Arkansas Tech University

What you'll study

The programme combines general education, business fundamentals and specialised healthcare administration courses to provide a comprehensive foundation for working in clinical and non-clinical healthcare settings. Coursework emphasises medical terminology, health information management, reimbursement and coding systems, legal and ethical issues in healthcare, healthcare finance and operations, and healthcare information systems.

• Core healthcare modules: medical terminology, anatomy and physiology for allied health, principles of public health.
• Administrative and business modules: healthcare management, accounting and finance for health services, human resources and leadership in healthcare organisations.
• Health information and reimbursement: health information management, ICD and CPT coding, medical billing and reimbursement systems, healthcare compliance and privacy (HIPAA and related practices).
• Data and systems: healthcare informatics, electronic health records (EHR) applications, data quality and reporting for clinical and administrative decision-making.
• Professional practice: practicum or internship placement in a healthcare setting, project-based capstone centred on an operational or administrative challenge.

Students also complete Arkansas Tech’s general education requirements, which build communication, quantitative and critical-thinking skills that are directly applicable to administrative roles in healthcare.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent and satisfy Arkansas Tech University’s admissions criteria. Typical requirements include submission of official transcripts and completion of college-preparatory coursework. Mature students, transfer applicants and those with an associate degree or prior healthcare certification are welcome; transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis.

Successful applicants usually demonstrate competency in English and mathematics, and benefit from previous coursework or experience in biology, health sciences or business, though these are not always mandatory. Some positions in the programme—such as clinical practicum placements—may have additional health or background screening requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates move into administrative and information-focused roles across hospitals, physician practices, outpatient facilities, long-term care, insurance companies and public health organisations. Common career paths include:

• Medical office manager or practice manager
• Health information technician or records manager
• Medical coding and billing specialist
• Revenue cycle analyst or reimbursement specialist
• Compliance officer or privacy officer
• Patient access specialist and care coordination roles

The degree provides a platform for supervisors and mid-level managers and supports further study or certification in areas such as health information management, coding credentials, healthcare administration or an MBA with a health focus.

Why study at Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech offers a student-centred environment with small class sizes and accessible faculty, allowing for hands-on mentoring and practical learning. The programme integrates applied learning through practicums and local partnerships with healthcare providers in the region, helping students build workplace-ready skills and professional networks.

The university’s emphasis on combining technical, managerial and communication skills prepares graduates to step into the diverse administrative needs of modern healthcare organisations. Support services such as career advising, internship placement assistance and academic tutoring are available to help students complete the programme and transition into employment or further study.