Academics

Penn State launches online bachelor’s degree in health policy and administration

The undergraduate HPA degree will train adult learners for jobs in medical service and health care management

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As the baby boomer generation ages, the demands on the country’s health care industry are increasing the need for more medical services and professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates this demand will create more than 73,000 new medical and health care management jobs by 2022, or an increase of 23 percent.

The new Penn State online bachelor of science in health policy and administration can help people take advantage of the increased demand for those kinds of jobs. The 120-credit degree is offered by Penn State World Campus and the Department of Health Policy and Administration in the College of Health and Human Development.

Applications are now being accepted for the degree for admission in Penn State’s fall 2015 semester.  

"The online bachelor of science in health policy and administration will provide the necessary knowledge and skills to position our students for successful careers in an ever-changing health care environment," said Mark Sciegaj, associate professor of health policy and administration and lead faculty member of the program.

The college offers an identical bachelor’s degree in health policy and administration at the University Park campus. The same high-quality faculty who teach in residence also teach online, Sciegaj said.

The degree will prepare students to work in a variety of health care organizations, such as hospitals, physician practices, home health agencies, health insurance companies, medical device manufacturers, research and policy organizations or governmental agencies.

World Campus will provide the online delivery of the program including advising, tutoring and career counseling.

“The degree was designed with adult learners’ busy schedules, jobs and families in mind,” said Karen Pollack, the assistant vice provost for undergraduate online and blended programs at Penn State World Campus. “Students will have the flexibility to study when it is most convenient for them.”

The online program has the distinction of being certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, an organization that works to improve health care delivery. The program is also affiliated with the resident and online master of health administration, which is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.

For more information about the online bachelor’s degree in health and policy administration, visit the program’s website.

Last Updated April 2, 2015

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