Do You Need a College Degree to Work in the Healthcare Industry?

By Roxy White

You are thinking about pursuing a career in the healthcare industry but you do not possess a college degree. Do you need a college degree to work in the healthcare industry? Surprisingly there are actually a few career choices available in the healthcare industry that does not require a college degree. Specific educational requirements however are ultimately determined by the particular employer.

Healthcare Career Choices that do not require a College Degree

Medical Receptionist

  • Educational Requirements: There are no educational requirements for a Medical Receptionist besides possibly requiring a High School Diploma.

Medical Secretary

  • Educational Requirements: There are no educational requirements for a Medical Secretary besides possibly requiring a High School Diploma.

Medical Interpreter

  • Educational Requirements: There are no educational requirements for a Medical Interpreter besides possibly requiring a High School Diploma. Must be fluent in two languages (most commonly English and one other language) and have in-depth knowledge of medical terminology.

Healthcare Career Choices that do not require a College Degree but do require some Schooling

College Degree Healthcare

Licensed Practical Nurse (Licensed Vocational Nurse)

  • Educational Requirements: Must complete a 1 year training program offered by vocational or technical schools or community or junior colleges. Must complete a practical nurse program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed.

Medical Biller or Coder

  • Educational Requirements: Must have a High School Diploma and pass an accredited program in medical coding to obtain a medical coder certification.

Medical Transcriptionist

  • Educational Requirements: Must complete a 1 year diploma program or a 2 year associate’s degree program. 1 year medical transcription programs are offered by vocational schools.

Healthcare Career Choices that require a 2 year Associates Degree

Registered Nurse

  • Educational Requirements: Must have an Associate’s Degree in nursing (ADN) or Bachelor’s Degree in nursing (BSN). Must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed. This degree can be earned at community colleges, universities and through educational institutions offering online nursing degrees.

Radiologist Technician

  • Educational Requirements: Must complete formal training programs in radiography, which last anywhere from 1 to 4 years. 1 year certificate programs are available for experienced radiographers or other healthcare individuals including medical technologists and registered nurses, who want to change fields. A 2 year Associate’s Degree or a 4 Year Bachelor’s degree will be required without any prior healthcare industry experience.

Medical Laboratory Technician

  • Educational Requirements: Must complete a 2 year associate’s degree program. Must complete an accredited training program for medical laboratory technicians.

Healthcare Career Choices that require a 4 year College Degree

General Health Physician

  • Educational Requirements: All physicians must have a Bachelor’s Degree and either a Medical Doctorate Degree (M.D.) or Doctorate of Osteopathy Degree (D.O.). Must complete a 3-5 year residency training program.

Medical Scientist

  • Educational Requirements: Must have a minimum of a Doctorate in a Biological Science. Most will graduate from an accredited medical school, pass a licensing exam, and complete up to 7 years of graduate education.

Pharmacist

  • Educational Requirements: Must have a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from a school accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Must pass the state-required licensing exam.

Physician Assistant

  • Educational Requirements: Must have a Bachelor’s Degree. Must complete a Master’s program in Physician Assisting from an accredited school. Must pass a national exam to become licensed.

Physical Therapist

  • Educational Requirements: Must have a Master’s or Doctoral Degree from an accredited physical therapist education program. Must pass a state-required licensing exam.

Mental Health Specialist

  • Educational Requirements: Must have a Master’s Degree in counseling. Must participate in many hours of training providing counseling for mental health issues.

Medical Social Worker

  • Educational Requirements: Must have a Master’s Degree in Social Work from an accredited Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) program.

Health Services Manager

  • Educational Requirements: Must have a Master’s Degree in health services administration, business administration, public health, public administration, health sciences, or long-term care administration.