Health administration programs require students to take courses in human anatomy and physiology. Administrators must have basic knowledge of medical and health terminology. Anatomy and physiology courses teach students about body processes and the effects of disease on human health.
Health administration programs emphasize courses dealing with financial management. Administrators often work with health care budgets, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements and other financial considerations. Bachelor's degree programs commonly require coursework in economics, finance and accounting. Advanced courses about insurance or specific health care policy issues may also be available.
Health administrators often take on management responsibilities and need to understand the importance of good management. Many programs offer courses in health care management, human resources, organizational behavior or program evaluation. These classes teach students to monitor, evaluate and improve performance at the individual and institutional level.
Health administration programs may offer elective courses that address specific issues in health care policy and law. Effective health administrators are familiar with current events and changing health care needs. In these courses, students learn about current and proposed health care policies as well as laws and regulations pertaining to patient care.