Allied Health
Associate Degree
A.S. in Pre-Health Occupations
The Pre-Health Occupations Associate in Science degree offers an interdisciplinary approach of study for students interested in a variety of allied health careers. The degree will allow students to pursue a rigorous course of study before selecting the health occupation that best suits their career interests. With an emphasis on basic science and culturally competent patient care, the degree offered will prepare students to excel in a wide-range of health care fields. Students completing the degree will be prepared to enter programs for careers in nursing, dental hygiene or assisting, occupational therapy assisting, physical therapist assisting, and others. Students may also choose to complete this degree in preparation for transfer to a Health Sciences Baccalaureate degree program. Completion of the program does not guarantee enrollment in any health occupation program.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2024
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AH 108 | Introduction to Health Occupations (2) | 0.5 - 2 |
| or DAST 100 | Introduction to Dental Assisting (1) | |
| or DHYG 100 | Introduction to Dental Hygiene (0.5) | |
| or OTA 100 | Introduction to Occupational Therapy (1) | |
| or PTA 100 | Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant (1.5) | |
| AH 301 | Health Care in a Multicultural Society (3) | 3 |
| or ANTH 310 | Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| or ANTH 481 | Honors Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| or SOC 300 | Introductory Sociology (3) | |
| or SOC 321 | Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3) | |
| or SOC 482 | Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3) | |
| AH 311 | Medical Language for Health-Care Providers | 3 |
| BIOL 100 | Introduction to Concepts of Human Anatomy and Physiology (3) | 3 - 10 |
| or [ BIOL 431 | Anatomy and Physiology (5) | |
| and BIOL 430 ] | Anatomy and Physiology (5) | |
| BIOL 440 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM 309 | Integrated General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry (5) | 5 - 10 |
| or [ CHEM 305 | Introduction to Chemistry (5) | |
| and CHEM 306 ] | Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry (5) | |
| COMM 301 | Introduction to Public Speaking (3) | 3 |
| or COMM 331 | Group Discussion (3) | |
| EDUC 300 | Human Development: A Life Span (3) | 3 |
| or PSYC 370 | Human Development: A Life Span (3) | |
| ENGWR 300 | College Composition (3) | 3 - 4 |
| or ESLW 340 | Advanced Composition (4) | |
| or ENGWR 488 | Honors College Composition and Research (4) | |
| NUTRI 300 | Nutrition (3) | 3 |
| or NUTRI 480 | Nutrition Honors (3) | |
| PSYC 300 | General Principles (3) | 3 |
| or PSYC 480 | Honors General Principles (3) | |
| Total Units: | 33.5 - 48 |
The Pre-Health Occupations Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- adhere to safety protocols and proper lab techniques.
- demonstrate professionalism in a range of interactions and settings.
- articulate career options and necessary educational pathways.
- demonstrate ability to read and understand basic medical terminology.
- demonstrate self-responsibility as part of an academic community and a health care team.
- list all eleven body systems and describe the structure and function of each system.
- receive feedback as a tool for personal and professional growth.
- describe the role that culture and diversity play in patient care.
- distinguish between subjective viewpoints and objective data.
- use qualitative and quantitative methods to interpret data.
- use evidence as a foundation for critical thinking and decision-making.
- describe the principles of nutrition and their effect on health.
Career Information
Upon completion students are prepared to enter a range of Allied Health and Nursing training programs. This may include training programs for professions such as: nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapy assistant, respiratory therapy, and radiology technician.
Certificates of Achievement
Community Health Care Worker Certificate
The Community Health Care Worker Certificate of Achievement consists of multi-disciplinary coursework to prepare individuals to work within the social service, public health, or health care workforce as Community Health Workers. This certificate program is designed to provide training in front-line public health care with an understanding of and connection to the communities served. It also provides training in facilitating patient access to health and social services to improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. Students will develop the skills to provide culturally appropriate health education and information, assist people in receiving the care they need, give informal counseling and guidance on health behaviors, and advocate for individuals and community health needs.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2024
Certificate Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AH 106 | Communication for Allied Health Careers | 2 |
| AH 301 | Health Care in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
| CHW 101 | Introduction to Community Health Work | 1.5 |
| CHW 103 | U.S. Healthcare Systems and Third Party Payers | 2 |
| CHW 105 | Community Health Resources | 2 |
| CHW 121 | Social Determinants of Health | 2 |
| CHW 123 | Prevention and Management of Chronic Conditions | 2 |
| SOC 375 | Introduction to Community Building and Change Making (3) | 3 |
| or CSP 302 | Introduction to Community Building and Change Making (3) | |
| SOC 382 | Introduction to Casework in Social Services (3) | 3 |
| or CSP 301 | Introduction to Casework in Social Services (3) | |
| SOC 385 | Practicum in Sociology, Community Studies, and Community Health Work (2 -4) | 2 - 4 |
| or CSP 305 | Practicum in Sociology, Community Studies, and Community Health Work (2 -4) | |
| Total Units: | 22.5 - 24.5 |
Enrollment Process
Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:
- Complete the online application.
- In the event there are more applicants than spaces available, students who meet the enrollment eligibility requirements will be entered into a random selection pool.
- Through the random selection process, applicants are assigned a number. The first thirty applicants are offered enrollment into the program. The remaining applicants are alternates and will be notified in numerical order if and when seats become available.
- Students must reapply each year. Students who have submitted complete and qualified applications in prior sequential years will receive entries in the random selection equal to the number of years they have applied.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- clarify roles, responsibilities, and scope of practice of Community Health Workers.
- investigate complex service delivery systems within the U.S. healthcare system and key legal responsibilities within the context of health service delivery systems.
- use accepted terminology to describe findings, patterns, habits, and behaviors that prevent the development and progression of common physical, mental and behavioral conditions and recommend strategies that reduce high-utilization of unnecessary healthcare services.
- demonstrate the ability to accurately report and document client assessments, interventions, changes in status, and outcomes in the written and electronic medical record (EMR).
- utilize a variety of outreach methods with individuals, groups, organizations and the community to engage with and help them learn about and use resources to improve their health and well-being.
- identify conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life.
- evaluate and inventory available community resources, including health and social services.
- demonstrate knowledge and proficiency with technology, including web-based applications, productivity software suite or package and electronic health record systems.
- communicate effectively and purposefully with clients, community members, colleagues and other professionals as demonstrated by listening carefully and communicating respectfully.
- demonstrate the ability to advocate and build capacity for individual and community health.
- incorporate professional and ethical boundaries, conflict resolution, self-care, time management, and skills for providing and receiving constructive feedback to assist in working within a professional setting.
- collect and synthesize information in order to understand the needs, strengths, and resources of the individuals and communities that Community Health Workers serve.
- utilize information collected to help plan and carry out effective programs, services and advocacy for individuals and communities.
- provide culturally competent care by applying knowledge of cultural beliefs, values, customs and social behavior shared by different groups of people with a common identity.
- educate and promote healthy behavior change by providing people with information, tools and encouragement.
- understand how to bridge cultural, linguistic, knowledge and literacy differences among individuals, families, communities and providers in order to tell them how to use the services of health providers and other service organizations.
- assess, analyze, and apply sociological and community development theory, research methods and practice.
Career Information
Common job titles for Community Health Care Workers include: patient/health navigator, case manager/case worker, health educator, community health educator, community outreach worker, and enrollment specialist. Community Health Care Workers (CHWs) serve as liaisons/intermediaries between health and social services and the community to promote, maintain and improve individual and community access to health care services; assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors; and improve the quality and cultural competence of services delivered. Common tasks/responsibilities include: facilitating access to health services (scheduling appointments, completing provider forms, scheduling transportation); conducting outreach to community members; and providing community and health education.
Healthcare Business Certificate
The Health Business Certificate program is designed to provide students the opportunity to achieve a certificate that combines health science with basic administrative skills. The program prepares students for work in a variety of settings by providing a combination of necessary skills such as computer applications, keyboarding, business communication, and operating systems with basic principles of medical terminology, health systems, insurance, and project management. This program will prepare students to work at a number of entry-level positions in the insurance industry and health organizations, and serve as a springboard to other health professions.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2024
Certificate Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AH 106 | Communication for Allied Health Careers | 2 |
| AH 108 | Introduction to Health Occupations | 2 |
| AH 300 | Introduction to Project Management for Healthcare | 3 |
| AH 311 | Medical Language for Health-Care Providers | 3 |
| CISA 305 | Beginning Word Processing | 2 |
| CISA 315 | Introduction to Electronic Spreadsheets | 2 |
| CISA 323 | Database Management using Microsoft Access | 2 |
| CISC 300 | Computer Familiarization | 1 |
| CHW 103 | U.S. Healthcare Systems and Third Party Payers | 2 |
| Total Units: | 19 |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate the connection between all stakeholders using the fundamentals of project management in health systems.
- manage case files and insurance forms, including interpreting medical coding systems, medical documentation, and third-party payers.
- apply effective written and verbal communication methods using common business computer applications.
- evaluate various business circumstances and apply critical thinking and evidence-based research to formulate a resolution.
- identify and translate medical documents, reports, documentation, and legal considerations.
- compare and contrast the various US health care systems and third-party payers.
- identify and apply legal, ethical, and professional principles to common situations encountered in health care occupations.
- demonstrate knowledge and proficiency with technology, including web-based applications, Microsoft Office, and other systems.
- incorporate understanding and application of industry knowledge and theoretical concepts from work experience sites in the development and implementation of management projects.
Career Information
This program will train students in skills such as analysis of data, computer application processes, project management, and other health and business concepts. This will allow them to meet specific health insurance and other health industry needs.
Pre-Health Occupations Certificate
The Pre-Health Occupations Certificate of Achievement consists of general education and prerequisite coursework for students preparing to enter nursing and allied health programs. Opportunities for career exploration are provided, as well as skill development in professionalism and cultural competency. The certificate program is designed to help students develop self-advocacy skills and a strong academic foundation necessary to study in a health occupations program. Upon successful completion of this coursework, students achieve recognition in the form of a certificate. Completion of the certificate does not guarantee enrollment in any health occupation programs.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2024
Certificate Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AH 108 | Introduction to Health Occupations (2) | 0.5 - 2 |
| or DAST 100 | Introduction to Dental Assisting (1) | |
| or DHYG 100 | Introduction to Dental Hygiene (0.5) | |
| or OTA 100 | Introduction to Occupational Therapy (1) | |
| or PTA 100 | Introduction to Physical Therapist Assistant (1.5) | |
| AH 301 | Health Care in a Multicultural Society (3) | 3 |
| or ANTH 310 | Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| or ANTH 481 | Honors Cultural Anthropology (3) | |
| or SOC 300 | Introductory Sociology (3) | |
| or SOC 321 | Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3) | |
| or SOC 482 | Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3) | |
| AH 311 | Medical Language for Health-Care Providers | 3 |
| BIOL 100 | Introduction to Concepts of Human Anatomy and Physiology (3) | 3 - 10 |
| or [ BIOL 430 | Anatomy and Physiology (5) | |
| and BIOL 431 ] | Anatomy and Physiology (5) | |
| ENGRD 315 | Reading Across the Disciplines for Content Courses | 0.5 -1 |
| A minimum of 3 units from the following: | 3 | |
| EDUC 300 | Human Development: A Life Span (3) | |
| or PSYC 370 | Human Development: A Life Span (3) | |
| PSYC 300 | General Principles (3) | |
| or PSYC 480 | Honors General Principles (3) | |
| Total Units: | 13 - 22 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- describe career options in the healthcare field and their related educational pathways.
- demonstrate basic academic strategies for success in health programs.
- demonstrate ability to read and understand basic medical terminology.
- list all eleven body systems and describe the structure and function of each system.
- discuss the milestones in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of humans from conception through the lifespan and how these relate to healthcare practice.
- explain general principles of psychology and the psychological factors that influence health and illness in human conditions.
- examine cultural factors that influence communication, compliance, and outcomes in healthcare settings and develop strategies for cultural competency.
- recognize the professional behavior that is required of healthcare providers.
Career Information
The need for nursing and allied health providers has increased in the last several years. This program is designed for students contemplating a career in vocational or registered nursing, dental assisting, dental hygiene, occupational therapy assisting, or physical therapy assisting as well as other allied health careers.
Community Health Worker Program Details
Science and Allied Health Tutoring Center
Health and Health Professions
This program is part of the Health and Health Professions meta major.