Penn College

Penn College offers three new health care-related degrees

Pennsylvania College of Technology is offering three new options for those interested in health care careers: an associate degree in allied health and a bachelor’s degree in applied health studies, both of which offer a science-rich curriculum, and a new bachelor’s degree specialization in business administration: health care management. Credit: Penn College / Penn StateCreative Commons

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Expanding a 50-plus year tradition in providing hands-on education that prepares students for a variety of careers in direct patient care, Pennsylvania College of Technology has added several options for those who wish to work in other high-demand health care-related roles.

A bachelor’s degree in health science (introduced in Fall 2020) and an associate degree in allied health (launching in Fall 2021) deliver a science-rich education, while a new business administration: health care management specialization is available beginning Fall 2021 and provides a strong business core. All prepare students for essential careers in nondirect patient care.

Such roles are vital to the health care industry. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections for 2019-29 indicate that health care support occupations are among those expected to grow markedly faster than average.

Bachelor of Science in health science

Featuring a wealth of science courses, paired with classes in health care delivery, the bachelor’s degree in health science prepares graduates for nondirect patient care careers in allied health and health care settings.

Those careers are found in the fields of laboratory science, public health, health care education, medical research, and the medical equipment and pharmaceutical industry.

The coursework also provides a foundation for entering graduate-level programs in such professional fields as physician assistant studies, medicine, dentistry and education, for example.

“Industry demands are high for an abundance of health care career fields, in both direct patient care and nondirect patient care, as seen in current job openings nationally and locally,” said Sandra L. Richmond, the college’s dean of nursing and health sciences. “The Bachelor of Science in health science degree will help to meet the industry demand for these positions.”

Coursework includes biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, genetics, psychology, statistics and medical terminology, with additional coursework related to global health, health care delivery systems, ethical and legal issues in medicine, substance abuse, and quality assurance in health care.

The first three years’ courses are taken on campus in the college’s highly equipped science labs, while the final year of coursework is taken online.

The college also offers the bachelor’s degree in health science with a concentration in prehospital medicine. To learn more about both options, visit www.pct.edu/healthscience.

Associate of Applied Science in allied health

The associate degree in allied health provides students with the skills to achieve success in a diverse market of nondirect patient care positions.

Study in biological and social sciences, pathology and disease, and health care documentation is paired with management courses to provide a foundation for work or further study in allied health professions.

Fifteen credits of allied health electives allow students to customize their studies to fit their career and education goals.

Career opportunities for graduates include medical billing supervisor, medical office manager, research assistant, patient advocate, medical supply manager, allied health instructor and other roles in government, hospitals, private physician offices and other health care-related settings.

The degree provides a streamlined opportunity for already credentialed professionals to complete an associate degree, with up to six credits awarded for such credentials as emergency medical technician, certified nursing assistant and pharmacy technician.

To learn more, visit www.pct.edu/alliedhealth.

Bachelor of Science in business administration: health care management

A new specialization within the college’s business administration bachelor’s degree major provides a strong business core with classes in management, innovation, accounting, finance, business law, marketing, economics and international business.

Business-related electives allow students to focus their studies in health care management, with classes in medical practice administration, health care delivery systems, quality assurance, and health care ethics and policy.

To learn more about the bachelor’s degree in business administration, visit www.pct.edu/management.

The new programs join the college’s existing applied health studies bachelor’s degree major, which is designed for certified, licensed and registered professionals, and those who hold associate degrees or have completed hospital-based training to complete their baccalaureate degree. It provides another avenue toward professional growth in health care roles, with the added benefit of being delivered 100% online for working professionals.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

Last Updated August 11, 2021

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