A Survey of Different Types of Healthcare Degrees

A prospective healthcare student interested in a healthcare degree should consider the various educational options available before determining what is right for them. Deciding between a campus-based and online degree program is just the first step. A prospective student must also decide how many years of investment they want to put into their degree.

The following info will go over different healthcare degrees available. Example degree choices are available for each level of education, associated occupations and prospective median incomes for each occupation.

Vocational Training. Vocational training involves gaining a certification for a specific occupation/field. It is very focused, entry-level training for a single job market and is not encouraged for a prospective student that might consider additional educational opportunities in the future. Everest College offers a Medical Assistant certification program.
Different jobs and reported median incomes for vocational training/certification with 0-2 years experience:

Medical Assistant: $25,325 [2]

Office Manager, Medical Office: $42,494 [2]

Practice Manager: $54,900 [2]

Associate's Degree. An associate's degree is a 2-year degree that involves principle ideas surrounding a specific subject and a broad college-level general education. Unlike vocational training, an associates degree is a great start if the healthcare-oriented student chooses to continue school and further their career. An associate's degree can later be built upon with a bachelor's degree or master's degree. Ashworth College offers associate degrees in healthcare management for entry-level healthcare industry positions.
Different jobs and reported median incomes for an associate's degree with 0-2 years experience:

Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH): $49,879 to $79,392 [1]

Registered Medical Assistant: $25,880 [2]

Bachelor's Degree. The bachelor's degree is the 4-year degree or "traditional college degree." A bachelor's degree focuses on a specific subject, or "major," with two years focused on general education and two years on the major selected. It is also known as the "undergraduate degree." Healthcare bachelor degrees include, but are not limited to: general healthcare, health informatics, healthcare administration and management, medical and dental specialist, medical assistant, medical billing and coding, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and public health. Saint Leo University , a military-friendly school, offers medical bachelor degree programs that will help any student launch their successful career.
Different jobs and reported median incomes for a bachelor's degree with 0-2 years experience:

Registered Nurse (RN): $50,201 to $73,021 [1]

Medical Billing Manager: $38,266 [2]

Medical Records Coder: $35,153 [2]

Physical Therapist [PT]: $59,700 [2]

Master's Degree. The master's degree is an additional two years of school beyond the bachelor's degree. A master's degree comes in the form of a M.A. (Master of Arts), M.S. (Master of Science), and M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration). The M.B.A. typically involves an internship, while the M.A. and M.S. involve a thesis paper. American Sentinel University offers an M.B.A. that is healthcare-centric .
Different jobs and reported median incomes for a master's degree with 0-2 years experience:

Physician Assistant [PA]: $71,939 [2]

Clinical Psychologist: $51,031 [2]

Marriage/Family Therapist (MFT): $40,982 [2]

Doctorate Degree. An M.D. is a doctor's degree in medical practice, while a Ph.D. is a doctor's degree in any other field of study. For prospective college students interested in the practice of medicine, going to medical school and pursuing an M.D. is the right choice.
Different jobs and reported median incomes for practitioners of medicine with 0-2 years experience:

Physician/Doctor, Internal Medicine: $142,456 [2]

Family Physician/Doctor: $153,333 [2]

Anesthesiologist: $200,000 [2]

Once you understand the different kinds of degrees available to you, you should ask yourself the following questions to determine what is best for you:
1.Why am I going back to school?
2.What is my previous educational experience?
3.What are my career goals?

This should steer you in the right direction when selecting your degree. For example, if you are going back to school because you want to go into management, and management is definitely our career goal, vocational training is not for you. You should look into a higher degree like a bachelor's or master's degree. If your previous educational experience is a bachelor's degree and you need that extra educational kicker to get into management, then pursue an M.B.A.

References
[1] http://www.salary.com
[2] http://www.payscale.com