Online Medical Schools: What Types of Schools Exist?

Students interested in an online medical school shouldn't expect to earn a degree that will allow them work as a physician, online. This article details what online medical school is and the associated courses.

Online Medical School: Overview

While medical school is an extremely difficult, specialized school, there are no typical medical schools in which students may earn their degree online in the United States. Medical school students attend classes to become full-fledged doctors and physicians. These programs require advanced coursework and clinical studies, which are not available at an online school. There are medical courses available online, however.

Online Medical Courses

Schools may offer courses in continuing medical education in a number of subjects. These classes are intended for health care professionals who are working towards renewing their professional license. These courses include behavioral health, cardiovascular medicine, geriatrics, medicine, radiology, rheumatology, oncology and neurology.
Some courses require buying learning materials and using the material's online supplement and then taking online tests. Other courses may be conducted through email and online chat sessions. Still, other courses are taught in an online message board forum format with students and professors meeting at a specific time on the school's website.
Health care professionals taking these courses will receive credit in that they may be required to conduct further study in these courses by their employer, though they will not likely be applicable toward an advanced degree program. Courses are often given at different times of the year. Those who are looking to take medical courses online should check their potential school's website to make sure that classes of interest are available.