Health Science

The Health Science program at Harrisburg Area Community College offers a comprehensive pathway for students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Designed to provide a strong foundation in the core principles of health sciences, the program prepares students for a variety of health-related fields through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory work, and hands-on clinical experiences. Students in this program will explore fundamental topics such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, patient care techniques, and healthcare ethics. The curriculum emphasizes developing critical thinking skills, effective communication, and a compassionate approach to patient care, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the healthcare industry.

Throughout the program, students have opportunities to engage with real-world healthcare environments, gaining practical experience that enhances their understanding of hospital procedures, nursing practices, and allied health services. The program is tailored to meet the needs of students planning to transfer to four-year institutions or seeking immediate employment in healthcare settings. It also emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and professional development in the ever-evolving field of health sciences.

Affordable tuition, experienced faculty, state-of-the-art laboratories, and strong community partnerships contribute to the program’s reputation for producing highly competent healthcare professionals. Graduates of the Health Science program at Harrisburg Area Community College are prepared to pursue careers as medical assistants, health technicians, patient care assistants, or to continue their education in specialized health fields such as nursing, radiology, or physical therapy. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills, this program aims to cultivate competent, ethical, and compassionate healthcare workers ready to meet the needs of diverse patient populations and contribute positively to the healthcare system.

General Education   
ENGL 101 English Composition I  3 
ENGL 102 English Composition II  3 
COMM 101 Effective Speaking   (or)  3 
  COMM 203 Interpersonal Communication  (3) 
Core A Elective  3 
Core B Elective  3 
Free Elective (Recommend: CIS 105)  3 
Physical Education & Wellness  1 

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:

Management/Marketing Option

Demonstrate competencies needed to gain employment in the physician practices, hospitals, or vendors in the medical areas

Demonstrate proficiency in all aspects of medical management for the hospital and/or physician practice

Demonstrate the concepts of marketing to target audiences

Discuss human resource issues in the hospital or medical office

Incorporate Healthcare Law and Ethics into the changing healthcare environment

Write and speak effectively

Appreciate accomplishments in the arts and sciences

Information Technology Option

Use professionally developed computer software

Recognize software as a communication tool in a business environment

Adapt to changing computer software and hardware environments

Apply software skills to produce business documents

Research using the Internet

Implement up-to-date technologies and procedures

Write and speak effectively

Appreciate accomplishments in the arts and sciences

Radiologic Imaging Option

Demonstrate competencies needed to gain employment in the physician practices, hospitals, or with vendors in the medical areas

Demonstrate knowledge of medical imaging modalities and their uses 

Demonstrate the concepts of patient care in medical imaging

Use medical imaging equipment for diagnosis and/or treatment of patients

Write and speak effectively

Appreciate accomplishments in the arts and sciences

        Social Service Option

Demonstrate competencies needed to gain employment in the physician practices, hospitals, or with vendors in the medical area

Recognize race and cultural relations as they relate to the healthcare area

Demonstrate life cycle development in a variety of patient populations

Write and speak effectively

Appreciate accomplishments in the arts and sciences

Gerontology Option

Demonstrate competencies of the workplace in understanding the demographics of aging as well as the physical, mental, social and psycho-social aspects of aging

Demonstrate awareness of basic principles of gerontology applied to social, health and legal/ethical issues in the aging population

Demonstrate competencies to gain employment in the continuum of health care for the aging population as well as activity professional, marketing and management, and social services areas in long term care, assisted living and home health care.

Write and speak effectively

Appreciate accomplishments in the arts and sciences

Apply for a Full-Ride Scholarship

Are you a future student and ready to apply to HACC? 
By applying to HACC, you have the opportunity to apply for a full-ride scholarship! HACC will fund two years of your education – enough to complete your associate degree.

Thanks to the support of the HACC Foundation, the College is able to offer FREE money to support future students, like you, in reaching your educational goals. Six full-ride scholarships are available – one from each of the five campuses and one through HACC’s Virtual Learning Program. 

Please note that current students are not eligible for the full-ride scholarships. However, there are more than 250 scholarships available for current students.

What should you know about the full-ride scholarship?

The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees for a full academic year. 

The scholarship will automatically renew each term for up to six consecutive terms if you maintain your eligibility.

Once you apply to the College and receive a HACC ID and email address, you may apply for the full-ride scholarship. You do not have to register for classes before applying for the scholarship.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

Apply to HACC

Take 12-15 credits each term for no more than six consecutive terms (two years)

Live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill or York county

Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0

Provide a 480 SAT reading score, 21 ACT or comparable scores on the College’s placement test

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 while enrolled at HACC

Participate in at least two HACC student organizations

The Health Science program at Harrisburg Area Community College is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the healthcare industry. The program provides foundational knowledge in health sciences, including anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and health promotion. Students gain practical skills through hands-on training and clinical experiences, which are integral to the curriculum. This program aims to equip graduates with the necessary competencies to pursue immediate employment in healthcare settings or to advance their education further in specialized health fields such as nursing, radiology, or physical therapy. The curriculum is structured to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare sector, emphasizing patient care, ethical practices, and effective communication within multidisciplinary teams. Due to the dynamic nature of healthcare, students also learn about current healthcare policies, technological advancements, and the importance of lifelong learning. The program typically caters to students interested in becoming healthcare assistants, medical administrative professionals, or supporting roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations. Harrisburg Area Community College offers a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and clinical rotations to ensure comprehensive training. Additionally, the college provides resources such as academic advising, career services, and partnerships with local healthcare providers to facilitate employment opportunities for graduates. The program duration, admission requirements, and specific coursework may vary, but the overall goal remains to prepare competent, compassionate, and skilled health science professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to the healthcare system. Upon completion, students receive a certificate or associate degree, which can serve as a stepping stone to further education or immediate entry into the workforce. The program emphasizes critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and cultural competency to prepare students for diverse healthcare environments.