Medical Specialties is an Associate Degree program (100% Online) offered by U.S. Career Institute in Fort Collins, CO. The program takes 61 semester credits / four semesters to complete, with a total tuition of $7,956.
Program Overview
U.S. Career Institute’s self-paced, online medical specialties degree is designed to prepare you for certification, and a role in a variety of healthcare environments in as little as 16 months. Position yourself for success in a growing field!
U.S. Career Institute’s Medical Specialties associate degree in applied science prepares you for five highly in-demand healthcare careers. U.S. Career Institute's online Medical Specialties program contains 61 credit hours in courses including Medical Assistant, Medical Billing, Medical Coding, Pharmacy Technician, and Patient Care Technician. You will learn the skills needed to succeed in many types of healthcare environments. Each of our Medical Specialties online courses explores a different topic in depth. The pacing of our training program allows you to truly master skills as you work toward getting your online associate degree in Medical Specialties. Because you take one class at a time, you will be able to thoroughly master each subject as you learn the ins and outs of the medical field.
Program goal: To prepare students to obtain applicable industry certifications. U.S. Career Institute recommends the CCMA and the ExCPT. Included with our course, we cover the cost of the industry certification exam(s) of your choosing – up to $760 value.
What sets this Program apart
- 5-day money-back commitment
- DEAC Accredited
- 100% online, self-paced classes, on your phone or computer
- Complete in 16 months, part-time
- One-on-one career coaching and instructor support
- Start learning today - no waiting period!
- A+ BBB Rating, 45 years in distance education, and 97% of students would recommend U.S. Career Institute to a friend.
- The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.
Admission Requirements and Process
Students must be 18 years of age; exceptions will be made with guardian approval and the appropriate education, and students under 16 years of age will not be admitted.
- Students must submit a signed enrollment application.
- Students must attest to having successfully graduated from a state-recognized high school or earned a GED. Students who have completed 30 semester hours or more from a college accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may submit official college transcripts to meet this requirement. International or homeschooled students must provide a letter of substantial equivalency or GED transcript. Without one, students can still be considered for admission providing they sign a waiver provided by the school and show ability to benefit from the program’s instruction in the first 12 semester hours completed at U.S. Career Institute.
- Students must be able to read and write in English. Applicants whose native language is not English must meet one of the listed requirements, such as a minimum total score of 61 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.0 on the IELTS, 44 on the Pearson Test of English Academic, 95 on the Duolingo English Test, or a high school diploma completed at an accredited/recognized high school where the medium of instruction is English.
- Transcripts not in English must be evaluated and translated by an appropriate third party; U.S. Career Institute accepts translation services from any NACES member.
U.S. Career Institute is an open enrollment school: as long as the applicant meets the admissions requirements for minimum education, age and English skills, they will be accepted into the school. Since applicants self-certify their high school completion information, U.S. Career Institute reserves the right to verify it by requiring a transcript. Enrollment begins on the date the school receives a student’s signed enrollment application.
Transfer credit. U.S. Career Institute grants credit for previous education or experience that is equivalent to its degree courses, including courses completed at a college accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, CLEP, ACE, DSST and Excelsior College Exams. Students may transfer a maximum of 50% of the total program credits required for graduation, and receive a tuition discount of $125 per credit hour for each course granted transfer credit.
Prospective students are expected to research regulatory (including licensing) and employer requirements in their state, county or city of residence prior to enrolling to ensure their chosen program will meet their needs.
General Requirements
- Minimum ageStudents must be 18 years of age, with exceptions made with guardian approval; students under 16 will not be admitted.
- High school diploma or GEDStudents must attest to having graduated from a state-recognized high school or earned a GED, or submit transcripts for 30 or more college semester hours.
- EnglishStudents must be able to read and write in English, and non-native speakers must meet one of the listed English test scores.
- Signed enrollment applicationStudents must submit a signed enrollment application.
- Transcripts in EnglishTranscripts not in English must be evaluated and translated by a NACES member or another appropriate third party.
Application Process
- 1Ask your questionsRequest information online or call U.S. Career Institute toll-free at 866-250-6851 to learn more.
- 2Sign your enrollment agreementProvide your basic information, choose to pay in full or monthly, and sign the enrollment agreement and disclosures.
- 3Nominate your proctorSend the Registrar a completed Proctor Nomination Form within 14 days after enrollment.
- 4Request transfer transcriptsSend the Transcript Request Form to any school from which you are requesting to transfer credit; allow six to eight weeks for processing.
- 5Begin Success StrategiesBegin your first course, Success Strategies — you can start earning your degree before you have submitted all your transcripts.
Program Schedule
The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Specialties is taught over four semesters. Students can complete it in 16 months, studying part-time. Classes are 100% online and self-paced, on your phone or computer, with no due dates or deadlines.
One year per semester. Each semester must be completed within one calendar year of enrollment, and students control the pace of course completion within each semester. A student unable to complete a semester within a year may request an Academic Extension in writing.
Automatic course shipments. Each course has a trigger quiz that automatically ships the next course in the program. The first course in the next semester is sent upon receipt of the second assignment in the last non-transfer course of the current semester, and the start date for each semester is the day its first course is shipped.
Proctored exams. Some courses have a proctored exam: students schedule the exam with an approved proctor, present valid government-issued photo identification, and complete the exam within a 3.5-hour time allotment.
U.S. Career Institute is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Mountain Standard Time; instructors return calls Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your medical specialties education affordable and inclusive. Start a new career that you’ll love and find fulfilling without a mountain of debt. Make an investment in yourself today!
- Option 1, pay in full: $1,689 per semester (save $300); the application charge is waived.
- Option 2, monthly auto payments: $1,989 per semester at $139 a month, with a first payment of $139, plus a $40.00 shipping and handling charge.
First payment includes $24 tuition and $40 shipping and handling and $75 Application Charge. Shipping and Application Charge non-refundable.
U.S. Career Institute’s Medical Specialties program consists of four semesters. The total Medical Specialties program cost for all four semesters and fees is $8,191, which is $1,989 plus $40 for shipping per semester and a one-time application charge of $75.
The 2026 degree catalog states that tuition is currently $1989 plus $40 shipping/handling per semester; the school cannot guarantee the current cost per semester will remain the same for the student’s entire enrollment, but tuition for a semester in which a student is actively completing coursework will not increase. Students may pay for each semester in full or make monthly payments.
5-day money-back commitment. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to decide if our program is the best route for you.
Employer tuition reimbursement. You may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement of your tuition by your employer. Students should check with their supervisor or personnel department to see if they have an employer‑sponsored tuition reimbursement program.
Military and VA benefits. Use your military and VA benefits to further your and/or your spouse's career. U.S. Career Institute is approved for or affiliated with VA education benefits including GI‑Bill® benefits and MyCAA benefits. Reservists may also qualify for veterans' training. If you think you may be eligible, contact your base's Education Officer or the Veterans Administration.
Funding. U.S. Career Institute participates in military education benefit programs and the MyCAA spouse support tuition program; specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. U.S. Career Institute also participates in various employer-paid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. U.S. Career Institute does not participate in other financial aid programs.
Coding manuals may be borrowed (from a library, etc.) or purchased; U.S. Career Institute offers the manuals for sale at a discounted price, with an estimated cost (including shipping) of ICD-10 – $84; CPT – $109; HCPCS – $67.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Job growth over 2–3× greater than all other jobs by 2034.
Become part of an essential healthcare team working side by side with doctors, nurses, physician assistants and insurance executives, making meaningful differences in patients' lives every day.
Work in hospitals and a variety of other settings, including physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, and home healthcare services.
U.S. Career Institute’s online classes are designed to prepare you to sit for 9 optional nationally recognized certification exams: CIC®, CBCS, CCA®, CCMA, CMAA, PTCE, ExCPT, CPCT/A, CEHRS.
U.S. Career Institute recommends the CCMA and the ExCPT. The certification process is straightforward, and no prior experience is required to work in medical specialties. Included with our course, we cover the cost of the industry certification exam(s) of your choosing – up to $760 value.
State Requirements
Licensing requirements for medical assistants are not the same in every state and may include additional requirements beyond those offered in our course. U.S. Career Institute has reviewed the educational requirements for occupational licensure associated with this program and has provided state-specific licensure determinations. Prospective students should review the information provided by U.S. Career Institute. Students who have questions regarding licensure requirements in a particular state, their individual circumstances, or the licensure process are encouraged to contact the applicable licensing board for additional guidance. In the absence of state regulation, county or municipal ordinances or regulations may apply, and prospective students should confirm any applicable local requirements.
What to expect as a U.S. Career Institute student
Beginner-Friendly Lessons. Classes are designed for anyone to easily learn, and are broken up into digestible sections that build as you progress through our program. No due dates or deadlines.
Engaging Curriculum. Reading lessons, supplemental videos, interactive exercises, note taking, read‑aloud and disability features, and open note multiple choice exams and essay questions with no time limit.
Hands-On Supplemental Learning. This course includes a blood pressure cuff, stethoscope and cover to assist with the Vital Signs content.
Student support and coaching. Your tuition includes access to instructors through the LMS, phone and email. Degree programs include Career Development Strategies, GE200. In this course, students learn in-depth networking and job search skills
Learning materials included. Your tuition includes e‑books, study guides, supplemental videos, and interactive exercises. Everything is included—no hidden fees after enrollment.
Method of training. Each U.S. Career Institute program is specifically designed for guided independent study via distance learning. Each course includes instructional materials with clear directions for each assignment, and the school provides one copy of the textbook and/or workbook, in electronic or physical form, as part of tuition. Students earn credit for a course when they have completed all required assignments for the course, and the faculty point out areas that need special attention.
Students who obtain a 3.72 or higher grade point average in a semester are awarded a seat on the Dean’s List.
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
U.S. Career Institute is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. It is approved and regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.
Curriculum
The Medical Specialties AAS program consists of 61 credits: 19 semester hour credits of general education and 42 semester hour credits of core courses, taken over four semesters as listed below.
U.S. Career Institute’s curriculum is developed specifically for the distance education learner by instructional designers who specialize in how to develop content for adults and well-qualified subject matter experts that include a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), registered nurse, certified professional coder, and more. In addition, U.S. Career Institute works with a program advisory council of non-U.S. Career Institute employees who work in the medical field to review content annually to ensure students receive content that is up-to-date, relevant and accurate.
The coursework trains students to:
- Demonstrate the technical and ethical skills necessary to obtain entry-level employment in a variety of healthcare fields.
- Apply medical records, billing and insurance reimbursement, coding and medical office principles, procedures and practices.
- Apply the anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology knowledge necessary to work in healthcare fields, including medical assisting, pharmacy technology, patient care, medical coding and medical billing.
- Manage insurance billing and reimbursement processes.
- Apply diagnostic and procedure codes to medical records.
- Demonstrate awareness of legal and ethical issues in the healthcare industry.
- Assist licensed pharmacists in providing medication and other healthcare products to patients.
- Effectively receive prescriptions from doctors and hospitals, prepare prescriptions for patients and verify insurance and prescription information.
- Use Virtual Labs to experience many clinical procedures, including checking vital signs, administering medications, drawing blood, sterilizing equipment and assisting with minor surgical procedures.
- Use Virtual Labs to interact with real-world scenarios to assess and evaluate how to handle specific patient-care and medical-assistant situations.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Frequently Asked Questions
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