the BS is acquired.

 

[JakeBrodskyPE]

There is a pernicious train of thought that goes along the lines of "If I just go to school for the right degree, I'll be entitled to a job in this field."

I wish it could be true. I really do. But it is actually a sick joke. I still see people saying things like "If I go to school and study xxx field, can I then go and get work doing xxx at an executive level? And the answer to that is congratulations, you might get your foot in the door, but that's it. You still need experience and orientation, some of which can take many years.

Schools are great for teaching theory. They can not teach practice, however. The only way to get experience is to go out and actually DO something.

 

[symbolipoint]

There is a pernicious train of thought that goes along the lines of "If I just go to school for the right degree, I'll be entitled to a job in this field."

I wish it could be true. I really do. But it is actually a sick joke. I still see people saying things like "If I go to school and study xxx field, can I then go and get work doing xxx at an executive level? And the answer to that is congratulations, you might get your foot in the door, but that's it. You still need experience and orientation, some of which can take many years.

Schools are great for teaching theory. They can not teach practice, however. The only way to get experience is to go out and actually DO something.

Exactly! That is what many students want. They do want an education and an understanding of their subject, but they also want to know what things to do with it, as from on-the-job, in-the-field, real world practical experience, and training. Maybe internships are not promoted enough.