Getting an Online Healthcare Degree

Those interested in becoming healthcare professionals but who lack the time to commute to and from classes and the flexibility to abide by a set schedule, should strongly consider obtaining their healthcare degrees online. As healthcare jobs becomes increasingly in demand because of aging baby boomers and consistently overcrowded hospitals, professionals in this arena are more important than ever before.

The following articles are designed to answer any questions you may have about online education. Although career paths will foster different learning environments, here are some general tips, general information, and public perception of online schooling.

What Can I Expect From My Online Healthcare Curriculum?

Just because a student chooses to go online for healthcare schooling, does not mean he or she has to sacrifice academic rigor. Thanks to advancements in the way healthcare education curriculum is created at universities both online and off, students attending any accredited healthcare program can be sure that the education they are receiving is of the highest caliber possible.

Not only that, but online students can be sure that the curriculum they are using was created with high standards in mind, and that the coursework and lectures they are being given are equal to the level of work that students attending classes at brick-and-mortar universities are receiving.

While the lessons and requirements vary based on the specific healthcare program, overall curriculum setups and graduation requirements remain the same at a number of online programs nationwide.

Required Courses:
The specific courses required to obtain a degree in a healthcare-related field can vary greatly depending on what a person is majoring in. Students studying to become vocational nurses, for instance, can expect to have a very different curriculum than those working towards a degree in healthcare management.

What remains the same across the spectrum, however, is an emphasis in both the basic sciences and practical skills. Students are required to take courses addressing the basic knowledge required to work in a healthcare field —such as basic anatomy and science courses—along with skill-based classes that help prepare students for their future careers in a hands-on way. This means that students should expect to interact with patients, learn the ins-and-outs of the insurance business, and practice basic procedures (if said procedures are expected in your desired career).

Basic Structure:
One of the benefits to online healthcare programs is that they are much more flexible in structure. While assignments are due at a specific time, the class schedule for most online programs tends to be laid back. Lectures are pre-recorded and streaming online. Readings can be downloaded at your convenience. Even message board discussions can be participated in at your leisure. For those who work during the day, have children to watch, or simply cannot commute to a campus, online learning is an excellent alternative.

For those pursuing a degree as radiology technicians, for instance, you will most likely be required to do some of your learning in-person. This is vital to learning many of the key procedures and practices of these professions. If your chosen profession requires this kind of hands-on tutorage, make sure to research your school's curriculum to make sure you will be adequately prepared to join the competitive work force.

Elective Courses:
Many healthcare schools, both offline and online, allow students to take a certain number of elective courses in the healthcare area they are most interested. After completing a certain number of "cornerstone" or "core" classes required for your major, students may choose from specialized subjects such as hospital administration, healthcare financial management, or international comparative healthcare services and systems. The courses that are open to you will depend on your major. Upper level classes are often not available to students who have not prepared adequately through prerequisite courses.

Other Concerns:
Remember, online learning is a relatively new phenomenon and many individuals are trying to capitalize on its popularity. Before enrolling in any program, make sure it is accredited . To do this, follow these steps:

1. Check the school's accreditation status on the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs .

2. Make sure the postal address is not a P.O. Box. This often indicates a poor operation.

3. Make sure that it is easy to get in touch with an actual individual.

4. If the price is too low, it is probably not a legitimate institution.

5. If the name of the school sounds eerily similar to another popular school, be wary.

Article Resources:

U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
The University of Scranton

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Will Employees Respect My Degree?

Since online learning has only recently increased in popularity, many individuals are wary of its reputation among leading companies and employers. This is a valid concern and one that should be addressed before enrolling in any online institution.

According to a survey of more than 100 employers conducted by Vault, Inc., and published in an issue of HR Magazine , 85 percent of those polled said that online degrees are "more acceptable today than just five years ago."

Among healthcare companies specifically, research compiled by Cleveland State University states the following:

The findings indicated that, although all the participants questioned whether scientific content and labs could be taught online, most of the respondents made no distinction between an online degree and a traditional degree when considering applicants in the hiring process.

Based on the results of a 2002 study published in the Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, researchers found that only one out of every eight hiring managers at a Midwest pharmaceutical company said they would not look at an "e-degree" and a degree obtained from a traditional university in the same manner. So, in the same regard, that study showed that in seven out of eight cases, students with healthcare degrees from online universities were not judged any less favorably by employers than those who attended school at a brick-and-mortal campus.

Unfortunately, other studies have shown more mixed results. According to a 2007 comparative study looking at employers hiring for an array of healthcare positions—including nurses, pharmacists, and radiologists—95 percent of hiring managers said they would "prefer" a candidate who has obtained his or her degree from a traditional university.

What complicates this study, however, is that the researchers did not separate the findings based on the level of degree was required for the job. So their findings encompassed students who had earned bachelors', masters', and doctoral degrees online—three very different levels of academic achievement, clearly.

Thus, it is reasonable to assume that employers hiring for more mid-level healthcare positions—such as those that require a bachelor's degree only—would be more likely to hire someone with an online education than an employer looking for a candidate with a doctoral degree would be.

Perception is key when it comes to the acceptance of online degrees by employers and hiring managers. As long as online institutions continue building their reputations as formidable education centers, rather than simply diploma mills, graduates from those programs will be able to continue attaining the jobs they hope for.

Article Resources:

Society for Human Resource Management
Employer Perceptions of Online Degrees: A Literature Review
The National Center for Education Statistics

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Will I Get Hands-On Training in My Online Healthcare Class?

One of the biggest perceived drawbacks to an online healthcare education can be a lack of in-person, hands-on training. Because online courses are often taken in the privacy of a student's own home—and without the scientific equipment and laboratory space that are available at traditional universities—there is a general myth that students at online universities are not able to receive the same level of training in the healthcare field as those who attend other schools.

In fact, according to a 2002 study, the idea that online students did not receive enough lab training and scientific content in their curriculum was one of the biggest misconceptions that hiring managers for major pharmaceutical companies had when thinking about hiring employees with degrees from online institutions.

Thankfully, misconceptions about the amount of hands-on learning and laboratory experience that students attending online universities are able to obtain are just that—misconceptions. Nearly every online university—and especially those that have received accreditation from a recognized agency—have at least one or more hands-on components required before graduation.

How to Get Hands-On Training in an Online Class
Oftentimes hands-on units are taught via CD Rom courses with demonstration videos feature practice exercises designed to allow students to "learn by doing" in the comfort of their own home or office. Although these courses are led by qualified instructors, it is up to each student to find subjects to practice on and to ensure that his or her skills are up to par prior to the completion of the course.

Conversely, in the online general chemistry courses offered through Oregon State University's distance learning program, students are able to partake in laboratory lessons by using their own home computer to simulate specific experiments and projects. One of the benefits of this is that students can re-watch video demonstrations as many times as they wish in order to fully understand the concept, as well as participate in web-based discussion boards with other online-only students.

Finally, certain online universities that also offer brick-and-mortar campus buildings require students to come into the classroom for a certain number of hours to partake in core lessons and curriculum units that are required in order to graduate. This is especially true for vocational programs, where certain skills may be necessary in order to work in an intended career field or industry.

Myths Revisited
Another myth that persists concerning online healthcare programs is the idea that in-person, hands-on training is "better" in some way, even though research conducted by the U.S. Department of Education has shown quite the contrary. According to a meta-analysis measuring 51 effects of online versus in-person instruction, the students who took online courses actually performed "better" than those in a traditional classroom.

Even among students attending brick-and-mortar schools, an increasing number of science classes are turning to electronic simulations for lessons such as dissections rather than hands-on activities. These same simulations can be used by students taking courses from home.

Students taking courses both online and off can be sure that the instructors teaching their laboratory classes area trained and qualified—especially for those attending accredited institutions, which have all undergone and passed certain tests and requirements to ensure their legitimacy and rigor.

Thanks to advancements in technology and science, students no longer need to feel like they must attend classes in person to learn the same skills and techniques they can master online. That explains one of the biggest reasons why online universities are increasing in popularity, as the students who attend them are now graduating with the same set of skills and knowledge base as their peers who attended classes in a more traditional setting.

Article Resources:

Employer Perceptions of Online Degrees: A Literature Review
The U.S. Department of Education

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Who Teaches Online Healthcare?

Choosing to earn a healthcare degree online does not mean having to forego a quality curriculum taught by skilled instructors. Thanks to the rise in popularity of online colleges throughout the country—along with a decreasing number of teaching positions available on traditional university campuses—the instructors leading online courses are now more qualified than ever before.

Many instructors teaching online healthcare courses, in fact, are actually renowned university instructors and physicians who are teaching part-time in addition to their active day jobs.

Take Dr. Sara Torres, for example. An associate dean of the School of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences at Walden University's online program, Dr. Torres is a renowned doctor who has been nationally recognized for her research on interpersonal violence.

Another great example is Dr. Gail K. Baumlein, Ph.D., the RN Director of Online Programs at Chamberlain College of Nursing, who was inducted into National League for Nursing's (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education in 2007.

Most professors at online universities have the same amount of education as their peers at traditional campuses. In addition, all online professors must have at least some hands-on experience, generally gained through working as practitioners in their chosen industries. Although the length of time that an instructor must work in his or her healthcare field before transitioning into the role of professor can vary from university to university, the average is between five and seven years.

For professors who are still wary of making the transition into online-only education, schools such as Bowling Green State University have developed specialized offices to help instructors switch to web-based teaching. Seminars such as "Distance Learning 101: An Online Faculty Training Seminar" have been created to instruct professors on the best ways to interact with their online students, effectively grade projects, and facilitate collaborations online. Classes and seminars are also offered to help professors get the most out of the technology available in online learning. Additionally, many universities, such as University of North Carolina, offer professors extra money or stipends to teach one or more courses online. This ensures that students who take online classes are given access to instructors who are of equal caliber to the instructors teaching courses in the classroom.

Of course, not all online programs offer the same standards of education. For students who are interested in going to school to become nurses, medical transcriptionists, massage therapists, or any of the other hundreds of healthcare degrees that can be earned online, it is very important to search for a program that has received accreditation through a regional agency. Accreditation serves to evaluate the quality of education available at institutions. This is done through a careful survey of professors' training and teaching styles. Regional accreditation is widely considered the most prestigious form of accreditation currently available in the United States, therefore it is a good idea for any potential students to research their schools accreditation before signing up for anything.

For the most part, students taking healthcare courses through accredited online programs can be sure that the instructors who are teaching their courses are just as adept in the subject and qualified to teach as any of the instructors working at more traditional universities in their area.

Article Resources:

Walden University
Chamberlain, College of Nursing
Bowling Green State University
Prepared to Teach Online?

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What to Do On Your First Day of Online Healthcare Class

1. Double check that you have all your materials. Even though online students do not have to worry about filling backpacks with text books and calculators, computer specifications and required software/devices are just as essential. Most schools provide a list of requirements well in advance, but it is always a good idea to verify before beginning class.


2. Clear an area as a reserved workspace. For students looking to learn from home, it is important to create an area designated for school. A distraction-free area is a good way to optimize learning and get the most out of an online education. The same philosophy applies to multiple or mobile classrooms. Keep school and home separate.


3. Familiarize yourself with the environment. By learning as much as possible about the virtual environment or software you are using for classes, you will reduce the amount of confusion and shorten the learning curve for adapting to the tools; you should not have to have to worry about learning two things at once.


4. Get your books. Order any textbooks or software immediately (in advance if possible).


5. Tap your resources. Make sure you locate any helpful links or department contacts to save some digging if you ever run into a problem. Tech Support, guidance, and admissions are all staple contacts.


6. Get to class early. Make sure you have the appropriate user name and password information, then log in a few minutes early so that you can catch up on any introductory information and avoid missing out because of technical difficulties.


7. Read the course description and syllabus. There is no reason not to brush up on the main objectives and the course outline before getting started. This will also help you to understand the focus of the class and not feel bombarded if your professor outlines the class in the lecture; you will understand the timeline of what needs to be accomplished before it is due.


8. Break the ice. On your first day, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with the other students and instructors. This will help you meet new people and feel comfortable when learning. It will also help you form study groups and participate in discussions.


9. Relax. Remember that this is a school. It takes some getting used to. After a week, you will be involved in the learning process, and on your way to feeling acclimated.

Article Resources:

Northwest College
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Orange Coast Online Central

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