Degree Overview: Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree in Medical Administration
Majors Overview February 19, 2014Receive information about an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree program in medical administration and its coursework, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
A.A. Programs in Medical Administration
The associate’s degree program in medical administrative assisting that students can complete in one to two years are offered by technical colleges and community colleges. Students enrolled in the program are taught administrative, technical, interpersonal, and presentation skills to prepare them to seek entry-level jobs in various medical settings such as doctors’ offices, medical clinics and hospitals. Coursework covers topic areas such as office management, computer skills, medical terminology, billing procedures and medical coding. Schools award an Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Administration or Associate of Applied Science in Medical Administration to graduates. Admission criteria typically require applicants to hold a GED certificate or high school diploma and may subject prospective students to an assessment evaluation before allowing them to begin classes.
Coursework
Coursework is devised to allow graduates to seek jobs in busy office settings. Apart from liberal arts classes such as math and English, courses in associate’s degree programs typically cover core coursework in medical administrative assisting and may include:
•Medical office procedures
•Medical insurance procedures
•Medical transcription
•Medical terminology
•Medical coding
•Human anatomy and physiology
•Keyboarding
Job and Wage Outlook
These professionals can seek jobs in residential care facilities, psychiatric clinics, public or private hospitals, chiropractic offices, outpatient clinics, surgery centers and physician offices. A faster-than-average growth rate of 29% has been projected for professionals in the medical assisting field during the decade from 2012 to 2022 (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). The optimistic projection is based on the assumption that an aging population will lead to a burgeoning growth of healthcare facilities aided in turn by technological advances in medicine. In 2012, medical assistants earned an average annual wage of $29,370.
Continuing Education Choices
Holders of Associate’s degrees in medical administration may opt to pursue continued education by earning a bachelor’s degree in public health or health services administration. Beyond a bachelor’s degree, an interested individual may wish to earn a master’s degree in health services administration, which may facilitate job opportunities at a clinic or hospital as an upper level manager, policy analyst or consultant.
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