Health Sciences & Nursing

Health Sciences & Nursing

Healthcare careers are flourishing. It’s your smart path to good pay, job security, and room to grow.

Nursing is one visible and popular career. OCC offers seven other healthcare options, including Healthcare Administration, Radiological Technology, Surgical Technology, and more. Look around and find your fit at OCC.

We help you change your life today so you can change the lives of your patients and their families tomorrow.

Find Your Fit: Healthcare Program Options

I want to Be in the Center of the Action

Get ready for a fast-paced role working directly with patients. In these careers, patience is more than a virtue—it’s a must-have. You’re right in the middle of the action with any of these program options:

  • Dental Hygiene | Work alongside a dentist to help people have healthier teeth, mouth, and gums.
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography | Use sophisticated equipment to create images of internal organs with high-frequency sound wavers.
  • Medical Assisting | Assist physicians and other healthcare practitioners to ensure patients receive the safe and effective care they need.
  • Nursing | Deliver patient-centered care in various settings, focusing on optimal health outcomes and improving the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
  • Radiologic Technology | Uses sophisticated medical radiation equipment to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries.
  • Respiratory Therapy | Work with people with cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) conditions to offer diagnosis, treatment, management, and rehabilitation.
  • Surgical Technology | Work under the supervision of a surgeon to assist in safe and effective patient care during surgical procedures.

Plan to attend class in-person and full-time. Your coursework and admission requirements vary, depending on the program you choose.

I Want to Stay Behind the Scenes

Health Care Administration | Work behind the scenes to ensure medical facilities run smoothly and provide excellent patient services.

This is a more flexible and adaptable path to a career in healthcare—plenty of critical thinking, but no anatomy or physiology. Attend part-time or full-time. Your classes are online, although your externship is on-site.

Learning by Doing: Read, Discuss, Practice & Repeat

Your OCC instructors and mentors are experienced practitioners in the medical field. They are passionate about your success. Your classes are small, supportive and tight knit.

Study and practice in state-of-the-art facilities. Focused coursework, hands-on labs and clinical training condition you for a wide range of career-focused experiences.

Your clinical assignment may be held at one of these affiliated hospital partners:

  • Ascension Michigan
  • Children's Hospital 
  • Corewell Health
  • Detroit Medical Center
  • Henry Ford Health
  • McLaren 
  • Michigan Medicine
  • Trinity Health

A Top Transfer Institution in Michigan

Want to advance your career further? OCC partners with Oakland University, Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan and more to offer seamless transfer options for a bachelor's degree.

What You Need to Be Successful in Health Sciences

To succeed in OCC’s health sciences programs, you need to meet our technical standards:

  • Academic: Master medical terminology, analyze patient data, conduct research.
  • Interpersonal: Collaborate, communicate clearly, build rapport with diverse patient populations, classmates, and instructors.
  • Technical: Computer proficiency, documentation, and adherence to HIPAA. 

Health Sciences FAQs

Here are the answers to the questions we hear the most.

Do I have to get vaccines?

Yes, vaccines are required. We set up a vaccine clinic so you can get them on campus at low to no cost.

Will there be any close contact with others?

Yes. You will also need to “get into your patient’s business” and ask them personal questions. Caring for people’s health means caring for their bodies and minds. 

If you really want to stay at arm’s length, consider Healthcare Administration. Your job in administration shapes the healthcare experience for providers and patients. It’s a tough job that requires a steady mind for numbers and systems.

How am I supported?

You’re supported from start to finish. HESI prep seminars, help with time management, tutoring, college success coaching, and more—the Academic Support Center is ready to help you succeed.

You can also find support in one of our student organizations. In the OCC Nursing Student Association, experienced students mentor newer students.

OCC’s Economic & Workforce Development group offers training before getting started in some of these programs, as well as, after to help you keep growing.

Is it a rewarding career? 

Yes! It may even change your life. Healthcare careers offer good mobility and salary. By choosing OCC, you may accrue little or no debt for your degree, and you gain an amazing new career. 

Sonya Greene

OCC Alum Spearheads Revitalization on Detroit’s West Side


“It’s not just about a steady paycheck, it’s really about a love for mankind and helping people to maximize their health.” Learn more...

Take the Admission Exam

If you plan to enroll in Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nursing, or Respiratory Therapy, you must take and pass the HESI Entrance Exam by November 22nd (if this is your first attempt). You’ll take this exam at the Auburn Hills campus

The other programs in the Health Sciences & Nursing department do not currently require an entrance exam for admission.

Exception: There is no separate application or information session required for Healthcare Administration.

Other Eligibility Requirements

Many of the health science programs have some additional eligibility requirements, such as maintaining current health records, CPR certification, and TB clearance.

It is important you meet with your counselor to review all the requirements for the specific program you plan to move into.

You must provide proof of additional eligibility requirements before classes start. Please consult your specific program of interest for full details. Healthcare Programs may require these additional steps:

Criminal Background Check: You must pass a criminal background check to be admitted to the program. Felonies within the past 15 years or misdemeanors within the past 10 years may disqualify you from the program.
Drug Screening: You must pass a drug test to be admitted to the program. Drug use is prohibited on campus and in clinical settings. Details about the drug testing process will be provided to admitted students. 
Physical Exams & Immunizations: Physical exams and immunizations are required, including TB tests. 
Basic life support certification: You must have a current BLS Healthcare Provider Certification before starting clinicals. Certification must be maintained.

Are There Any Faster Programs?

Yes, OCC offers two shorter-term training programs that lead to in-demand jobs in healthcare. Use them as your first step toward one of the more advanced careers that require a two- or three-year degree:

We also offer a mammography add-on to the Radiologic Technologist program:

Note: These programs do not offer college credit, and currently do not lead to an OCC degree. However, they do introduce you to the work and give you experience that can lead to a career. 

Interested in learning more or have questions? Contact OCC’s Economic Workforce Development Health Coordinator Natalie Fleury  npfleury@oaklandcc.edu

New H Building

Coming Soon!

In 2026, the health sciences programs will move to the new state-of-the-art Health Sciences building on our Orchard Ridge Campus. Here, you will meet and work with expert caring faculty, staff, and students in all the healthcare disciplines – just as you’ll experience in the field.

Check out the new facilities

I'm Ready. Let's Get Started!

Begin your studies with these steps:

  • Apply to OCC. If you’re not already an OCC student, create a profile and complete our online application.
  • On the application, select your program of interest.
  • Existing OCC students can update their academic program using the Student Update Information Request form.
  • Register for a required program information session.

Contact Information

Need help deciding your next steps or have a question?  Reach out to Counseling. They can help you with the next step for you to achieve your goals.