Health Sciences Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS)
Not all programs are offered for completion at each campus or through Berkeley College Online®. Please review the academic program pages (https://berkeleycollege.edu/academics/index.html) for information on where each program is offered. Additionally, all students may be required to take some courses at another campus or online. The Internship courses are only offered online.
SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - Patient Care Technician SpecializationSAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - Surgical Processing Technician Specialization
Course Requirements
MAJOR CORE COURSES
HEA1101 Foundations of Health Services
3 Credits
Provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the American healthcare system. This course explains the structures and operations of healthcare organizations, explores the forces responsible for shaping the system, and considers the policies influencing the system’s current and future performance.
HEA2200 Medical Terminology
3 Credits
Provides a solid foundation and understanding of the medical language used by healthcare professionals through the introduction, reinforcement, and combination of medical word parts including prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms. Emphasis is placed on word building, analysis of word parts, spelling, special endings, plural forms, correct pronunciation of terminology related to procedures, and diseases of the various body systems. Commonly used abbreviations and symbols will also be introduced.
HEA2203 Ethical and Legal Aspects of Health Services
3 Credits
An introduction to the principles of law as applied to the healthcare field. Students learn ethical standards and issues as related to healthcare.
Select Patient Care Technician (24 credits) or Surgical Processing Technician (24 credits) specialization courses below*
BUSINESS CORE COURSE
CIS1115 Computer Applications
3 Credits
Provides an introduction to computer technology with an emphasis on applications. Students learn to use software, such as Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCE CORE COURSES
ENG1105 Writing and Research
3 Credits
An introduction to expository writing through a comprehensive survey of forms of composition. Students are taught to use words with precision and strengthen their understanding and application of grammatical and rhetorical principles. Students are encouraged to appreciate and incorporate the principles of academic and professional writing.
ENG2205 Writing Through Literature
3 Credits
Further develops the writing, reading, and interpretive abilities introduced in ENG1105 through critical engagement with literary texts from a myriad of genres.
Prerequisite: ENG1105
SCI1100 Anatomy and Physiology I
3 Credits
Study of the structure, function, and pathology (disease) of the human body. Students are introduced to various body systems including the musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, and integumentary, as well as the special senses.
SCI2100 Anatomy and Physiology II
3 Credits
Study of the structure, function, and pathology (disease) of the human body. Students are introduced to various body systems including the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, endocrine, lymphatic, and reproductive systems.
Prerequisite: SCI1100
SOC2225 Introduction to Psychology
3 Credits
Explores the basic principles of psychology and their direct application to individuals’ thoughts and behaviors and awareness of their own everyday existence. Topics explored include human development, personality, cognitive process, motivation, emotion, adjustment, perception, and psychological disorder and treatment.
Humanities Elective - 3 Credits
Social Science Elective - 3 Credits
Free Elective - 3 Credits
60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
*PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN SPECIALIZATION
| MED1130 Medical Emergencies and Electrocardiography | 3 |
| MED1140 Specimen Collection and Procedures | 3 |
| PCT1010 Foundations of Patient Care | 6 |
| PCT1320 Advanced Patient Care | 3 |
| PCT2320 Patient Care Practicum | 3 |
| PCT2700 Patient Care Capstone | 3 |
| HEA2310 Patient Care Communication | 3 |
OR
*SURGICAL PROCESSING TECHNICIAN SPECIALIZATION
| SPT1110 Fundamentals of Surgical Processing | 4 |
| SPT2100 Surgical Instrumentation | 4 |
| SPT2120 Endoscopic Reprocessing | 3 |
| SPT2150 Surgical Processing Clinical Practicum | 8 |
| SPT2151 Surgical Processing Clinical Seminar | 2 |
| SCI2228 Microbiology | 3 |
Additional Program Information
Students applying to the Health Sciences associate’s degree program must provide authorization for a criminal background check prior to being accepted into the program. In instances where a student’s criminal background check contains information related to past criminal activity, Berkeley College may not make an offer of Admission into the program or guarantee that it will find suitable clinical placement(s) since the decision to allow students to complete clinical rotations is at the sole discretion of the clinical affiliate. Prior to participating in the required clinical rotations, students must satisfy all clinical clearance requirements, which include, but are not limited to, a physical assessment by a licensed medical professional; meeting immunization requirements; a secondary criminal background check at the request of clinical facilities; and drug screenings.
Students enrolled in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) specialization must purchase their own malpractice insurance.
Students enrolled in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) specialization or Surgical Processing Technician (SPT) specialization must meet the minimum passing grade requirements for certain courses.
For more information about the PCT and SPT programs, grade requirements, and clinical requirements, see:
Patient Care Technician Student Handbook Supplement: http://berkeleycollege.edu/catalogs/patient-care-technician-student-handbook-supplement-2024-2025/index.html
Surgical Processing Technician Student Handbook Supplement: http://berkeleycollege.edu/catalogs/surgical-processing-technician-student-handbook-supplement-2024-2025/index.html
Program Costs
Requirements required for clinical courses are extensive and may total several hundred dollars. The costs of these health requirements are borne by the student.
Information about program costs (including tuition, fees, books, and supplies) is available at: http://berkeleycollege.edu/catalogs/undergraduate-2024-2025/admissions/undergraduate-degree-program-tuition-fees-2024-2025/index.html.
Professional Licensure & Certification
Information about professional licensure and/or certification requirements for this program is available online at: https://berkeleycollege.edu/about/accreditation-regulatory/professional-licensure-and-certification/index.html