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Allied Health Online Degrees

The Associate of Science in Allied Health allows students from a number of health care professions to advance their qualifications in the health and human services fields. Students trained in many medical technician or medical assistance programs, for example Medical Transcription, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Radiology, Medical Records, or EMT/Paramedic, complete a broad range of general education and allied health core courses that provide expanded awareness of allied health as a field of knowledge and practice
Alternative medicine seeks a deeper cause of illness, instead of simply addressing the symptoms. Unlike typical Western medical practice, alternative medical practitioners choose to rely on herbal and holistic remedies, acupuncture, massage, or other forms of therapy instead of prescribing drugs or performing surgery. A program of study in alternative medicine includes courses in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, physiology, and numerous body therapy disciplines. Most programs place strong emphasis on basic science and fundamental holistic skills. Students who choose not to go past a Bachelor's degree find entry-level careers in chiropractic, physical therapy, or rehabilitation. Higher education in the field includes studies in acupuncture and other practices, and blend Western medical principles with holistic theories.

Allied health careers are broken down into two main categories – therapists or technologists, and technicians or assistants. To become a technician requires two years or less for training and education. These professionals attain either a certification or degree-level of higher education. Certified or licensed, technicians typically assist technologists, therapists, physicians or nursing, and require some form of supervision to carry out tasks.

Therapists and technologists, on the other hand, typically can work independently so would require more extensive training and attain a degree ranging from a bachelor’s to a doctorate degree. Since therapists and technologists evaluate, develop treatment plans, and in some instances diagnose, an additional two to five years of education and training is often necessary.

In order to attain an allied health degree, you must attend an accredited school. Accreditation should come from CCAHEP, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Education Programs. Though not mandatory for some allied health careers, attending an accredited school assure that the quality of education received and the quality of educators teaching meet with the standards for the health care profession. An allied health degree from an accredited program also assure you to be eligible to sit for any certification or licensing exams that may be necessary to practice in the chosen profession.