Best Online Associate in Health Science Programs

An associate in health science program offers students the opportunity to develop their skills in the health sciences and qualify for entry-level positions in several healthcare fields. The typical program takes about two years of full-time study to complete. Most programs require around 60 credits.

Graduates who earn an associate in health science from a top online school often pursue careers in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, health information management, dietetics, pharmacy technology, and allied health.

Salaries for graduates vary by position. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical records specialists earned a median annual salary of $48,780 as of May 2023. During the same year, medical assistants made a median annual wage of $42,000.

Read on to learn more about common courses for this degree, careers for graduates, and program admission requirements.

An associate in health science program is especially suited to licensed vocational nurses and licensed practical nurses or veterans with medical training who want to pursue a non-nursing associate degree in a healthcare field. It is also suitable for college students interested in the health science field who don’t want to pursue a four-year degree.

Most associate in health science programs require approximately 60 credits and take around two years to complete. However, some colleges offer accelerated 18-month tracks.

Curricula generally include core courses, general education courses, and concentration-based electives. Some of these concentrations are geared toward helping students prepare for a bachelor’s degree. Concentration options often include the following:

Other concentrations prepare students who want to enter the job market after graduation. They include the following:

Students must generally complete around 20 courses and earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Learners are also required to complete several proctored exams.

Associate in health science students can often choose between a general program and tracks related to specific medical fields like nursing. These tracks offer the same general outline but include specialized courses. Depending on their specializations, students may be required to complete a capstone project or internship in a professional healthcare setting.

A nutrition course develops students’ knowledge of nutrients and their effects. Covered topics may include food science, production, and legislation. This course is an integral element of any health-related program.

Any student planning to enter into a healthcare profession must take an anatomy course. Anatomy teaches about the human body and how it functions. It also involves studying the human body’s structure, including organs and tissues.

A microbiology course explores microorganisms and the diseases they produce. It also delves into the metabolic and genetic structures of microscopic organisms.

A disease prevention course often goes together with a nutrition course. This course helps students learn how to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent diseases.

Physiology is a branch of biology that focuses on how body organs and organ systems function. It also deals with how organs relate to one another and how they respond to challenges.

The BLS projects about 1.9 million openings per year for healthcare occupations between 2023 and 2033, which is significantly higher than the average projected growth rate for all occupations during that period.

Many graduates with an associate degree in health science pursue careers as medical assistants, for whom the BLS projects 15% job growth between 2023 and 2033.

According to the BLS, healthcare support occupations paid a median annual wage of $36,140 as of May 2023. Graduates can enter a variety of healthcare and healthcare-adjacent fields, including sociology, medicine, and public health.

This occupation involves assisting more advanced administrators in managing facilities, department resources, and entire healthcare systems. These professionals answer phone calls, maintain medical records, perform transcription, and provide information to staff and patients. Working in these entry-level administration jobs can be the first step in a healthcare career.

Median Annual Salary: $40,640

Medical records specialists collect and organize health information and ensure that it is stored correctly. These professionals must be able to communicate with doctors about the health records they are managing. They also need to be confident in their computer skills.

Median Annual Salary: $48,780

These professionals coordinate business operations for healthcare facilities and companies. They usually need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant business or healthcare field, so associate degree-holders must continue their education to earn these positions.

Median Annual Salary: $110,680

Medical lab technicians collect fluid and tissue samples from the patients for tests. These professionals often specialize in areas like phlebotomy, immunology, and cytotechnology. Medical lab technicians are sometimes assistants to medical lab technologists.

Median Annual Salary: $60,780

Aides and physical therapy assistants work under the supervision of a physical therapist. They help these patients with their physical exercises and might provide services like massage and stretching.

Median Annual Salary: $67,010

According to the BLS, bachelor’s degree-holders earn around $22,205 more per year than associate degree-holders. Many students who graduate with an associate degree in health science pursue a bachelor’s degree in the following fields:

Feature Image: CMB / Moment / Getty Images