The healthcare sector in South Florida is experiencing significant growth, creating a constant demand for qualified professionals. Miami, in particular, has become one of the most active healthcare hubs in the state, driven by a growing population, strong hospital networks, and a rising demand for allied health professionals. For students interested in healthcare degrees, this fast-paced city offers career mobility and opportunities to enter the workforce quickly.

Whether your goal is a shorter career program or a long-term pathway into healthcare leadership, these six medical degrees and certificates can help you start a healthcare career in Miami.

The healthcare sector in South Florida is experiencing significant growth, creating a constant demand for qualified professionals. Miami, in particular, has become one of the most active healthcare hubs in the state, driven by a growing population, strong hospital networks, and a rising demand for allied health professionals. For students interested in healthcare degrees, this fast-paced city offers career mobility and opportunities to enter the workforce quickly.

Whether your goal is a shorter career program or a long-term pathway into healthcare leadership, these six medical degrees and certificates can help you start a healthcare career in Miami.

The Growth and Value of Healthcare Degrees

The demand for healthcare workers is driven by population growth and an aging population. This industry expansion means excellent job security and high earning potential for college graduates.

According to the 2023 Census Report, 36% of Miami’s population is aged 50 and over.

Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that healthcare practitioners and technical occupations had a median annual wage of $83,090 in May 2024, well above the median wage for all other occupations.

These facts alone show the sustainability and opportunities of working in Miami’s healthcare industry. FNU also works with local affiliated hospitals and healthcare facilities, where students get hands-on experience during residencies in Florida and throughout the country. 

FNU Healthcare Degrees at a Glance

Choosing the right academic path is the first step toward earning a healthcare degree and starting a career in medicine. The following table provides a concise, at-a-glance guide to popular programs available at FNU, detailing the credential type, program length, and typical work setting for quick comparison.

 

Program Credential Type Length Medical Work Setting Ideal For
Medical Assistant Technology Diploma ~1 year Clinics, outpatient care Entry-level clinical support
Patient Care Technician Certificate < 1 year Hospitals, long-term care Direct patient care
Dental Assisting / Dental Lab Tech Diploma / Associate Degree 1–2 years Dental offices, labs Clinical or lab-based oral health
Radiologic Technology Associate Degree 2 years Hospitals, imaging centers Imaging and diagnostics
Nursing (BSN) Bachelor’s Degree 4 years Hospitals, community health Professional nursing careers
Natural Sciences (Pre-Health) Bachelor’s Degree 4 years Varied, plus graduate school Pathway to medical degrees

*Diploma: A shorter career-training program that’s usually completed in 9-12 months.

6 In-Demand Healthcare Degrees to Launch Your Medical Career

Choosing the right degree depends on your personal goals, from wanting hands-on patient interaction to administrative leadership. FNU offers the following essential healthcare degrees that prepare students for immediate entry into the medical field:

1. Nursing 

Nurses are the backbone of patient care, combining clinical skill with compassionate service. Both the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs prepare students to sit for the NCLEX exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN). A BSN offers greater flexibility for leadership and specialized nursing roles.

While the ASN offers a faster path to licensure and immediate entry into the workforce, the BSN offers a more comprehensive education that emphasizes nursing theory, research, and leadership.

Hospitals often prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses for critical care and management positions, positioning BSN graduates for higher long-term earnings and career mobility.

2. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Technology 

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers operate ultrasound equipment to produce diagnostic images for physicians. This degree focuses on technical skills and precision, preparing graduates for high-demand careers in hospitals and clinics.

Sonographers are essential members of the healthcare team, using safe, non-invasive, high-frequency sound waves to generate images of internal organs, blood vessels, and tissue. This essential role offers several specialty tracks, including cardiac, vascular, and obstetric sonography.

The Associate of Science degree provides the focused training and clinical experience necessary to meet employer requirements and prepares graduates to pursue professional certification through organizations such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

3. Respiratory Therapy 

Respiratory therapists specialize in caring for patients who have breathing problems, treating conditions like asthma, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The National Board of Respiratory Care recognizes this degree.

Respiratory therapists are highly skilled practitioners who manage complex medical devices, such as mechanical ventilators, and administer life support, making them instrumental members of emergency and critical care teams. This career is very diverse, with specializations in neonatal/pediatric care, adult critical care, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Typical entry requirements include an Associate of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy, which provides the clinical experience required for state licensure. South Florida has a strong need for these professionals, and with further experience, respiratory therapists can advance into managerial roles, education, or positions such as pulmonary function technologists.

4. Physical Therapist Assistant 

Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) work under the supervision of Physical Therapists to help patients recover movement and manage pain. This hands-on healthcare degree focuses on therapeutic exercises and rehabilitation techniques.

PTAs are vital in rehabilitation, assisting patients recovering from injuries, illnesses, or surgery across all age groups, teaching mobility exercises, providing therapeutic massage, and using equipment to improve range of motion and reduce pain.

An Associate of Science degree is the standard entry-level requirement for this profession and typically takes two years to complete. Upon graduation, students must pass a national licensure exam to begin practicing.

5. Health Services Administration 

The Health Services Administrator is the strategic leader who coordinates business activities to improve patient care and organizational efficiency. This degree focuses on the business, leadership, and management side of healthcare.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration program are prepared for administrative careers in the medical field, overseeing financial management, healthcare policy, organizational leadership, and human resources in hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes.

The Bachelor of Science provides a foundation for managing teams and departments, and the option to pursue a Master’s degree further positions graduates for executive roles such as Hospital Administrator or Chief Operations Officer.

6. Medical Assistant Technology 

Medical Assistants (MAs) are the link between patients and physicians, working in both administrative and clinical tasks. It is an excellent starting point for a career in medicine, equipping graduates with the versatile skills needed in doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals.

Their dual role covers essential clinical duties, assisting physicians with exams, and performing basic laboratory tests, along with critical administrative tasks like scheduling appointments, managing electronic health records (EHR), and handling billing and insurance.

The Medical Assistant Technology track offers accelerated entry into the workforce, providing the hands-on experience and credentials needed to begin working immediately. It serves as a professional springboard to other medical degrees and positions.

Healthcare Degrees Online: Flexibility for Your Future

Between work, family, and living out of state, getting to a brick-and-mortar university for classes is not always easy. FNU understands the needs of working adults and career changers seeking professional online degrees. 

Many of our health administration and academic courses are offered through flexible distance learning formats, allowing students to balance their professional, family, and educational commitments.

If time or location is an issue, FNU offers programs such as the RN-to-BSN, which is entirely online, allowing Registered Nurses to advance their education without interrupting their careers.

Miami’s Healthcare Sector: A Hub for Medical Careers

Next to education, healthcare is the largest employment sector in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area and continues to have a growing demand for qualified professionals.

The healthcare sector includes major hospital systems, research centers, private practices, rehabilitation networks, and long-term care facilities. The region offers opportunities in:

  • Outpatient Surgery: Practice management and administrative scheduling for outpatient centers.
  • Diagnostic Imaging: Management and billing coordination for imaging centers.
  • Primary Care: Health services administration and Electronic Health Record (EHR) management for primary care physician groups.
  • Geriatric Healthcare: Long-term care administration and policy coursework.
  • Dental and Orthodontic Services: Dental practice management and billing operations.

The diverse landscape enables graduates to pursue highly competitive healthcare industry jobs locally and nationally. 

Start a Healthcare Career in Miami at Florida National University

Choosing Florida National University for their healthcare degrees provides students with practical, career-focused education in the heart of Miami.

To take the next step, those interested should explore FNU’s Health Sciences programs to find the degree that aligns with their professional goals, and contact us to begin their journey toward an exciting future in the medical field.