Online Health Care Degree Programs & Schools

Health care career opportunities are currently exploding, with seven of the top 20 fastest growing occupations coming from this exciting and rewarding job sector. As of 2006, the United States Department of Labor estimates that approximately 14 million people have read more...

Health care Degree FAQs

The level of education required to enter the health care industry depends largely on the intended job position. Many service occupations simply require an online associate's degree in health care. These online degree programs typically require the completion of 60 credits of coursework from an accredited institution. Popular health care programs are offered at a variety of online colleges, including the University of Phoenix, Everest College, Ashford University and DeVry Institute.

Professional health care occupations typically require the completion of a four-year college program. An online bachelor's degree is an appropriate first step for students wishing to become a dentist, physician, social worker, registered nurse or physical therapist. The majority of these programs require approximately 120 credits, with classes that cover health care-related topics, business management, public relations and strategic planning and marketing. For higher paying health care positions, a master's or doctoral online degree may be necessary.

What are the job prospects for those with an Online Health care Degree?

Earning a degree in health care leads to a variety of exciting entry-level positions. Popular job titles offered to individuals with an associate's degree in a health care field include:

  • Dental Assistant
  • Medical Assistant
  • Nursing Aide
  • Office Manager
  • Home Health Aide
  • Veterinary Technician

With a little more schooling, an online bachelor's degree opens the door to additional employment opportunities in health care, including:

  • Nursing Home Director
  • Medical Office Manager
  • Health Services Administrator
  • Hospital Administrator
  • Clinical Services Representative

What Can I Do With a Health care Degree?

It is estimated that the health care industry will generate three million new jobs between 2006 and 2016. This number is more than any other job sector in the United States. Graduates of an online health care program can look forward to finding employment in a variety of work environments.

Offices of privately practicing physicians account for approximately 36.7 percent of total health care positions. Dentist offices are the second-most viable employer, with 20.7 percent of health care positions found there. Nursing and residential care facilities account for 11.5 percent of total industry employment, while hospitals employ 1.3 percent of the sector.

While salaries vary depending on the health care position, those with an associate's degree in a related health care field can expect to earn between $12 and $17 per hour for an entry-level position. Those who have earned a bachelor's degree can expect much higher salaries. Some health care positions, such as health care administration, allow graduates to potentially earn an annual salary between $60,000 and $100,000.

Find an Online or Campus School Near You

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Accredited Health Schools:

  • University of Phoenix - Nursing HealthCare Certificate

     
    The University of Phoenix first established in 1976 by Dr. John Sperling. Today the school offers more than 100 online associate's bachelor's master's and doctoral degrees. The school operates campuses in 40 U.S. states as well as Mexico Canada Chile... More»
  • Loyola University New Orleans Online - Master of Science in Nursing - Health Care Systems Management

     
    ... More»
  • Kaplan University - Forensic Nursing Certificate

     
    Based in Davenport Iowa Kaplan University is owned by Kaplan Inc. which is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company. The school originally started as the American Institute of Commerce in 1937 before the name changed to Quest College.... More»
  • Ashford University - BA/Health Care Studies - Biology

     
    Ashford University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The school trumpets a combination of affordability convenience and accelerated learning. Online degrees at Ashford University are mostly business oriented but... More»
  • Walden University - Post-Masters Certificate in Nursing - Nursing Informatics

     
    Walden University has a reputation as a quality institution of higher learning. The school offers a number of online degree options giving students considerable room to select a program best suited to their individual needs interests and career goals. Some... More»

Degrees & Careers

The degrees or alternative names closely related to health care include medical assistant degree, public health degree, nursing degree, health care management degree. Common health care careers include physician and physician assistants, pharmacists, registered nurses, dietitians and nutritionists, social workers, counselors, lab technologists and technicians, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

academic infoCreated by: Mike Madin 1998 | Last updated: 09/05/2010