Obtain a Bachelor's degree in Business or Health Care Management. There are relatively few Bachelor's degrees in the Health Services Management field due to the fact that most positions require at least a Master's degree. Some schools like Rasmussen College offer Health Care Management Bachelor's degrees online. Although accredited, these schools do not have the same clout as other more traditional schools. If you are going to study health care management and compete in the job market, obtain your degree from a more traditional university or four-year liberal arts college. A degree in Business or Accounting will provide you with the necessary foundation for further studies at the graduate level.
Study to obtain a Master's degree in either Health Services Management or a Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Health Care Management. Both types of programs can prepare you for a career in this field. Apply to schools with an established reputation in health care management. The University of North Carolina, University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota were ranked by "U.S. News & World Report" as the top three schools in this field in 2007 (see References). Choose courses that best reflect your interests within the health care industry. For instance, if you want to work in hospital, you should take course that cover various aspects of hospital administration.
Study for your state licensing exam. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a license is only required if you plan on working as a nursing facility administrator. No other areas of health services management require a license. Contact the Board of Nursing in your state to determine requirements and obtain study guides for the licensing exam. You may be able to access this information online also.