An associate's degree in the healthcare field doesn't guarantee that you will find a job, but it can provide you with a short route of education and prepare you for a professional position in some of the fastest growing careers in healthcare. Typically, a graduate with an associate's degree is prepared for immediate employment upon graduation and credits from the associate's degree may transfer to a bachelor's degree later on if you choose to further your education.

Finding a job with a high school diploma vs. a two year degree
If you're unsure about whether or not you want to earn an associate's degree, consider a few things. An associate's degree typically only takes two years and is offered at community colleges, vocational schools, technical schools, and even online, which is the most popular option as of 2011 according to search and program application data. According to data released by the U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Science, someone with only a high school diploma earns about $27,960 a year and is projected to earn $1.2 million over their lifetime, while someone with an associate's degree earns about $36,400 a year and is projected to earn $1.6 million in their lifetime. The difference in these figures is significant.

What to consider when choosing an educational program
Many who earn associate's degrees continue on to earn bachelor's degrees in order to further their career goals. This means that you should make sure the credits you earn for your associate's degree will transfer to a bachelor's degree program when you are researching careers and programs. This is especially important with nursing degrees where each state has licensing and education requirements.

Also knowing what professional certification will be required after graduation is important when researching for degree programs. You will want to choose a program that is accredited for the degree you want to pursue if the accreditation is required to get professional certification. One example of this is set by the American Association of Medical Assistants, which requires the completion of and ABHES or CAAHEP accredited program to be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam. Researching the career you are interested in thoroughly is important to know what certifications and credentials are required to advance you as far as possible. Doing so will allow you to know exactly what program and education you should enroll in as you consider the many possibilities.

Many careers with an associate's degree do require certification or a license upon graduation. A few of them include dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographer imaging and diagnostics, EMT, forensic nursing, physical therapy, psychiatric technician, RN, and respiratory therapy. If taking more tests after graduation isn't really your thing, a few examples of careers that do not require certification or a license include: cancer registrar health informatics, clinical laboratory technologist imaging and diagnostics, and health information tech, among others. Many of the career choices do not require certification, though to find a job in that career field, it is recommended to achieve the certification because most potential employers require it. You will need to research the possibilities of employment in your chosen career with and without credentials to make an informed decision about entering into a program to earn your associate's degree in that field. This site will assist you in your research, but you will ultimately have to make your own decision based on the data available and all the research you do.