Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Academic Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Health Sciences, A.A.S.


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Vickie Findley, Program Coordinator
200B Advanced Technology Center (ATC), Fairmont/ (304) 367-4716
Vickie.Findley@pierpont.edu

Program Purpose

The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Health Science provides students with the opportunity to build upon the knowledge gained in a professional skill set or certificate degree program and earn an associate’s degree. Students may complete some of the requirements toward the A.A.S. degree while enrolled in the skill set or certificate degree curriculum. Students with prior national certification in a health care field may also be able to transfer credits to fulfill the required area of emphasis in the curriculum. The credits earned through national certification can be from a variety of careers, including but not limited to emergency medical technician, medical administrative assistant, phlebotomy, laboratory assistant, and licensed practical nurse.

Admission/ Incoming Expectations

All students entering the A.A.S degree Health Sciences must meet the following criteria:

  • Have completed or be enrolled in a health care related skill set or Certificate of Applied Science (CAS) program in order to fulfill the area of emphasis requirement in the curriculum. Admission to a specialty area is not guaranteed
  • Must pass a criminal background clearance, meet health and immunization requirements and essential functions, and provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites, if accepted into a skill set or CAS program

NOTE: Completion of all or part of the A.A.S. degree in Health Sciences does not guarantee selection into any of the other health sciences associate degree programs offered at Pierpont Community & Technical College.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the A.A.S. degree in Health Sciences, graduates will be able to do the following:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in a chosen field of state or national certification
  • Communicate verbally and in writing with patients, clients, health care delivery personnel and peers in an effective, appropriate, and capable manner
  • Use critical thinking, technological, and mathematical skills to complete work assignments and solve work problems
  • Demonstrate professional behavior that meets legal, ethical, responsible, and safe standards with respect for individuals and cultures

Graduate Opportunities

The associate’s degree can provide students with greater flexibility in their professional field of study as well as opportunities for job advancement. Graduates of the Health Science A.A.S. degree have a wide range of career options within the healthcare setting, including hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, and physician offices as well as scientific, sales or technical services firms within the health science industries.

Required Courses Health Sciences 60 SEM. HRS.


Health Care Related, Business, Social Science or General Science Electives 16 credits


Students may choose to fulfill part of the 16 required elective credits from the following courses, provided the courses were not used as one of the required courses in the “Health Sciences Required Section”. Note that all prerequisite and selective admission requirements must be met for all courses used as electives.

Health Care Related


Licensed Practical Nursing


Medical Administrative Assistant


Physical Therapy Assistant


Radiologic Technology


Social Science


Business/Management


General Science


Skill Set/Certificate Degree Requirements 6 credits (minimum)


Only Specific courses from a skill set will satisfy this section of the degree requirement. If completing the skill set simultaneously with the AAS Degree, students must adhere to the model schedule for their respective skill set. Students completing Licensed Practical Nurse or Laboratory Assistant Certificate of Applied Science (CAS) degrees, must declare that major as the primary major and should complete those programs before entry into the Health Science program (change of major may need to take place).

Courses from existing skill sets that satisfy this requirement include


Courses from existing certificate programs that satisfy this requirement include


Additional course options that satisfy this requirement include


EMT-Basic Skill Set


National Certification in Health Related Field


*Students with a current national certification can submit for credit for HLCA 1179 .

Health Sciences Model Schedule 60 SEM. HRS.


First Semester


Total Semester Hours 13-16


Second Semester


Total Semester Hours 12-15


Third Semester


Total Semester Hours 15-17


Fourth Semester


Total Semester Hours 12-15


Note: A skillset or certificate must be awarded prior to enrolling in HLCA 2995 .

A guided pathway is available through the School of Health Sciences.

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