Associate in Science in Health Science

Division of Nursing & Allied Health – Curriculum Code: 2114

Will Earn Upon Program Completion: Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree

Why major in Health Science?

The Health Science program provides an opportunity for health care personnel and allied health program majors to complete a general health science associate degree. Students receive up to 24 credits for previous post-secondary professional educational or certificate training in an allied health profession. Certificates or licenses must be current at the time of credit evaluation. Bachelor’s degree completion can lead to employment in health education or entry-level health care administration positions.

If I major in Health Science, can I transfer to an upper-division college or university?

The Associate of Science degree in Health Science may be transferred to the Bachelor of Science Health Science degree program offered jointly by UMDNJ, New Jersey City University, and Berkeley College. Also, Thomas Edison State College will apply most or all the courses you have taken toward a Bachelor of Science degree program in Health Science or a Bachelor of Science degree program in Applied Science and Technology.

Are there any requirements I must satisfy before I start taking courses in my major?

Complete an application to Essex County College and indicate Health Science (curriculum code 2114) as your desired major and take the placement test. Based on your placement test scores, you may have to take developmental courses in reading, English, and/or mathematics before taking the core curriculum courses in your major. Submit a copy of your diploma and official transcript from where you received your professional training and current certificate or licensure for evaluation prior to admission to the Health Science major.

Who should apply to the Health Science program?

Any health care professional who holds licensure or certification in their specialty and who received their training in any accredited or state-licensed post-secondary allied health training program. This program is particularly useful for health care professionals working in fields for which no specific degree is offered. In addition, any ECC student who completed college-level course work in nursing or any allied health discipline but who did not complete a specific degree may apply their professional credit toward the completion of this degree.

How long will it take for me to complete this degree?

If you do not need developmental course work and, depending on the number of credits granted for prior professional training, you can complete the degree in two years or less by taking an average of 15 credits each semester. You may shorten the time by taking courses in the summer sessions.

Where should I direct specific questions about this program?

Call the Division at (973) 877-1865.

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

• Advance to a baccalaureate program specializing in health education, health care informatics, or health care administration;
• Secure job promotions within health-related fields for which no specific degree exists; and
• Prepare for employment based on the individualized curriculum that has been completed in fields such as health services administration, health computing, or health education.

NOTES:
(1) The two General Education Integrated Course Goals, Ethical Reasoning & Action and Information Literacy, are both addressed by the required curriculum described above, regardless of specific choices made by the individual student.
(2) This plan assumes the completion of all required developmental courses in reading, writing, and mathematics as well as other pre- and co-requisites for some of the courses, as listed in the Course Descriptions section.