Health Studies A.S.

School: Health Careers, Technology and Applied Learning
Academic Dept: Allied Health
HEGIS: 5299.00

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2020 to Summer 2021. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) Degrees Defined

The purpose of the A.A. and A.S. is to build a foundation in a discipline, then continue to higher levels of education by transferring to a four-year institution. The A.A. contains liberal arts credits; including coursework in the arts, humanities and social sciences, and provides flexibility to pursue several careers. Conversely, coursework for the A.S. contains some liberal arts credits and coursework also directly applicable to a clearly defined career path. Click to learn more about the differences among award types.

Program Description

The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program in Health Studies provides a foundation for transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in healthcare and preparation for a health related career. This program introduces students to the broad scope of healthcare issues to help prepare them for a professional education and for future careers. The multidisciplinary design of the program permits students to take courses in a variety of health related disciplines, such as nutrition, health education, first aid/safety, and anatomy and physiology. The curriculum exposes students to the diverse roles and responsibilities of professionals who work in healthcare. Students will develop knowledge of the delivery of health services in diverse communities. Through coursework and applied learning opportunities, students will gain insight into the trends and practices in healthcare delivery across the continuum of care. Because of flexibility in course requirements, students will be able to develop a particular area of interest across an array of healthcare specialties while gaining valuable and practical experience in a health related environment.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will:

Demonstrate an understanding of the variety of roles, responsibilities and requirements of healthcare practitioners across settings
Demonstrate an understanding of the socioeconomic factors that drive healthcare practices
Demonstrate how research informs clinical practice in the healthcare setting
Demonstrate communication, problem solving and critical thinking skills that are pertinent to the healthcare industry and related health fields

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements - 35 Credits

Students are required to fulfill a certain number of credits within the specific categories shown below. Where specific courses are not listed within these categories, courses must be selected from the list of SUNY General Education Courses .

The Arts, Foreign Language, or Other World Civilizations (3 credits)

Select a course from ONE of the following categories:

                   The Arts – see SUNY General Education Courses
                    Foreign Languages – see SUNY General Education Courses
                    Other World Civilizations – see SUNY General Education Courses

American History (3 credits)

POLSC 102 - American Government and Issues

Degree Requirements - 27 Credits

HCTAL 102 - Exploring Health Careers
HCTAL 103 - Introduction to U.S. Healthcare Systems
HCTAL 105 - Practicum in Healthcare
PE 110 - Health and Fitness for Life
PE 116 - First Aid/CPR/AED
Free Electives (9 credits, any college courses, see Elective Recommendations below)
And select ONE of the following two courses:
HSERV 200 - Ethnic and Cultural Diversity
SOC 206 - Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.
And select ONE of the following two courses:
NUTR 101 - Foundations of Nutrition
NUTR 109 - Nutrition for Health Care

Elective Recommendations

Minimum Total Credits - 62

Career Path Opportunities

Are you wondering what careers you can explore with a degree or certificate? Perhaps you are not sure what people do or how much money they make in certain careers that pique your interest? Would you like to know how many jobs are predicted to be available in a particular industry? Or maybe you are unsure whether receiving a degree or certificate would be right for you? Go to https://sunywcc.emsicareercoach.com to explore career paths, their associated job descriptions, salary trends, and jobs trends. Complete a career assessment for additional guidance. Still not sure? Visit www.sunywcc.edu/career for more career resources and contacts.

Transfer Opportunities

Transfer Agreements

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

State University of New York (SUNY) Transfer Paths

This program of study is an approved SUNY Transfer Path. The program outlines core coursework in the major that is common to all SUNY campuses offering those majors and maximizes credit acceptance. Visit SUNY Transfer Paths for more information about how to advance your academic career within the State University of New York.

Getting Started

Are you a prospective Westchester Community College graduate? We look forward to seeing you soon! Apply today, then see the College’s Admissions and Enrollment Checklist.