Why Study in an Online Medical School?

While becoming a doctor still requires traditional on-campus medical school, you can choose to study medicine online and earn your undergraduate degree or pursue other positions within the healthcare field. 

The healthcare field is filled with different types of professionals that all work together to diagnose, treat and cure patients. 

What is Medicine? 

Defined as the field of health and healing, medicine covers diagnosis, treatment, prevention of disease, research and development, and surrounding aspects of health. The medical field includes doctors, nurses, administrative assistants, therapists, specialists, and more. 

The branches of medicine span: anatomy, biochemistry, biophysics, endocrinology, genetics, histology, microbiology, neuroscience, and nutrition, to name a few. 

Why Study Medicine? 

Studying medicine offers a vast array of benefits to the individual who does so, including the scientific side of things, the human component, and the wide variety of job opportunities. For example, jobs within the medical field offer continuous learning and understanding of the human body. 

Along with jobs being in high demand, they are inherently rewarding because you get to work within a team and sometimes directly with patients to assist in their healing. The skills within the medical field are transferable, like communication, empathy, time management, and attention to detail. 

Furthermore, because of the high skills needed to be a part of the healthcare system, the salaries are typically well-paid. 

Why Study Medicine Online?  

If you’re wondering, “Why would I want to study medicine online?” you must know the many benefits of this form of learning over traditional education:

Affordability 

Without the overhead costs of running an institution, tuition costs or fees are generally lower for online academic institutions. Especially for medical education, the costs associated with studying at a traditional school can be very high for an average learner.

Flexibility

Since most online programs are accessible 24/7, students can choose when they want to learn. As opposed to a traditional institution where classes are only offered at specific times of the day, online learning allows students to log on when they have the time to learn. 

Skill Development

Although it may be considered challenging to do so, distance learning places the onus on the student to be responsible for managing time and keeping up with studying. These time management skills become useful and transferable skills upon entering the job market. 

Online Options for Studying Medicine 

Many schools offer online options for studying medicine. Whether they offer a mixture of hybrid learning or 100% distance learning, here’s a look at some universities where you can study medicine online: 

Keiser University 

Bachelor’s degrees in various health-related majors like Health Information Management, Health Science, Health Services Administration, Medical Laboratory Science, etc. 

Purdue University Global 

Certificate programs for Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, Medical Office Administration, and Nursing. Plus Bachelor’s degrees in Health and Wellness, Health Information Management, Health Science, Healthcare Administration, Nursing, etc. 

University of Massachusetts 

Master’s degrees in Public Health, Nursing, Nutrition, Health Informatics, and Management 

Can You Earn an MBBS or MD Online?

MBBS stands for ‘Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.’ The basic rules for pursuing this degree–the eligibility, duration, and basic training vary from one country to another. However, in most countries across the world, one cannot choose to earn an MBBS degree in online mode. That may be because an MBBS is a very hands-on kind of education requiring a lot of everyday experience in hospitals and laboratories. Maybe the theory part of the syllabus, for once, can be studied online but practical training is essential to earn this degree.

An MBBS degree is equivalent to a master’s degree in the USA, unlike many other countries. The extensive syllabus and training undertaken by MBBS students in the USA nullify the need for a master’s degree in medicine (MD or Doctor of Medicine). Yes, you heard it right, an MBBS earned in the US is equivalent to an MD.

Just like an MBBS degree, even an MD cannot be earned online, mainly because of the hands-on nature of the curriculum and the training required. One must attend a conventional school to finish their studies.

There is a ton of branches and sub-branches, or specialties as they are commonly referred for a doctor in the making to choose from in the United States and in most other countries as well. One could choose to specialize in general surgery or venture into internal medicine, medical genetics, or radiology. Often one wonders what must be the toughest medical specialty for a would-be doctor but it’s tough to pinpoint any one program because all branches have their own set of unique challenges. Likewise, saying what field of medicine is best for whom is really difficult. Often, doctors choose their specialty based on individual interests, skillsets, and for completely practical reasons based on opportunities available to them at that given point in time.

Study Health Science at University of the People

Health Science is the field of applied science that relates to human and animal health. It takes the knowledge of health and science and uses it to improve health, understand how humans and animals function, and manage and cure diseases. 

UoPeople, a fully online, tuition-free, American-accredited university with learners from over 200 countries offers a Bachelor of Science in Health Science for people aspiring to build successful careers in the field. Our bachelor’s degree is perfect for those looking to start building a solid base to eventually pursue a master’s degree in health science. Even if you are not keen on a master’s degree, a bachelor’s in health science earned at UoPeople can potentially improve your chances as a healthcare professional by honing your skills in patient care and well-being. The Health Science advisory board is made up of professionals from top-tier global institutions who devise the program to prepare students for employability. Studying Health Science at UoPeople offers students a pedagogical model to learn and apply their knowledge upon graduation within the healthcare field.   

Additionally, the university offers four well-designed certificate programs in health science, helping learners specialize in Public Health, Human Biology, Epidemiology, and Behavioral Health.  

UoPeople makes your learning process super easy by sticking with an asynchronous learning model, which means, there are no live lectures, and no set class times.  Instead, you can enjoy the freedom of online flexibility and study on your own schedule.  All you are required to do is to turn in your assignments by the end of each week to race your path to graduation! Apply now!