College Catalog

The associate of applied science in Health Arts is a flexible design, which can prepare students with a credentialed health care background to have a better understanding of the health care system in America, be better prepared to meet changes in the health care system in American society, and have a fundamental understanding of the process of setting and accomplishing goals through the use of appropriate resources.

Career Opportunities

Students coming into this major are expected to be in, or have completed training for health care areas and already have jobs, or will be able to easily obtain a job in their original area of emphasis. Completion of this major and earning an associate of applied science degree could help them advance within an organization, enjoy more job related options or have a competitive advantage for jobs or promotions.

Recommended High School Subjects

Students studying Practical Nursing via the Health Arts curriculum will need to meet PN requirements, which includes four units of high school English, three units of social studies, three units of mathematics (Algebra or Applied Math II; Algebra II recommended), and three units of science (at least one unit should be biology with a lab).

Recommended for other students are academic subjects with emphasis on science and three units of math with Algebra I or Applied Math II (Algebra II recommended). Students who do not meet these recommendations can work with a college adviser to prepare for the major.

Special Admissions Requirements

Acceptance into this major is based on an admissions ranking process. To view detailed information on acceptance criteria, testing requirements, performance expectations, and the admissions ranking system, consult the following website: http://www.pct.edu/catalog/specialadmission.htm

In addition, students in this major must provide proof of current credentials, licensure, certification and/or registration as a health care provider and provide proof of the credential before acceptance. Related work experience for students not enrolled in a health related major must be current within the last five years. Students currently enrolled in a non-Penn College Health Sciences major may be given admission to this curriculum if the administrator in charge of the non-Penn College program, the Dean for Health Sciences, and the administrator in charge of the Health Arts major agree to allow the student to begin studies at Penn College, and all other College admissions requirements are met.

Practical Nursing students studying in the Health Arts curriculum must meet all requirements and observe all procedures outlined in the PN program. Students interested in Practical Nursing can enroll in this curriculum; however, completion of the required curriculum will be dependent upon their acceptance into the Practical Nursing major.

Remediation Strategies

Developmental course work must be remediated prior to Practical Nursing course work. For other students in this major, developmental course work must be remediated prior to, or in conjunction with regular course work. All developmental work must be satisfied within the first 12 credits of the curriculum.

Transfer Procedures

All general education courses that meet College requirements will be eligible for transfer according to College policy. College-level credit can be awarded for non-traditional training/education that has led to a recognized credential including (but not necessarily limited to) certification, licensure, and/or registration. The training and related work experience must equal at least nine credits. Student credentials and experiences will be evaluated by the School of Health Sciences to determine the number of credits that can be awarded. Students who complete this major can be eligible for transfer into the College's bachelor's degree in Applied Health Studies or Technology Management.

Program Goals

A graduate of this major should be able to:

• evaluate models of communication; demonstrate an effective model of communication.
• apply appropriate mathematical skills.
• describe and discuss how to adapt to changes facing the health care delivery system and its workers in the United States.
• describe, discuss and develop an understanding and appreciation of, and apply the benefits of health and fitness for life.
• develop an understanding and appreciation of, and apply skills that result in information literacy, including the efficient and effective use of the Internet and library resources; use these skills to gather, interpret, evaluate and report information.
• discuss and apply the sciences to health care areas, including patient treatment.
• use basic computer skills.
• describe, contrast and compare roles in the health care system; assess and develop an appreciation of their role in the system as a health care worker.

Curriculum