You can begin a good career without an advanced degree or a four-year degree. An associate degree opens doors to a number of assistant and technician positions that allow you to learn more about your chosen field through direct experience. Many people find a satisfying lifetime of work from only an associate degree, while others eventually pursue more advanced degrees for promotion opportunities.

What is an Associate Degree in Podiatry? Podiatry is a field of medicine that specializes in problems with feet, ankles, and the lower part of the legs. You cannot become a podiatrist with an associate degree, but you can work in the field of podiatry in an assistant role. The associate degree program takes five semesters to complete, and you can choose nursing, practical nursing, or medical assisting as a focus of study. Some of the subjects you’re likely to learn include transcription and charting, reading vital signs, minor surgical assisting, and pharmacology.

An associate degree in podiatry introduces students to the field of medicine and the core competencies of work in a clinic or hospital environment. Students usually learn about diagnosis, record keeping and treatment that is applicable to all health fields, and sets the stage for more specialized education.

An associate degree does not take as long to complete as a bachelor’s or advanced degree, and therefore will likely be much cheaper. However, cost can vary depending on whether the school you attend is public or private, and where it is located.

With a two-year degree in podiatry, a graduate can find rewarding work in home healthcare, long term care facilities and private doctor’s offices. The focus of the work can vary from surgical procedures to sports medicine and physical therapy. A practitioner may administer anesthetics, prescribe medication, set fractures, fit orthotics or perform imaging studies using X-rays, MRIs or other technology.

Nowadays it is easy to fit continuing education into your busy schedule by taking online classes. Online education is also cheaper and provides more time flexibility. Search for your program below and contact directly the admission office of the school of your choice by filling in the lead form.