If you’re looking for a degree that can help you obtain employment or advance your career in health care, this fully online Associate in Science in Health Sciences degree program will expand your medical vocabulary, improve your communication skills, and provide you with a solid understanding of the U.S. health care system.
In the core associate in health science courses, you gain skills needed for entry-level jobs in medical office administration, health insurance member services, community health services, medical billing management, and human resources. Instruction covers topics in private, nonprofit, and public (Medicaid and Medicare) health insurance and financing; health provider education and licensing; federal health care legislation and regulation compliance; health care delivery settings; and electronic medical records.
This online health science associate degree program is especially suited to veterans and servicemembers with some military medical education; licensed practical nurses or vocational nurses (LPNs or LVNs) looking to earn a non-nursing health science associate degree; people working in medical billing and medical coding in health insurance organizations; and allied health professionals who need a degree to further their career.
You can apply all the credits from this associate degree to Excelsior College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and a total of 50 credits toward Excelsior College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management.
Fast Facts:
2.4 million new health care jobs are expected to be added by 2026 (Source: BLS)
Health care occupations earn 58 percent more than the average median wage (Source: BLS)
AS degree holders are prepared for entry into a variety of health care career paths
60
credit hours
60 credits are required for the Associate in Science in Health Sciences.
The Health Sciences Component provides you with a solid knowledge base in the health sciences field.
This course introduces you to the medical language that’s necessary to every career in health care. As you become familiar with medical reporting style guidelines established by the American Association of Medical Transcription (AAMT), you learn how to read and pronounce medical terms. After this course, your working vocabulary will include terminologies of disease, pharmacology, and biological systems in human anatomy and physiology, and you’ll know how to use these terms correctly while writing and talking in health care settings.
Learn how the U.S. health care and health insurance systems work, and how your work fits into the bigger picture. This course covers the ways public, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations deliver, finance, and manage health care services. Topics include: federal regulations such as the Affordable Care Act; access disparity; Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance systems; electronic medical records and medical office information technology; quality and safety in health care settings; and careers in licensed and non-licensed health care professions.
Learn best practices for communicating with co-workers, clients/consumers, and families; resolving workplace conflict; planning your professional development; improving your cultural competence with diverse populations; and responding to fraud, malpractice, safety, and negligence. Instruction also covers organizational policy, patient rights, informed consent, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
You may be able to satisfy your health sciences electives requirement with credit awarded for your health care license or certification or prior coursework/transfer credits in a health science discipline. Visit the Credit for Health Care Credentials page to learn more.
Sample health science electives at Excelsior College include courses such as:
This course assesses the knowledge you gained through the associate health science program curriculum. Explore the health care delivery system as it relates to specific health care professions, and exercise and refine your communication skills through activities such as resume writing and responding to interview questions.
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.
Demonstrate critical thinking skills for guiding decision making in various health care scenarios.
Describe the structure and function of the health care delivery system in the United States.
Explain the various roles and responsibilities of health professionals.
Critique current trends and opportunities that improve the provision of health care.
View additional details about programs and courses:
Download the Undergraduate Studies Catalog
Excelsior College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801 (267-284-5011) www.msche.org. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Phase: Accredited
Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
Accreditation Granted: 1977
Last Reaffirmation: 2017
Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2021-2022
All of Excelsior College’s academic programs are registered (i.e., approved) by the New York State Education Department.
