CURRENT STUDENTS

Career Options

Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Administration have numerous postgraduate opportunities. The HSA program at JMU emphasizes preparedness of its students to begin work in the industry upon graduation. Entry-level positions in various health care settings are a great option for HSA graduates to pursue.

Recent Positions Held and Work Settings of HSA grads:

Account Manager, HMO

Accreditation Programmer, Hospital

Administrator, Nursing Home

Billing Specialist, Medical Group Practice

Data Analyst, Consulting Firm

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Pharmaceutical Company

Quality Assurance Coordinator, Hospital

Practice Manager, Group Practice

Director of Quality Assurance, Assisted Living Firm

Office Manager, Medical Group Practice

Another option available to HSA graduates is that of graduate education and the pursuit of a master’s degree in health services administration or a related field such as business. It is recommended, however, that students gain experience in the industry through employment in a health services organization before looking into graduate school options.

Salary Information

A James Madison University Health Services Administration program survey of 259 HSA graduates was distributed in 2001 to determine salary ranges. The responses from 79 graduates showed that the average salary of their first position after graduation was $28,000, with a range of $18,000 to $42,000. The median salary of recent graduates was $29,400.

The earnings of health service managers will vary by the size, type and location of the facility, as well as the level of responsibility assumed by the employee.

Resources

Program Application

For more information about volunteer positions in the following locations, please contact the Human Resources or Volunteer Coordinator.

Local Volunteer Opportunities

:
o Sunnyside Retirement Community
o RMH
o Bridgewater Retirement Community
o Caregiver’s Community Network
o Harrisonburg /Rockingham Free Clinic
o Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community

Academic Advising and Career Development

The Academic Advising and Career Development department offers various programs and resources to students. Some areas they offer assistance in areas such as resume workshops, job searches, internship resources, job directories, interview preparations, mock interviewing, on-campus interviewing, as well as a database for resumes.
These resources are available to students during the school year. Students can use these resources to help optimize their postgraduate plans search.
Contact Peggy Spiak for more information.
Additional information can be found on the AACD website:

AACD

Health Management Careers

Testimonials

"I was really keen about doing something in the health care industry and when my friend explained to me what her major was(HSA), I started looking into it. As I started taking some of the courses, I felt like this is what I wanted to do. I was also really curious about how the health care industry in the US worked, as I was completely new to it."
- Maria Kurian

“I learned that there is a great need for good administrators in health care. With the rise of managed care, the elderly, ethical issues, quality, etc. there is a great need for people that have a passion for helping people that understand the healthcare system. All of the classes taught me a lot, and I also met a lot of great people.”
- Jessica Martello

"I did not originally start out an HSA major when I came to JMU but happened upon it as a back up plan for Pre-Physical Therapy. Now that I have taken many classes in HSA it has changed my mind about going to PT school and I strive to be a health care executive some day. The classes and faculty are both interesting and challenging providing enough difficulty to challenge students while still keeping their interest. All I can say about the HSA program is that it has definitely captivated me and gave me a professional goal for my future."
-Lucus Buchholz

"HSA provides me with an outlet to express both my caring nature for people and patients as well as my leadership skills. I have learned numerous lessons both inside and outside of the classroom that will follow me throughout my professional and personal life. This up and coming field of study will prove to be very beneficial in the near future as the US Health Care System is continually evolving."
-Ashley Sumner

"JMU's HSA program has provided me with the business and healthcare knowledge I need to be successful in my future health administration role."
-Nicole Bascope

“I learned that the U.S. healthcare system is, at this point, a set of disconnected care (and payment) systems and it will take a working knowledge of all systems to be a healthcare administrator.”
-Lindsay Agricola

“I think the Managed Care class was especially valuable because it is a topic that has so many misconceptions surrounding it. I also liked the Health Care Quality class because that is the main purpose of health care.”
-Sara Perron

“Health Service Administration at JMU contains the perfect blend of courses to learn about the many facets of the health care industry, in addition to the core business background that managers need for success. I know that when I graduate, I will be fully prepared to take on whatever health administration job comes my way.”
–Allison Rossi

"The HSA program has definitely prepared its students for teamwork projects and has made us more knowledgeable concerning the inner workings of the organizations affecting the healthcare industry."
-Sara Lothrop

"The HSA program at JMU has made me realize that the job possibilities are endless. I had no idea of the expansiveness of a program like this upon entering it. I have received a phenomenal education and could not be more excited about entering the job market, especially because I feel so confident in the education I have received."
-Quan Phan