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The Healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing fields at this time, with the ongoing development of new technology such as online health assessments, medicines, and treatment methods, and it is calling for more and more medical professionals to join. While healthcare can prove to be a challenging field to work in, it is equally rewarding. Critical science and patient care fields also add real value to society.
Healthcare is a very broad sector with many exciting career opportunities to choose from. The degree requirements are demanding, even for online healthcare degrees, often requiring long hours of study, but with a solid health education (including online options), you will have the tools that you need to build a successful career. A degree in health and a career in the healthcare industry can open you up to opportunities that you never thought possible; this might come in the form of healthcare management education, health informatics for nursing students, work as an occupational therapist assistant, degrees in business focused on running a medical office or other healthcare facilities, community health, population health, environmental health, and many other healthcare jobs.
Degree programs in the healthcare industry can be found in traditional classrooms or through online healthcare programs. Students can earn the degree level they require from a nursing degree, health science degree, a business administration degree focused on the healthcare industry or to a master's in healthcare administration (MHA) or a Master of Public Health. These online or on-campus degree programs may prepare individual students for careers as healthcare professionals in a variety of areas.
How to Earn an Online Healthcare Degree
Not all individuals are made to work in the healthcare industry, even if they do well in a healthcare degree. It takes someone who has compassion, patience, understanding, and dedication to excel in the field. You have to have the ability to deal with extreme stress and heartbreak in most healthcare fields and departments. You will be seeing and interacting with many people at their worst multiple times each day and helping them make life changing decisions with only good training to guide you and help you determine the best options. As you learn and grow in your career, you will find opportunities to develop leadership skills which can, in turn, help you make lasting impacts in your workplace, and even in your own personal growth.
If you believe you possess these qualities, your first step is to obtain a degree in a health-related field. From there, the opportunities are nearly limitless. If students start with a low-level degree program, they can gain more education and work experience to earn promotions. If students begin with a bachelor or graduate level degree in health, they can find full-time employment in a huge variety of sectors, such as healthcare systems or health services.
There are many reasons why students should consider graduate level or bachelor degrees in the healthcare field. First and foremost, obtaining a degree is essential for most healthcare jobs. Your online degree can be a steppingstone to entering the world of healthcare. Second, it demands higher skills, but it also means that professionals will benefit from higher pay, especially in fields such as healthcare administration or healthcare management, as college or university faculty, and in public health policy management.
Typical Requirements
Associate Healthcare Degree Online
Online associate degree programs represent the first level of qualification for a career in healthcare. The coursework for an online associate degree can typically be completed in two years or four semesters. Curriculum may consist of general coursework in communication, writing skills, and will prepare you to work in a clinical setting. There are plenty of career opportunities for those who hold an online associate degree with a healthcare focus. These programs may also be available part-time or full-time and in a classroom or online format.
Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Online
An online bachelor's degree is one of the most popular degrees in healthcare and has become the standard to kickstart many healthcare careers. This degree level takes twice as long to obtain as an online associate degree: four years or eight semesters. During this traditional or online program, students will receive advanced instruction that builds upon your general coursework, while preparing you for your specific field of study, such as public health or mental health. Admission requirements are higher than they are for an online associate degree, often including a transcript for the applicant and an exam proving their existing knowledge. These depend on specific school policies of the program providers.
Master's Degree in Healthcare Online
A master's degree can help give you a competitive edge in the healthcare field. Pursuing your master’s is best if you want to advance in your career and already have previous professional work experience. Top level employees at hospitals or healthcare centers may even be required to hold a master's degree as their responsibilities increase, or if they take over a department. There are fewer online options for this degree level in this field.
This degree can take anywhere from 2 to 3 years to complete. Ideally, you will want to have completed a bachelor's degree in a health-related major before you apply.
Typical Certifications Needed
In addition to receiving a degree in a healthcare related field, it is also important to be aware of certifications that are available. Certifications can give you added credibility in your area of study, while helping you stand out, not only as a professional but also as a leader in your field.
For example, if you have earned a degree in healthcare administration or healthcare management and are looking to expand your role, you may want to look at obtaining a certificate in healthcare financial management or accounting, which is an even easier option for earning through online education. If your career choice is dietitian, you could explore board certification in oncology nutrition or pediatric nutrition. Most certification programs require that you complete somewhere between 12 and 20 individual credit hours, for which some workers simply complete a graduate degree to fulfill requirements.
Online Academic Standards
There is a reason why healthcare careers encompass some of the best paying jobs on the market. With occupations including paramedics, nurses, public health policy management, and pharmacists, there is no room for error; lives are on the line. Because healthcare degrees are so important, students are held to very high academic standards. Often times, students must maintain a certain minimum level of achievement in order to stay in their program of study. It is important for those in the field of healthcare to be intelligent, educated, and ready to learn.
Exam and Experience Needed
Most undergraduate colleges and universities do not require any healthcare background prior to applying to healthcare degree programs. This is because undergraduate degree level programs are designed to help students obtain entry-level full- or part-time jobs in the field, even those that are healthcare management or healthcare administration programs.
Because a bachelor's degree is often the basic requirement for many entry-level positions, it is not always easy for students to gain work experience in healthcare prior to receiving their degree in health from these programs. However, any experience in healthcare, whether through a job, an internship, or a volunteer experience can prove to be beneficial to your studies, whether they happen online or in a traditional classroom.
One great way to gain prior work experience in healthcare is through volunteering. Although unpaid, volunteer work will give you practical experience and also scores points on your college application. Volunteering in the healthcare field will demonstrate to the admissions board that you are serious about following this path. This will give you a competitive edge over other students that do not have a background in healthcare.
Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries, (similar to computer science or engineering) and that makes a career in the field both highly desirable and readily available. There is such a wide range of careers in healthcare to choose from. Some offer great compensation, while others tend to be more mediocre on the pay scale. For those students who want to pursue a career in the healthcare industry but also maintain a high paying salary at the same time, it is important to evaluate your degree and career choice. Earning 20,000 less could be the difference between having an online associate degree instead of an online bachelor's degree.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn an online Healthcare degree?
In most cases, an online program for a bachelor's degree in healthcare requires 120 credits, the same as a traditional program. As a full-time student, you can complete 30 credits per year, meaning you would earn your degree over the course of four years. Motivated students have a few options available to help them earn their degree sooner.
Some schools have accelerated programs that put students on the fast track to earning their degree. This can reduce the four-year time frame by up to 30%. If an accelerated program is too much to handle, you may be able to benefit from year-round learning. Year-round learning is continuous schooling all year long, with no summer break. This type of education allows you to finish your degree earlier and get started in your career faster. If you took AP courses in high school, you may be able to count them toward your college credits, which can in turn, reduce your time and the costs of schooling.
How much does an online degree in Healthcare cost?
A four-year degree is not cheap by any means. The cost of tuition can vary widely depending on the academic excellence of the university and the specific field of study chosen. You can expect tuition for a bachelor's degree in healthcare to cost anywhere from $24,000-$72,000. The cost of tuition for online degrees usually falls in the lower end of the range. When talking about costs, it is important to factor in textbooks, technology, as well as room and board, as those costs are separate from tuition.
The cost of your education is worth every penny, because it is an investment in your future. You may feel that you are investing too much money in a degree but remember that it will all come back to you. Once you get the career that you've been aiming for, you will be to pay off your student loans and live a comfortable life.
Does the school have the major(s) you’re considering?
This is a very important question to ask yourself. Your healthcare or liberal arts major should play a big part in the schools you are considering. Not every college may offer the major of your choice, so doing your homework is the first step of the selection process.
How many students graduate “on time,” in four years?
Only 41% of students actually manage to finish their degree on time. There are a variety of factors that could potentially play a part in unexpectedly extending your college career, such as:
Work. Working over 25 hours per week can get in the way of academics.
Credit Hours. Most colleges will define a full course load as 12 credit hours per semester. If you do the math, you will see that you actually need to take 15 credit hours per semester in order to graduate on time.
Transferring. Many students end up transferring during their college career. Many times, there are hiccups with transferring credits. This can put you behind, or even cause you to end up losing your credits altogether.
Be aware of these common mistakes, so that you don't make them yourself.
What kind of accreditation does the online program hold? How is it regarded in the field?
Your school's accreditation is an important aspect of getting your degree. The two most common forms of accreditation are regional and national.
Regional accreditation is the most recognized and most prestigious available. Because of this label, these colleges often have higher tuition and have more competitive admission standards. Regional accreditation accounts for over 85% of colleges across the United States. There are 6 different regions, including:
- MSA (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools)
- NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges)
- NCA (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools)
- NAC (Northwest Accreditation Commission)
- SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
- WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)
National accreditation is less common. National accreditation agencies oversee the accreditation process for career, vocational, and trade schools across the United States. As a result, these schools tend to be less expensive, require less general coursework, and feature a more practical, career-oriented curriculum. Because it is less structured, schools are only reviewed every 3-5 years to ensure that they still meet accreditation requirements.