Best Online Associate in Medical Office Administration Programs
Jobs in the medical field continue to grow, and as practices expand, medical office administrators will be needed to keep things running.
Getting an associate degree in medical office administration can prepare you for administrative work in the healthcare field.
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants work at hospitals, doctor’s offices, dentist’s offices, and outpatient care centers. They earn between $31,900 and $58,340 a year, with an average wage of $20.85 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Online degree programs provide flexibility for you to pursue your professional goals. An associate degree in medical office administration typically requires two years of full-time study.
Featured Online Medical Office Administration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Associate in Medical Office Administration Programs
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, NC- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,432
- Out-of-state$8,576
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate61%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,199
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Vance-Granville Community College
- Henderson, NC
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,824
- Out-of-state$6,432
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,814
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment91%
- AccreditationYes
Craven Community College
- New Bern, NC
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,824
- Out-of-state$6,432
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled2,701
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment77%
- AccreditationYes
Southwestern Community College
- Sylva, NC
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,976
- Out-of-state$6,968
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate58%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,256
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment60%
- AccreditationYes
Surry Community College
- Dobson, NC
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,550
- Out-of-state$8,694
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,797
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
Wayne Community College
- Goldsboro, NC
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,432
- Out-of-state$8,576
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled2,732
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Pitt Community College
- Winterville, NC
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,824
- Out-of-state$6,432
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled7,144
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment72%
- AccreditationYes
Wake Technical Community College
- Raleigh, NC
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,432
- Out-of-state$8,576
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled21,551
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment77%
- AccreditationYes
Guilford Technical Community College
- Jamestown, NC
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,024
- Out-of-state$9,936
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled10,067
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2021. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
What Courses Will I Take in an Online Associate in Medical Office Administration Program?
An online associate degree in medical office administration can open many doors for you. You’ll receive training on healthcare systems and operations, health information management, and scheduling. Below are a few classes you might take in an associate in medical office administration program.
Healthcare Systems and Operations
This course covers operational systems in healthcare, including financial, legal, and administrative activities. Coursework will help you understand both nonclinical and clinical operations, which can ultimately aid in creating a smooth working environment.Medical Terminology
This course introduces you to various medical terms that are used in healthcare workplaces. You’ll develop an understanding of numeric and alphanumeric codes that signify various conditions, injuries, diseases, procedures, and treatments.Medical Law and Ethics
Understanding medical law and ethics can help you navigate privacy and values like collaboration, timeliness, and social responsibility in healthcare. Coursework covers various important laws and ethical challenges related to the medical field.Health Information Management
Information management in healthcare is essential for monitoring and evaluating patient records for easy workflow, governance, and regulation. This course often teaches the ethical standards of the American Health Information Management Association.Scheduling Office Operations
Office operation scheduling involves assigning jobs and choosing suitable machines or human resources to handle them in real time. This course teaches you how to balance healthcare resources, the available workforce, and patient needs to improve patient care.
What Can You Do With an Associate in Medical Office Administration Degree?
An associate degree in medical office administration can qualify you for several professions in the healthcare field, especially if you are motivated to continue your schooling and training.
One of the top roles is health care administrator, both in salary and demand. These professionals have typically gone on to earn a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. They coordinate office activities, develop work schedules, manage billing, monitor budgets, and oversee facility logistics.
Transcriptionists and receptionists are entry-level careers for someone with an associate degree in medical office administration.
| Job | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Administrator | $75,724 |
| Hospital Administrator | $95,066 |
| Nursing Home Administrator | $99,569 |
| Medical Records and Health Information Specialists | $48,780 |
| Medical Secretary | $43,380 |
| Medical Receptionist | $35,291 |
| Medical Transcriptionists | $37,060 |
Pros and Cons to Earning an Associate in Medical Office Administration Online
Choosing your career path and training route is a decision that you should make carefully. There are many pros and cons to earning an online associate degree in medical office administration. We’ve outlined some of the opportunities and potential challenges you might face below.
Pros
Short program length and asynchronous learning offer flexibility for working professionals.- You’ll join a rewarding career where the focus is on helping patients in need
- You can find job stability with adequate pay and benefits as an entry-level worker, especially if employed by a large hospital system.
- You’ll learn transferable skills and opportunities to advance within the medical field or to secure other clerical or administrative work
Cons
Most of your online class work will be done independently and off-campus.- Positions in healthcare and patient services can be stressful and emotionally exhausting.
- Entry-level positions offer lower salaries. You might need additional training and schooling for advancement.
- Some programs can be expensive. It’s worth weighing the cost between obtaining an associate degree or diving straight into a bachelor’s degree.
Frequently Asked Questions About Associate in Medical Office Administration Programs
Yes. An associate degree in medical office administration can be worth it for those looking to enter the healthcare industry.
This degree can serve as a stepping stone to four-year programs that lead to lucrative and in-demand careers. An associate degree in medical office administration allows you to switch career paths even after graduating.
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