New Health Sciences Degree Great Start to Future

April 02, 2025

Posted by School of Health Professions in Programs and Pathways 

You have always been interested in the health care field, and you know that’s a career you’d like to pursue. You just aren’t sure exactly what field. Of course, there’s nursing. But what else? Dental hygiene, respiratory care, physical therapy… the list goes on and on. How are you supposed to know what the right fit is for you?

About the Health Sciences Associate Degree

Through its School of Health Professions, St. Louis Community College now provides a degree that will gives you insight into the field, while positioning you to pursue the career of your choice. Debuting in the fall of 2025, the College is offering an associate of science degree in health sciences.

The new program has several benefits:

• As an open-enrollment transfer degree, anyone with a high school degree can follow this path.
• The degree allows you to pursue a degree in any of the health professions pathway programs at STLCC.
• The degree positions you to transfer to a four-year school to pursue a bachelor's degree.
• It provides a broad foundation in health sciences, giving you the flexibility to explore different fields before deciding on a specific career path.

If you’re interested in seeing if this might be a good fit for you, the College has made it easy for you to select this degree when applying to STLCC. But first, consider visiting St. Louis Community College and explore the campus of your choice. When you arrive, you'll notice construction that started in 2018 and has included the addition of at least one new building on each campus, three of which focus on health care at Forest Park, Florissant Valley and Wildwood.

Each individual health profession program has admission requirements. While the academic coursework will be taken care of with the new health sciences degree, there might be additional items needed to apply to a particular program.

Declare the health sciences program as your major and select HS101, “Introduction to Health Professions.” This one-credit online course provides an overview of clinical health professions, and the academic preparation and career opportunities considered for each profession.

With an associate of science degree in health sciences in hand, you can pursue any of the 16 different degree or certificate health professions programs that STLCC offers.

Some of the programs, such as nursing, are offered at all four campuses, while others might be housed at one location.

What Health-Related Majors Does STLCC Have?

Nursing enrolls the most students within the pathway, with about 720 students per year. Some other popular programs include dental hygiene, radiologic technology, diagnostic medical sonography, surgical technology and physical therapy assistant.

St. Louis Community College offers the following programs:

• Advanced imaging: Computed tomography uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of internal body structures. These images aid in diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions in various areas. It currently offers a sub-certificate in computerized tomography and, starting in fall 2025, will offer a certificate in MRI.
• Clinical laboratory technology: Clinical laboratory technology, also known as medical laboratory technology, involves analyzing and conducting tests on biological samples such as blood, urine and tissues.
• Dental hygiene: Through classroom work, laboratory and clinical experience in the on-campus public dental hygiene clinic, students learn to conduct patient assessments, assess medical and dental histories, perform diagnostic tests and examinations, instruct patients in preventive dental health practices, perform various dental procedures, and design and implement community and school health programs.
• Emergency medical technology: Our courses teach you the skills needed to assess patients, administer CPR, manage airways and handle injuries. You’ll also learn how to care for people in different emergency situations. The program prepares students to sit for the state certifications.
• Funeral service education: Funeral service education involves academic and practical training to prepare students for careers as funeral service professionals.
• Licensed practical nursing: The practical nursing program prepares students to coordinate patient care and perform nursing tasks, including following the plan of care developed by the registered nurse, administering medications, performing nursing assessments, and providing basic care for the clients.
• Nursing: This is a two-year associate degree in nursing. STLCC also offers a registered nurse bridge course that admits licensed paramedics and licensed practical nurses, allowing them to join in the second year of the program.
• Occupational therapy assistant: In this program, you will learn to use educational, leisure, vocational and rehabilitation activities therapeutically to help people increase independence and self-reliance.
• Physical therapist assistant: Physical therapist assistants help patients perform exercises, use therapeutic equipment and monitor progress, helping improve mobility, reducing pain and enhancing overall physical function and wellness.
• Radiologic technology: The radiologic technology program is a full-time program that includes both academic coursework and practical clinical experience. You'll study subjects such as anatomy, patient care, radiographic procedures, radiation safety and image evaluation.
• Paramedic Technology: As a student, you'll work with licensed paramedics in traditional classroom settings as well as laboratories complete with an ambulance simulator.
• Respiratory care: Respiratory therapists are certified medical professionals who treat problems with lungs or breathing. Pursue either an associate degree in this field or earn a bachelor’s degree at a significant savings compared to attending a four-year institution.
• Surgical technology: In the surgical technology program, students learn aseptic technique, instrumentation, surgical procedures and patient care through classroom instruction, laboratory practice and clinical experience.

Is the Health Care Field for Me?

Still on the fence about why to enter the healthcare field? Here are five reasons to do so:

1. Job opportunities: St. Louis has a booming health care industry. There are many hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities in the area. Some of the big names include Barnes-Jewish Hospital, SSM Health and Mercy Hospital. These places are always seeking skilled health care workers, so there are plenty of job opportunities.
2. Competitive salaries: Health care jobs in St. Louis offer competitive salaries. Whether you're a nurse or a health care technician, you can expect to earn a good income. Plus, many employers offer great benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off.
3. Accessing college: STLCC recently implemented a multi-year strategy to help the St. Louis region meet its health care needs. “Show-Me Synergy: Growing the Health Care Workforce in St. Louis” earned the prestigious Bellwether Award for its innovative approach to make the field more accessible to those who want to pursue a career in health care.
4. Work-life balance: Many health care employers in St. Louis understand the importance of work-life balance. They offer flexible schedules, part-time positions and opportunities to work from home. This means you can have a fulfilling career while still having time for your family and hobbies.
5. Making a difference: Working in health care is all about helping people and making a difference in their lives. In St. Louis, you'll have the chance to work with diverse populations and address a variety of health needs. It's a rewarding career that allows you to have a positive impact on your community.

With STLCC's new associate of science degree in health sciences, you can explore various healthcare fields and find your perfect fit. Ready to start your journey? Enroll today and take the first step towards a rewarding career in health care.

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