Foundations of Health Career, A.S.

CONTACT

Patti Mantia, 413.552.2449, pmantia@hcc.edu

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Associate Degree in Foundations of Health Career Option is designed for students interested in a health-related career, whose focus is on direct-entry into the workforce. Students begin by taking HTH 101 and HTH 102 , along with general education requirements. Students will work closely with their advisor to place into appropriate courses guided by their strengths and personal career goals. Students who desire fast entry into the workforce have the option to complete a certificate in Community Health Worker , Direct Care Worker , Medical Billing & Coding , or Medical Assisting as part of this degree. The corequisites for selective programs in health are embedded in this major. Selective programs include Nursing , Practical Nursing Certificate , Radiologic Technology , and Veterinary Technician . Each of these programs requires a separate application process along with attendance at the appropriate information session.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

demonstrate an understanding of the American health care and public health systems and the practical, theoretical, and public policy issues that are relevant to it
develop effective and professional communication skills, both orally and in writing
demonstrate an understanding of the primary data sources and methods used to measure practices in the health and public health field and related behavior in society
identify, locate, evaluate, and responsibly use appropriate medical, public health, sociological, and other sources in papers and assignments
recognize the importance of ethics and ethical behavior in the science and practice of health and public health
articulate an awareness of diverse populations and cultural humility that aligns with the goals inherent in being a Hispanic Serving Institution and a health professional

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 23-24 CREDITS

ENG 101(A) - Composition I Credit(s): 3
ENG 102(A) - Composition II Credit(s): 3
HTH 102(B) - Introduction to Public Health Credit(s): 3
Social Science Elective (B) Credit(s): 3
MTH 104(D) - College Algebra Credit(s): 4
or
MTH 130 - Math That Matters: Drugs and Dosages Credit(s): 3
or
MTH 142(D) - Statistics Credit(s): 3
Laboratory Science Elective (E) Credit(s): 4¹
Laboratory Science Elective (E) Credit(s): 4¹

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 15-18 CREDITS

ANT 255(B) - UnNatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? Credit(s): 3
HTH 101 - Introduction to Health Careers Credit(s): 3
HTH 221 - Capstone in Foundations of Health Credit(s): 3
LAX 110(C) - Introduction to Latinx Studies Credit(s): 3 ²
select 1 of the following: 3-6 credits
HTH 124 - Core Competencies & Health Topics for CHW’s Credit(s): 6
HTH 210 - Field Experience Credit(s): 6
SPA 113 - Introduction to Spanish Interpretation in Medical Settings Credit(s): 3 ³

GENERAL ELECTIVES: 22 CREDITS

Student must complete all program requirements listed above and may apply a variety of credits from other disciplines to complete the degree

Examples of certificate that can be completed as part of this degree: Community Health Worker, Direct Care Worker, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding; Licensed Practical Nursing is a selective program and may be applied once a student has been accepted and completed that program; certificates from other areas of study may also apply, such as Human Services, Addiction Studies, etc.

Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to discuss what courses will best meet their academic and career goals in this block

Credit for Prior Learning may also be awarded and applied in this block

TOTAL: 60-64 CREDITS

NOTES

¹Select from: BIO, CHM, PHS; may also select from: ENV 120 , ENV 140

²Fulfills the HCC Knowledge of Diversity graduation requirement

³SPA 113 requires prior high school or college coursework in Spanish, or being a native speaker of Spanish

Students intending to apply for selective programs (Nursing, Radiologic Technology, or Veterinary Technology) must complete all lab science coursework within 7 years of the start of the program. Other health programs may also require lab sciences within this 7-year window. This requirement cannot be waived, so students with lab science coursework older than 7 years are strongly encouraged to repeat prior to application. Please check with your academic advisor for more details.

Final admission to the program is dependent on successful submission of health records, passage of a CORI/SORI check, drug screening, and fingerprinting.

Students who intend to complete a certificate as part of the General Electives block need to declare the certificate as a secondary major to the FOH Career Option. The certificate must be declared in order for these courses to be eligible for financial aid.

Some courses may appear in both the degree and certificate requirements; these courses only need to be taken once.

Students wishing to pursue a bachelors degree in a related field should not complete this option, but rather the Foundations of Health Transfer Option .

For more information on selective programs and their admission requirements, please visit their program webpages:

Depending on course selection, 80% of this program can be completed online. Go to Online Learning for more information.

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