Healthcare Degrees
Healthcare degrees open the way to a variety of careers in healthcare. These careers include nurses, doctors, dentists, specialists, surgeons, and more. By learning more about the various types of degrees that you can earn in healthcare, you can make an informed decision about your education.From an associate's degree to a healthcare masters degree — each type of degree in healthcare will require you to complete higher education. The length of the school you will need depends on the type of degree you are seeking.
Fortunately, you can earn healthcare degrees through a variety of educational mediums. Online courses have exploded in popularity in recent years. While most healthcare degrees will require some classroom and hands-on education, some coursework can be completed from the convenience of your own home.
Associate Healthcare Degrees
There are several healthcare degrees. Each degree will open up more career opportunities for you in the healthcare industry. An associate’s degree can be earned by completing a two-year program. Your degree program will include general education classes as well as courses that focus on healthcare.
Depending on your career goals, you may or may not need to seek education beyond an associate’s degree.
Associate Degree Careers
- Dental Hygienist
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Registered Nurse
- Radiation Therapist
- Surgical Technologist
- Biomedical Equipment Technician
Bachelor Degrees in Healthcare
Earning a bachelor degree in healthcare will typically take twice as long as an associate degree. On average, it takes four years to complete a bachelor’s degree program. However, completing this program will open up a lot more career opportunities within the healthcare industry.
Bachelor Degree Careers
- Geneticist
- Healthcare Administrator
- Health Educator
- Microbiologist
- Nutritionist
- Toxicologist
- Social Worker
- Psychiatric Technician
- Technology Specialist at a Blood Bank
- Forensic Nursing
Earning a masters degree in healthcare is an essential step for many healthcare professionals.
This degree program can only be completed after you have earned a bachelor’s degree in life science or another healthcare field. Master degree programs can take between two and three years to complete on average. However, admission to one of these programs can be incredibly competitive.
Master Degree Careers
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Manager
- Assistant Anesthesiologist
- Mental Health Counselor
- Medical Researcher
- Prosthetists
- Occupational Therapist
Doctorate/Ph.D. Healthcare Degrees
Of all the healthcare degrees that you can earn, a doctorate or Ph.D is the most prestigious. You can go almost anywhere in the healthcare industry with a doctorate or Ph.D. Employees that have earned this degree, including doctors and dentists, provide some of the most valuable services in the world and take home substantial paychecks.
Doctorate/Ph.D Careers
- Anesthesiologist
- Cardiologist
- Dentist
- Dermatologist
- Gynecologist
- Neurologist
- Physician
- Psychiatrist
- Surgeon
Can you earn healthcare degrees online?
Several healthcare degrees can be earned entirely online. Other degrees may require you to complete some coursework in a classroom or through hands-on training. However, general classes can almost always be completed as online courses.
Taking online courses provides many benefits to students. Online classes are considered far more flexible and convenient than traditional classes. This is because online coursework can be completed at your own pace and on your own time, so long as you meet pre-scheduled deadlines.
These courses are often cheaper compared to traditional classes. More affordable courses mean fewer student loans and less debt when entering your chosen career field in healthcare.
Can you earn healthcare degrees faster than the average?
Healthcare degrees can be earned faster or slower than the average. The amount of time that it will take you to complete your degree program will be based upon the number of educational classes that you take each semester.
If you take more classes each semester, you will graduate sooner. However, if you are attending courses on a part-time basis, it will likely take you longer to complete your degree program.
How much can you earn with having healthcare degrees?
The amount you can earn with healthcare degrees varies by career path, location, and educational requirements. For example, a masters degree in healthcare can help you earn a far larger salary than an associate’s degree would. However, if you choose a career field that does not have need of a bachelor’s degree, you may not be paid more for an unnecessary degree.
