You are on the cusp of completing what may very well be your first academic adventure. Now is the time to plan your next. The Associate degree is the logical place to begin. Associate degrees in Health Professions require 20 courses and 60 credit hours. Each of the six courses you have completed count toward the Associate degree. That leaves only 14 courses and 42 credit hours left. If you have any prior general education courses those may very well count.
Health Professions has several Associate degrees and is planning more for the future. Be certain to meet with your Student Advisor advisor to learn what they are. You can choose to continue the EHR path. the coding path, or the medical administrative assistant path. You can take a break and focus on employment opportunities. We will be here when you are ready.
Consider the next step in your career path.
Include the following aspects in the discussion:
· Outline what is available to coders/billers as far as a career path
· Share, if you are comfortable, your future educational path
· Contemplate what obstacles you may face in your career path
· Describe what degree level you would like to reach
· Discuss where you see yourself in two years, five years, and ten years
Sample Answer
This is an excellent time to consider your next steps. The progress you've made toward the Associate degree in Health Professions—with only 14 courses and 42 credits remaining—is a solid foundation for a rewarding career. Given your background in the Health Professions, focusing on the coding path offers a clear trajectory with significant room for professional growth.
Career Path for Coders/Billers
The path for certified medical coders and billers extends well beyond entry-level data entry. It is a highly specialized field with opportunities for advancement, often marked by obtaining progressive certifications and moving into management or auditing roles.
| Career Level | Typical Role & Responsibilities | Advancement Requirement |
| Entry-Level | Medical Coder/Biller, Coding Associate (e.g., CCA, CPC-A): Assign standardized codes (ICD-10, CPT, HCPCS) to patient diagnoses and procedures for billing and insurance purposes. | Associate Degree and a foundational certification (e.g., Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)). |
| Specialization/Mid-Level | Specialty Coder (e.g., Surgery, Radiology, Oncology): Focus on complex coding within a specific medical field, requiring in-depth knowledge and additional certification (e.g., CPB for billing, or specialty CPC certifications). | 1–3 years of experience and specialized credentials. |
| Advanced/Management | Coding Auditor/Compliance Officer: Review coded data for accuracy and compliance with regulations (HIPAA, CMS). Coding Supervisor/Manager: Oversee a team of coders, manage workflow, and train new staff. | Bachelor's degree (often preferred) and advanced certifications (e.g., Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)). |
| Executive/Consulting | Health Information Management (HIM) Director/Consultant: Oversee the entire revenue cycle or health information system for a large facility or organization. | Bachelor's or Master's Degree (e.g., Health Information Management) and advanced credentials (e.g., Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)). |
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Future Educational Path
I choose to continue on the Coding Path, aiming for a highly specialized and administrative role.
Immediate Step (Next 1-2 years): Complete the remaining 14 courses to earn the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in the chosen Health Professions track (e.g., Coding and Revenue Cycle Management). Concurrently, I will prepare for and obtain a professional certification, such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through the AAPC.
Intermediate Step (2-5 years): Transition immediately to a four-year institution (leveraging transferrable credits from the A.A.S.) to pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Information Management (HIM) or a related field. While completing this degree, I will work as a certified coder to gain experience.
Long-Term Goal (5-10 years): After obtaining the B.S. in HIM, I plan to pursue a Master's Degree in Health Administration (MHA) or Health Informatics. This will position me for a senior management or executive role.