Health Science

Program
Degree Type
Associate in Science

Go to nashuacc.edu/programs for even more details about this and other NCC programs and certificates. 

Program Overview

The associate in science in Health Science, has been designed for students who have a desire to work in the healthcare industry. Within the Health Science degree, students have options to follow a Pre-Nursing, Public Health Informatics & Technology, Healthcare Management or the general Health Science pathway.  Contact the Program Coordinator for specific course sequencing information on the pathways.

Acceptance to the Health Science program does not guarantee acceptance in or give preferential treatment to an applicant for a specific health program later.

Residency Requirements

At least 15 semester credits must be taken at Nashua Community College not including transfer credits. A minimum of 8 credits of coursework in the program must be completed at the “200” level.

Program Outcomes

Upon the completion of the degree in Health Science, graduates will be able to:

  1. Write documents pertaining to health, wellness, and disease using medical terminology 

  2. Identify structural organization of the human body and body systems. 

  3. Interpret information pertaining to health, wellness an disease. 

  4. Evaluate various trends in healthcare, social determinants, and legal and ethical issues impacting healthcare. 

In addition, the graduate will be able to demonstrate competency in the general education outcomes.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be high school graduates or have the GED equivalent.
  • Submit an application for admission and have official transcripts forwarded to Nashua Community College by secondary and post-secondary institutions previously attended.
  • Participate in the ACCUPLACER® Placement Assessment test when appropriate.
Total Credits
60
Course Sequencing
Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
14
Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Humanities/Fine Arts/World Language Elective  +
3
English/Communications Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
17
Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Specialty and Support Courses: (As appropriate to student’s career plans)  +
8
Sub-Total Credits
15
Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Specialty and Support Courses: (As appropriate to student’s career plans)  +
14
Sub-Total Credits
14

Public Health Informatics Technology Pathway

The field of Public Health Informatics and Technology (PHIT) focuses on collecting, storing, managing, analyzing, using, and sharing public health data to more efficiently and effectively impact population health. Experts in PHIT, often referred to as public health informatics specialists or public health informaticians, use data analytics, visualization skills, and technology to innovatively solve public health problems.

This PHIT pathway is designed to be transferable to University of Massachusetts/Lowell, as well as other colleges, where students can complete their Baccalaureate degree in Public Health/ Public Health Informatics and Technology. You will then be prepared to enter this emerging field of public health and make a difference through work in health departments, nonprofits, community health centers and other health care settings. 

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Behavioral Social Science Elective  +
3
Humanities/Fine Arts/World Language Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
16

Speak with the program advisor for specialty & support course recommendations.  13 credits of specialty and support for this semester.

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Specialty and Support Courses: (As appropriate to student’s career plans)  +
13
Sub-Total Credits
13

Pre-Nursing Pathway

*Minimum grades of C+ are required for Science and Psychology courses.

Students may take more classes in a semester as the goal is to complete all the general education courses within one academic year. 

This is a recommended sequence:

*Minimum grades of C+ are required for Science and Psychology courses.

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
11

*Minimum grades of C+ are required for Science and Psychology courses.

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
English/Communications Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
14

*Minimum grades of C+ are required for Science and Psychology courses.

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Humanities/Fine Arts/World Language Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
7

Healthcare Management Pathway

Healthcare Management pathway will help you gain vital skills in leadership, communication, customer service, and problem-solving.  Learn medical terminology, and classifications essential for medical billing, as well as sound managerial practices and procedures.

Career opportunities include a variety of healthcare positions or transfer credits towards a bachelor’s degree in business or a health discipline.

Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
16
Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Humanities/Fine Arts/World Language Elective  +
3
Open Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
16
Item #
Title
Class Hours
Lab Hours
Credits
Open Elective  +
3
Sub-Total Credits
12