If you want to work in hospital management, getting an advanced degree is the best way to ensure that you qualify for jobs in the field. However, there are a lot of course options available. Should you get a master of health administration or a master of business administration with a concentration in healthcare? What about a master of management degree or even a doctorate-level course? You can also choose from online schools or traditional campus colleges, as well as look at both full time and part time programs. The options seem endless, and it can be confusing for a student to choose the right path. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to help you decide:

What are your ultimate career goals?

If you have the goal to work in a certain area of hospital administration, a course where you can concentrate in that area will probably be the best option for you. For example, if you want to be a chief financial officer, you should look for MHA programs that offer finance or accounting as concentrations. On the other hand, if you’re unsure about what you ultimately want to do, a more general degree, such as an MBA with a concentration in healthcare, might be a better program path for you.

Do you plan to work as you go back to school?

Students who want to continue working while getting a master’s degree in this field should probable consider part time and online programs. If you’re a part time student, you’ll still have time to work full time in hospital administration. Your employer may even have tuition reimbursement programs to help you pay for your advanced education. Online courses are also great for people who want to continue working as they get a degree. With online schooling, you can do the work on your own time, so you’re classes won’t conflict with your work schedule, even if you’re working odd hours.

What is required in your career path?

Before signing up for any position, do a little research on the jobs that interest you. Some ask for very specific degrees, and if you’re finding again and again that this degree is of interest to potential future employers, it might be the right choice for you.

Once you’ve asked yourself these questions, you can use degree search tools to look for programs that fit the bill. Take tours of every college you’re considering, including virtual tours of online programs, to get a feel for what the program can offer you. Don’t be afraid to reach out to current and recent students of these programs to get the real dish on what they did and did not like. You can also check out college rankings to find the top schools in health administration (or your related degree field) and ask about financial aid, as well as sit in on some classes to make a more informed decision about which course is right for you.