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Online Colleges: Health Degrees

Created by: MSG Randall High, U.S. Army (ret)

The growing and diverse field of health care provides career opportunities for veterans and active service members who choose to study at military friendly health colleges.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health care provided 14.3 million jobs for wage and salary workers in 2008. The health care industry is comprised of more than 595,000 establishments including physician offices, home health care services, ambulatory care centers, hospitals, nursing homes, mental health facilities and more. The field is expected to see explosive growth in coming years, adding millions more positions for qualified individuals.

A health degree from a military friendly college can provide the foundation for a career in this diverse and growing industry. Degree options vary greatly according to the specialty the student is pursuing. Physicians and surgeons are required to complete graduate school followed by many years of training. A bachelor's degree is typically necessary for a registered nurse, social worker or health care administration field. Those interested in the technician fields, such as an X-ray or ultrasound technician, can usually find success in health programs that result in a certificate or associate degree.

After health school: opportunity and salary potential

Median annual wages, reported by the BLS in 2009, for top three health care fields with the largest percentage of employees in 2008 were as follows:

  1. Registered nurses, $66,530
  2. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, $40,900
  3. Dental assistants, $34,000

Ten of the 30 fastest growing occupations are health care-related, and the field is projected to grow by 22.5 percent--3.2 million new wage and salary positions between 2008 and 2018--more than any other industry.

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This list does not include all schools that accept GI Bill funding or VA Benefits. For a more complete list of schools, click here.

This list does not include all schools that accept GI Bill funding or VA Benefits. For a more complete list of schools, click here.

Disclaimer: Armystudyguide.com does not guarantee the schools listed above accept GI Bill funding. Please check with the school before enrolling.