Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Medical Transcription

Many people don’t know what medical transcription is or what you’d even study to get a medical transcription associate degree.

Medical transcription professionals work with physicians and other health care professionals, taking their recorded dictation and turning it into medical reports, letters, articles, and other material. They also might take notes from meetings and organize them for an easier read-through later on.

Medical transcription is a vital position in the medical industry. Why? Well, you’re helping doctors by taking their notes and putting them into a patient’s permanent file. You’ll be working on discharge summaries, emergency room visits, autopsy reports, exam reports, and much more.

Sounds pretty interesting, right? Sure it does. People often overlook this field but it’s a very necessary part of the day-to-day operations of clinics, hospitals, and private practices all over the world.

The nice thing about a degree in medical transcription is that it’s a field that will get you in the door of the health care industry. Many people who start out as medical transcriptionists transition to medical coders, medical technicians, or other administrative positions. It’s definitely a field that opens a lot of opportunities for many people.

With a medical transcription associate degree you’ll be learning important skills like:

Transcription Technique
Medical Terminology
Anatomy and Physiology
Records Management
Word Processing and Computer Skills
Office Administration
Critical Thinking
Data Entry
Editing
And much more!

Due to the growth that the health care industry is seeing now, and expects in the future, the field of medical transcription is growing much faster than other industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates growth at 18% to 27% through 2014. So, job security is definitely a big plus here!

When it comes to how much you can make with a medical transcription associate degree, it varies on your location and employer. Some medical transcriptionists get paid hourly, and some get a salary. Hourly employees make an average of $11-$13 per hour, while salaried employees make $25,000 to $35,000 per year.

Another tidbit that you might want to know is that many medical transcriptionists work from home. They tele-commute, and may work with several different doctors or hospitals. This is a great perk because it means you can work as a contractor, setting your own rates in addition to making your own hours and being your own boss.

If you like the idea of helping doctors organize their thoughts and notes about their patients then getting a medical transcription associate degree might be the perfect career for you. It’s an often overlooked, but very rewarding, option.

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information