Health Science, AS

Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

Program Mission

The Associate of Science in Health Science degree program’s mission is to introduce students to the core areas of health sciences and relate scientific theory to various practices in the healthcare field. The program prepares students for positions in a variety of healthcare settings or to further their education.

Program Goals

The Health Science associate degree program will provide students with the skills needed to:

1. Relate basic science to functions necessary in health science professions.
2. Develop the ability to think critically.
3. Recognize the importance of culture in health.
4. Develop an understanding of healthcare informatics.
5. Understand the complexities of healthcare systems.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of this Health Science degree program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the basic health sciences.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of healthcare informatics and its importance across the healthcare system.
3. Demonstrate professional communication skills, both written and oral.
4. Work collaboratively within the healthcare environment.
5. Discuss/apply the key aspects of the practice of healthcare according to ethically sound principles.

For the latest listing of courses offered, please review the course catalog here.

Q&A and Technical Standards

Questions & Answers

1. When do my classes meet?
   Courses meet either during the day, the evening, or online and are considered either technical or liberal arts.Day Classes: Classes in your major normally usually meet for at least three hours a day for up to five days a week. Classes normally may begin in the early morning (7:45 a.m.), late morning (usually 11:25 a.m.), or mid-afternoon (usually around 2:30 p.m.). The time slot for your program may vary from term to term.Evening Classes: Some programs have major classes that meet on the average of three nights a week, although there may be times when they will meet four nights a week. Classes normally begin at 5:45 p.m.Online Classes:  Online courses are available in many programs and in the liberal arts.  Online courses do not have set times to meet but provide great flexibility for the student. All have weekly due dates and submissions.NOTE: some majors require off-site clinical/fieldwork experiences or optional internship opportunities that may be held at employer worksites and at employer designated times.Courses in your major:  You will need to take a minimum of 60 credits in your major.Liberal Arts: You will take a total of approximately eight liberal arts courses. Each liberal arts course meets approximately four hours per week. Liberal arts courses are offered days, evenings, Saturdays, and online.At the beginning of each term, you will receive a detailed schedule giving the exact time and location of all your classes.  The College requires that all students be prepared to take classes and receive services at any of NEIT’s campuses.When a regularly scheduled class falls on a day that is a NEIT observed holiday (Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, and Memorial Day), an alternate class will be scheduled as a make-up for that class.  The make-up class may fall on a Friday or be scheduled online.  It is the student’s responsibility to take note of when and where classes are offered.
2. How large will my classes be?
   The average class size is approximately 20 to 25 students; however, larger and smaller classes occur from time to time.
3. How much time will I spend in lab?
   Almost half of the courses in your major consist of laboratory work. In order for you to get the most out of your laboratory experiences, you will first receive a thorough explanation of the theory behind your lab work.
4. Where do my classes meet?
   Students should be prepared to attend classes at any of NEIT’s campuses: either at the Post Road, Access Road, or East Greenwich campus or at an off-campus clinical/fieldwork/internship location.
5.  I have not earned my high school diploma or GED: can I enroll in an Associate Degree Program?
   A candidate for admission to an associate degree program must have a high school diploma, have earned a recognized general equivalency diploma (GED), or meet the federal home school requirements.
6. How long should it take me to complete my program?
   To complete your degree requirements in the shortest possible time, you should take the courses outlined in the prescribed curriculum. For a typical six-term curriculum, a student may complete the requirements in as little as 18 months. For a typical seven-term curriculum, a student may complete the requirements in as little as 21 months. Students are encouraged to work closely with their Student Advisor to ensure that they complete their degree requirements in the shortest possible time.Students may also elect to complete some of their liberal arts requirements during Intersession, a five-week term scheduled between Spring and Summer terms.  Students will not be assessed any additional tuition for liberal arts courses taken during the Intersession but may be assessed applicable fees.Students wishing to extend the number of terms needed to complete the required courses in their major will be assessed additional tuition and fees.
7. Is NEIT accredited?
   NEIT is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Accreditation by NECHE is recognized by the federal government and entitles NEIT to participate in federal financial aid programs. Some academic departments have specialized professional accreditations in addition to accreditation by NECHE. For more information on accreditation, see NEIT’s catalog.
8. Can I transfer the credits that I earn at NEIT to another college?

   The transferability of a course is always up to the institution to which the student is transferring. Students interested in the transferability of their credits should contact the Student Affairs Office of the institution that they are transferring to for further information.

9. Can I transfer the credits that I earn at NEIT to another college?

   Transfer credit for appropriate courses taken at an accredited institution will be considered for admission based on the following table and upon receipt of an official transcript:
            

   Courses	Age of Courses	MAA	MLT	NUR	OTA	PTA	RC	ST	HS	Other
   English/Communications Liberal Arts Courses	10 years old	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	C
   Math Course	3 years old	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B	C
   Biology Course	3 years old	C	C	B	C+	C	B	C+	C
   Major Courses	3 years old	C	C	B-	C+	C	B-	C+	C	C

    

   The Office of Teaching and Learning maintains the prerogative to waive these requirements based upon individual review.

   An official transcript from the other institution must be received before the end of the first week of the term for transfer credit to be granted for courses to be taken during that term. Students will receive a tuition reduction for the approved major courses based on the program rate and will be applied against the final major term of the curriculum’s tuition amount. No tuition credit is provided for courses that are not a part of the major curriculum. If the student has a degree from another institution, every opportunity will be reviewed to give the student as many transfer credits as possible for liberal arts courses (math, science, English, humanities, and social sciences) regardless of the age of the degree. Courses in the major will be reviewed individually for relevancy.

10. What is the “Feinstein Enriching America” Program?
    New England Institute of Technology is the proud recipient of a grant from the Feinstein Foundation. To satisfy the terms of the grant, the university has developed a one-credit community enrichment course that includes hands-on community enrichment projects. The course can be taken for a few hours per term, spread over several terms. Students who are already engaged in community enrichment on their own may be able to count that service towards course credit.

11. How many credits do I need to be eligible for Financial Aid?
    In order to be eligible for the maximum financial aid award, you need to maintain at least 12 credits per academic term.

12. What does my program cost?
    The cost of your program will be as outlined in your tuition guarantee agreement, along with your cost for books and other course materials. Students who decide to take more terms than the tuition guarantee agreement describes to complete their program will be subject to additional fees and possible additional tuition costs. Students who elect to take the courses in their major at a rate faster than the rate prescribed in the curriculum and the tuition guarantee agreement will be assessed additional tuition.

    Students who require prerequisite courses will incur additional tuition and fees above those outlined in their tuition guarantee agreement.

    If a student elects to take a course(s) outside of the prescribed curriculum, additional tuition and fees will be assessed.

    Remember, students who withdraw and re-enter, one time only, pay the tuition rate that was in effect for them at the time of their last day of attendance for up to one year from their last day of attendance.  Second re-entries and beyond pay the tuition rate in effect at the time they re-enter.  The most economical way for you to complete your college degree is to begin your program now and continue your studies straight through for the terms necessary to complete your degree requirements.

13. What kind of employment assistance does NEIT offer?
    The Career Services Office assists NEIT students and graduates in all aspects of the job search, including resume writing, interviewing skills, and developing a job search strategy. Upon completion of their program, graduates may submit a resume to the Career Services Office to be circulated to employers for employment opportunities in their fields. Employers regularly contact us about our graduates. In addition, our Career Services Office contacts employers to develop job leads. A strong relationship with employers exists as a result of our training students to meet the needs of industry for over fifty years. No school can, and NEIT does not guarantee its graduates’ employment or a specific starting salary.

14. Where will job opportunities exist?
    Entry-level positions are available in a wide variety of healthcare settings with an associate degree in Health Science. Graduates often seek additional education in various healthcare professions following completion of this degree program.

15. Will this program prepare me for a certification exam?
    No.

16. What does the Associate in Science Degree in Health Science prepare me for?
    Preparation for a career in Administrative Medical Office Assistant, or advanced studies in the Bachelor’s in Business Management with a concentration in Healthcare Management.

17. Are there any additional activities/costs/immunizations/physical exams that I will need for this program?
    Yes, students will need to see their physician and obtain documentation of valid vaccinations and appropriate titers. This cost is not covered by the college.

18. Is the COVID-19 vaccination required for the Health Science program?
    The Health Science program clinical affiliates have different COVID-19 vaccination requirements than the university’s requirements. The clinical affiliates have a responsibility to their employees and patients to minimize the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, all clinical affiliates require Health Science students to provide proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccination along with one booster. If a student chooses not to be vaccinated the Health Science program may not be able to assign a student a clinical site. This will prevent the student from completing the program. Clinical sites may have exemptions for their employees; however, most clinical sites do not accept exemptions from students as they are guests at their facility.

    If a clinical site has exemption requirements it is the student’s responsibility to submit any required documents and follow the clinical affiliate’s COVID-19 protocol. It is up to the clinical facility to grant or deny the exemption based on the documentation provided by the student. The university has no control over policies mandated by the clinical affiliates. Students may not know if their exemption is approved by a clinical site prior to the start of a term.

    If an exemption is granted, individuals may also be asked to complete regular COVID-19 testing, often on a weekly basis. Additional PPE protocols may also be required. The student will assume responsibility for any additional costs associated with the exemption protocols.

    Students may not be able to complete all of the clinical requirements at one clinical site. If a student needs to be assigned more than one clinical site, the student will need to apply for an exemption at each clinical site they are assigned to.

    The failure to comply with the clinical affiliate’s policies with regard to vaccination and/or exemption requirements will result in being dismissed from the Health Science program.

    In the event the exemption is denied, the Health Science student will be unable to complete the Health Science program.

19. Do I need to maintain a certain grade point average?
    Yes, the following academic policies apply for all students in the associate degree Health Science program.

    1. Any student wishing to move into another Health Science Program (OTA, PAR, PTA, MLT, RC, VET, ST, NUR, must refer to those program grade minimums in question 20 below).
    2. Every student enrolled in the Associate in Science Degree in Health Science must earn a minimum of a C+ (77%) in every HS, BIO and MA course, and a grade of C (73%) or better in EN all other courses throughout the program. A student who receives less than a C+ (77%) in any HS, BIO or MA course may not be able to advance to the next term if the course is a pre-requisite for another course. Students who need to repeat an HS course will be advised to repeat the course in the next term it is offered. Failing to achieve a required grade may delay a student’s graduation date and may also have financial implications. Each student is responsible for meeting with Student Accounts and Financial Aid personnel to discuss his or her individual situation. A student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.33 throughout the program. Inability to meet the 2.33 GPA will lead to dismissal.
    3. Students who fail to achieve the above-stated grades must meet with the Health Science Department Chair and the Student Advisor for the Health Science program to discuss modifications to their class schedule.
    4. A student may repeat only two failed HS courses (less than C+ or 77%) and one failed BIO course (less than C+ or 77%).  If a student fails a repeated HS course (less than C+ or 77%) or a repeated BIO course (less than C+ or 77%), the student will be dismissed from the program.
    5. A student who does not earn at least a C+ (77%) in three HSA courses or at least a C+ (77%) in two BIO courses over the course of the program, or a combination of three HSA and BIO courses, will be dismissed from the program.

20. Is there any assistance available if I have a disability?
    NEIT’s policy on assisting students with disabilities requires a student to meet with their Student Advisor to request the accommodation(s), and provide documentation supporting his/her request. Because course requirements can vary greatly, students must communicate their needs to their Student Advisor for each term, preferably before the term begins, and request accommodations every term.

21. What is the criteria for transferring to another health science degree major from the Associate Degree in Health Science?
    Students who attained the minimum Accuplacer score required for entrance to another of the health science degree programs may enter that program seamlessly.  Your student advisor will guide you through the transfer process. *Nursing requires passing the Kaplan entrance examination.

    Students who did not meet the Accuplacer minimum score nor the pre-enrollment GPA minimum score required for entrance to their choice of Health Science degree program:

    Will need to achieve the minimum or above the grades in the chart below, have an overall 2.67 GPA, complete two terms of the Associate Degree in HSA, and retake Accuplacer before a change of program can be completed.

    **Accrediting organizations of certain Health Science programs require Accuplacer assessment.

    • Prior to being accepted to the Health Science program of choice; it is at the Department Chair’s discretion to request a review of the Accuplacer scores prior to being accepted.
    • Students in the HSA program who want to transfer into the nursing program must meet the minimum grade requirements established by the nursing department in the chart below and pass the Kaplan entrance exam.

     

    Transfer to from HSA:	EN 100	MA 109	MA 110	BIO 100	BIO 101	BIO 107**	BIO 116
    OTA	C		C	C	C	C
    PAR	C	C				C
    PTA	C		C	C+	C+	C+
    MLT	C	C		C	C	C
    RC	D		B-	B-	B-	B-
    VET	C	C					C
    ST	C	C		C+	C+	C+
    NUR*	B-					B-
    MAA	D	D		C	D

    **BIO 107: Comprehensive Anatomy and Physiology. This course is not required for all students in the health science degree program but is recommended for those who may be interested in transferring into the Nursing or Paramedic Technology programs, which require BIO 107.

Technical Standards

These technical standards set forth by the Health Science Department, establish the essential qualifications considered necessary for the students admitted to the program. The student must possess the following skills and abilities or be able to demonstrate that they can complete the requirements of the program with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Cognitive Ability

• Ability to learn, remember and recall detailed information and to use it for problem-solving.
• Ability to deal with materials and problems such as organizing or reorganizing information.
• Ability to use abstractions in specific concrete situations.
• Ability to separate complex information into its component parts.
• Ability to comprehend basic mathematics principles.
• Ability to perform tasks by observing demonstrations.
• Ability to perform tasks following written and verbal instructions.

Communications Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, patients, physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
• Ability to read English sufficiently to read college-level textbooks and all materials delivered through the Canvas Learning System.
• Ability to demonstrate and use the knowledge acquired during the classroom training process to appropriately identify pertinent information and transmit the information, promptly, effectively, efficiently and sensitively to appropriate personnel.
• Ability to communicate in writing and in speech clearly and distinctly in English, including speaking to groups or individuals.

Adaptive Ability

• Ability to maintain emotional stability and the maturity necessary to interact with other members of the faculty, students and members of any healthcare team in a responsible manner.
• Ability to make decisions, follow written and oral instructions and complete assigned tasks within specified time limits.
• Ability to present oneself in a positive manner to new and changing situations with an open mind and flexibility.
• Ability to work in an environment and with a variety of cultures and people
• Ability to perform learned skills, independently, with accuracy and completeness within reasonable time frames in accordance with accepted protocol.

Physical Ability

• Ability to independently move around in one’s environment with or without adaptive aids.
• Ability to sit for 1-2 hours at a time with no breaks.
• Sufficient strength to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on both adult and pediatric patients.
• Ability to wear and tolerate masks and gloves and other protective equipment used in the classroom.
• Sufficient motor function and sensory abilities to participate effectively in the classroom and labs
• Sufficient fine motor control to manipulate small equipment and instruments.
• Ability to grasp, lift and carry various items of equipment.

Sensory Ability

Visual

• Visual ability, to enable the student to work with visual material or visually presented classroom activities.

Auditory

• Acute enough to allow for successful receipt of verbal information shared between student, instructor, and other peers or work colleagues, as well as participate in activities requiring sharing of information via telephone conference call or in-person with and without others present.