According to a recent study coming out of Stanford University, the “health care sector is undergoing seismic shifts.” One key health care and health sciences trend currently is the use and implementation of new health care technology that promises to deeply alter patient care. Another trend is the rise of data-driven health care. Those who earn an Online Associate’s degree in Health Sciences will often work in entry-level patient care positions. The schools in this list will help prepare health care professionals to be ready to enter the dynamic world of health care.
The schools in this list will help prepare health care workers to be ready to enter the dynamic world of health care. They will have the skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level jobs in areas such as medical office administration, community health services, health insurance services, human resources, and more. Students in any one of these ten online programs develop excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, as well as the credits needed for bachelor’s degrees in nearly any medical program, such as pharmacy technician or nursing.
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Best Online Schools for Associate in Health Sciences Degree Programs
METHODOLOGY: OnlineSchoolsCenter.com gathers information from the most reputable academic resources available and cross-references the data with statistical sites to provide the best and most accurate information available. Schools were chosen according to the following criteria:
- An Associate’s Degree in Health Sciences, Health Information, or an equivalent major,
- 100% online availability of coursework and resources, including communication with professors, advisors, and staff,
- Retention rates no lower than 50%,
- Coursework that fulfills the national standard for Health Sciences positions of employment and application to bachelor’s programs,
- Excellent instructors with experience and knowledge in their field who can provide guidance and leadership,
- And notability among academic resources.
For more information, please visit our Methodology Page.
RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
ONLINE (HIT) HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNICIAN ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
The Rasmussen College online Health Information Technician Associate’s Degree is an accelerated program that can be completed in 18 months. There are flexible options available for students with varying learning requirements, as well as experiential learning opportunities that cement concepts and principles acquired in the virtual classroom. The curriculum is an excellent foundation for receiving further credentialing and certification in the industry, such as the RHIT examination or post-graduate certificates.
Campus Location: Bloomington, MN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
Sampling of Coursework:
- Data, Information, and File Structures
- Healthcare Data Management and Statistics
- Intro to Health Information Management
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 90.2%
Graduation Rate: 34%
LEARN MORE ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE’S ONLINE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNICIAN ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE PROGRAM
ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE
AS degree in online health sciences
Program Standouts:
This online school’s Associate in Health Sciences Degree contains an embedded Health Care Services certificate, which gives graduates a more competitive edge when applying for jobs. Lower division coursework also has specific focus areas that prepare students for their future studies in the discipline and align their credits with Health Sciences from the start. St. Petersburg College provides an excellent opportunity to transfer those credits to the Online Bachelor in Health Services Administration wherein students can earn even more credentials and readiness for the workforce.
Campus Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 33.1%
Graduation Rate: 17%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE’S ONLINE HEALTH SCIENCES A.S. DEGREE
HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
associates online degree in health sciences
Program Standouts:
At Harrisburg Area Community College, students can find three exciting concentration opportunities in the online Associate in Health Science programs. These Health Science degrees are designed for professionals with experience and knowledge in the discipline who are seeking advancement and credentialing in a specific area. The major coursework provides education in the relative concentration so that Lab Technicians and Medical Assistants can apply more specialized knowledge to current and future positions of employment.
Campus Location: Harrisburg, PA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Concentration Options:
- Gerontology
- Management/Marketing
- Radiologic Imaging
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 52%
Graduation Rate: 12%
LEARN MORE ABOUT HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S ONLINE HEALTH SCIENCE ASSOCIATE’S DEGREES
WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY
AAS in health information technology (hit) online
Program Standouts:
Weber State University’s online Associates of Applied Science in Health Information Technology is an excellent option for students who are entering the workforce upon graduation. There are also post-graduate certificates and bachelor’s degrees available at WSU. This curriculum is geared more toward coding health information, maintaining medical information, and using medical software. Graduates are prepared to sit for the Register Health Information Technician exam after earning this degree. Some of the positions taken on by alumni include Content Analyst, Transcriptionist, and Clinical Informatics Coordinator.
Campus Location: Ogden, UT
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
Sampling of Coursework:
- Medical Terminology
- Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Healthcare Privacy and Security
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 39.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AAS DEGREE
AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY
aas health sciences degree program online
Program Standouts:
This online associate’s degree program in Health Sciences is specially designed for those who are already working in the healthcare field (or who have an interest) and for those with military training in Health and Medical Sciences. Some of the job titles that American Public University graduates have earned include medical assistant and laboratory tech, and others have gone on to get nursing or dental hygienist degrees. The coursework trains students in effective communication and practical skills within health sciences environments.
Campus Location: Charles Town, WV
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
- Elements of Physics
- General Biology I and II
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 16.3%
LEARN MORE ABOUT AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE HEALTH SCIENCES DEGREE PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD
online health services certifications
Program Standouts:
The University of the Incarnate Word provides an online Associate in Health Sciences with two concentration options available in either Administration or General Studies. The latter is intended for members of the military (but can be completed by anyone) who desire to build upon certification or training in the area of medical or health sciences. The Administration program is geared toward those who want certification in the following areas: Electronic Health Records Specialist, Medical Administrative Assistant, Billing and Coding Specialist, or Rhythm Analysis Technician.
Campus Location: San Antonio, TX
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Concentration Options:
- General Studies
- Administration
Acceptance Rate: 93.9%
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 51.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD’S ONLINE ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE IN HEALTH SCIENCES
EXCELSIOR COLLEGE
as in health sciences distance learning programs
Program Standouts:
The Excelsior College online Associate of Science in Health Sciences includes key topics of the discipline, such as financing, licensing, medical billing and coding, legislation and regulation compliance, and other such crucial areas. The curriculum is well-suited for active duty members and veterans of the United States Military, as well as nurses who would like to gain additional credits or certifications in a different area of health care. Graduates have a strong understanding of the healthcare system and are prepared to take on entry-level positions or continue their degree in a bachelor’s program.
Campus Location: Albany, NY
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Sampling of Coursework:
- Medical Terminology
- Health Care in the United States
- Professionalism in Health Care
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 43.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE’S ONLINE ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES
CLARION UNIVERSITY
as in allied health concentration online degree programs
Program Standouts:
Clarion University’s online Associate of Science in Allied Health includes an Allied Health Concentration that allows students to pursue positions in the allied health field such as paramedic technician, medical lab technician, and more. The curriculum is designed to give graduates access to fantastic opportunities in bachelor’s degrees, as well, and has a strong focus in Allied Health Leadership. There is an Online Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Leadership that is available to online students who have aspirations to continue their education directly after their associate’s degree.
Campus Location: Clarion, PA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Medical Terminology
- Allied Health Leadership Capstone
- Research Methods for Health Sciences
Acceptance Rate: 95.5%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 49.4%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CLARION UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE A.S. ALLIED HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FORT KENT
online associate in allied health
Program Standouts:
This online Associate in Allied Health program is an excellent option for students who either want to continue their education in an undergraduate degree (which is made easily possible through UMFK’s online bachelor’s programs) or enter into roles in allied health departments. There are two concentration options between which students must choose and focus their coursework in one of two areas in healthcare technology. Graduates are capable of utilizing modern practices in allied healthcare to work in home health organizations, hospitals, and long-term care programs.
Campus Location: Fort Kent, ME
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Concentration Options:
- Healthcare Technician
- Health Information Technology
Acceptance Rate: 97.2%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 40.3%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FORT KENT’S ONLINE ALLIED HEALTH ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM
AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
online associates of health sciences degree
Program Standouts:
Los Angeles Pacific University offers online associate’s degrees in conjunction with Azusa Pacific University as its affiliate school. The Associate in Health Sciences curriculum includes a wide variety of coursework in medical and health disciplines. This program also incorporates general education requirements with a foundation in Christian principles. Applicants have two start dates in the fall and one in the summer giving students ample opportunities to plan their approach and time spent in their Associate’s Degree at APU. Graduates have the knowledge and training for both a bachelor’s degree or a position in the education, medical, or dental fields.
Campus Location: Azusa, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Sampling of Coursework:
- Chemistry for Health Sciences/Lab
- Human Growth and Development
- Anatomy and Physiology/Lab I and II
Acceptance Rate: 60.1%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 68.3%
LEARN MORE ABOUT LOS ANGELES PACIFIC UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ASSOCIATES OF HEALTH SCIENCES DEGREE
Earning an Associate Degree in Health Sciences, Health Information, or an equivalent, prepares students to enter into the field with a basic understanding of the discipline. The coursework fulfills prerequisites for many medical programs, making it an excellent choice for individuals who want to continue their career in health care as nurses and practitioners. Many of these online programs allow students to identify their place in a complex field that has a need for many different professionals, such as technicians, analysts, researchers, engineers, and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I major in Health Sciences and not something more specific like Nursing?
Well, first of all, it is not so easy to simply major in specific areas of medicine and health care right of the bat! An Associate in Health Sciences is an excellent choice for the medically minded because it includes courses such as Anatomy and Physiology and other basic prereqs for any health care program. In order to become a nurse or a doctor, you will need such required courses to gain enrollment in such degrees. It will also allow you to obtain positions of employment in hospitals, clinics, and government agencies, which will give you the crucial experience and applied knowledge necessary for applications and résumés.
What kind of job security will I have as a Health Sciences graduate?
That depends on your goals! A Health Sciences major is great because it opens you up to so many different opportunities in the field. There are numerous occupations that only require an Associate’s Degree and very little additional training which can sometimes be done on-site. If you plan on pursuing future careers in health care, OnlineSchoolsCenter.com endorses this major as an excellent choice.
How long will it take me to complete my degree?
Each school on this list has its own unique term lengths as well as start and end dates for their academic year. Online students have the flexibility of learning throughout each term and from any location, so it is possible to complete your degree in as little as 16 -18 months. However, most Associate’s Degrees are finished in two years. Every online student learns at their own pace, and it is important to understand how much you as an individual student can take on at one time.