Health Management Associates Degrees: Online and Campus-Based Programs
Learn how an associate's degree in health management can prepare you for a career as a health care office manager or medical administrative assistant. Find out about courses and online degree options.
Can I Earn A Health Management Associate Degree?
Many schools do offer associate degree programs in health services or health care management. These 2-year programs can provide you with the knowledge of health care policy and procedure you'll need to take on administrative roles in a hospital, health clinic or assisted living facility.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Fields</b></td><td> Health services, healthcare management</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Medical terminology, physiology, medical procedures and diagnoses, anatomy, gerontology</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td> Online programs are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Possible Careers</b></td><td> Medical office manager, field staff manager, medical administrative assistant, medical secretary</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 10% growth (<i>for medical secretaries or medical administrative assistants</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTypeOfClassesWillITake">What Type Of Classes Will I Take?</h3><p>An associate degree program in health management may include introductory courses in anatomy, physiology and medical terminology. Business-related courses in accounting and human resource management may also be included. You'll also take courses to learn how the health care delivery system works or how medical procedures and diagnoses are coded for insurance purposes. Other courses may include community medicine, gerontology and medical law. Some campus-based programs also require you to complete a health services internship at a hospital, clinic or other health care facility.
</p><h3 id="section---CanICompleteTheseProgramsOnline">Can I Complete These Programs Online?</h3><p>Many associate degree programs can be completed entirely over the Internet. The curriculum for these online programs is similar to that of traditional, campus-based programs. In order to participate in an online program, you will need a broadband Internet connection and an updated browser like Internet Explorer or Firefox. Additionally, you may need software like Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete coursework.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithThisDegree">What Can I Do With This Degree?</h3><p>An associate degree in health management may qualify you for an administrative position, such as a field staff manager or medical office manager, according to some programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that you may also become a medical secretary or medical administrative assistant. Employment opportunities for these administrative professionals were expected to increase 10% through the 2019-2029 decade, according to the BLS. The median annual wage for medical and health services managers as of May 2020 was $104,280.</p>