Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Allied Health: Program Overview
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Allied Health is a degree completion program for individuals who have prior education or certification in an allied health field. It is designed to help students build on existing skills and prepare for supervisory or expanded healthcare roles. The program is often delivered fully online and can be completed in as little as 5 to 6 months, depending on credit transfers and institutional offerings.
What You Will Learn
Students study foundational healthcare topics including the U.S. healthcare system, legal and ethical standards, and academic success strategies. The program includes general education coursework in mathematics, environmental science, communication, ethics, and sociology. Students also gain skills in leadership, problem-solving, and workplace communication.
Typical courses include:
- The Health Care System
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care
- Academic Success Strategies
- College Mathematics
- Environmental Science
- Ethical Principles Across Societies
- Written and Oral Communication Practices
Coursework is supplemented with reading assignments, projects, and research activities. Most students are expected to commit about two hours of study time for every lecture hour.
Credit Transfer and Program Requirements
A typical AAS in Allied Health requires about 90 quarter credit hours. Students can transfer up to 54 credit hours from prior allied health programs such as Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, or Veterinary Assisting. Remaining credits are fulfilled through general education and concentration-specific courses.
Admission requires:
- Official transcripts from an accredited institution
- A 2.0 GPA or higher
- Proof of a completed certificate or coursework in an allied health field
Internal applicants from Charter College programs may qualify automatically. In special cases, graduates from medical assistant programs may enter this program if they are unable to access campus-based labs due to location.
Delivery Format
The program is typically offered in a flexible online format. Students can balance classwork with work and family commitments. Tuition varies by institution, but online delivery often reduces overall costs.
At Charter College, the AAS in Allied Health consists of 90 quarter credit hours. Students complete core coursework online without the need for in-person labs.
Career Outcomes
Graduates are prepared for entry-level or mid-level roles in healthcare offices, clinics, hospitals, and outpatient settings. Common job titles include:
- Medical Office Assistant
- Medical Records Technician
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Healthcare Support Worker (source)
Some graduates pursue certification in their specialty or advance into bachelor’s programs in health science or healthcare management.
Top Schools
For students looking to build a strong foundation in the rapidly growing healthcare industry, choosing the right associate degree program is key. Whether you’re already certified in an allied health field or just starting out, the schools featured below offer diverse, flexible, and career-focused Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) degrees in Allied Health.
These programs are designed to meet the needs of future healthcare professionals—offering stackable credentials, transfer options to bachelor’s degrees, and targeted skills for entry-level employment or advancement. Explore how each college equips students with the academic and practical tools to succeed in today’s dynamic healthcare landscape.
| School | Location | Degree Type | Credit Hours | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue College | Bellevue, WA | AAS-T in Allied Health | 90 credits | Designed for students with existing certifications; flexible electives; potential transfer to BAS programs |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville, MI | AAS in Allied Health | 60 credits + required certificate | Start with one of four certificates (e.g., Phlebotomy, Medical Assistant); career mobility into healthcare supervision |
| Seattle Central College | Seattle, WA | AAS-T in Allied Health | 90 credits | Part-time or full-time options; designed for transfer; strong foundation in communication and advocacy |
| Aims Community College | Greeley, CO | AAS in Allied Health Professional | 60 credits | Affordable in-district tuition; stackable certificates; prepares for national certification exams |
| North Seattle College | Seattle, WA | AAS-T in Allied Health | 90 credits | Multi-track for career changers and professionals; focus on teamwork and patient-centered care |
| Monroe College | Bronx, NY | AS in Allied Health Science | 60 credits | Strong science foundation; fits students entering clinical/admin roles or transferring to higher degrees |
| CCBC (Community College of Baltimore County) | Catonsville, MD | AAS in Allied Health | Varies based on prior certification | Credit for prior national certifications; coursework includes healthcare leadership and communication |
| Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) | Colorado Springs, CO | AAS & AS in Allied Health | 60–65 credits | Two tracks: hands-on (AAS) or science-intensive (AS); designed for either workforce or academic transfer |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | Williamsport, PA | AAS in Allied Health | 60 credits | Customizable electives; prepares for support roles in healthcare operations, education, and tech |
Bellevue College
https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/allied-health-aas-t/
Bellevue, WA
Comprehensive Transferable Allied Health Education
Bellevue College offers an Associate of Applied Science – Transfer (AAS-T) in Allied Health that blends professional certification with a broad education in math, science, and the humanities. This 90-credit program is designed to support students with existing allied health certifications by enhancing their qualifications and preparing them for career advancement or potential transfer into Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) programs. While the AAS-T includes the word “transfer,” it does not guarantee direct university admission, making academic advising a key part of planning future education paths. Students benefit from the program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary skills and elective flexibility, which can be tailored to individual career goals.
Career Mobility and Academic Versatility
This degree combines one or more Allied Health certificate programs with general education coursework, supporting career development in a range of healthcare settings. Graduates can expect to be more competitive in the job market, showcasing both a commitment to the healthcare field and an ability to complete a rigorous program. While no tuition information is listed, the program provides an accessible entry point for those seeking to build upon professional certifications and pursue supervisory roles or additional academic achievement within the health sciences.
Glen Oaks Community College
https://catalog.glenoaks.edu/programs/health-human-services/allied-health-aas/
Centreville, MI
Tailored for Career Advancement in Healthcare
Glen Oaks Community College’s Associate of Applied Science in Allied Health is designed for individuals seeking to grow into supervisory roles or manage health care offices across clinics, hospitals, and private practices. The curriculum integrates healthcare-specific training with broader academic competencies to help students meet employer expectations. Key program outcomes include expanded professional expertise and readiness for leadership responsibilities in the healthcare system.
Practical Certificate Options for Skill Specialization
To earn the AAS degree, students must first complete one of four occupational certificates—such as Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, or Medical Administrative Specialist—averaging around 30 credits each. The program’s structure reflects the growing demand for healthcare professionals and emphasizes flexibility, allowing students to gain hands-on, job-ready skills while progressing academically. Glen Oaks emphasizes both employability and transferability, although specifics on tuition and course duration are not detailed online.
Seattle Central College
https://healthcare.seattlecentral.edu/programs/allied-health
Seattle, W
Flexible, Career-Focused Degree with Transfer Potential
Seattle Central College offers a 90-credit Associate of Applied Science – Transfer (AAS-T) in Allied Health that prepares students for immediate employment or further academic study in healthcare. Designed for both full-time (6 quarters) and part-time (11–12 quarters) completion, the program requires students to have an allied health certificate of at least 10 credits and includes general education courses in English, math, humanities, and science. This structure allows students to customize their academic pathway based on previous experience and long-term goals.
Pathways to Promotion and Higher Degrees
The program supports upward mobility for working professionals and entry into applied bachelor’s degrees such as Healthcare Services Management or Community Health & Education. By building a solid foundation in communication, intercultural awareness, and patient advocacy, graduates can qualify for healthcare roles with increased responsibility. The degree also positions students well for lateral moves into new healthcare specializations or managerial roles, as Washington’s healthcare sector continues to expand rapidly.
Aims Community College
https://www.aims.edu/degrees-certificates/allied-health-professional
Greeley, CO
Affordable, Hands-On Healthcare Training
Aims Community College’s Allied Health AAS degree is a 60-credit program designed for entry-level employment in clinical and administrative healthcare roles. With tuition ranging from $5,620 (in-district) to $29,440 (out-of-state), it offers flexible options for those pursuing careers as medical assistants, front office assistants, nurse aides, phlebotomists, or sterile processing technicians. Students gain both clinical skills—like taking vitals and drawing blood—and administrative training, including insurance processing and electronic health records.
Certifications and Career Versatility
Aims partners with certifying organizations like the NCCT and HSPA, offering preparation for national certification exams. The program includes stackable certificates in Medical Clinical Assisting, Phlebotomy, and more, allowing students to build credentials while pursuing their associate degree. Graduates are prepared for employment in settings such as hospitals, private clinics, university health systems, and labs, where demand for skilled allied health workers continues to rise.
North Seattle College
https://northseattle.edu/programs/allied-health/allied-health-associate-applied-science-transfer
Seattle, WA
Multi-Track Degree for Healthcare Entry or Advancement
North Seattle College’s 90-credit Allied Health AAS-T degree prepares students for a variety of roles in Washington’s growing healthcare sector. Completion takes about six quarters full-time or 11–12 quarters part-time. The program is ideal for students with an existing healthcare certificate or those starting their path in healthcare. It builds on previous training and includes courses in patient communication, science, and public health, supporting both immediate employment and transfer to a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program.
Focused on Patient-Centered Care and Teamwork
Students learn to provide healthcare as part of a collaborative team, with an emphasis on advocacy and communication. Program outcomes include enhanced readiness for employment and the academic skills needed for further study in healthcare services or education. The degree is structured to meet the needs of entry-level students, career changers, and experienced healthcare workers seeking advancement, aligning with the state’s priority to improve access to quality healthcare professionals.
Monroe College
Academic Pathway into Clinical and Non-Clinical Health Careers
Monroe College offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Allied Health Science that provides foundational preparation for a broad range of clinical and administrative roles. The curriculum emphasizes life sciences, public health, and general studies—including anatomy, nutrition, and pathophysiology—helping students understand the full scope of healthcare services. The program is ideal for students looking to begin a career in healthcare or continue into advanced degree programs in the field.
Designed for Workforce Entry and Academic Progress
Graduates are qualified for entry-level positions in hospitals, care facilities, the CDC, and insurance companies. The program develops critical thinking, technological literacy, and an understanding of the healthcare system’s structure and challenges. While tuition details aren’t provided, the AS degree sets a strong foundation for future studies in nursing, health administration, or specialized allied health roles, supporting a seamless transition to higher education and long-term career growth.
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)
https://www.ccbcmd.edu/Programs-and-Courses-Finder/Program/allied-health.html
Catonsville, MD
Stackable Credentials for Certified Health Professionals
The Allied Health Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) at CCBC offers a structured path to a degree for those already certified in fields such as surgical technology, sleep technology, pharmacy technician, medical assisting, and medical coding. Students can earn academic credit for prior national certifications, eliminating the need to repeat coursework, while completing general education and career-focused classes at the Essex campus.
Leadership and Advancement in Healthcare
CCBC’s program emphasizes upward mobility by incorporating coursework in management, communication, customer service, and leadership. This approach prepares graduates not only for immediate employment but also for supervisory or managerial positions in healthcare settings. The program is ideal for working professionals seeking recognition of prior learning and a streamlined route to a degree that enhances both job security and career potential.
Pikes Peak State College (PPSC)
https://www.pikespeak.edu/programs/allied-health/index.php
Colorado Springs, CO
Two Degree Paths, One Goal: Healthcare Success
Pikes Peak State College offers both an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and an Associate of Science (AS) in Allied Health. The AAS path emphasizes hands-on training and career readiness in areas such as Phlebotomy, CNA, and EMT-Basic. The AS option provides a science-intensive curriculum designed for transfer to four-year programs in medical technology, physical therapy, and related fields.
Flexible Learning for Varied Healthcare Careers
PPSC’s Allied Health programs help students build foundational knowledge in medical terminology, patient care, healthcare systems, and critical thinking. Small class sizes and expert faculty ensure personalized guidance, while built-in flexibility allows students to tailor their studies to immediate employment or advanced academic goals. Whether pursuing clinical certifications or science-intensive transfer pathways, graduates emerge with practical skills and long-term healthcare potential.
Pennsylvania College of Technology
https://www.pct.edu/academics/nhs/allied-health/allied-health
Williamsport, PA
Customizable Degree for Emerging Healthcare Leaders
Penn College’s A.A.S. in Allied Health is designed for students seeking non-direct patient care roles across a wide range of healthcare settings. The program blends coursework in health science, medical terminology, health information systems, and management with broad electives, giving students the chance to personalize their education based on specific career interests.
Foundation for Growth in a High-Demand Field
This associate degree supports students who want to explore allied health fields while building versatile skills in communication, data analysis, and healthcare operations. Graduates are well-positioned for support roles in healthcare administration, technology, education, and public health. The curriculum encourages students to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world application, fostering critical thinking and leadership capacity for career advancement.
What Does Paying Off Your Allied Health Degree Look Like?
Pursuing an associate degree in Allied Health is not only a smart step toward a stable, in-demand career—it’s also a financially accessible investment for most students. On average, tuition for programs like the ones listed above ranges from $7,500 to $12,000, with $10,000 being a solid midpoint for estimation. Starting salaries for graduates entering the healthcare field in entry-level roles typically fall around $38,000 per year.
Let’s break down how long it would take to pay off a $10,000 student loan (excluding interest for simplicity) depending on how much of your salary you’re willing to dedicate to repayment:
| % of Salary Toward Loan | Annual Payment | Time to Repay |
|---|---|---|
| 5% of $38,000 = $1,900/year | $1,900 | 5 years, 3 months |
| 10% of $38,000 = $3,800/year | $3,800 | 2 years, 8 months |
| 15% of $38,000 = $5,700/year | $5,700 | 1 year, 9 months |
| 20% of $38,000 = $7,600/year | $7,600 | 1 year, 4 months |
As shown above, even with a modest income, most students could realistically repay their education costs in under five years—and much sooner with a more aggressive repayment plan. This makes an Allied Health associate degree not only a gateway into meaningful and secure employment but also a financially manageable stepping stone for long-term success in healthcare.