Healthcare

6 Medical Degrees You Can Complete in Two Years or Less

The healthcare industry is one of the most rewarding and secure fields you can enter. Each year, close to two million job openings are expected to become available across nearly every corner of the healthcare field: hospitals, clinics, private practices, long-term care facilities, and more.

The great news is, some of the most in-demand careers in medicine are ones that can be attained with an associate degree or less. This means (you guessed it!) you can secure a career within two years’ time.

With all the flexible, two-year medical degrees and certificates out there, you do not have to commit to eight years of schooling, residencies, or extensive training to land a medical job. You do not have to put your life on hold. A dedicated, career-focused associate degree or certificate program can prepare you for a successful career that also pays well.

Below, we outline some of the many two-year medical degree and certificate options available to you today.

Two-year medical degrees to consider

1. Medical Assisting Degree

Start to Finish: As few as 12 to 16 months

Medical assistants are an integral part of the medical practice, working very closely with healthcare providers to ensure the quality of each patient’s visit. Medical assistants typically handle administrative and clinical tasks. They can be found greeting patients, taking vital signs, managing patient records, preparing exam rooms, and more. As such, medical assistants are versatile, valuable members of the medical team.

There are a few different ways to become a medical assistant. While requirements vary by employer and by state, postsecondary education and training is the standard prerequisite. Aspiring medical assistants have the option to pursue a postsecondary certificate or an associate degree.

Both certificate and associate degree programs are short-term options, making this a very streamlined route into a medical support career. At Goodwin, for example, the associate degree in Medical Assisting can be completed within 12 to 16 months. Plus, it combines online learning with hands-on experience, so you can flex your class schedule to accommodate other priorities and needs.

A Medical Assisting certificate can also be completed in as few as 12 months. At Goodwin, students are simultaneously enrolled in both programs. This streamlines the curriculum and enables you to earn this medical degree in less than two years total. Upon completion of these programs, graduates are eligible to pursue professional certifications, qualifying them for successful job outcomes right away:

  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) examination, administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT)
  • Medical Assistant Certification (CCMA) exam, administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)

2. Associate Degree in Nursing

Start to Finish: As few as 20 months part-time (additional time is required for prerequisite coursework)

One of the most popular and respected medical careers today is that of the registered nurse (RN). More than likely, you’ve encountered an RN before – in a hospital, private practice, clinic, school, a residential facility, maybe a home healthcare setting. But did you know that you can become a nurse in two years?

Today, the standard requirement for registered nurses is an associate degree from an accredited nursing program. This level of education makes them eligible to take the RN licensing exam (NCLEX-RN), which is essential for practice. While there are bachelor’s degree programs available for aspiring nurses, taking four years or more, the associate degree is a great option for those who want to get into the field right away.

Goodwin University offers you the ability to complete your associate degree in Nursing in as few as 20 months part-time, once your prerequisite courses are complete. And, for your convenience, most classes are offered on days and evenings. Clinical experiences are offered on days, evenings, and weekends.

3. Dental Hygiene Degree

Start to Finish: Only 24 months full-time

Dental hygienists are typically the faces you see most in a dentist’s office. These are the professionals who clean your teeth, examine your oral health, take x-rays, and teach you about proper dental care.

A high paying and highly rewarding career, dental hygiene ranks among U.S. News’ top 30 jobs today. But the best part is – this position can be attained in just two years full-time!

Dental hygienists need an associate degree in Dental Hygiene in order to kickstart their careers. They also need to be licensed, but a college degree is the first step and a prerequisite to earning licensure. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that Dental Hygiene degrees typically take three years to complete, at Goodwin University, you can earn your associate degree in just 24 months full-time.

In our dental hygiene school and lab facilities, you will gain hands-on training through clinical, classroom, and community enrichment experiences – and leave well-prepared for a real-world setting.

4. Respiratory Therapy Degree

Start to Finish: Two years

Also ranked among the top 30 jobs in the United States are respiratory therapists: healthcare professionals who specialize in treating patients with breathing problems and cardiopulmonary conditions like bronchitis, emphysema, sleep apnea, and COPD. These providers are critical in helping a range of people with respiratory issues, such as premature infants with underdeveloped lungs, and elderly folks who need supplemental oxygen therapy to go about their daily lives.

To become a respiratory therapist, an associate degree is Respiratory Care is required. Almost all states (except Alaska) also require respiratory therapists to be licensed, which can be done upon completion of a postsecondary program. Like most associate degrees, an associate degree in Respiratory Care can be completed within two years full-time at Goodwin University.

5. Associate Degree in Health Science

Start to Finish: As few as 12 to 24 months

While we often think of nurses, doctors, and direct patient care providers when it comes to “medicine,” there are many essential professionals working behind the scenes, too. If you’re interested in a career in health and medicine, but are unsure if you want to pursue a dedicated patient care role, you might consider a fast-paced Health Science degree.

Health Science degrees are offered at various levels, but the associate degree in Health Science can be completed in two years or less. This degree can position you for a variety of impactful and high-paying careers in areas like:

  • Behavioral analysis
  • Community health
  • Health education
  • Medical research
  • Mental health counseling
  • Patient care advocacy

The best part is that a Health Science associate degree is a relatively short time investment. In just a matter of months, you will explore various careers in healthcare, learn important skills in health and wellness, and become well-versed in medical terminology and laws. At Goodwin University, the associate degree can be completed in an accelerated format, taking as few as 12 to 18 months full-time, or up to 22 months with part-time classes.

Medical certificates you can earn in two years or less

For some individuals, two years is still a long commitment—even if it means a high-paying medical career at the end of the journey. Fortunately, there are even faster pathways available: medical certificate programs.

Here are some of the medical certificates available at Goodwin University.

1. Patient Care Associate Certificate

Start to Finish: Between 10 and 12 months

Patient care associates (PCAs), also called patient care technicians (PCTs), are healthcare support professionals who provide basic care to patients in need. These experts work under the supervision of nurses and doctors to complete tasks like taking vital signs, dressing wounds, administering medications, responding to emergencies, and keeping patients comfortable.

Becoming a patient care associate requires a short amount of time in school, with certificates generally taking one year or less. At Goodwin, courses are offered over a stretch of three semesters, or six, seven-week modules. Upon completion of the PCA program, students can qualify for careers as PCAs and PCTs, as well as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), phlebotomists, and EKG technicians.

2. Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate

Start to Finish: Between 16 and 28 months

Becoming a registered nurse (RN) takes around two years to complete, but if you’re looking for a shorter path, you might consider practical nursing. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide basic care and comfort to patients in need, under the direction of RNs. Their responsibilities surpass that of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), but are not as expanded as the RN scope. LPNs can be found administering medications, evaluating patient symptoms and progress, measuring vital signs, and responding to basic needs.

As such, becoming an LPN is a short time commitment. At Goodwin University, the LPN certificate program can be completed in as few as 16 months. Classes are offered in day and evening schedules, for added flexibility.

3. Phlebotomy Certificate

Start to Finish: As few as 15 weeks

Phlebotomists are skilled members of a medical laboratory team, collecting blood samples and specimens needed for testing, transfusions, research, or donations. If you’ve had blood drawn at a medical or diagnostic laboratory, you have likely interacted with a phlebotomist before.

The Phlebotomy certificate program at Goodwin is a total of 9 credits, which, once completed, will prepare you to work in a healthcare facility or clinical laboratory. The program can be completed in as few as 15 weeks, with rolling start dates for added convenience.

4. Medical Billing & Coding Certificate

Start to Finish: As few as 16 to 20 months

If you do not want to work directly with patients, but prefer to work with numbers and on the administrative side of medicine, you may consider studying Medical Billing & Coding. In a billing and coding position, you will convert patient health information into codes for insurance companies, so that healthcare providers can be reimbursed for any covered costs.

Students who earn their Medical Billing & Coding certificate at Goodwin are able to sit for the Certified Professional Coder exam. If you pass, you will find yourself certified and working in as little as one year.

Two-year medical degrees that pay well

Despite what you might have thought, you do not need to spend years in medical school! The beauty of two-year medical degrees and certificates (or even shorter programs!) is that they require small share of your time and therefore lower tuition costs. This means a nice return on your investment.

Here’s a look at how some of these two-year medical degrees and certificates can turn into high-paying careers:

Ready to earn your degree in two years or less? In addition to the flexible and fast-track options above, Goodwin students have the option to complete three academic semesters per year for even faster degree completion.

 

Your healthcare career is closer than you might think. Learn more about the two-year medical degrees and certificates available at Goodwin University by calling 800-889-3282. Or, visit us online to see why we’re a leader in healthcare education in Connecticut!