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Improve Patient Care Through Healthcare Administration
You can start your career in healthcare administration today with our online program. Designed to fit alongside your existing commitments, the program helps you develop practical, career-relevant skills while preparing you to pursue opportunities in healthcare or continue your education toward a bachelor’s degree.
Lock In Your Tuition, Unlock Your Future.
Our Locked-In Tuition program guarantees you’ll pay the same price for your entire certificate program.
About the Program
Healthcare administration offers opportunities to make an impact on both the business and patient care side of healthcare. Through career-focused coursework, you’ll learn how to manage patient records, process insurance claims, and navigate billing procedures for hospitals, clinics and other healthcare organizations. As a medical billing professional, you can help connect patients, providers and insurance companies by supporting accurate, efficient processes that allow healthcare organizations to focus on serving their patients.
Program Structure
All the Details on Your Certificate
ACU’s online Certificate in Medical Billing can help you build knowledge in medical terminology, billing and coding procedures, insurance processes and other areas that support efficient healthcare operations. You’ll also complete coursework from ACU’s B.S. in Healthcare Administration program, allowing you to further your education after completing the certificate program.
Stackable Certificate
You’re one step closer to a bachelor’s degree.
Want to expand your skills in healthcare management? This certificate’s credit hours are stackable toward ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration degree. It’s a great option if you plan on applying for the undergraduate program at a later time. Simply complete the certificate program, and ACU will seamlessly apply your 18 credit hours toward your bachelor’s.
Required Hours
18 credit hours
6-12 months
Cost: $395/ hour with $310 resource fee per term
Example Coursework
Introduction to Health Service Administration
Medical Terminology
Foundation of Medical Billing and Patient Access
Advanced Medical Billing & Reimbursement Strategies
Upcoming Start Dates
January 12, 2027
March 9, 2027
Common Job Titles
Medical Biller
Medical Billing Specialist
Medical Office Manager
Medical Office Administrator
Medical Practice Manager
Patient Access Manager
Meet the Program Director
Dr. Alison Busick, Program Director for the Certificate in Medical Billing
Dr. Alison Busick earned her doctorate from Abilene Christian University, her MBA from Texas Christian University, and completed additional graduate coursework in healthcare administration at The University of Texas at Arlington. Before joining ACU, Alison worked in healthcare administration for more than 20 years and developed expertise in healthcare strategic planning, marketing and medical practice management. Dr. Busick’s career spans a variety of healthcare settings, including a solo private practice, single and multi-specialty medical groups and multiple large integrated health systems in Texas. Her research interests include work-family conflict and burnout experienced by both clinical and administrative healthcare professionals, as well as strategies to mitigate these challenges and improve well-being.
Spotlight
What Can You Do with a Healthcare Administration Degree?
“Healthcare is so much more than treating illness or disease. It is an opportunity to improve the lives of patients and the communities we serve.” – Meghan Hope, Program Director, BS in Healthcare Administration and Master of Healthcare Administration. Learn how our program recognizes this by incorporating tools and skills to address the changing healthcare landscape that you can start using right away.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Alison Busick
What started as a college job became a meaningful career in healthcare leadership for Dr. Alison Busick. After years of working in healthcare administration and strategic planning, she now helps prepare future healthcare professionals through ACU’s online program. As both a graduate of ACU’s online degrees and program director, Dr. Busick is passionate about helping students develop critical thinking, adaptability and leadership skills that prepare them for the future of healthcare. Her story reflects the impact of education grounded in purpose, service and community.
Upon completing the certificate, you’ll be ready to take the American Academy of Professional Coder (AAPC) Certified Professional Biller (CPB) exam and take your next step towards a career supporting patients, providers and healthcare organizations.
Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a strong need for medical and health services managers, projecting 23% growth in this job category between 2024 and 2034. The Texas Workforce Commission estimates a 40.5% increase in medical service manager jobs between 2022 and 2032, resulting in 15,429 new positions.
To be considered for admission, students must:
- Submit official high school transcripts with a minimum 2.5 GPA or college transcripts with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
- Complete the online program application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.
Students are not required to submit ACT or SAT test scores.
Graduation Requirements: Students must earn a 2.5 GPA or higher to meet graduation requirements.
Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga. 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of ACU.