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:
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Dental Hygiene |Work alongside a dentist to help people have healthier teeth, mouth, and gums.
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Diagnostic Medical Sonography|Use sophisticated equipment to create images of internal organs with high-frequency sound wavers.
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Medical Assistant|Assist physicians and other healthcare practitioners to ensure patients receive the safe and effective care they need.
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Nursing|Deliver patient-centered care in various settings, focusing on optimal health outcomes and improving the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
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Radiologic Technology| Uses sophisticated medical radiation equipment to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries.
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Respiratory Therapy| Work with people with cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) conditions to offer diagnosis, treatment, management, and rehabilitation.
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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.
Physical exams and immunizations, including Tuberculosis (TB) tests or chest X-rays, are required before starting clinical.
- Required vaccines: Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, Hepatitis
B (or declination of immunity), and annual influenza.
If you are placed at a clinical site that requires a specific vaccine or if the requirements of your site change at any time, you will be required to provide proof of prior vaccination or you will be required to get the vaccine. Otherwise, you will be dismissed from the program. You will not be moved to a different site. - Remember, you may be at multiple clinical sites during the program, so there is a very good chance that you will be required to get the necessary vaccines at some point.
**NOTE: This is subject to change at any time!
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.
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.
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:
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- Sterile Processing Technician: pathway that leads to Surgical Technology
- Certified Nursing Aide/Patient Care Technician (CNA/PCT): pathway that leads to Nursing
We also offer a mammography add-on to the Radiologic Technologist program:
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- Mammography Technologist: pathway after completing 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 Health Science Building, Opening in 2027
In 2027, 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 FacilitiesI'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 Change of Program 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.