Earn an Associates Degree in Health Care
The health care industry is one of the largest and fastest growing job industries in the United States. According to the United States Department of Labor, the health care industry employed 14 million people in 2006. This number is expected to continue to increase, with 7 of the top 20 fastest growing occupations coming from the health care industry. Completing an associates in health care is often the most basic step required to enter this promising field.
Health Care Job Opportunities
Health care is a broad industry with a long list of career paths available to individuals who have obtained health care degrees. Most jobs in the industry fall into two categories: professional and service. Professional health care occupations traditionally require a bachelor's or master's degree and include such positions as:
- dentist
- physical therapist
- physician
- registered nurse
- social worker
- surgeon.
Service occupations in the health care industry require less educational training. Many service workers are placed in jobs within the industry following the completion of an associates in health care degree. Service health care careers include:
- dental assistant
- home health aide
- medical assistant
- medical office manager
- nursing aide
- veterinary technician.
Associate Health Care Degrees
The first step to beginning a career in health care is often enrolling in an associates in health care degree program. There are numerous on-campus and online health care degrees offered through a variety of accredited institutions. The majority of these programs require 60 credits of coursework.
For on-campus health care programs, students can expect to earn their degree in about two years. Online health care programs often require less than two years to complete.
Paying for an Associates in Health Care Degree
Program costs can vary dramatically from one program and school to another. Many on-campus associates health care degrees cost in the range of $10,000. Online courses are typically a more affordable option for those wishing to begin their career in health care. Student loans, scholarships and grants are all options for students in need of financial aid.
Online Associates Degrees: Health Care Specializations
Online health care degrees provide specialized course work, depending on the student's intended career path. Common specializations for online associate's health care degrees include:
- Dental Assistant
- Health Information Technology
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Medical Office Management
- Medical Transcription.
Health Care Career Prospects
Upon completion of an online associates in health care program, students can look forward to a rewarding career in a number of health-related environments. Prospective employers include:
- dentist's offices
- doctor's offices
- hospitals
- medical and diagnostic laboratories
- outpatient care centers.