School of Health Sciences and Physical Wellness (HSPW): Pathways to Health-Related Careers

Health-related careers continue to grow and interest in these careers remains strong. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that growth in these career areas is projected to continue to increase.

MCC offers various health related programs and career paths. Some of MCC’s health-related programs are competitive programs with limited seats. It is wise for students to consider more than one health-related career area in order to maximize their options.

Liberal Arts (LA)

Students may be unsure of which area of health they would like to pursue. Also, there are some health-related career goals for which LA would be the pathway. Students interested in fields such as those listed to the right would go into LAS4 and obtain advisement to prepare for transfer.

LAS4

LAS4 is for students interested in OT, OTA, PTA, NP, Optician, Radiation Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Speech Therapy, Sonography/Ultrasound or for students interested in health, but unsure of specific field.

Health Studies

• Clinical Track HS03 (Prepares students to apply to Competitive Programs such as Rad Tech, Nursing, or for BSN Transfer)
• Community Health Track HS04 (Prepares for transfer into various health-related fields) Community/Public Health, Counseling, Global/Environmental Health)
• Healthcare Administration Track HS06

Students can apply to MCC Competitive programs while in the Health Studies Clinical Track.

Health Studies Clinical Track includes point-bearing courses needed to apply for competitive programs and courses needed to apply for BSN Transfer.

Health Studies Clinical also transfers well into many health-related programs.

*Competitive admission programs

Visit the Health Related Programs website for more information, or contact Becky Babcock (rbabcock@monroecc.edu), HSPW Health Related Advisement Specialist at (585) 292-2409, or the HSPW Faculty Liaison (cfinch@monroecc.edu).

Health Studies A.S. Degree Track Options

Health-related careers continue to grow and interest in these careers remains strong. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that growth in these career areas is projected to continue to increase. MCC offers various health-related programs and career paths. Health Studies offers tracks that allow students to apply to enter a number of health-related programs leading to a variety of careers. Take HED130 early for helpful health career content.

Clinical Track (NU or Rad Tech)

The Clinical track offers a pathway to apply for programs in clinical healthcare careers, such as nursing, while working toward an AS degree in Health Studies. The Clinical track includes quality point courses for MCC’s nursing and rad tech programs, as well as courses that are needed to apply for BSN or other health-related programs at transfer schools.

Community (Public) Health Track

The Community Health track offers the flexibility to prepare for transfer into a number of health-related career programs such as Counseling, Healthcare Studies, or Public Health.

Healthcare Administration Track

The Healthcare Administration track prepares students to apply for transfer into Bachelor’s degree programs in Healthcare Administration. Medical and health services managers, or healthcare administrators generally plan, direct, and coordinate medical and health services. They might manage an entire facility, a specific clinical area or department, or a medical practice. Most medical and health services managers work in offices in healthcare facilities, including hospitals and nursing homes, and group medical practices.

Additional Credential Opportunity: Health and Wellness Coaching Certification

Students taking HED130 (required in all Health Studies tracks) and HED210 and PPE240 as electives can become eligible for Health and Wellness Coach Certification. This certification can be a very beneficial addition to a resume.

Unsure which track to choose?

If there is any desire to work in nursing/medical, choose the Clinical Track. If there is no desire to work in nursing/medical, then consider one of the other two tracks. If still unsure, choose the Clinical Track, as it contains the higher-level sciences that will allow more overall options for the future. The first semester for all tracks is almost identical to make switching to another track very feasible if needed.

Updated 4/23/2019

Health & Wellness Coaching Certification at MCC

Health coaching is an emerging field that addresses changes in the focus of healthcare and approaches to wellness. The role of a health coach is gaining increased attention as providers work on new ways to help individuals change their lifestyles, adhere to care plans, and combat chronic disease, which is becoming more important as providers move toward prevention and outcomes, not just volumes. The American Medical Association is now recognizing nationally certified health and wellness coaches with coding within the healthcare system that will allow for additional evidence of the effectiveness of health and wellness coaches and influence insurance reimbursement.

Health and wellness coaches are recommended as an integral part of a new wellness and health care team approach, serving as an important resource to improve individual lifestyle behaviors. In contrast to traditional directive approaches, the health and wellness coach uses a client-centered approach that guides individuals to utilize their internal motivation for behavior change.

MCC’s health coach coursework provides participants with specific skills and mindset that guides patients or clients toward self-efficacy for healthier outcomes. Training involves change from a directive communication style to a guiding style that is client-centered. The coursework is grounded in behavioral theory with a hands-on approach to learning. Participants should be prepared to engage in discussions and complete hands-on activities as they build their health coaching skills.

MCC’s training is approved by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). As a result, health and wellness coaches who have met requirements and completed MCC’s Health Coaching Certification Program will qualify to sit for the NBHWC exam to become nationally board certified.

To be eligible for MCC’s Health and Wellness Coaching Certification, participants will need to complete the following requirements:

1. Completion of required MCC courses with a grade of C or better (HED130, HED210, PPE240)
2. Coach a client for at least six practice sessions at the completion of training (coach notes are required to document each session)
3. Submit a case study based on the competencies and practice coaching
4. Satisfactory completion of the exam
5. Certification would then be granted once at least an Associate degree has been earned

Participants who wish to receive the certification will have one year after the date of completing the third required course to complete the exam, coaching sessions, coach notes and case study.

Please note: An additional fee of $150 is required for the exam and case study in order to be considered for the certification as a Health Coach, after completing the three required courses.

To get started, simply register for and take the required courses at MCC. It is recommended that HED130 and HED210 be taken prior to enrolling in PPE240. Further direction regarding additional coaching hours, the case study, and exam will be given in the PPE240 course.

Updated 11/19

“Stackable Credential” – MCC Health and Wellness Coaching Certification

Within the Health Studies A.S. Degree Clinical Track – HS03

The Health and Wellness Coaching Certification requires completion of 3 MCC courses that can be taken as electives within any program. Coaching hours, a case study, and an exam are offered within PPE240. Below are suggested slots within HS03 that could work for completion. The courses can be taken during any semester; however, HED210 should be taken before PPE240. If students do not have elective slots remaining, a student could take as an additional course at no added cost if they have registered for 12 or more program credits.