App State Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Care Management

Complete Your Degree at App State

Reputation

Learn from the same expert faculty as on-campus students

Transfer Student

Transfer-friendly program including experiential and prior learning credit

Tuition

Tuition is $424 per credit hour plus fees for Fall 2026, and $412 per credit hour plus fees for Summer 2026*

*$509 per credit hour and $494 per credit hour, respectively, for out-of-state students; tuition subject to change

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Next-Level Health Care Careers Start Here

The Appalachian region, like the rest of the U.S., faces challenges in patient care, including limited access in rural areas, workforce shortages and opioid-related health issues. App State Online’s BS in Health Care Management program helps prepare you to address top challenges in your local community as a health care administrator. You can work in settings such as:

  • Hospitals 
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Clinics 
  • Insurance companies 
  • Public health departments
  • Government agencies 

Our health care institutions are only as effective as the people running them. You’ll graduate from the BS in Health Care Management program with the skills and competencies to enact meaningful change as an effective health care leader in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources (HR), data analytics and community health.

To best serve our degree-completing students, we require you to transfer at least 24 credit hours with a minimum 2.25 GPA.

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Get Real Skills for Measurable Impact

Our Health Care Management Flight Path Program puts theory into practice, giving you the in-demand skills today’s health care employers need. During your asynchronous eight-week courses, you’ll study:

  • Health care systems and policies 
  • Health care economics
  • Health care informatics
  • Ethics in health care
  • Health care law and regulation
  • Quality improvement in health care
  • Managing health care organizations
  • Organizational behavior and design in health care
  • Leadership in health care
  • Financial management in health care

Flight Path Programs

Flight Path Programs are designed specifically for returning, adult learners who are balancing work, family, and life responsibilities. These fully online programs offer the flexibility and convenience needed to fit education into a busy schedule, with multiple start dates throughout the year, so you can begin when the time is right for you.

Courses are offered in a condensed format, allowing you to focus on fewer classes at a time — making it easier to stay on track, complete your program, and move confidently toward your academic and professional goals.

Health Care Management Careers

Earning a health care management degree online can prepare you to take on significant leadership roles in various health care settings. Here are some of the paths you could take after graduating with your BS in Health Care Management:1

Health Care Administrator

Average Annual Salary: $81,552

Compliance Officer

Average Annual Salary: $81,849

Human Resources Manager

Average Annual Salary: $77,078

Health Care Manager

Average Annual Salary: $77,525

Financial Analyst

Average Annual Salary: $69,426

Health Information Manager (HIM)

Average Annual Salary: $62,752

Curriculum & Courses

The BS in Health Care Management Flight Path Program requires 120 total credits to graduate, which includes 41 hours of general education courses, 3 hours of a Foundations of American Democracy course, 50 hours of health care management courses, 22 hours of related courses, and 7–14 elective hours.

Health Care Management Courses (50 Hours)

HCM 2110 – Introduction to Health System Organization (3)

This course provides an overview of the organizational structure of health care services and the forces that influence the organization of health services in the United States.

HCM 2130 – Managing Health Care Organizations (3)

This course focuses on the structure, function, and interconnection of various health care organizations that make up the US health care system.

HCM 3570 – Principles of Financial Management for Health Care (3)

This course provides an introduction to the role of finance in the private and public sectors of the health services industry.

HCM 3580 – Health Services Research Methods (3)

This course involves an overview of the fundamentals of health services research, emphasizing how health care managers and administrators can apply fundamentals of scientific methods and research principles to management problems and decision-making.

HCM 3590 – Quality Management and Process Improvement in Health Care (3)

This course is an overview of the fundamental theories and principles of quality management and performance improvement in US health care organizations.

HCM 3610 – Health Care Economics (3)

In this course, students will have the opportunity to apply standard microeconomic principles of demand and supply to explore and analyze the functioning of the U.S. health care sector.

or

ECO 3610 - Economics of Health Care (3)

HCM 3630 – Health Services Organization Behavior and Design (3) This course informs and instructs in the theories, principles and concepts of organization behavior and design particularly related to health care organizations.

HCM 3680 – Human Resource Management in Health Service Organizations (3)

This course provides an overview of human resource management, particularly the functions, structure, laws and principles of effective human resource management in the health services industry.

HCM 3700 – Health Information Systems (3)

This course is a general introduction to information technology and the management of information systems in complex organizations such as health services organizations.

HCM 3800 – Professional Development (1)

This course provides an introduction to the professional environment in which health care supervisors and managers work. Students will be exposed to the skills and behaviors of professional health care managers and leaders. Students will also begin developing strategies for securing their internship in health care management.

HCM 3810 – Professional Development II (1)

This course provides further instruction regarding the professional environment in which health care supervisors and managers work.

HCM 3900 – Internship (1-6)

A full-time work experience in health care management.

HCM 4570 – Health Services Financial Management (3)

This course provides an overview of the organizational and operational aspect of fiscal management, control and analysis of health care organizations.

HCM 4630 – Principles of Leadership for Health Service Organizations (3)

This course informs and instructs in the theories, principles and concepts of leadership particularly applied to health service organizations

HCM 4710 – Health Informatics (3)

This course instructs students on how healthcare organizations can use information technology (IT) to achieve better operational performance and strengthen the quality of services offered to their patients.

HCM 4920 – Health Law and Ethics (3)

This course is designed to provide students with a background in law and an introduction to ethics as applied to health care organizations and health professionals.

HCM 4950 – Seminar in Health Care Management (3)

This course integrates all HCM courses and other core courses through readings, case and scenario analyses and small projects.

Other Related Areas (22 Hours)

ACC 2100 - Principles of Accounting I (3)

The initial course in the theory and practice of financial accounting. Topics emphasized include the preparation, reporting and analysis of financial data.

ACC 2110 - Principles of Accounting II (3) A course dealing with the concepts and development of accounting data for decision making.

ECO 2030 - Principles of Microeconomics (3) A brief introduction to the study of economics followed by an in-depth analysis of microeconomics.

ECO 2100 - Business and Economic Statistics I (3) A study of statistical tools used to analyze business and economic problems.

CTE 3340 - Business Communications (3) Students gain experience in written and spoken business communications. Activities include writing e-mail, memoranda, letters, proposals and reports.

or

ENG 3100 - Business Writing (3) This course emphasizes advanced applied business writing genres, such as specialized letters and memoranda, resumes, proposals, analytical and fact-finding reports, and other essential forms of professional communication and research.

MAT 1035 - Business Mathematics With Calculus (3) This course is an overview of algebraic concepts and a thorough treatment of functions such as rational, logarithmic and exponential.

MKT 3050 - Principles of Marketing (3) An introductory study of the marketing process in advanced market economies. Consideration of psychological theories and determinants of buyer behavior.

NUT 4552 - Medical Terminology/Records (1) This course is designed to help students develop an understanding of the medical terminology and vocabulary utilized in medical records and health professions.

Elective Hours

HCM 3200 - Health Management Practicum I (3)*

and

HCM 3210 - Health Management Practicum II (3)

*May be substituted for three or five hours of HCM 3900 - Internship (1-6) or taken as electives with permission of HCM program director.

Dr David R Williams
“App State has one of the oldest undergraduate health care management programs in the country… It is well-known and well-respected by academia and practitioners alike.”
Dr. David R. Williams
Professor of Health Care Management

Tuition & Aid

Credit Hours

$424 per credit hour tuition* + tech and textbook fees for Fall 2026

*$509 for out-of-state students; tuition subject to change

Academics

120 credits

Tuition

Financial aid and scholarships available

App State Online: Flight Path Programs are proud to provide top-quality health care management education at an accessible price. U.S. News & World Report ranks Appalachian State University as:

  • Top 2 in Top Public Schools (South)
  • Top 2 in Best Colleges for Veterans (South)
  • Top 3 in Best Regional Universities (South)
  • Top 16% nationwide in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs

This ensures a sound return on your investment, as we’re nationally recognized for valuable education.

Note: For Summer 2026, tuition is $412 per credit hour plus fees for in-state students and $494 per credit hour plus fees for out-of-state students.

Learn More
Calendar
Flexible

Multiple eight-week term starts are available with flexible scheduling allowing you to work at the time and pace that makes sense for you.

Top-Ranked Program
Expert Faculty

Faculty practitioners who’ve served in health care leadership teach the program, with guidance from an advisory board of experienced health care executives.

Transfer Student
Transfer Friendly

Transfer-friendly policies allow you to save money and time completing your degree.

Global Emphasis
Experiential Learning

To reinforce career readiness, the program emphasizes hands-on activities, preparing you to enter the health care management field in areas such as finance, marketing, HR, data analytics and community health.

Criminal Justice Alumni
AUPHA Certified

Our program has been certified by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) since 1984 — making it one of the longest-certified programs in the world.

Career
Professional Development

Coaching, mentoring, and regular guest lectures and presentations from health care leaders provide real-world insight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What degree is best for health care management?

Becoming a medical or health services manager typically requires a bachelor’s degree in the field, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Entering a management role also may require prior administrative or clinical work experience in a hospital or other health care facility.

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree in health care management?

Like most bachelor’s degrees, the BS in Health Care Management at App State Online requires 120 total credits for degree completion. However, App State Online’s bachelor’s degree in health care management requires a minimum of 24 transfer credits to enroll, allowing you to complete the degree in less than four years. Any additional transfer credits you have can significantly reduce your required credit hours and expedite your time to graduation.

Is a bachelor’s degree in health care management worth it?

Earning a BS in Health Care Management is a reliable investment in your career. Demand for medical and health services managers is projected to grow much faster than average, with an estimated 61,400 annual openings each year through 2033, according to the BLS. As the health care system evolves, job opportunities for executives in the field are also expanding. The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) lists health care executive positions in a wide variety of settings, including mental health organizations and public health departments.

Can you get an accredited health care management degree online?

Yes, it’s possible to earn an online degree from an accredited institution. The online bachelor’s degree in health care management at Appalachian State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist and doctorate degrees.

Meet the Program Director

Ashley Parks V2.png

Ashley Parks, DrPH

Program Director, Health Care Management, Flight Path

parksav@appstate.edu

(828) 262-7479

Dr. Ashley Parks has over 20 years of experience in health services administration across various settings, including acute care, ambulatory care, managed care and community health. Dr. Parks has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in health services administration and public health for over a decade and enjoys making difficult concepts accessible to students seeking to work in health services administration practice and research. Having obtained over a dozen public health and health care related certifications, Dr. Parks is passionate about teaching students how to apply key concepts in health care financial analysis, quality analysis and performance improvement, data reporting and information technology, health policy, health services research and project management.

Areas of Specialty

Dr. Parks specializes in health care financial analysis, quality analysis and performance improvement, data reporting and information technology, health policy, health services research and project management. She’s obtained numerous certifications in public health and health care, including Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ). Her research interests include health care quality improvement, mental health, information technology, telehealth and health care workforce preparation.

Courses Taught

  • Introduction to Health System Organization (Undergraduate)

  • Principles of Financial Management for Health Care (Undergraduate)

  • Quality Management and Process Improvement in Health Care (Undergraduate)

  • Health Services Organization Behavior & Design (Undergraduate)

  • Performance Improvement Concepts and Applications in Health Care (Graduate)

Meet the Rest of the Team

View App State Faculty

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Online Learning Made Personal

Online learning in App State Online: Flight Path Programs is all about connection — connecting with your peers, faculty and career aspirations. You’ll be welcomed into a dynamic community that truly cares about your success.

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What You Need for Admission

The minimum requirements for admission are as follows:

  • 24 or more hours of transferable credit.
  • Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.25 in all attempted coursework.
  • Applicants must have earned a C (2.0) or better in coursework in addition to other requirements for it to be considered transferable.
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About App State Online: Flight Path Programs

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. App State Online: Flight Path Programs allow you to connect to a top-tier campus, from wherever you are. Get a high-quality education that adapts to — and enriches — your lifestyle. With flexible, interactive bachelor’s and graduate programs accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and courses designed, developed and taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, App State Online: Flight Path Programs allow you to create your own success and transform your life.

Campus Sunset About

1General labor market and salary data are sourced from Payscale. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and education. App State does not guarantee employment placement, salary level or career advancement. Additional training and experience may be necessary for leadership positions.