Department of Health Sciences
Chair: Dr. Barbara Wizer
Program Description
The Department of Health Sciences offers Associate and Baccalaureate degrees in Radiologic Technology and Neurodiagnostic Technology, and the B.S. degree in Health Sciences with a choice of tracks, including Pre-Public Health, Pre-Occupational Therapy, and Pre-Audiology curriculum tracks. In addition, the department offers a B.S. in Health Sciences completion degree with curriculum tracks for electroencephalographic technologists, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists/cardiopulmonary care science, diagnostic medical sonographers and medical laboratory technicians. The baccalaureate completion degree is designed for working professionals (i.e. individuals who have completed their clinical training, have earned an Associate’s degree, and are credentialed in their field) who now wish to finish a baccalaureate degree. Typically the degree can be completed entirely online.
The University of Holy Cross Radiologic Technology Program is nationally accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). It is an intense, comprehensive program combining academic preparation with didactic and clinical study, culminating in either an Associate or Baccalaureate degree. Didactic courses take place at the University of Holy Cross. Clinical training for both programs occurs at Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, Ochsner Baptist Medical Center, Ochsner Health Center – Metairie, and Ochsner Health Center – Elmwood.
The Associate and Baccalaureate degrees in Neurodiagnostic Technology (NDT) combine general education and science courses, academic courses specific to the major field, and clinical training. The NDT program at UHC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP). The clinical component is identical in both programs and qualifies the student who completes it to take the registry exam administered by the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET), the credentialing board for the profession. Children’s Hospital, West Jefferson Medical Center, University Medical Center, Tulane Medical Center, and the LSU Heathcare Network provide the clinical training sites for students accepted into the program.
Acceptance into both the Radiologic Technology and Neurodiagnostic Technology programs is competitive.
Students in the discipline Diagnostic Medical Sonography must be accepted by an accredited clinical program. Entry into the sonography clinical programs is competitive. Completion of prerequisite coursework does not guarantee entry into a clinical program.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree offers several options. The first option provides practicing clinicians in radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, or neurodiagnostic technology who have earned the credential in their field an opportunity to use their clinical hours toward a Baccalaureate degree. Radiologic technologists receive 59 semester hours of credit; respiratory therapists receive 32 semester hours of credit; and electroencephalographic (EEG) technologists receive 28 semester hours of credit for their clinical training. Students may transfer up to 90 semester hours of credit including their clinical training. Thirty semester hours of credit must be taken in residence.
The second option is intended for students interested in careers in health fields that do not require specialized clinical training at the baccalaureate level. The curriculum is designed either to prepare a student to work in the healthcare field in a non-clinical setting or to fulfill the prerequisites for graduate studies in the fields of public health, occupational therapy, or audiology. The liberal policy for elective credit provides students the opportunity to elect courses in other disciplines like Business, Healthcare Management, and Psychology that coincide with their particular area of interest. The program is also unique in that it allows use of clinical hours in Nursing and Radiologic Technology, and Neurodiagnostic Technology to be used as elective credit toward the degree. The capstone of the degree is the internship. The University has an institutional agreement with Ochsner Health System to provide internships through the volunteer department at Ochsner. As an alternative the student may choose an internship through the Daughters of Charity Health Center.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Health Sciences Programs, students should be able to
- recall essential factual information;
- read, understand, and critique standard reference works and professional periodicals;
- access critical theories and trends;
- synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge; and
- demonstrate the ability to engage in critical thinking, decision making, and independent judgment.
Degrees Offered
Associate of Science
Radiologic Technology
Neurodiagnostic Technology
Bachelor of Science
Radiologic Technology Neurodiagnostic Technology Health Sciences
Curriculum in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Curriculum for Cardiopulmonary Care Science
Curriculum for EEG Technologists
Curriculum for Medical Laboratory Technicians
Curriculum for Radiologic Technologists
Curriculum for Respiratory Therapists
Pre-Public Health Track
Pre-Occupational Therapy Track
Pre-Audiology Track