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Programs of Study

Programs below are offered by the School of Health Sciences. For a complete list of programs at Columbus Technical College, please review the college Programs of Study.

Technical Certificates of Credit Diplomas Associate Degrees

Allied Health Assistant is a 41 (or 46 depending on course selection) credit hour technical certificate of credit designed to prepare entry level applicants with the knowledge, appropriate attitude and behavioral skills to enter the health science career path. Many courses offered in this program can be transferred into other health science degree and diploma programs at Columbus Technical College.

Central Sterile Processing Technician is a 15 credit hour Technical Certificate of Credit that can be completed in one quarter as full time status or two quarters as part time status. Graduates are prepared to work in health care sterile processing and distributions centers. Courses include medical terminology, interpersonal relations and professional development, introduction to microcomputers, and central sterile supply.

Dental Assisting is an 91 credit hour diploma program that is designed to be completed in 5 quarters of study. Graduates will have the knowledge, skill and attitude necessary to assist in a dental office or clinic or to perform administration functions in such a clinic and will qualify to take the national competency certification exam. Credit hours include general math, English, computer technology, and biology courses as well as program specific courses in dental assisting and hours spent in the clinical environment. Classroom instruction and demonstration, lab practice and clinical experience are included in the program. The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Dental Hygiene graduates are prepared to function as professionals in the dental profession as dental hygienists. Credit hours include general courses in areas of humanities, social/behavioral sciences, natural sciences and mathematics as well as specialized courses pertaining to head and neck anatomy, prophylaxis, radiographs, oral prophylaxis, pathology. Classroom instruction, lab practice and clinical experience are included in the program. The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a 139 credit hour associate degree program. That provides students with knowledge and skills to perform abdominal, OB/GYN, pediatric, small parts and neonatal ultrasound procedures at the entry level. They will be competent in the use of two-dimensional B-mode imaging, color flow Doppler and spectral Doppler and will be eligible to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) exam in Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation (UPI), Abdomen (AB), Obstetrics Gynecology (OB/GYN). Graduates will also be competent in areas related to natural sciences, math and computer literacy.

Health Information Technology is an associate degree program that is designed to prepare students for employment in healthcare business arenas where information technology is of prime concern. Health Information Technology graduates will have technical skills and knowledge to function in a profession that demands processing, compiling and maintaining health information data for reimbursement, facility planning, marketing, risk management, quality management, utilization management and research.

The Health Studies Associate of Applied Science is designed for graduates of the Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting or the Dental Assisting Program. The program requires 90 credit hours; 30 credit hours in general education courses and 60 credit hours in occupational courses as specified in the sequence sheet. Applicants to the program must have graduated or be eligible to graduate from one of the programs named above. This degree option gives students an opportunity to pursue further education by developing written and oral communication skills and computational skills which, when combined with science and professional courses, will broaden areas of career interest.

Healthcare Science is a 63 credit hour Technical Certificate of Credit program. In addition to general studies courses, students complete courses in Health Care, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry and Microbiology.

Medical Assisting is a five quarter diploma consisting of 82 credit hours in basic science, communication, mathematics, English, and psychology courses, as well as specialized courses relating to medical terminology, law and ethics, pharmacology and office procedures. Graduates are prepared to work in clinic or private physician offices. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Medical Coding is a 32 credit hour Technical Certificate of Credit program that provides students with an educational opportunity that will enable them to obtain the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to succeed in the medical coding field upon program completion.

Medical Office Assistant is a Technical Certificate of Credit that providing individuals with the educational opportunities leading to an entry level position as a receptionist in a physician's office, hospital, clinic, or other related areas.

Associate Degree Nursing is a 108 credit hour associate degree program that can be completed in 7 sequenced quarters. Courses will include algebra, English composition and rhetoric, humanities, psychology, sociology, speech, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, computer technology, as well as specific nursing courses. The program consists of classroom instruction, laboratory demonstration and practice, and clinical experience in a variety of health care facilities. The graduate will be eligible to apply for the Georgia Board of Nursing license exam (NCLEX-RN). The Nursing program is accredited by the Georgia Board of Nursing and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Patient Care Assisting is a 16 credit hour Technical Certificate of Credit designed to be completed in one quarter as a full time student or in two quarters as a part time student. Topics include medical terminology, nutrition and diet therapy, interpersonal relations and professional development, and basic patient care. Graduates of the program will be Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA's). The program is accredited by the Georgia Medical Care Foundation.

Pharmacy Technology is a 74 credit hour diploma program designed to be completed in 5 quarters. The graduate will have a broad knowledge of theory related to pharmacology as well as the technical skills necessary to succeed as a pharmacy technologist. Students will study basic English, math, psychology, chemistry, computer technology, and anatomy and physiology and will take specialized courses in pharmaceutical calculations, dispensing of medications, and sterile medication preparation. Students will spend 2 quarters in the clinical environment including area hospital pharmacies, extended care facilities, private pharmacies and national chain pharmacies to develop technical skills.

Pharmacy Technology Degree is a 96 credit hour program that can be completed in seven quarters. The diploma Pharmacy Technology program description covers this program, also. Studies can be expanded to include college-level core to prepare students for employment in pharmacy departments in hospitals clinics, long term care facilities, commercial businesses and other related facilities. The program develops students academically and professionally with a focus on knowledge base, technical skills, and work ethics. The program emphasizes didactic and clinical instruction necessary for job attainment, retention, and advancement. Program graduates are eligible to sit for a national certification exam for pharmacy technologists.

Phlebotomy Technician is a Technical Certificate of Credit offered as a part time, 20 credit hour, program that can be completed in two to three quarters. The graduate is prepared to perform entry level blood collection skills and has knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology.

Practical Nursing is a 92 credit hour diploma program that prepares the graduate to take a national competency exam for licensure as a practical nurse (LPN). Course work includes basic sciences, mathematics, English, and psychology, as well as specialized courses in patient care, medication administration, medical ethics, and prevention of illness. Instruction occurs in the classroom, lab and various clinical facilities in the community. The program is accredited by the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Radiologic Technology is a 138 credit hour associate degree program that prepares students for employment in radiology departments in hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and other related facilities. The program develops students academically and professionally with a focus on knowledge base, technical skills, and work ethics. The program emphasizes didactic and clinical instruction necessary for job attainment, retention, and advancement. Program graduates are eligible to sit for a national certification exam for radiographers. The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

Respiratory Care Technology is a 128 credit hour associate degree program that is designed to prepare students for employment in healthcare facilities where respiratory care technology is of prime concern. This program develops students academically and professionally with a focus on knowledge base, technical skills, and work ethics to function as members of the healthcare team that provides respiratory care to patients with heart and lung disorders. In addition, the program emphasizes specialized training in areas such as pulmonary and cardiac medications, medical gases, humidity/aerosol therapy, positive pressure breathing, incentive spirometry, patient assessment, postural drainage, percussion/vibration, assessment of diseases and conditions, critical respiratory care, advanced critical care monitoring, pulmonary function testing, and pediatric and neonatal respiratory care. Program graduates are qualified to take the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examination.

Surgical Technology is offered as a degree (109 credit hours) and diploma (87 credit hours) program. Basic sciences and related courses are required depending on the degree or diploma tract, as well as classroom and clinical instruction in surgical instrumentation, supplies, aseptic technique, save patient care, and legal and ethical implications. The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Last updated: August 26, 2008.