The Health Education Division offers a variety of associate degree programs, certificates, diplomas, and courses that prepare students for successful employment in a number of health care industries upon graduation. These programs serve as an excellent way for students to learn skills that will allow them to contribute immediately to the organizations. Graduates can enter the workforce as gainful employees with skills mastered through their course of study, practicums, and externships. Highly qualified full-time and adjunct faculty provide real-world experience, which allows students to envision the intricacies of their career choices and provides them with current knowledge and skills. Health Education classes are offered at the Pendleton and Easley campuses. Instruction in many of the programs is also offered during the evening hours, as well as online and hybrid formats, to complement the busy schedules of students. Students seeking to achieve personal, academic, and professional goals will benefit from excellence in teaching and advising. The Division’s programs are highly recognized in the industry. All programs in the Division are accredited through national agencies.
Associate Degree Nursing
Program Information
The Associate Degree Nursing program prepares students to function effectively as registered nurses in a health care team. Nursing theory is integrated with supportive courses from the humanities, mathematics, biological and behavioral sciences.
Scheduling and Entry Options for Traditional Associate Degree Nursing
Entry is based on acceptance into the clinical portion of the program. Day and limited evening classes are available. Enrollment in the major courses begins in the Fall and Spring terms. Four semesters are required to complete the degree. Nursing courses build on each preceding course and must be taken in sequence. General Education courses are offered both day and evening and can be completed as outlined in the curriculum guide. Readmission and progression criteria in the Associate Degree Nursing program are different from those of the College as a whole. Completion of required nursing courses within three years of entry into the first nursing course must be attained or competency (didactic, skill, math) must be demonstrated.
tctc.edu/nursing
Program Accreditation
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is approved by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Contact: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326. Telephone: 404-975-5000. Website: https://www.acenursing.org.
Associate in Applied Science
Emergency Medical Technology
Program Information
The Emergency Medical Technology program is designed to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledgeable), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The curriculum emphasizes accurate patient assessment and the development of essential patient care skills while applying the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, critical thinking, and problem solving techniques. Graduates will be prepared to make well-informed decisions regarding pre-hospital care and will have the background necessary to develop additional skills as changes and innovations occur within the profession.
The Emergency Medical Technology program offers an associate degree and two certificate options. Credit for courses in the certificates also can be applied toward the associate degree. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Registry certification exams for their respective level (EMT, AEMT, or Paramedic).
Scheduling and Entry Options
Day classes are available for program courses. General Education courses are offered both day and evening and can be completed anytime during the program. Full-time students can complete the program in five semesters, including one Summer Term. It is strongly recommended that the general education courses be taken as early in the program as possible. Program courses build on each preceding course and must be successfully completed in sequence. Program courses in the A.A.S. and the Emergency Medical Technology Advanced Certificate begin in the Fall semester. Program courses in the Paramedic Certificate begin in the Summer semester.
Program Accreditation
The Tri-County Technical College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). To contact CAAHEP - phone: 727-210-2350, website: www.caahep.org. To contact CoAEMSP - phone: 214-703-8445, website: www.coaemsp.org.
Associate in Applied Science
Certificate
Expanded Duty Dental Assisting
Program Information
Dental Assistants are multi-skilled dental professionals trained to work in many specialty areas of dentistry, including restorative dentistry and preventive oral health care. Students learn the skills necessary to provide patient education, apply pit and fissure sealants, produce intra-oral and extra-oral radiographs, polish teeth and fillings, assist the dentist, prepare dental materials, and manage dental offices.
Scheduling and Entry Options
The Expanded Duty Dental Assisting program is a full-time day program with courses in the major starting in the Fall semester. Full-time students can complete the program in two semesters and a Summer Term. AHS 102 must be completed prior to starting major courses. General Education courses are offered both day and evening and can be completed at any time before or during the program.
www.tctc.edu/edda
Program Accreditation
The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The Commission’s web address is: http://www.ada.org/en/coda/accreditation.
Medical Assisting
Program Information
Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals specifically educated and trained to work in ambulatory care settings, performing administrative and clinical duties. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public’s health and well-being and requires mastery of a complex body of knowledge and specialized skills requiring both formal education and practical experience that serve as standards for entry into the profession. The Medical Assisting program curriculum is designed to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Graduates typically have a 100% job placement within four months of graduation. The exam passage rate for the 2019 graduate cohort is 87.5% (five-year aggregate of 85%-100%).
Scheduling and Entry Options
The Medical Assisting program offers a full-time day program with courses in the major starting in the Fall semester. General Education courses are offered both day and evening, and it is strongly recommended that general education courses be taken prior to entry into the program. English, Math, and Biology (if BIO 101 is taken) must be completed or adequate scores to place into, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 before a Notice of Completion can be signed. The first 24 students submitting a Notice of Completion and maintaining program requirements will be offered a seat in the next cohort.
www.tctc.edu/med
Program Accreditation
The Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th Street N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, Telephone: 727-210-2350, www.caahep.org, upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, IL 60601, Telephone: 312-553-9355.
Medical Laboratory Technology
Program Information
Medical laboratory tests play an important part in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of illness and disease. Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) students learn the methods and procedures used to perform tests analyzing human blood, body fluids, and urine samples. One of the fastest growing sectors of the health care field, this program offers trained technicians excellent employment opportunities. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to take the examination to become certified Medical Laboratory Technicians.
Scheduling and Entry Options
The Medical Laboratory Technology program is a full-time day program with courses in the major starting in the Fall semester. Full-time students can complete the program in five semesters, including one Summer Term. General Education courses are offered both day and evening and can be completed at any time before or during the program. In the second year, MLT students will spend up to 30 hours per week in the laboratory setting of a clinical affiliate to gain clinical experience in the following departments: Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, and Immunohematology.
www.tctc.edu/mlt
Program Accreditation
This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, Telephone: 773-714-8880, Fax: 773-714-8886, Website: www.naacls.org.
Associate in Applied Science
Personal Care Aide
Program Information
This program is designed to prepare students for personal care aide positions in home or health care environments. Students will develop skills and mindsets needed to work effectively with diverse clients and to optimize the quality of life. Students will attain industry-recognized certifications in key areas such as safety, infection control, basic dementia care, and privacy. Students will also develop life and organizational skills needed for success in health care fields and will create personalized career plans for continued growth and professional development.
Practical Nursing
Program Information
The Practical Nursing program prepares students for employment as beginning-level staff nurses working under the direction of a registered nurse or physician. Employment opportunities are available in a variety of settings, including long-term care facilities, physicians’ offices and clinics, local public health departments, home health agencies and acute care hospitals.
Scheduling and Entry Options
The course of study begins in the Fall semester (day classes) and Spring semester (evening classes) at the Easley Campus. Students complete requirements in two semesters and one summer term. General Education courses are offered both day and evening and can be taken with Practical Nursing courses or in any term prior to entering the curriculum. Completion of required nursing courses within three years of entry into the first nursing course must be attained or competency (didactic, skill, math) must be demonstrated as determined by the Department Head.
www.tctc.edu/nursing
Program Accreditation
The Practical Nursing program is approved by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA, 30326, Telephone: 404-975-5000, Website: https://www.acenursing.org.
Pre-Dental Hygiene
Program Information
Tri-County Technical College offers the Dental Hygiene 1+1 program in cooperation with Greenville Technical College. Tri-County Technical College offers the pre-dental hygiene curriculum as the first phase of the Dental Hygiene program. The second phase is offered at Greenville Technical College where an Associate Degree in Health Science-Dental Hygiene is awarded upon successful completion of the second phase.
Scheduling and Entry Options
The Tri-County Technical College Phase I portion is offered during the day or evening. Students may enroll in any term. Students will be accepted into Phase II (clinical phase) of the program at Greenville Technical College upon completion of required criteria. Students must maintain a Phase I technical GPA of at least 3.00 and attain a “C” or higher in all Phase I courses within two attempts to qualify for admission into Phase II at Greenville Technical College.
Greenville Technical College will accept two students from Tri-County Technical College for each fall class determined by the highest points on the Weighed Admissions form. Additional students may be accepted and will compete for clinical seats depending on their competitive entry qualifications. Phase two classes are BIO 240, HSS 295 or transferable humanities, and SOC 101. It is recommended to take these Phase II courses to be competitive for entry. If reserved slots are filled by Tri-County Technical College students, additional students from Tri-County Technical College may apply to Greenville Technical College Dental Hygiene through the program admissions process.
For fall entry into Greenville Technical College, course work at Tri-County Technical College should be completed at the end of the spring semester to allow for transfer of grades and records to Greenville Technical College and to accommodate class begin/end dates. Students are responsible for ensuring that their name has been placed on the class list for the desired entry date into the second phase of the program. There is not a limit on completing the first phase of the program. However, BIO 210 , BIO 211 , and BIO 225 may not be taken more than five years prior to entering the second phase of the program.
Pre-Pharmacy
Program Information
This degree will fulfill prerequisite course requirements for application to University of SC College of Pharmacy, Medical University of SC College of Pharmacy, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, South University College of Pharmacy and Wingate University School of Pharmacy. This program, with individualized advisement, will also meet most requirements for colleges of pharmacy in the Southeastern U.S. Some colleges of pharmacy may require additional coursework.
Scheduling and Entry Options
Students may enter in any term. Day and evening classes are available. Courses may be completed in any order, subject to the completion of course prerequisites.
www.tctc.edu/prepharm
Associate in Applied Science
Surgical Technology
Program Information
The Surgical Technology program prepares students to perform various duties during surgery by assisting in the maintenance of an aseptic environment through a system of specific techniques and practices. The surgical technologist contributes to overall patient care as part of the surgical team by passing supplies and instruments to the surgeon, assisting the surgeon, selecting instruments for surgical cases, setting up cases, and assisting the circulatory personnel. Surgical Technologists may find employment in hospitals, clinics, or physicians’ offices. Hospital employment areas include operating and emergency rooms, labor and delivery, endoscopy units, central sterile processing areas, and ambulatory surgery centers.
Scheduling and Entry Options
Courses in the major are offered only during the day and begin in the Fall semester. Full-time day students complete requirements in five consecutive terms, including the Summer Term. General education courses are offered both day and evening, and it is strongly recommended that these courses be taken prior to entry into the program. Program courses build on each preceding course and must be successfully completed in sequence. To qualify for graduation, a student is required to complete a minimum of 120 surgical cases across different specialties as noted in the Surgical Technology Handbook during clinical rotations.
tctc.edu/surgtech
Program Accreditation
The Surgical Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th St N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, Telephone: 727-210-2350, Website: www.caahep.org., upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA), 19751 E. Main St., Suite 339, Parker, CO 80138, Telephone: 303-694-9262, Website: www.arcstsa.org.
Associate in Applied Science
Veterinary Technology
Program Information
Veterinary Technology is a career dedicated to the health and well-being of animals. Licensed veterinary technicians provide professional and technical support to veterinarians, biologists, researchers, and industry. As a member of the veterinary health care team, the licensed veterinary technician provides many aspects of patient care, including anesthesia and surgical support, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory procedures. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). State licensing requirements for Veterinary Technicians vary greatly from state to state; therefore, graduates should contact the individual state’s licensing bureau for the current requirements.
Scheduling and Entry Options
Tri-County Technical College offers both full-time and part-time programs, which begin in the Fall semester. The two-year (full-time) program offers day classes over six terms. The part-time program offers classes primarily in the evening over eight terms. There is one semester of Veterinary Technician Externship required in both programs. General education courses are offered during the day, evening, or online and can be completed before or during the program. Students should refer to the Program Curriculum Guide on the Tri-County Technical College public website for prerequisite requirements. Note: The part-time evening program is not currently accepting applications for enrollment.
tctc.edu/vettech
Program Accreditation
The Veterinary Technology program has full accreditation granted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 1931 N. Meacham Road Suite 100, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173-4360, Telephone: 847-925-8070, Fax: 847-925-1329, Website: www.avma.org and is sanctioned by the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians.
Associate in Applied Science
