Online Associate Degree in Health Care Administration
Apply for our associate degree in Health Care Administration (HCA) to take the next step toward an entry-level career in health care administration.
Program Type
Associate Degree
Delivery Method
Online
Course Length
20 Months*
*Students with prior healthcare education may be able to transfer up to 24 credits for an accelerated start. 12 of the 24 transfer credits must be from a healthcare field. Programs that transfer include: Dental Assistant (except Dental Assistant – California campuses), Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, and Sterile Processing Technician.
Program Objective
Our online Health Care Administration (HCA) associate degree program provides students with the foundation needed to start or grow an administration career in medical offices, hospitals, clinics and other health systems.
The associate HCA program includes online courses that train students on topics such as:
- health information technology
- business communication
- health care management
- health care accounting, and
- industry-relevant project management applications
With these skills, you can start on a pathway toward a rewarding administrative position in allied health care — whether you’re looking to secure your first job or advance in your current career.
Graduates of the associate degree in HCA may be able to continue their education with bachelor’s and master’s degrees designed for further advancement in health care administrative, managerial and/or leadership roles.
Why Do Students Choose Our Associate in Health Care Administration Program?
Hear directly from graduates of our HCA programs and learn why they love Pima Medical.
What Careers Can You Pursue with an Associate Degree in Health Care Administration?
Prospective HCA Careers
Prospective HCA Careers
The Health Care Administration associate degree program prepares students to apply for a variety of roles, including but not limited to:
- Front desk supervisor
- Scheduling coordinator
- Medical office specialist
- Patient representative
- Medical records clerk
- Office supervisor
- Insurance coordinator
- Relations coordinator
- And much more!
These HCA careers may exist in a variety of health care environments like:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- For-profit/non-profit institutions
- Insurance industries
- Long-term care organizations
- Rehabilitation companies
- Pharmacies
- Educational institutions
Job Outlook
Job Outlook
For those looking to cultivate their health care administrative experience into more managerial roles, the job outlook is strong.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.
Continuing Your HCA Education
Continuing Your HCA Education
In addition to our online associate degree in HCA, we also offer an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership. Get the skills needed to move up within the health care industry, with the flexibility of virtual instruction. Work on your degree anywhere, anytime.
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Associate Degree in Health Care Administration: Semester Outline
Browse the courses you will take in our online health care administration associate degree program.
Semester I
Semester II
Semester III
Semester IV
Semester V
What is the Application Process for the Associate HCA Program?
Find out more about our enrollment process by visiting our How to Apply page.
FAQs About Our Online Health Care Administration Associate Degree Program
What is Health Care Administration?
Health care administration refers to the coordination of processes in medical offices, clinics, hospitals and other health service facilities. Health care administration professionals oversee scheduling, patient services, records, billing and office workflows that support quality patient care and efficient operations.
What is an online Health Care Administration associate degree?
An online Health Care Administration associate degree from Pima Medical Institute is a fully online program that provides a general knowledge of business, administration, and organization within the health care field.
How long does the associate HCA program take to complete?
Designed for adult learners, the associate HCA program can be completed in approximately 20 months (individual completion time may vary). Asynchronous online coursework offers the flexibility to balance your studies with your current employment. Students with prior education may be able to transfer eligible credits for accelerated program completion, in as few as 12 months, beginning in their third semester of the program.
What kind of courses will I take in the online HCA associate program?
Courses in the HCA associate degree program focus on the following topics:
- billing and accounting
- industry-specific computer applications
- office management
- electronic health records
- business communications
- human resource management
- project management
Classes are taught online by experienced instructors in the field. Though delivered virtually, students will still gain real-world experience through projects and exercises that simulate situations they will encounter on the job. HCA graduates will be prepared to take what they learn in school and apply it on their first day in the workforce.
What can graduates of an associate HCA program do?
An associate degree in health care administration prepares you to support non-clinical operations across diverse settings, working alongside medical teams to ensure a smooth patient experience and effective back office management. Graduates typically find roles in hospitals, medical offices, clinics, pharmacies, and other health systems.
Day-to-day responsibilities vary depending on the role and environment, but can range from general front office administration to specialized support in departments like accounting/finance and human resources.
For those currently employed in health care, an associate degree in health care administration can open doors to new opportunities and upward mobility. This degree equips graduates with the administrative skills to complement their clinical roles, pursue new opportunities on the business side of health care and deliver well-rounded patient care. Example paths could include roles like Medical Assistant II, office supervisor, department coordinator, or practice manager.
Is Pima Medical’s HCA associate program fully online?
Yes! The Health Care Administration associate degree program from Pima Medical Institute is offered 100% online. For more information, visit our Life of an Online Student page for additional information about our approach to online learning.
What are the admissions requirements for the associate HCA Program?
Applicants to this degree program must meet the following requirements:
- Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
- Meet a minimum score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam and the Pima Medical Institute Math Admissions Test
Success Is Within Reach
We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.
“I am currently the Clinical Practice Director for Scottsdale Physician’s Group Virtual Care. In just over a year we have gone from 4 to 45 technicians and I credit Pima Medical Institute and their HCA program for providing me the foundation and the training needed to lead this fast growing company.”
Daniel Flores, Health Care Administration Graduate
Pima Medical Blog
Check out our blog posts on Health Care Administration. We provide insights, information, alumni spotlights, news and other valuable articles to keep you updated.
See What an Associate Degree in Health Care Administration Can Do For Your Career
If you want to learn about the business side of health care and advance your education into an associate degree, an online Health Care Administration (HCA)…
From Restaurant Manager to Health Care Leader—Marisa’s Journey
After a life-changing hospital stay in 2017, a nurse’s care and compassion inspired Marisa to work in the health care field. Even though she didn’t…
This Mom Built a Thriving Health Care Administration Career
When life takes unexpected turns, it often leads us to discover new passions and opportunities. For online Health Care Administration associate and bachelor’s degree grad,…
Disclosures And Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Associate Degree Health care administration program is offered via an online delivery method. Depending on your location you may be able to enroll in one of three Pima Medical Institute campuses: Tucson, Phoenix, or Albuquerque.
Tucson: Pima Medical Institute is an approved institution through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC SARA) which allows Pima Medical Institute Tucson to offer distance learning programs to residents of states other than Arizona. Participation in NC SARA does not exempt an institution from state professional licensing requirements.
Phoenix: Pima Medical Institute is authorized to deliver fully online distance education within the state of Arizona. You may be eligible to enroll in the HCA program through the Phoenix campus if you are physically located in the state of Arizona at the time of enrollment and for the duration of the educational program.
Albuquerque: Pima Medical Institute is authorized to deliver fully online distance education within the state of New Mexico. You may be eligible to enroll in the HCA program through the Albuquerque campus if you are physically located in the state of New Mexico at the time of enrollment and for the duration of the educational program.
A student’s physical location is determined at the time of enrollment by submission of government-issued identification as well as a student attestation of their physical location in the enrollment agreement. Students agree to update the institution if their physical location changes. Students are able to notify the institution of a change to their physical location in the Pima Medical Institute Student Portal. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that a change in physical location may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.