Online Education (medical Office Administration Associate-degree)

By Author: John Srob
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Associate's degree programs in medical office administration are available in both on-campus and online formats. Web-based programs may be administered using virtual classroom software and typically take about two years to finish. However, some online programs allow you to complete classes at your own pace.

You may be required to participate in forum-based discussions, watch pre-recorded video lectures or communicate with your professors by e-mail. Some programs also offer access to online academic counseling or Web-based libraries. You'll need a computer with high-speed Internet access in order to participate.

What Will I Learn?

You'll receive instruction in fundamental business skills, as well as basic science and medicine. For example, you could learn about accounting and human resources management while also studying medical terminology and healthcare insurance systems. The following are examples of classes you might find in the curriculum:

Legal issues in healthcare
Microcomputing
Keyboarding
Office systems
Payroll systems
Nutrition and wellness
Text editing ...
... for healthcare
What Can I Do with My Degree?

An associate's program in this field can prepare you for entry-level administrative jobs in medical offices, like those of medical administrative assistants or medical secretaries. In these positions, you would be responsible for assisting doctors, physicians and surgeons with clerical work. Common duties might include transcribing medical documents, handling payroll, managing patient records, writing reports and preparing professional correspondence.

Office Administration Associate Degree
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After completing an office administration associate's degree program, you'll be prepared to work in an administrative capacity in any number of office environments, from medical practices to accounting firms. You'll also have the skills necessary to take on a number of different administrative roles, including office management, records management, and executive assisting. With the skills and experience an office administration associate degree provides, you'll open wide the doors to a new career.

As part of an office administration associate degree program, you can expect to take courses in subjects areas such as business writing, business ethics, accounting, information and business technology, and organizational management. Some programs may also require you to take core courses in subjects such as mathematics or writing. Additionally, many office administration associate degree programs offer you the opportunity to specialize in particular fields, so you may also have the opportunity to take courses in areas such as medical office management, advanced accounting, or legal administration, all of which can more directly prepare you for the future career of your preference. Whatever office administration associate degree program you choose, you can rest assured that the skills you are gaining will be directly applicable to the work you will do upon graduation.

Skilled office management and office administration is key to the success of any type of organization. By earning your office administration associate degree, you will demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform these critical administrative functions. The result is a world of opportunity ahead as an administrative professional.

Medical administration associate's degree programs teach you manage the daily operations of health care offices, including private practices, hospitals and primary care facilities. You learn to use computers, understand basic accounting practices and communicate with office staff and patients. Programs teach you about medical billing and coding standards.

Associate's degree programs in medical administration can also be called healthcare administration and medical assisting. Healthcare or medical administration associate's degree programs are typically offered by community colleges and for-profit universities, and you may be able to find limited online learning opportunities.

What Courses Will I Take?

The courses you take in a medical administration associate's degree program cover the basics of the healthcare industry, such as medical terminology, medical law and ethics, medical coding and medical transcription. You gain an understanding of the health insurance industry and sanitation in healthcare facilities. Many courses cover various aspects of managing an office, including spreadsheets and databases, keyboarding, word processing and records maintenance.

Coursework related to working in nursing homes may be found in some programs. You can take courses in gerontology, aging and nursing home operations. In many cases, an internship or externship is required to allow you to gain hands-on experience in medical administration.

You May Qualify For Financial Aid.