AS in Allied Health Science from South University

Degree Requirements: South University offers a superior degree program that is specially designed for those interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare industry. Whether students are already aware of what line of work they specifically want to get involved with or need some additional guidance and direction, this degree program will not only provide students with the preliminary skills and knowledge needed to jump start their careers in healthcare, but will also prepare them for continuing education. Students will initially be required to take 52 credit-hours of general education courses such as humanities, social sciences and college mathematics. To obtain this specific degree, the bulk of credits will be spent taking life sciences courses, such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, nutrition and pathophysiology, just to name a few. Students must complete a total of 90 credit-hours to earn this degree. Each credit hour costs $361. Financial aid is available for eligible students and may reduce costs. This degree should take full-time students about two years to earn.

Degree Benefits: Many pursue this degree because they have a passion for patients and healthcare. While most administration and high-paying positions mandate at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, associate degree holders typically find careers as medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, radiology technicians, and ultrasound technicians. This industry as a whole is expected to see much advancement in the next decade as the need for premium healthcare professionals will be needed to assist the increasing number of sickly patients, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Career opportunities for medical assistants alone are expected to see a 34 percent increase, establishing 163,900 new jobs during the 2008-18 decade, the Bureau states. This figure does not take into account the number of available jobs that will be created once employees decide to pursue other occupations. According to the Bureau’s most recent statistics, 483,600 medical assistants were employed in 2008, the majority of which worked in physician offices. That same year, medical assistants earned an average of $28,300. Highest paying positions were at general medical and surgical hospitals.