WSU’s Health Management Ranked Nationally for Quality, Value
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s online program in health management has been recognized by OnlineColleges.net as one of the best in the country at one quarter the price of other nationally ranked programs.
According to OnlineColleges, WSU ranks in the top 25 alongside Penn State, University of Central Florida and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. What distinguishes Weber State is its value, with annual in-state tuition of $4,456. The average for the top 25 institutions is $21,652, led by George Washington University’s high of $47,343.
WSU’s Health Administrative Services (HAS) department has approximately 50 graduates per year. The department offers degrees and certificates in health management, administration, long-term care, promotion, coding, and information technology. Courses are delivered on campus, online and through independent study. They are structured to accommodate working professionals who want to enhance their two-year degrees as well as traditional four-year students.
“The recognition is significant because it acknowledges the program as a leader in online education,” said Macey Buker, HAS program director. “That allows a student to choose a program based upon the quality of learning, rather than location. It also reinforces to potential students and community partners the level of competency of the highly qualified HAS graduates.”
HAS courses prepare students for management positions in a broad range of health-care organizations, including hospitals, physician-group practices, long-term care facilities, consulting firms, managed care and insurance companies. Before graduating, students must complete a semester-long internship, and employers rank 82 percent of those interns as excellent. The HAS program, is nationally certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA). .
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an aging population will drive demand for medical services. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to increase 23 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average.
“Online courses are a great option for many students, but they can be isolating,” said Pat Shaw, HAS chair. “I want to take a person who lives in rural areas and train them where they live, so they can remain there and do skilled work. Rural communities need qualified health care managers doing these jobs, and the WSU Health Administrative Services online degree is a great option. Our faculty strives to deliver high-quality online education that allows for student-to-student and student-to-faculty interactions.”
To evaluate each online program, OnlineColleges compared academics, student experience, financial aid and enrollment in the online bachelor's in health management program. The complete Weber State University profile can be found at https://www.onlinecolleges.net/rankings/best-online-bachelors-health-management-degree-programs/.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
- Allison Barlow Hess, Director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu - Contact:
Macey Buker, HAS program director
801-626-7254 • maceybuker@weber.eduPat Shaw, HAS chair
801-626-7989 • pshaw@weber.edu