by Lauren Ferguson

September 3, 2026

To help meet the rising demand for professionals who can effectively and ethically manage healthcare organizations, Ramapo College of New Jersey has launched a hands-on Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration degree.

The program is designed to prepare students to enter a growing field where workers rely on business skills, an understanding of healthcare and compassion to bridge the gap between clinical care and business operations, and ultimately support patients.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for medical and health services managers are projected to grow by 23% from 2024 to 2034, with over 62,000 job openings each year and a median salary of $117,960.

“The need is huge,” said Rikki Abzug, PhD, a professor of management in Ramapo’s Anisfield of Business. “We’re following the need.”

Abzug said the need is especially great in New Jersey. The densely-populated state, with a large population of senior citizens who depend on care, is home to large hospital systems and pharmaceutical industries, she explained. “Healthcare is one of the largest industries in New Jersey,” she said.

For years, Abzug has taught a course titled Healthcare Administration, which has served as an elective for business students.

“Once students start interacting with the material, some say, ‘I never thought about this as a career.’ And all of a sudden, they’re recognizing that healthcare administration is a career that can make a difference,” Abzug said.

Those in the field of healthcare administration are responsible for the operation and coordination of services across settings such as group practices, surgical centers, community health organizations, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. They can be involved in budgeting, ensuring timely services, marketing, managing people and resources, and are often relied on to keep current with insurance regulations, regulatory requirements and healthcare law.

The healthcare administration course Abzug teaches is one of the required courses for Ramapo’s new interdisciplinary major. The major combines courses from the liberal arts, nursing, business, and ethics, and is part of Ramapo’s School of Science, Nursing, and Health. Over the pursuit of their degrees, students will take other classes such as: United States Healthcare Systems; Quality Assessment for Improvement; Community Centered Nursing; Healthcare Law; and Bioethics.

They will also gain real-world experience by completing required hands-on internships in settings such as hospitals, outpatient centers, dental practices, medical practices, same-day surgery centers and long-term care facilities.

Building on Ramapo’s strong clinical partnerships, students will have the opportunity to sharpen real-world skills by working with regional healthcare providers such as Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Englewood Health, Hackensack University Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center and The Valley Hospital. These hands-on experiences allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real healthcare settings, and develop skills, confidence, and a strong professional network.

“This is an exciting opportunity for students who want healthcare, but not necessarily nursing or medicine,” said Associate Professor of Nursing Julie Fitzgerald, PhD, who oversees the major as its convenor.

Former nursing major Ashlei Joy Rubio ’27 of Teaneck, NJ, recently switched to healthcare administration. “Being able to still take nursing courses, along with taking a variety of other interdisciplinary courses really caught my eye,” Rubio said.

Ultimately, Rubio shared, “I hope to be a future healthcare leader advocating for patients, employees, and international healthcare systems. With a Healthcare Administration degree, I have an academic framework to further my education and expand my knowledge in healthcare.”

The healthcare administration major officially launched in the Fall of 2026 for current and transfer students. And students applying to Ramapo can now select healthcare administration as a major on their applications for Fall 2027.

For more information, visit Ramapo’s Healthcare Administration webpage.