Online Bachelor's Degree in Health Arts

<p>Health arts degrees are rare in general, and online degrees covering the healthcare field usually carry different titles, like health science or health studies. Online bachelor's degrees in these areas are typically aimed at those who have associate's degrees in an allied health area and are already working in the healthcare field. The programs are intended to help you enhance your knowledge and understanding of the healthcare industry on an organizational level. Such a program could suit you if you're a medical laboratory technologist, a sonographer, a paramedic, or other allied health professional. With programs available online, you can continue working while you earn your degree. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Fields</b></td><td>Health science, health studies</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Admissions Requirements</b></td><td>Associate's degree, certificate, or diploma</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Common Classes</b></td><td>Research methods, biology, insurance systems, public policy</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Career Options</b></td><td>Medical technologist, lab director, lab manager, lab supervisor</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)*</b></td><td>$54,180 <i>(Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians)</i></td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)*</b></td><td>7% growth <i>(Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians)</i></td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatPrerequisitesMustIMeetBeforeEnrolling">What Prerequisites Must I Meet Before Enrolling?</h3> <p>Programs generally only accept you if you have an associate's degree, certificate, or diploma in a professional allied health area. Some schools may only take you if you satisfy a set minimum grade point average for your previous undergraduate coursework. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCoursesAreOfferedInAnOnlineHealthcareRelatedBachelorSDegree">What Courses Are Offered in an Online Healthcare-Related Bachelor's Degree?</h3> <p>In an online bachelor's degree program in health sciences or health studies, students mainly take courses that apply to the healthcare field as a whole, rather than courses that deal with a specialty area. Course topics will include public policy, healthcare legislation, insurance systems, psychology, statistics, research methods, and biology. Additionally, many programs encourage an independent study project or internship in order to help students apply more of the concepts they're studying. </p> <p>The curriculum will prepare you to act in leadership positions in the healthcare industry. You'll gain an understanding of the challenges facing both healthcare professionals and patients. Other acquired skills include current knowledge of healthcare law, anatomy and physiology, and statistical data analysis. After graduating, you may be able to pursue additional professional certification to help bolster your credentials in the healthcare field. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCareersDoesThisDegreePrepareMeFor">What Careers Does This Degree Prepare Me For?</h3> <p>This degree can enhance your career after you've earned an undergraduate degree in an allied health area and begun working in the field. Many professions will require specialized education and licensure beyond a simple bachelor's degree in health studies. For instance, a nurse would be required to hold an accredited nursing degree and nursing licensure through the state. The following list highlights salaries of bachelor's degree holders in various professional health roles, based on data reported by <i>PayScale.com</i> in April-May 2021: </p> <ul><li>Laboratory manager: $73,000 </li><li>Laboratory supervisor: $80,000 </li><li>Medical technologist: $68,519 </li><li>Outpatient services director: $79,981 </li></ul><p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nursing is expected to be a significantly in-demand profession in the coming decade. Jobs for registered nurses are projected by the BLS to grow 7% between 2019 and 2029 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>), since many experienced nurses are retiring and must be replaced and the increasing elderly populations will require specialized care. Individuals with the experience and knowledge needed to initiate change will have a better chance at succeeding in the workforce.</p>