| In an uncertain economic climate, job security is a | | | | a ship with the Navy. He was going to be without |
| valuable commodity. But many careers that | | | | Internet access, so Stein worked with him so |
| previously seemed recession-proof have been | | | | that he could remain on track with his |
| downsized, outsourced or shipped off to foreign | | | | coursework. |
| countries. The trick is to find an industry in which | | | | At AIU Online, students receive the same |
| the demand for services will be continual. One | | | | services and support that they might find at a |
| such area is healthcare. | | | | traditional campus. They can access the campus |
| No matter which way the economic indicators are | | | | Cybrary (thats AIU Onlines term for its |
| pointing, people will continue to need medical care. | | | | cyber-library) and get career guidance from the |
| And as the Baby Boomers get older, theyll need | | | | Career Services Center, where a Career Services |
| more and more health services, whether they | | | | Advisor can assist them with a cover letter, their |
| seek care in hospitals, assisted living facilities, or at | | | | rsum, and interviewing tips. Students earn a |
| home. The demand for doctors and nurses will | | | | degree from a regionally accredited university and |
| stay strongas will the demand for the type of | | | | may even qualify for financial aid to help pay for |
| take-charge individuals who have the business | | | | their studies, if eligible. And contrary to a popular |
| skills and healthcare experience to run these | | | | misconception, Hoffman says, students have as |
| facilities or programs. | | | | much, if not more, interaction with their |
| This career path is generally known as health | | | | professors than they would at a traditional |
| services management, and according to the | | | | university. While the interaction might not be |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for personnel | | | | face-to-face, students can communicate with their |
| is on the rise. According to the bureaus 2003 | | | | teachers via email or online chats. Stein says she |
| 2004 Occupational Outlook Handbook, | | | | really gets to know her students personally |
| Employment of medical and health services | | | | because she responds to 10 to 15 student emails |
| managers is expected to grow faster than the | | | | a day, and she holds two live online chats per |
| average for all occupations through 2012, as the | | | | week that allow students to ask questions or |
| health services industry continues to expand and | | | | clarify assignments. The chats are archived for |
| diversify. Opportunities will be especially good in | | | | students who are unable to log on at the |
| offices of physicians and other health | | | | designated time. Students interact with their peers |
| practitioners, home healthcare services and | | | | as well, by conducting discussions on a class |
| outpatient centers. Applicants with work | | | | bulletin board. |
| experience in the healthcare field and strong | | | | AIU Online is also geared toward adult learners. |
| business and management skills should have the | | | | Instead of a traditional final exam or paper, |
| best opportunities. | | | | students work on projects that are focused on |
| Earning potential is solid, as well. The median salary | | | | real-world deliverables. |
| for health services managers was $61,370 in | | | | The AIU Online program is ideal for career |
| 2002, with the highest 10 percent in the field | | | | changers who cant afford to give up the steady |
| earning more than $109,000, according to a | | | | job they currently hold but are eager to explore |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics report. | | | | new career options. Students on the virtual |
| Career opportunities are good for job seekers | | | | campus can earn a Bachelor of Business |
| who have either a Bachelors degree or Masters | | | | Administration in Healthcare Management in just |
| degree in health services. Those with Bachelors | | | | 13 months,* provided they have already earned |
| degrees tend to start out in entry-level assistant | | | | an associates degree or its equivalent. The |
| positions, while those with Masters degrees may | | | | specialized curriculum includes courses offering an |
| find work as department managers, the Bureau | | | | overview of the healthcare industry, the ethical |
| of Labor Statistics reports. | | | | and legal aspects of healthcare and healthcare |
| The key is to find a program that provides the | | | | management, and statistical analysis and |
| necessary training. At American InterContinental | | | | economics in a global environment. Students |
| University (AIU) Online, students can earn either a | | | | seeking an MBA in Healthcare Management can |
| Bachelors or an MBA in healthcare management, | | | | earn that degree in 10 months. They will study |
| and they can do it all online. | | | | topics like health policy, global financial |
| Distance learning holds several advantages over | | | | management, systems in healthcare, and |
| traditional on-campus learning. According to Dr. | | | | leadership and ethics for managers. |
| Judy Stein, a professor in AIU Onlines healthcare | | | | The healthcare management program is especially |
| management program, online learning provides | | | | attractive to students who are already in the |
| nontraditional studentsthose with different learning | | | | healthcare field and want to move their careers in |
| styles, those with obligations that might prevent | | | | a new direction, says Stein. But even students |
| them from taking part in an on-campus degree | | | | who are new to the field can find success with an |
| program, or those who dont live near a | | | | online degree from AIU Online. By studying |
| brick-and-mortar universitywith a way to advance | | | | healthcare management, students can open the |
| their education and their careers. Dr. Lyn Hoffman, | | | | door to a career in a fast-growing, well-paying |
| AIU Onlines dean of academic affairs, agrees. | | | | new field, and they can do it all from the comfort |
| Online education is so important to reach people | | | | of their own computer screen. |
| who wouldnt otherwise have the opportunity, she | | | | *The 13-month Bachelors degree is a 2+2 |
| says. | | | | program and assumes that all associate-level |
| Online learning also provides students with a | | | | requirements have been met through an |
| flexibility they might not otherwise receive. Stein | | | | Associate degree or the equivalent. |
| tells the story of one student who is stationed on | | | | |