Birmingham, AL July 9, 2007 -- With the continuing shortage of qualified professionals in the news, health care programs remain at the top of the list for students seeking an online education. The government estimates that medical careers will continue to mushroom in popularity for decades in order to fill a very real need.

Stan Banks, president of Virginia College Online, notes, “We offer two-year associate degrees in some of the most important medical careers. For instance, Healthcare Reimbursement can lead to a medical career with an HMO, insurance company, hospital or doctor's office. Medical insurance paperwork has become more and more complex over the years, and specialists are always needed who understand the system. Health Services Management is a bachelor's degree program for those who are already working in the field and who would like to move into management.”

Part of the increased demand in medical careers is a result of better health care in general and also due to the growing numbers of the graying population. The increase in specialized medical fields and varieties of treatment programs, including hospice care, nursing homes and in-home health care have also contributed to the heavy demand for students who have degrees in medical/business fields.

Banks says, “We have many students who may have earned associate degrees in a medical specialty and see the value of obtaining a bachelor's degree in the medical field so that they can advance their medical careers. A Virginia College Online education is perfect for them. They can often apply many of their existing credits to the more advanced degree while continuing in their current career.”

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