MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) has launched a new online bachelor's degree in health care management (BSHM), creating a pathway for students to prepare for careers in one of the largest and fastest-growing sectors of today's economy. The fully online program launched this fall and is housed in AUM's College of Business.
"Every health care organization needs people who can manage its people, finances, technology, quality, operations and regulatory responsibilities," said Michael McEachern, chair of AUM's Department of Healthcare Administration. "You do not have to be a physician, nurse, or other clinician to have a meaningful and successful career in health care."
Business education built for health care
Because the BSHM is part of AUM's nationally accredited College of Business, students work closely with faculty experts in management, finance, human resources, economics, information systems, strategy, operations, marketing, data and organizational leadership.
"One of the most important distinctions about this program is that it's housed in AUM's nationally accredited College of Business," McEachern said. "Students are not simply learning about health care; they are developing business and management capabilities and learning how to apply them specifically within health care organizations."
Students learn from AUM faculty who collectively bring well over 100 years of practical health care industry experience. Coursework focuses on improving quality while controlling costs, enhancing patient access and experiences, addressing staffing issues, using data to identify poor performance, and responding to regulatory and ethical issues.
"Our faculty's experience allows students to participate in real case studies," McEachern said. "The emphasis is not simply on knowing the terminology. It is on learning to analyze a situation, evaluate alternatives, make a sound management decision, and communicate that decision effectively."
A head start on graduate education.
The new program builds on AUM's online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program, which is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education. The BSHM curriculum includes two graduate-level courses from the MHA program, giving qualified students a head start toward graduate education.
"Using this structure, we've created a strong pathway for students to prepare for entry and early-career management positions at the bachelor's level and then continue developing toward more advanced health care leadership positions through the MHA," McEachern said.
Designed for working professionals and transfer students
The BSHM is designed for a wide range of learners, from traditional college students who may not be interested in a clinical profession to current health care workers and transfer students with associate degrees or prior college credit. Students may be able to transfer approximately 60 approved credit hours and complete the remaining requirements in about two years, depending on their individual academic plans.
To make sure the program meets employers' needs well into the future, AUM surveyed 100 mid-level and senior-level health care leaders.
"Flexibility matters for students and working professionals," McEachern said. "Many prospective students already have jobs, families, military responsibilities, or previous college credit. Those perspectives helped reinforce the importance of making the degree 100% online, transfer-friendly, practical, and career-focused rather than simply creating a traditional classroom-based health care degree."
Strong demand for health care managers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical and health services managers to grow approximately 23% from 2024 to 2034, compared with about 3% for all occupations, with roughly 62,100 openings each year. In Alabama, medical and health services management employment is projected to grow from approximately 9,130 positions in 2022 to 11,810 by 2032, with nearly 1,000 openings annually when growth and replacement needs are considered.
"This tells students there is both opportunity and a long-term need for capable health care managers," McEachern said.
Depending on their experience, graduates may pursue roles in hospitals and health systems such as practice manager, health care office manager, clinic coordinator, health care operations coordinator, patient services manager, quality improvement coordinator, patient access supervisor, compliance assistant, and department or service-line coordinator. The degree can also serve as a foundation for higher-level management positions and graduate study in health care administration or related fields.
As an online program, the BSHM allows AUM to reach students nationally and throughout Alabama, including those who do not live within commuting distance of Montgomery, and prepare them to contribute to health care organizations in their own communities.
"Ultimately, our goal is not simply to graduate students with a degree, but to develop people who can help make health care organizations better places for patients, employees and the communities they serve," McEachern said.
Program at a glance
- Degree: Online bachelor's degree in health care management (BSHM)
- Format: 100% online
- Launched: Fall 2026
- Academic home: AUM College of Business (nationally accredited)
- Transfer pathway: Approximately 60 approved credit hours may transfer; remaining requirements can be completed in about two years, depending on the student's academic plan
- Graduate head start: Includes two graduate-level courses from AUM's CAHME-accredited online MHA program
- Learn more: aum.edu/degree/healthcare-management-bs
About Auburn University at Montgomery
Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) is located in Montgomery, Alabama. AUM's College of Business is nationally accredited, and its mission emphasizes preparing students for successful careers through high-impact educational opportunities, engaged faculty, meaningful relationships, and leading-edge managerial technology. Learn more at aum.edu.
Email: cclark26@aum.edu
Media Contact
Name
Auburn University at Montgomery
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Alabama
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