Pre-health and certificate preparation
Program overview
Prepare for allied health pathways through biology, public health, communication, and patient-care fundamentals. Students work with advisors to confirm placement, course sequence, and whether the pathway supports transfer, certificate completion, or direct career preparation.
Who this pathway serves
This pathway serves students interested in health care, public health, community wellness, patient support, or preparation for a selective allied health program.
Students may enter with a defined goal or use introductory courses to test their interest. Prior experience is helpful in some subjects but is not assumed unless a prerequisite is listed.
What students learn
- Use health terminology
- Describe public health principles
- Practice patient-centered communication
Learning outcomes are developed through class discussion, applied assignments, projects, presentations, and instructor feedback. Students should expect to revise work and explain how they reached a conclusion.
Sample courses in this pathway
The courses below illustrate a possible sequence rather than a guaranteed schedule. Availability, prerequisites, and recommended preparation should be confirmed before registration.
| Course | Title | Units | Prerequisite | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 110 | Human Biology | 4 | Placement into college reading | Studies body systems, wellness, genetics, disease, and laboratory skills for health science pathways. |
| COMM 115 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 | None | Studies communication theory, listening, conflict, culture, and professional interaction. |
| HLTH 120 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 | None | Studies prevention, wellness, health systems, community education, and public health communication. |
| HLTH 180 | Community Wellness Practicum | 2 | HLTH 120 | Provides supervised community wellness planning, outreach, reflection, and professional communication practice. |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | None | Surveys human behavior, development, learning, cognition, personality, and mental health. |
Program and schedule planning
Science and communication courses require consistent study time. Students should review mathematics, biology, and program-specific prerequisites before building a full course load.
Full-time and part-time plans are available. Completion time depends on placement, course availability, previous credit, prerequisite readiness, and the number of units a student can manage successfully each term.
Career and transfer direction
- Health office assistant
- Community wellness aide
- Pre-nursing student
Career titles vary by employer, experience, and additional credentials. Transfer-focused students should meet with an advisor each term to confirm requirements.
Support for program students
Program students may use academic advising, tutoring, writing and math support, library research help, career coaching, transfer planning, and technology assistance.
Students who are struggling with attendance, workload, language demands, or personal circumstances should contact an instructor or advisor early enough to review available options.