Online Healthcare Degree Programs
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 found employment within the health care industry. Earning an online degree in health care is a valuable first step toward becoming a physician, registered nurse, dental assistant, veterinary technician, social worker or other health care professional. Start your path towards success today by learning more about a specialized online health care degree.
Health Care Degree Programs
Health Care Degree Information
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.
Health Care Degree FAQs
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.
