Health Career Clinical Programs
Admissions requirements and procedures for health career clinical programs vary by program. Articulation agreements and partnerships between Howard Community College and other community colleges may also be factors in admission for specific programs. Tuition requirements are subject to adjustments based on state laws and regulations related to Health Workforce Shortage Incentive Programs.
HEALTH SCREENING, CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND DRUG SCREENING–Students admitted to the clinical portion of HCC’s nursing and allied health programs are required to provide various health certifications and to obtain a criminal background check and drug screening. Both must be obtained through the HCC authorized vendor. Students who incur any break in the sequence of study will be required to obtain a re-check through the authorized vendor prior to re-admission or re-enrollment. Students who have not fulfilled health requirements, the criminal background check, and/or the drug screening requirement will not be eligible to participate in clinical courses.
Clinical agencies grant approval or disapproval for students to attend their facility for clinical and/or skills rotations based on the criminal background check and drug screening. Clinical agencies have the right to deny access to any student whose results do not meet their acceptable minimum standards. Students who have been deemed ineligible by the agencies affiliated with HCC’s clinical courses may not be able to progress in the selected program of study. In addition, health career licensing and/or certification boards may require criminal background checks and/or drug screening.
Additional information regarding health certifications, criminal background checks and drug screening will be provided at the time of admission to clinical programs and/or at the program orientation as directed.
HEALTH OCCUPATION SHORTAGE PROGRAMS–To address critical shortages, the State of Maryland has designated certain learning programs as Health Occupation Shortage Programs. Legal residents of Maryland can enroll in courses toward the completion of these programs as degree-seeking students at the in-county tuition rate. (Tuition benefits are also available to out-of-state residents for the nursing program, but with additional conditions.) Health Occupation Shortage Programs do not entitle students to in-county admissions benefits to clinical programs. Some of HCC’s Nursing and Allied Health programs are currently designated as Health Occupation Shortage Programs. A list is available at http://fha.dhmh.maryland.gov. Laws, regulations, and policies regarding these programs are subject to change.
STATEWIDE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS–In an effort to avoid duplication of programs while at the same time providing access and opportunity, the state has designated certain learning programs as Statewide Instructional Programs. Legal residents of Maryland can enroll in such programs as degree-seeking students at the in-county tuition rate. At the present time, HCC does not have any Statewide Instructional Programs. However, other programs offer similar (though not identical) benefits such as the Health Occupation Shortage Incentive Programs. Some HCC programs previously designated as statewide instructional programs have been designated as Health Occupation Shortage Incentive Programs. Designation as a Health Occupation Shortage Program and related benefits are subject to change.
Because seating in clinical coursework cannot be guaranteed, international (F1) students may not enroll in the college’s Nursing, Cardiovascular Technology, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Services, Physical Therapy Assistant, or Radiologic Technology programs. They also may not select the Mid-Maryland Allied Healthcare Education Consortium (MMAHEC) programs. International (F1) students interested in preparing for allied health careers, including nursing, are eligible for the Medical Laboratory Technician program or should choose the college’s Pre-Allied Health or General Studies-Science Emphasis programs or consult with an international student admissions advisor regarding options for other health-related majors. All other international citizens legally entitled for admission to the college may select Nursing, Allied Health, or MMAHEC programs as their area of study.
Under the Maryland Articulation Model, graduates who obtain Maryland Licensure are eligible for advanced placement in nursing courses when they progress to registered nursing programs in state public and participating private institutions. Graduates with an active unencumbered Maryland or Compact state practical nursing license (i.e., LPN) who wish to progress to the associate degree level may be awarded advanced placement nursing credits equivalent to a maximum of one year of full-time nursing courses. Graduates with an active unencumbered Maryland or Compact state registered nursing license who wish to progress to the baccalaureate degree level are awarded advanced placement nursing credits equal to a maximum of one year of full-time nursing courses in the program they enter.
NURSING–The college offers five Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree Registered Nursing pathways –Traditional, Accelerated, LPN Pathway Sequence (for licensed LPNs only) Military to RN Pathway Sequences and Paramedic to RN Pathway Sequence. The major differences between these options are the selection process and the time frame for clinical coursework. The Traditional Program’s clinical coursework is taken over a two-year period (four major terms), with classes seated for both the Fall and the Spring (for RN Day only). The Accelerated Program’s clinical coursework is offered over a 14-month period beginning in the Summer.
HCC uses selective or competitive admissions processes for seating applicants, depending on the program. In both cases, students must meet baseline criteria for inclusion in the pool of qualified candidates. In the selective admissions process, students are evaluated against baseline criteria. In the competitive admissions process, applicants are ranked according to specific criteria. Applicants to the clinical component of all HCC’s nursing programs must take the college’s clinical nursing admissions assessment and obtain the required score or higher (see below).
Admission to the Traditional Program is selective based upon the fulfillment of specific prerequisites, GPA requirements, and other criteria within specific application periods. Admission to the Accelerated Program is competitive with seats being offered to the strongest candidates based on certain minimum GPA requirements and other criteria within a specific application period. Limited priority is given to Howard County residents during the regular admissions period. The LPN Pathway Sequence is an advanced standing option available only to students who are already licensed practical nurses and who also meet other admissions criteria.
HCC also offers a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate Program. The selection process is similar to that of the traditional RN A.A. Program. Day and evening/weekend options are available in all but the Accelerated Program which is a full-time, day-only program. Day students may have some clinical sessions on weekends or evenings; evening/weekend students may have some clinical sessions on weekdays depending on clinical site schedules. All clinical assignments are based on clinical agency availability as determined by the agency. Students must be prepared to attend clinical assignments in a variety of geographic locations in the Baltimore-Washington region.
Prospective applicants must attend the appropriate nursing information session as a first step in the enrollment process prior to meeting individually with an admissions advisor. Information provided at these sessions is important in enabling prospective students to determine the best option for them.
In addition to standard application procedures, supplemental application procedures are required for clinical coursework. All clinical nursing applicants must take the English placement exam unless they have earned a bachelor's degree in the United States. All clinical nursing applicants must also take the nursing admissions assessment regardless of prior education. Acceptance to clinical coursework is based upon fulfillment of all prerequisite courses, GPA requirements, time limitations for science prerequisites, results on the required nursing admission assessment, legal residency, and space availability as well as additional processes specific to each nursing option. Fulfillment of the terms and conditions of specific articulation agreements and clinical site partnerships are also factors in admission for some applicants. Please note graduates who successfully complete the nursing courses of the program they were admitted to are eligible to be considered by the Maryland Board of Nursing to write the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse licensure.
CLINICAL NURSING ADMISSION ASSESSMENT–Admission to the clinical portion of HCC’s nursing programs requires the successful completion of a nursing admissions assessment. The assessment administered varies based on the clinical program for which a student seeks admission. There are test fees.
Accelerated RN, Traditional RN and LPN Programs– Students seeking admission to the clinical portion of the Accelerated RN, Traditional RN and LPN programs must receive a specified composite score on the admissions assessment administered for these programs. This assessment may be taken up to three times within a 12-month period. The assessment fee, is $65.00 and must be paid each time the exam is taken.
LPN Pathways Program –Applicants to the LPN Pathways Program are also required to take an admission assessment as part of the qualifying process for the clinical component of the program. The exam fee is $65.00.
Assessments, assessment fees, and retest policies are subject to change. Test fees are set to cover the cost of the exams and the cost of administering them. All testing fees must be paid at the cashier’s office (RCF-213) or online prior to the specific test administration date. Students must also submit the required paperwork to the office of admissions and advising prior to the testing deadline. More detailed information about these assessments is available through nursing information sessions, program publications, the web (howardcc.edu/admissions/apply/alliedhealth/testing) or by contacting the office of admissions and advising (RCF-242; alliedhealth@howardcc.edu; 443-518-4230, howardcc.edu/admissions/apply).
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY–The college offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Students must complete specific prerequisites and possess the GPA requirements and other criteria prior to applying to the clinical portion of the program. The full-time day program enrolls in the fall. Admission to the clinical portion of the program is selective with a specific number of clinical seats available. Students interested in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program should contact the Office of Admissions and Advising (443-518-4230) or the program director (443-518-3430). Information sessions are available throughout the year. The program prepares graduates to sit for the national certification exam with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY–The college offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) as well as various certificate programs. Clinical coursework starts in the Spring and is available as a day option only. All applicants to clinical coursework must fulfill certain prerequisites depending on the option they select. Fulfillment of the terms and conditions of specific articulation agreements and clinical site partnerships are admissions factors for some applicants. Prospective applicants should contact the office of admissions and advising (443-518-4230) or the CVT program director (443-518-1560).
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES-PARAMEDIC–The college offers Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree and Certificate options in Emergency Medical Services Paramedic (EMS-P). Students must complete specific prerequisites and have a current EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Certification to enroll in all Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic clinical coursework beyond EMSP-107. Prospective students should contact the office of admissions and advising (443-518-4230) or the EMS-P program director (443-518-4948) for more information.
MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN–The college offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Medical Laboratory Technician. Students must complete specific prerequisites and possess the GPA requirements and other criteria prior to applying to the clinical portion of the program. The one-year full-time clinical program starts in the fall and is available as a day option only. Admission to the clinical portion of the program is selective with a specific number of clinical seats available. Students interested in the Medical Laboratory Technician program should contact the office of admissions and advising (443-518-4230) or the program director (443-518-3048) for more information. Information sessions are available throughout the year. The program prepares graduates to sit for national certification exams such as with the American Society for Clinical Pathology. The Medical Technology Technician program is fully accredited by NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720 Rosemont, Illinois, 60018, phone: (773-747-8880).
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT—The college offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant. Students must complete specific prerequisites prior to applying to the clinical portion of the program. The 2-year full-time clinical program is available as a day option only. Admission to the clinical portion of the program is selective with a specific number of clinical seats available. All applicants to the clinical coursework must provide evidence of a certain number of hours of required PT clinical observation experience as part of the admissions process. Students interested in the Physical Therapist Assistant should contact the office of admissions (443-518-4230) and advising or the program director (443-518-3042) for more information. Information sessions are available throughout the year. The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Howard Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.
RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY–The college offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Radiologic Technology. The two-year program starts in the summer and is available as a day option only. Admission to the program is selective with a specific number of clinical seats available. Students interested in Radiologic Technology should contact the office of admissions and advising (443-518-4230) or the program director (443-518-4296) for more information. Students are also encouraged to access the Radiologic Technology Program Student Handbook for additional information.
DENTAL HYGIENE–Students must complete specific prerequisites and have the required GPA (overall HCC and in specific courses) prior to applying to the clinical portion of the program. Admission to Dental Hygiene will be selective with a specific number of clinical seats available. Students interested in the Dental Hygiene program should contact the office of admissions and advising (443-518-4230) or the program director (443-518-3035). Students will be prepared to take the required dental hygiene board licensure examinations. Howard Community College has been awarded full accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, (800-621-8099) or (312-440-4653).
MID-MARYLAND ALLIED HEALTHCARE EDUCATION CONSORTIUM–Howard Community College is a participant in the Mid-Maryland Allied Healthcare Education Consortium (MMAHEC), along with Carroll Community College (CCC) and Frederick Community College (FCC). Various combined degree and certificate options, admissions, and in-county tuition benefits are available in selected clinical health career programs for students at consortium institutions. HCC students who are legal residents of Howard County will be treated as in-county students for the clinical component of FCC’s Bioprocessing Technology, Surgical Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Respiratory Care programs. Students from CCC and FCC have special access to HCC’s Cardiovascular Technology program.
Admission to clinical coursework is based upon procedures and criteria agreed upon by consortium institutions. Students complete general education and other prerequisite coursework through their home institution. They then apply for admission to clinical coursework offered at the appropriate consortium institution.
Howard Community College, and when appropriate, its partners, reserves the right to revise admissions policies for clinical healthcare programs in accordance with state law and accreditation requirements and for any reasons deemed necessary for student and program success.
For further information regarding the college’s Health Career Programs, please contact 443-518-4230 or alliedhealth@howardcc.edu. Information is also available on the college’ s web site at howardcc.edu/admissions/apply. Prospective students are strongly advised to attend appropriate information sessions and are required to do so for the Nursing and Radiologic Technology programs.