6 Healthcare Degrees that Don't Require Clinical Rotations

Some healthcare programs require a set number of hours in a clinical rotation. Clinical experience is integral to careers such as nursing because it allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations and get face time with patients.

While clinical rotations are extremely valuable, they can take up a lot of time, which can be difficult for students balancing obligations such as family and full-time jobs. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t pursue a degree in healthcare. Here are five healthcare degrees that do not require a clinical rotation:

1. Medical Office Administration

In as few as 12 months, students can earn their diploma or their associate degree in 20 months. As a medical office administrator, you’re responsible for performing clerical duties such as scheduling appointments, answering phones, bookkeeping, organizing patient records and more. There are a variety of jobs available with this degree, including medical clerk, medical receptionist and medical office assistant. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the employment of medical secretaries to increase 11% from 2020-2030. While wage depends on the state in which you work and your job title, medical secretaries earn a median annual wage of $35,760 according to the BLS.

2. Healthcare Administration

Healthcare administrators are responsible for day-to-day operations such as scheduling, staffing, inventory control and patient relations. With an associate degree in healthcare administration, you can pursue several jobs ranging from operations assistant to an administrative support specialist. Depending on your role and experience, annual wages will vary. The BLS reports that healthcare administrators earn a median annual wage of $37,090. Job growth in this field isn’t expected to slow anytime soon, with the BLS projecting employment to grow 11% from 2020-2030.

3. Healthcare Management

If decision-making and leadership are two of your strongest qualities, you may want to consider healthcare management as a career. You can earn your bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration in as little as 36 months, which can prepare you for jobs such as healthcare manager, clinical manager or residential care manager. According to the BLS, employment in the field is expected to grow 32% from 2020-2030. The BLS also reports that the median annual wage for employees in healthcare management is $99,720. However, salary depends largely on the state in which you work, your education and your experience.

4. Healthcare Information Management (HIM)

A bachelor's degree in HIM can lead to a variety of jobs including medical and health services manager, HIM consultant and HIM director. While responsibilities differ by title and state, those in the HIM fieldwork to improve efficiency and quality of healthcare services. HIM employees earn a median annual wage of $99,730, with the highest 10% earning more than $182,600, according to the BLS. Students can earn their Associate of Applied Science in HIM in as few as 20 months, or their bachelor's in 36 months.

5. Medical Coding

Medical coders are responsible for creating and maintaining accurate electronic health records. A career in medical coding could help you land jobs such as a coding specialist, department coder or medical records specialist. Students can earn their associate degree in as few as 20 months and be ready to enter a growing field. Medical coder employment is expected to grow 9% from 2020-2030, according to the BLS. The BLS also reports that medical coders earn a median annual wage of $40,350, with the highest 10% earning more than $66,260.

6. Health Sciences

A bachelor’s degree in health sciences can be a great choice for current allied health professionals looking to take the next step in their careers, including physical therapist assistants, occupational therapy assistants, medical assistants, massage therapists and many more.

Students looking to build a career towards roles in community health, public health and wellness, fitness and nutrition, health policy or other managerial-level allied health positions are best suited for a health sciences bachelor’s degree curriculum.

Ready to get started? Learn more about Herzing University’s healthcare programs and begin your career today!