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2023 Allied Health Professions Degree Guide

If you are interested in joining a career field that helps diagnose and treat specific medical problems, consider majoring in Allied Health Professions.

Allied Health professionals specialize in a specific area of the body or type of treatment to aid physicians in diagnosing and treating diseases. Students take classes in anatomy, microbiology, physiology, and health physics along with courses that are specific to the area of study you wish to pursue. Since Allied Health professionals work in a narrow niche of the medical world, you will spend most of your time taking classes that are pertinent to your concentration.

There are many areas students can specialize in. Some of the most popular are: Cardiovascular Technology, Emergency Medical Technology (EMT Paramedic), Medical Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care Therapy, Surgical Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Ultrasound Technician, Radiological Technology, Physician Assistant, Athletic Training, and many others.

Allied Health Professions Degrees Growing in Popularity

#18 Most Popular Major
82.3k Degrees Awarded
1.4% Increase in Graduates

Allied Health Professions was the 18th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 82,308 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 1.4% increase in allied health degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 81,167.

This year's Best Allied Health Professions Schools ranking compares 1172 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of allied health programs later in this article.

2023 Best Colleges for Allied Health Professions
2023 Overall Best Allied Health Professions Colleges >

Best Allied Health Professions Schools by Degree

Associate Degrees in Allied Health Professions
Bachelor's Degrees in Allied Health Professions
Master's Degrees in Allied Health Professions
Doctorate Degrees in Allied Health Professions

Requirements for Getting a Degree in Allied Health Professions

The Allied Health Professions major is rooted in science, making a background in biology, anatomy, and physiology helpful. Students who pursue this degree are strong critical and analytical thinkers since they must diagnose and devise a treatment plan for patients. Students also have strong communication and interpersonal skills as professionals interact daily with patients and must show compassion and understanding for people who are ill or concerned about procedures.

Allied Health professions are full time jobs in offices. Professionals usually work normal 40-hour workweeks, but may work holidays and weekends depending on the location of the job and medical emergencies.

Depending on the career path you intend to follow, you may only need an associate's degree to work in this field. However, you must be certified to practice. Certification requirements vary depending on the state, so it is best to research the requirements for the state you want to practice in.

Allied Health Degree Program Entry Requirements

allied health professions degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional allied health certifications required to pursue a career in this field.

Allied Health Professions Degree Types

Allied Health degree levels vary. Allied Health Professions programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest allied health degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common allied health degree levels is shown below.

Degree Credit Requirements Typical Program Length
Associate Degree 60-70 credits 2 years
Bachelor’s Degree 120 credits 4 years
Master’s Degree 50-70 credits 1-3 years
Doctorate Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation At least 4 years

An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to allied health, with approximately 38.8% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for allied health workers below.

Level of Education Percentage of Workers
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) 40.8%
Bachelor’s Degree 17.7%
Post-Secondary Certificate 12.1%
Master’s Degree 7.7%
Some College Courses 5.9%

Most workers in allied health have at least a associate degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in allied health professions have obtained.

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This of course varies depending on which allied health career you choose.

Career Opportunities for A Degree In Allied Health Graduate

Above Average Number of Jobs
$53.4k Average Starting Salary
20% Growth Job Outlook 2016-26

There are many unique specializations within the Allied Health Professions field leading graduates to find jobs at a variety of locations. Graduates typically find work at hospitals, medical diagnostic centers, physician offices, or specialized offices.

High Growth Projected for Allied Health Careers

Want a job when you graduate with your allied health degree? Allied Health Professions careers are expected to grow 19.6% between 2016 and 2026.

The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to allied health professions.

Occupation Name Projected Jobs Expected Growth
Health Specialties Professors 294,000 25.9%
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics 285,400 15.1%
Respiratory Therapists 160,600 23.3%
Health Technologists and Technicians 152,900 19.6%
Physician Assistants 145,900 37.4%

How Much Money Do Allied Health Grads Make?

Recently graduated allied health professions students earned an average of $53,429 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $8,705 to as high as $128,085. As you might expect, salaries for allied health graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.

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Highest Paid Allied Health Careers

Salaries for allied health professions graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers allied health grads often go into.

Occupation Name Median Average Salary
Health Specialties Professors $122,320
Physician Assistants $108,430
Radiation Therapists $86,730
Nuclear Technicians $79,970
Nuclear Medicine Technologists $78,870

Getting Your Allied Health Professions Degree

With over 5,531 different allied health degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased allied health school rankings to help you with this.

Study Areas in Allied Health Professions

Allied Health Professions is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.

Allied Health Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) 26,641
Physician Assistant 11,351
Radiologic Technology 9,790
Surgical Technology 7,583
Respiratory Care Therapy 6,845

View All Allied Health Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 322,592
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274
Public Health 40,596

View All Allied Health Related Majors >

References

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