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HEALTHCARE
Always dreamed of a career in medicine? Interested in learning more about the wide range of occupations in this growing field? Get started in MYCAREERSHINES.
Career Pathways
The healthcare field has five general career pathways:
- Therapeutic Services: Individuals who deal directly with patients, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and physical therapists.
- Diagnostic Services: Individuals who perform a wide range of tests, such as clinical and lab technicians.
- Health Informatics: Individuals who manage hospitals and healthcare facilities or manage patient information and records.
- Biotechnology Research and Development: Individuals who study diseases to develop treatments and medications to prevent and cure illness.
- Support Services: Individuals who focus on creating a comfortable experience for patients, such as dieticians.
Meta-Major: Health Sciences
Are you interested in healthcare but not sure what you want to do? Check out the health sciences meta-major at your local state college. A meta-major is a collection of associate degree programs aligned to a general career area, such as health sciences. Because all programs under the meta-major have common courses, you can pursue a relevant course of study before deciding on a specific degree program.
Education-Career-Income Connection
While most jobs require some education after high school, many don't require a four-year, bachelors degree. Some require an Associate Degree, a two-year college degree program, or a certificate, a technical program which vary in length but are generally less than two years.
Training, Certificate or Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Home Health Aide $21,150 Bioinformatics Technician $33,750 Phlebotomist $27,720 Mental Health Counselor $40,643 Pharmacist Technician $28,160 Substance Abuse Counselor $43,056 Medical Assistant $28,740 Cytogenetic Technologist $57,700 Medical Secretary $29,250 Medical and Clinical Technologist $57,700 Clinical Laboratory Technician $32,680 Registered Nurse $60,290 Massage Therapist $36,370 Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse $60,920 Optician, Dispensing $39,150 Acute Care Nurse $60,920 Licensed Practical Nurse $39,150 Critical Care Nurse $60,920 Cardiovascular Technologist $45,290 Informatics Nurse Specialist $80,190 Respiratory Therapist $53,390 Biomedical Engineer $91,940 Physical Therapist Assitant $53,390 Physician Assistant $99,278 Diagnostic Medical Sonographer $60,530 Medical Services Manager $101,920 Dental Hygienist $64,890 Pharmacist $116,620 Resources: MyCareerShines
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MY NEXT MOVE...
Check out My Next Move, an assessment tool offered by the U.S. Department of Labor. The online planning tool allows you to explore careers by key word, industry or interest.
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PLAN YOUR PATH
Save yourself time and money by creating a plan for college.
Degree Requirements
Most associate degree programs require 60 credit hours to earn a degree and most baccalaureate degree programs require 120 credit hours to earn a degree. Both of those degree programs require 36 credit hours in general education courses, including five core courses. To graduate in four years, students must take an average of 15 credit hours each semester. Students who exceed the required courses by more than 10% may have to pay double the tuition for courses above the threshold.
General Education Requirements
To earn an associate or baccalaureate degree from a public college or university in Florida, students must complete 36 credit hours of general education courses. Students entering college for the first time in Fall 2015 must complete one course in each of the following areas – Communication, Math, Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. View courses that meet the core general education requirement.
2+2 Program
Florida’s 2+2 Program allows students to transition seamlessly from a state college to a state university. Nearly two-thirds of Florida's high school graduates attend a state college and more than 50% of upper-classmen in the state's universities started their postsecondary education in a state college.
Students who earn an Associate of Arts from a state college fulfill the general education requirements for a baccalaureate degree and are guaranteed admission to one of the 12 state universities, although not necessarily the university of their choice. Additionally, state colleges and universities must accept credit for courses with a statewide course number.
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FREE ONLINE TEXTBOOKS THROUGH FL's Orange Grove
FIND FREE ONLINE TEXTBOOKS
Your day just got a little brighter. Save a little money on college by accessing free online textbooks and other educational resources.
Orange Grove
Florida's Orange Grove is an online collection of textbooks and educational materials available to Sunshine State students for free. You can find textbooks for a range of courses, from Precalculus to Oceanography to English Composition. Some colleges and universities also provide free textbooks and content to their students.
