Healthcare and medical degrees are critical requirements for a career in the medical industry. These degrees teach students the concepts they must know to help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle. Healthcare and medical degrees are in heavy demand as the field is one of the fastest growing sectors in the American economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ten of the twenty fastest growing occupations are in the healthcare system. Curriculums for healthcare and medical degrees vary depending on the level of degree studied and the major.
A healthcare and medical degree affords many different opportunities for students to learn. Some of the disciplines studied under this degree include:
Curriculums are varied depending on where the degree is earned. Those studying for their associate's degree or bachelor's degree in a healthcare or medical program will have a curriculum similar to other majors. They will spend some time taking general education courses in mathematics, English, and other studies. After these requirements are fulfilled, students will take core courses related to their major.
Students pursuing higher levels of healthcare and medical degrees will be exposed to a different curriculum structure. Those in a medical school program take classes solely dedicated to medicine for the first two years of the program. These courses include anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, and others. After these two years, students start making rounds in a hospital. This means they rotate through different units of the hospital and learn how to treat patients through experience. This stage lasts for two years and upon completion students must pass an examination to earn their medical license.
A healthcare and medical degree is offered at all levels. An associate's degree in the health and medical field takes about two years to complete. A bachelor's healthcare or medical degree focuses on a specific topic. It is sufficient for obtaining employment in various areas of healthcare, but those wishing to become practicing physicians must study further. The final degree in healthcare is the medical doctorate degree (MD), which takes about four years to complete, and grants the holder the ability to practice medicine in the United States.
Healthcare and medical degree programs teach students the following skills:
Healthcare and medical degrees are offered at a variety of locations. They can be earned at any university with an accredited healthcare and medical program. Those who do not want to attend a brick and mortar school can earn their healthcare and medical degrees online through various online universities. Medical doctorates, however, are only recognized through traditional universities.
There are a variety of professions available for healthcare and medical degree graduates. Graduates of non-MD programs can become medical assistants, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, nutritionists, surgical technicians, radiology technicians, and personal trainers among others. Receiving the medical doctorate allows graduates to become doctors, surgeons, radiologists, or many other positions. Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in the country, so the job outlook is positive.
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences degrees offered at accredited colleges and universities help you to remain current regarding new technologies, treatment methods and operative procedures in the dental profession.
Read MoreMedical assisting and allied health services programs generally roll up to medical or allied health departments at accredited colleges and universities. Students who enroll in the programs learn about patient medical records, billing, bookkeeping, taking and recording patient vital signs and laboratory tests.
Read MoreUndergraduate and graduate level Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention and Treatment Professions programs are available at accredited colleges and universities. The programs can help you prepare to take and pass licensing examinations offered by agencies like the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Read MoreAlternative and complementary medical support services college and university programs are becoming increasingly popular. The programs that are often managed under health departments at postsecondary schools cover massage, herbal medicines, nutrition and other natural healing tools.
Read MoreAlternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems college programs teach students about non-conventional therapies and medical treatments. Some of these therapies and treatment systems include meditation, acupuncture, dietary supplements, hypnotherapy, vitamins and light therapy.
Read MoreBioethics/Medical Ethics college and university programs educate students seeking to work in the medical industry about ethical issues and responsibilities inherent in medical scientific advances as well as in patient care and medical practices.
Read MoreChiropractic postsecondary programs are administered under health departments at accredited colleges and universities. Natural healing, sports therapy, spine health and the musculoskeletal system are areas covered in the programs.
Read MoreClinical/medical laboratory and science/research and allied professions college and university programs prepare you to gain employment in the healthcare field. Focus of the programs is on how to track and count blood and fluid cells, understanding abnormal cells and analyzing treatment results.
Read MoreCommunications Disorders Sciences and Services deals with complications and/or challenges people face speaking, hearing and/or understanding what others are saying. Speech-language pathology, audiology and early intervention are types of topics covered in the college and university programs.
Read MoreThe American Dental Education Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry are two national organizations that offer dental residency programs. These programs are administered through specific colleges and universities the associations generally have contractual relationships with.
Read More