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Exploring Online Health Science Associate Programs

Online health science associate degree programs provide an introductory view of the healthcare industry that can prepare students to work in both clinical and nonclinical roles, from nursing practice to medical billing and coding. These degrees provide an interdisciplinary and holistic approach that combines biology, management, communication, and nutrition, among other topics.

Generally, you can find online options that allow you to complete all of your coursework virtually. Some programs may offer internships, so you can get hands-on experience working in a healthcare setting. However, unless the program is delivered on a hybrid basis, you probably won’t be required to participate in any in-person activities.

When researching a program, pay close attention to the curriculum and whether you can choose a concentration. Focusing your studies on a specific area will develop your knowledge and skills within your areas of interest. Associate programs can also prepare you to pursue a bachelor’s degree if you want to continue your education.

FAQs from Future Online Health Science Associate Degree Students

Since an associate in health science degree can lead to a wide range of careers, as well as bachelor’s degrees, it’s important to understand what goes into these programs. Here you’ll find answers to some of students most commonly asked questions.

Does an online health science associate degree offer career flexibility?

Yes. Health science associate degrees can position you to move in several different directions. If you want to train for an entry-level healthcare job, this degree will give you the skills employers look for in a relatively short amount of time. This degree is also an affordable way to jumpstart your career or prepare for more education. Also, these programs can prepare you to qualify for a certification, such as phlebotomy, EKG technician, and medical administrative assistant designations.

Are there concentrations in a health science associate program?

Depending on the program, students may be able to pursue a specialization while completing their health science associate degree. For example, the healthcare administration specialization helps learners understand the ins-and-outs of medical facilities and the role they play in the community. Meanwhile, the curriculum of the medical lab technician concentration focuses on teaching students the specific skills needed to conduct medical tests, work directly with patients, obtain and store specimens, and perform basic daily procedures in a lab setting. In the medical records and information concentration, students learn how to organize and manage health information data, particularly digitizing medical records and properly storing and securing patient information.

Is there financial aid available for health science associate degree students?

Online students benefit from exploring all financial aid types before entering a program. It pays to research your options to maximize the amount of money you can receive to fund your education.

First and foremost, scholarships for health science degrees are a great source of education funding, which you can receive from your college, as well as external sources. These awards are provided based on merit and financial circumstances, and they don’t need to be paid back. For example, Parker University offers needs- and academic-based scholarships to current and incoming students.

Similarly, grants are a source of financing that don’t have to be paid back. They’re typically based on a student’s financial need and come from the federal or state government, private or nonprofit organizations, or your college or university.

Another good source of financial aid is through work-study programs, which allow you to offset your expenses with pay in exchange for working a job on campus. And of course, when you have exhausted all of your other options, you can bridge the financial gap by taking out student loans.

How can I further my education in health science?

After getting a taste of the healthcare industry with your associate degree in health science, you may wish to increase your employment options with more education. A bachelor’s degree in health science allows learners to take more coursework related to the field and focus more specifically on a subdivision of health science. Popular concentrations for bachelor’s level programs include pharmacology, exercise science, psychology, healthcare management, and diet and nutrition.

On the master’s level, health science degrees are further specialized so you can really gain advanced expertise in your area of interest. Often, people secure a master’s to pursue non-medical healthcare professions such as health informatics, public health, and health and human performance.

Alternatively, perhaps you already hold a degree or work experience in another field, and you may want to transition into healthcare from a different career. Often, these individuals opt for an accelerated health science degree program to put them on the fast track to completion. Whatever the case, a host of options are available to further your education in the health science field.

What types of degrees are similar to health science?

Since healthcare is such a broad field, you may want to examine similar disciplines and degrees as part of your research. For example, healthcare administration—usually on the master’s level—is for those who want to learn the nuts and bolts of leadership in the field. They can go on to work in roles that focus on organization issues, such as staffing in environments like hospitals and clinics. Similarly, healthcare management degree programs focus on handling the day-to-day operations of the workplace. The curriculum emphasizes healthcare policies, financial accounting, and leadership strategies.

Career Profile: What Can You Do with an Associate in Health Science?

By earning an online associate degree in health science, you open doors to many employment opportunities in the healthcare field and beyond. Many associate degree holders pursue exciting careers at doctors’ offices, hospitals, and care facilities.

Also, an associate degree in health science can prepare you for additional education at the bachelor’s degree level and beyond. Advanced degrees allow students to develop expertise in a specialized area and increase their earning potential.

Bottom line: Associate degree holders in health science have valuable options upon completing their programs. The following are some common career paths, all of which begin with a strong associate degree education.

Occupational Therapy Assistants

These professionals work in occupational therapists’ offices, hospitals, and nursing homes. Occupational therapy assistants are responsible for helping clients with activities that improve their motor functions, including teaching people how to use devices that make everyday activities easier. As they work with patients, they track the progress of different therapies. Also, occupational therapy assistants do administrative tasks for their employers.

Physical Therapist Assistants

Physical therapist assistants help patients with their treatments in several ways. Their duties include observing sessions and documenting patients’ progress, as well as assisting people with the exercises that are part of their treatments. Also, these professionals educate clients about the details of their therapies and the exercises they can do at home to improve their mobility.

Medical Assistants

Medical assistants are responsible for both clinical and administrative job duties in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and doctor’s offices. Their jobs entail conducting patient intake interviews to record their medical histories, taking vital signs, and providing injections and medications under the supervision of a doctor. Which clinical tasks medical assistants are allowed to perform can vary from one state to the next.

Medical Records Specialists

Medical records specialists ensure that patient information is accurate, complete, and secure, which helps healthcare organizations get paid by insurance companies for their services. In order to do this, they learn medical classification systems and apply them to different diagnoses and treatments. These workers must also be familiar with the privacy regulations and best practices for safeguarding patient data.

Medical Transcriptionists

Medical transcriptionists often work in hospitals and physicians’ offices. They may also be employed by third-party companies that provide transcription services to healthcare organizations. These professionals are responsible for creating documents—such as patient histories and discharge summaries—after listening to recordings from doctors and other healthcare professionals. They also enter these reports into electronic health records systems.