Division of Health Sciences and Professional Education
Departments
The primary function of the Division of Health Sciences and Professional Education is to provide programs of study leading to an Associate in Arts degree and/or transferability to a university and to provide college-level occupational programs to meet the needs of students who wish to qualify for immediate employment upon graduation.
Students who do plan to pursue the baccalaureate should consult an advisor concerning degree requirements of the university to which transfer is intended.
A Certificate of Achievement is awarded to those students completing only the major requirements of an occupational curriculum.
An Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded to those students completing all courses listed in the degree curriculum of an occupational curriculum.
Various 2+2 degree plans exist with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and other institutions.
Enhanced Skills Certificates are available to those students completing all courses in the degree curriculum of the designated Associate Degrees and the course requirements of an Enhanced Skills Option.
Since entrance requirements for these programs may vary, prospective students should check specific entrance requirements in the departmental sections. For further information not found in this catalog, students should contact advisors in the department or counselors in the Student Enrollment Center.
Developmental courses may be required when educational background and/or test scores indicate a weakness in the basic skill subjects of English, mathematics or reading.
Departments in the Health Sciences
Health sciences programs are organized into three Health Sciences Departments. Specific degree plan information is available by department. These programs are also responsible for closely related health sciences transfer degrees. The departments and their respective programs include:
Department of Allied Health
Associate in Applied Science Degrees:
- Health Information Technology Program
- Medical Laboratory Technology Program
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Pharmacy Technology Program
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Pre-Medical Technology (Transfer Plan)
- Respiratory Therapy
- Surgical Technology
Department of Dental and Imaging Technology
Associate in Applied Science Degrees:
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Hygiene
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Echocardiography
- Radiologic Technology
Department of Nurse Education
Associate of Arts Degree:
- Nurse Education (Suggested Transfer Plan)
Associate in Applied Science Degrees:
- Registered Nurse Education
- Registered Nurse Education LVN to RN Transition
Certificate:
- Vocational Nurse Education
The certification programs in health sciences are designed:
- to provide educational opportunities to students who desire employment in health or health-related facilities upon attainment of a certificate;
- to provide students the opportunity to build upon their earned certificate and complete an Associate in Applied Science degree.
The Associate in Applied Science degree programs in the health sciences are designed
- to provide educational opportunities to high school or General Education Development (GED) graduates who desire to enter health programs leading to the associate degree;
- to provide the first two years of education leading to the bachelor's degree in health fields.
If students intend to continue education at another institution, they should carefully relate these programs to those at the college to which they plan to transfer. Prospective students should consult with program advisor for specific information.
Accreditation and Approval
Programs are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as listed earlier in this catalog, and all are approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Community College and Technical Institutes Division. Specific programs are approved by the professional accrediting agency of each area; advisory committees and boards assist each department in curricula and standards.
Liability
In accordance with clinical affiliation policies, all health sciences students are required to purchase professional liability insurance in order to continue their program of study. Students are responsible for their own health and accident insurance.
Grades and Reports
Health sciences program grades are recorded as “A” (100-90); “B” (89-83); “C” (82-75); “D” (74-70); “F” (below 70) failing; and “P” (all RNSG clinical courses). A final grade of “D” or “F” in any course in the student’s major in the health sciences programs will automatically remove a student from eligibility to continue in that program until the unsatisfactory grades are removed. Removal can be done only by readmission to the program.
A minimum grade of “C” is required for all health sciences students in all courses to remain in good standing in all health sciences programs.
A student may be recommended for dismissal for failing grades, cheating, inappropriate behavior or attitude, or unsatisfactory clinical performance in any and all health sciences programs. An evaluation of unsatisfactory (unsafe) clinical performance will supersede any classroom grade and will, therefore, mean failure for the semester.