The healthcare field is seeing a lot of growth in the US as more baby boomers are retiring. At the same time, life expectancy is increasing, and those retirees want to stay healthy and active for as long as they can.
Consequently, there is strong growth in many high-paying medical-related fields that require a graduate degree. Below are the top 10 medical degrees you can earn online with no GRE requirement:
#1 Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are in much greater demand today because they can provide much of the same primary and specialty care as a doctor. Their salary is much lower than a doctor, but still, NPs can earn well over $90,000 per year.
A solid online Master of Science in Nursing program to become a nurse practitioner is at Duke University. This is a highly regarded MSN degree program that has several different NP options, including adult-gerontology, family, NP, and pediatric NP. Students are required to visit the campus three times each semester when they are taking the Physical Assessment class.
More information:
- Campus: Durham NC
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Tuition: $8741 per semester
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: Yes
- Programs Offered: MSN – NP
#2 Master of Physician Assistant Studies
A physician’s assistant or PA has similar duties to an NP; he or she practices medicine under the supervision of a doctor. PA’s are qualified to diagnose, examine and treat patients. PA’s can be certified to work in all areas of the medical field. These can include primary care, family medicine, ER medicine, surgery and psychiatry.
An excellent PA master’s program that is mostly online is at the University of North Dakota. This is a fully accredited master’s program that can be attended either by experienced medical professionals or those without medical experience. You will need to visit the campus several times in your second year, as you go through your clinical rounds.
More information:
- Campus: Grand Forks ND
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Tuition: $37,000 total
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: Yes
- Programs Offered: Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies
#3 Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Physical therapist jobs are growing quickly because many older Americans are living longer. They want to improve their ability to move and manage their pain. Many older Americans may have joint replacements or suffer from arthritis. PTs are needed to help them rehabilitate, gain strength and reduce their pain.
The job outlook for physical therapists is outstanding, with a 34% job growth rate expected by 2024.
Northeastern University offers a very high quality, largely online DPT degree program that can be completed in three years. The core classes in this DPT program include differential diagnosis, medical screening, pharmacology, diagnostic imaging, motor control and nutrition. There are several sub specialties available such as pediatrics, orthopedics, geriatrics, education and women’s health.
More information:
- Campus: Boston MA
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: New England Association of College and Schools
- Tuition: $16,700 per year
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 22 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Doctor of Physical Therapy
#4 Master of Occupational Therapy
An occupational therapist treats ill, injured or disabled patients through therapeutic use of common, daily activities. OTs help these patients to improve upon and to recover the skills that they need to work and live each day on their own.
A common type of patient who needs the help of an OT is a person with a permanent disability, such as cerebral palsy. These patients need help to do daily tasks of living, so that they can eventually live as independently as possible.
A.T. Still University offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy that allows students who work in occupational therapy to develop new, more advanced skills. This program is offered via the school’s School of Health Sciences. This program can be done entirely online; you can practice your new skills either in a workplace in your own community, or in your own current practice.
More information:
- Campus: Kirksville MO
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $60,000 total
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 30 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
#5 Doctor of Optometry
An optometrist performs eye examinations and checks various parts of the human visual system. Optometrists also diagnose and treat some visual disorders, and manage injuries and diseases that affect the eye. These professionals also prescribe contact lenses and glasses if the patient needs them.
To become a practicing optometrist, you are required to complete a doctor of optometry program and get licensed in your state. A typical OD program takes four years to finish, and most students have a bachelor’s degree.
Many professionals are opting for this degree because job growth will be 27% by 2024.
New England College of Optometry located in Boston allows students to complete a portion of their classes online. This school offers optometry students a top rated clinical education that provides students with a very rich and diverse mixture of patients, including hospitals, community health centers and mobile eye clinics. Because the program is located in Boston, students have access to some of the best hospitals and medical facilities in the world to practice their craft.
More information:
- Campus: Boston MA
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: New England Association of College and Schools
- Tuition: $40,000 per year
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Doctor of Optometry
#6 Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Midwife
A nurse midwife is a special type of registered nurse. She provides advanced care specifically to women, which can commonly include gynecological exams, family planning, and pre- and post-natal care.
A certified nurse midwife or CNM often delivers babies, helps with emergencies during labor, and sometimes offers help to doctors during a cesarean section. Nurse midwives provide important wellness care to women and educate them how to live a healthy life. They also work with patients to ensure that their babies are getting good nutrition and are growing normally.
CNMs are also experiencing plenty of demand; there will be an increase of 25% in available jobs by 2024.
The University of Cincinnati has an excellent, online CNM program that you can complete in 24 months. After you have graduated, you will be eligible to sit for the American Midwifery Certification Board examination. Some of the classes that are required in this program are:
- Advanced Reproductive Dynamics
- Healthcare Policy
- Theoretical Basis for Clinical Reasoning
- Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
More information:
- Campus: Cincinnati OH
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $725 per credit hour
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: MSN – Certified Nurse Midwifery
#7 Master of Public Health
For professionals who want to try to make a difference for an entire community’s health, earning a Master of Public Health is a logical choice. As a public health care professional, you can assist people in a community to live healthier lives and to have a lower risk of disease and poor overall health.
One of the most common jobs for people with an MPH is health educator or community health worker. These public health workers teach community members about good health, and behaviors that lead to good health and a reduced incidence of disease.
There is a stronger focus today on preventing health problems in communities, so job demand is up for health educators – 13% more jobs by 2024.
One of the best MPH programs in the country that is mostly online is at Johns Hopkins University. This program can be finished in three years by going to school part time. If you attend full time, you may be able to complete it in less than two years.
The university states that 80% of your rigorous curriculum can be completed online.
More information:
- Campus: Baltimore MD
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: CEPH
- Tuition: $63,000 total
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: Yes
- Programs Offered: MPH
#8 Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator
The demand for registered nurses is huge, with a 16% increase in jobs expected by 2024. However, there has been a growing problem in recent years: The inability to find qualified nurse educators to teach aspiring RNs. Industry statistics state that many people who aspire to be RNs have been turned away from universities because of a lack of nurse educators.
With an MSN degree as a nurse educator, you will be part of the vital group of people who are training tomorrow’s nurses – who are the clinical professionals that patients depend upon for much of their care.
A top quality MSN program for nurse educators is found at Jacksonville University. This is a 100% online program that will teach you about all of the human development processes as they relate to teaching nurses. You will be provided with a great nursing education foundation for instructing nursing students.
More information:
- Campus: Jacksonville FL
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Tuition: $720 per credit hour
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: MSN – Nurse Educator
#9 Certified Nurse Anesthetist
A CRNA can do the majority of the duties that a full anesthesiologist can, but at a lower cost to the healthcare system or organization. That is why CRNAs are some of the most in demand healthcare and medical professionals in the country. They provide essential anesthesia services for many types of patients and procedures. There is a 19% demand increase in this profession anticipated by 2024.
For RNs who want to earn their master’s degree to become a nurse anesthetist, we recommend the University of Detroit Mercy. This program was ranked in the top 10 of CRNA programs in the country in 2016 by US News and World Report. Every graduate finds a job within six months of graduation, according to 2015 statistics.
More information:
- Campus: Detroit MI
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $60,347 total
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
- On Campus Requirements: Yes
- Programs Offered: MSN – CRNA
#10 Doctor of Chiropractic
Chiropractors provide advanced care for patients who have problems and pain with their neuromusculoskeletal system. This includes the back, nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. They are experts in making spinal adjustments to reduce back and neck pain. The job outlook for chiropractors is strong, with a 17% increase in demand in the next seven years.
Chiropractic care is very appealing to many patients because they can often relieve severe back and neck pain without the use of drugs.
You must earn your doctor of chiropractic degree to practice in the field. There are no fully online programs for chiropractors, but you can take some of your didactic classes to become a chiropractor at Cleveland University in Kansas City. You will need to report to the campus to complete your clinical practical work.
More information:
- Campus: Overland Park KS
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $112,000 total
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
- On Campus Requirements: Yes
- Programs Offered: Doctor of Chiropractic
