Medical Office Management Degree Programs
Degrees in medical office management are offered at the associate's, bachelor's and master's levels. Review the typical coursework for these degree programs, and learn about options for online study. Find out what your job opportunities would be for each degree level.
What Medical Office Management Degree Programs are Available?
Associate's degree deprograms, such as the Associate of Applied Science in Medical Office Management, can prepare you for entry-level employment assisting office managers or transferring to a 4-year program. Bachelor's degree programs, like the Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management, can provide you with the skills necessary for career advancement. Most master's degree programs, including the Master of Business Administration in Medical Services Management and Master of Healthcare Administration, are designed for professionals already working in medical management.
| Program Options | Associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees, including MBAs |
| Common Courses | Medical terminology, medical office management, insurance procedures, anatomy and physiology, medical billing and coding |
| Online Programs | Available at all degree levels |
| Job Options | Medical assistant, medical and health service manager |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $35,850 (for medical assistants) $104,280 (for medical and health services managers) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Can I Learn?
Degree programs at all levels can prepare you to work in a medical office. You can learn basic office practices, as well as knowledge specific to the medical field, such as:
- Medical terminology
- Medical billing and coding
- Insurance procedures
- Ethics and legalities
- Anatomy and physiology
These courses can provide you with an understanding of clinical procedures and prepare you to communicate with patients and their families. Many programs also have internship or externship requirements where you can gain professional, hands-on experience. Master's degree programs generally cover specialized areas of medical office management, including human resources tactics, strategic planning and marketing.
How Do Online Programs Work?
Online programs in medical office management are available at all degree levels and generally offer the same courses as on-campus programs. You will need access to a computer, as well as an Internet connection and a word processor. Your communication with the instructor and classmates will primarily be done through a course management system, e-mail or video chat. Although most programs don't have set class meeting times, you will be expected to submit course assignments by a deadline.
What Will My Job Opportunities Be?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you will need a master's degree for most medical and health service management positions (www.bls.gov). With a bachelor's degree, you can find entry-level positions, while an associate's degree can prepare you for medical assistant jobs.
You can find employment opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, physician's offices, insurance providers or medical equipment companies. The BLS predicted a 32% growth in employment for medical and health services managers from 2019-2029 and a 19% for medical assistants over the same period.