Division of Health Professions
Students can find the Health Professions Handbook on the NWACC Health Professions Division webpage.
English Requirement for Health Professions Programs
All non-native English-speaking students seeking admission into program tracks in Health Professions are required to complete the ELL Listening Placement Test. The ELL listening test is a component of the placement test which is a college placement and diagnostic test in mathematics, reading and writing skills in addition to the ELL placement component. Interested students can receive more information and/ or schedule to take this test through the NWACC Testing Center. The ELL listening test is designed to assess a student’s ability to understand Standard American English. Each Health Professions program requires a minimum score on the ELL Listening Placement Test in order to be eligible. Please see each individual program for required score. The minimum scores required indicates the ability to understand linguistically complex discussions, including academic lectures and factual reports.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)/Patient Care Assistant (PCA+)
The Certified Nursing Assistant Program is designed to meet the industry driven demand for Certified Nursing Assistants. This course provides the student with an introduction to healthcare, didactic instruction, hands on skills and clinical training. Specifically, basic nursing skills including vital signs, personal care skills and Alzheimer’s and Dementia training are covered. This course prepares the successful student to sit for the Arkansas Certified Nursing Assistant Exam. The course is taught following the Arkansas Long-Term Care Facility Nursing Assistant Training Curriculum.
The demand for Certified Nursing Assistants is great. Certified Nursing Assistants have employment opportunities in assisted living organizations, long-term care facilities, long-term acute care facilities, home health care, and hospice care. Those students wishing to work in hospitals are encouraged to complete the Certified Nursing Assistant course, obtain CAN certification, and enroll in the Patient Care Assistant + Program to acquire advanced patient care skills.
For more information, contact the Division of Health Professions.
The PCA+ Certificate Program is designed to meet the industry driven demand for Certified Nursing Assistants trained in advanced patient care techniques and that possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to excel as a vital member of the healthcare team. This course expands on the student’s knowledge of healthcare and introduces advanced patient care skills through hands on lab and clinical training at area The PCA+ Program’s goal is to meet the individual needs of healthcare providers while ensuring program participants receive training in marketable, competitive and life enhancing skills. The demand for Patient Care Assistants is great. PCA’s have employment opportunities in hospitals, physician offices, assisted living organizations, long-term care facilities, long-term acute care facilities, home health care, and hospice care.
Prerequisites: Students seeking admission to the PCA+ Program must provide proof of Certification as a Nursing Assistant or have completed, within the past year, a Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program approved by the Arkansas Office of Long Term Care.
Note: Admissions to the CNA classes is by application, which includes a criminal background check, urine drug screen, and verification of specific immunizations.
Programs
Certificate of Proficiency
Other Program
Health Information Management
The NorthWest Arkansas Community College Health Information Management (HIM) program is aimed to prepare students to perform as entry-level technicians in the HIM workforce. Health information technicians organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems. Health information Management is a two- year associate’s degree program that integrates medical science, ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT and HCPCS Level II coding systems, computer technology, and health care management.
Graduates from accredited associate degree HIM programs may be employed throughout the health care industry including hospitals, physicians offices, insurance companies, law firms, ambulatory care settings, consulting firms and healthcare IS/IT vendors to name a few possibilities. The associate degree program consists of 20 credit hours in general education and 46 credit hours in health information management course work. Clinical Requirements: Students are required to complete two non-paid professional practice experiences (Clinical Internship I, and Clinical Internship II) prior to graduation. Before enrolling in coding courses students are required to have completed Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Disease Pathology, and Medical Terminology are corequisites. A student must meet NWACC admission criteria and the criteria for admission to the HIM Program or HIM Coding Certificate program before applying. Students must complete all required course work with a grade of “C” or better.
The technical coding certificate is a 32-hour certificate. Before enrolling into coding courses students are required to have Anatomy and Physiology I completed. Anatomy and Physiology II, Disease Pathology and Medical Terminology are corequisites. This certificate requires acquisition of 32 credits in which all can be used toward the associate degree we offer in Health Information Management. The associate degree requires 66 semester credits.
Medical coders organize and manage health information data by ensuring its quality, accuracy, accessibility, and security in both paper and electronic systems. They use various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for reimbursement purposes, standardization, and retrieval of statistical analysis. Medical coding involves assigning alphanumeric and numeric digits to corresponding descriptions of patient diagnoses and treatments.
A student must meet NWACC admission criteria and the criteria for admission to the HIM Program or HIM Coding Certificate program before applying. Students must complete all required course work with a grade of “C” or better.
Applying to Program
Students must submit a completed online Health Information Management application to the HIM Program Director.
For more information, contact the Program Director at (479) 936-5118, or email tcikanek@nwacc.edu.
For more information on Health Information Management as a career, go to American Health Information Management Association
Accreditation
NorthWest Arkansas Community College HIM Associate Degree Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
For more information on Health Information Management as a career, go to American Health Information Management Association
Note: Clinical placement may be subject to criminal background check, drug screening and other clinical facility policies.
Programs
Associate of Applied Science
Technical Certificate
Certificate of Proficiency
Dental Assisting
Dental Assistants are an integral part of the dental health care team and increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of oral health care. Dental offices will employ two to four dental assistants with specialty offices often employing more. Dental assistants work directly with the dentist providing care to patients. Other dental assistant duties include front office skills such as phone skills and computer proficiency, patient care including dietary counseling, monitoring vital signs, administering and monitoring nitrous oxide, taking impressions, and providing post-operative care and instructions. The demand for quality dental assistants is expected to continue to be above average in the future according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A student must meet NWACC admission criteria and the criteria for admission into the Dental Assisting Program. Admission criteria, forms, deadlines and other applicable application information is available upon request.
For additional information about the Dental Assisting program, contact Glenda Lee at (479) 301-2131 or glee1@nwacc.edu.
Note: Admissions to the Dental Program is by application, which includes a criminal background check, urine drug screen, and verification of specific immunizations.
Programs
Certificate of Proficiency
Technical Certificate
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Responder
Emergency Medical Responder EMR follows the national standard curriculum guidelines as set forth by the National EMS Education Standards. These courses are designed to provide training in emergency care for those who will be responding to emergency calls or who have a job that may require emergency response to the injured. Students who successfully complete the Emergency Medical Responder course will receive a Healthcare Provider CPR card. EMR is a prerequisite to the EMT course.
Requirements: EMR is a semester long course (lab and lecture to be taken together as corequisites)
- EMTA 1021 Emergency Medical Responder Lab
- EMTA 1022 Emergency Medical Responder Lecture
TOTAL HOURS: 3 Credit Hours
Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency Medical Technician Certificate of Proficiency Emergency Medical Technician - Basic The EMT Program is designed to prepare the student to render emergency care to the sick and injured. This program also prepares the student to take the National Registry EMT examination to become licensed at the EMT level. This is the entry-level licensure for Page | 96 EMS Providers. Graduates may be eligible to obtain employment in local industries, EMS agencies, hospitals, clinics, or volunteer at local volunteer fire departments. Those wishing to further their education and work in the EMS field as a career are encouraged to obtain a certificate or A.A.S. degree in paramedic science. This is a physically demanding job with dexterity skills. You may obtain the full description of the physical requirements document from the EMS Administration in the Center for Health Professions. No degree is offered with this course, but a certificate in Emergency Medical Technician is offered. Students must pass with a “C” or higher both EMT I and EMT II to be eligible for the certificate of proficiency.
This course includes both didactic as well as practical hands-on skills and a clinical rotation at a local hospital and EMS service. Students who successfully complete this program will be eligible for further assessment by taking the National Registry of EMT basic EMT exam. Passing this exam will allow for licensing in the state of Arkansas.
Requirements: EMT Program is one semester (all courses are to be taken together as corequisites)
- EMTA 1042 Emergency Medical Technician I Lecture (1st 8 weeks)
- EMTA 1052 Emergency Medical Technician I Lab (1st 8 weeks)
- EMTA 1062 Emergency Medical Technician II Lecture (2nd 8 weeks)
- EMTA 1061 Emergency Medical Technician II Lab (2nd 8 weeks)
- EMTA 1201 Emergency Medical Technician II Clinical (2nd 8 weeks)
Admission to the Program
Students must meet NWACC admission criteria and the criteria for EMT Program admission before applying for the EMT program. The Arkansas Department of Health’s Division of Emergency Medical Services states that students must be 18 years of age and meet its requirements to take the State of Arkansas Licensure Examination. This includes a criminal background check. Conviction of certain crimes will disallow you from taking the National Registry Exam. The EMT Program is offered in the spring and fall semesters, as well as the summer accelerated program. EMT applicants must have a reading score of at least 19 on the ACT or at least 252 on the reading section of Next Generation Accuplacer placement test or to have attained a grade of “C” or above in an English or Reading course along with having a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. EMR (EMTA 1021 and EMTA 1022) is the prerequisite to EMT admission.
Students will not be allowed to register for the EMT courses until a completed EMT Program application packet has been submitted to the EMS Administration in the Center for Health Professions to be considered for acceptance. Please contact the EMS Administrative Analyst for instructions on how to apply to the program. The application is online.
The following items, as outlined in the application packet, must be included for file to be complete:
- Completion of prerequisite course EMTA 1021 and EMTA 1022 (corequisites courses taken together)
- TB Test results - valid through completion of EMT course • Current AHA Health Care Provider CPR Card
- Shot records to include 2 MMR vaccines
Upon admission to the EMT course, the following items must be completed for clinical rotation as directed by EMS Division Administration:
- State/National Criminal Background Check
- 10 panel Urine Drug Screen
- Seasonal flu vaccine (spring and fall semesters only)
For more information, contact the Division of Health Professions EMS
Paramedic Sciences
The Paramedic Sciences Program is designed to prepare the student to render emergency care to the sick and injured. Graduates may be eligible to obtain employment in local industries, EMS agencies, hospitals, clinics, or fire departments. Those wishing to work in the EMS field as a career are encouraged to obtain a certificate or A.A.S. degree in paramedic science. This is a physically demanding job with dexterity skills. You may obtain the full description of the physical requirements document from the EMS Administration in the Center for Health Professions.
This program includes both didactic as well as practical hands-on skills and a clinical rotation at a local hospital and EMS service. Students who successfully complete this program will be eligible for further assessment by taking the National Registry of EMT, Paramedic exam. Completing this program will allow for licensing in the state of Arkansas. The paramedic certificate will allow students who successfully complete the program to sit for the National Registry of EMT’s Paramedic examination.
Graduates obtain employment primarily at EMS services, however some work in the hospital setting as well. Other job opportunities include dispatching, industry work, private transfer business, flight medic and some clinics. Page | 97 The job market is excellent for the paramedic. Most of the graduates have obtained employment within a six-month time after graduation. EMS agencies in Northwest Arkansas continue to hire paramedics from out of state because we cannot graduate enough students to keep up with the ever- increasing demand. Physical skills required for a paramedic include the same skills necessary to become an EMT according to the federal government standards. You may obtain a copy from the EMS Administration in the Center for Health Professions.
Financial aid can be requested from our financial aid department.
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will have obtained a certificate in Paramedic Science and be eligible to sit for the State Board and National Registry Paramedic Examination. Students may opt to continue their education and obtain an Associate of Applied Science by completing the necessary course work.
Students will be assessed didactically as well as clinically and in the lab. Students must meet NWACC admission criteria and the criteria for admission to the Paramedic program before applying.
The Arkansas Department of Health’s Division of Emergency Medical Services states that students must be 18 years of age and be certified as an EMT to meet their requirements to take the Paramedic certification examinations. The Paramedic program begins the summer semester of each school year. A student must be currently licensed in Arkansas as an EMT and meet prerequisite course requirements to apply for the Paramedic program.
The Paramedic Certificate program requires 11 credit hours of prerequisites and 37 credit hours of Paramedic courses for a total of 48 credit hours. A grade of “C” or above in all required courses is necessary to complete the program. Students must pass all capstone exams to proceed through the program.
Deadline for the completed Paramedic Program application to be received by the Health Professions Administration is the first Monday of March.
To be eligible to apply, the following must be completed:
- BIOL 2214 Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIOL 2224 Anatomy and Physiology II
- EMTA 1003 EMT Internship or has been employed as an EMT for two years
- EMTA 1042/1052 & EMTA 1601/1602/1201 or State License
- EMTA 1102 Cardiac Dysrhythmias (only offered in spring)
- HIM 1001 Intro to Medical Terminology or HIM 1403 Medical Terminology for Health Sciences
Students without certification or license will need at least three semesters to get through these courses. EMTA 1021 and EMTA 1022 is a prerequisite for EMTA 1042/1052 & EMTA 1061/1062/1201. These students will still need the other general education courses to complete the degree. General Education courses can be done after the Paramedic courses are done. For more information, contact the Division of Health Professions or visit NWACC Paramedic Program. This program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 25400 US Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, (727) 210-2350.
Students wishing to obtain an associate in applied science degree need to successfully complete the paramedic program and complete the additional Associate of Applied Science requirements listed below. The additional requirements for an A.A.S. degree may be taken prior to the paramedic certificate program or after the program.
For more information, contact the Division of Health Professions
EMS Community Paramedicine Certificate of Proficiency in Community Paramedicine
(Students taking 12 credit hours per semester can complete this technical certificate in 2 semesters) Eligibility/prerequisites to take this program include: Arkansas Paramedic License, have two years of full time service (1000 hours worked in past two years, minimum) with a paramedic level ambulance service, and be actively working/involved with a paramedic level ambulance service. Application may be submitted to the EMS Administrative Analyst. After successful completion of EMTP 1304 and EMTP 1404, the student will be eligible to sit for the National Licensing for Community Paramedic. Arkansas State Health Department - EMS Division recognizes NWACC Paramedic Program as a National Accredited Paramedic Program and is authorized to conduct community paramedic courses. Fees for sitting for your National Community Paramedic License Board Exam are not covered in this program.
Programs
Associate of Applied Science
Certificate of Proficiency
Technical Certificate
Other Programs
Fire Science
The Fire Science Program at NWACC is designed to prepare students to enter the fire service and/or promote to a position of leadership within a fire department. The program consists of 14 credit hours of course work in fire science technology, emergency medical services, occupational safety, and general education.
Graduates work primarily in the fire service, but there are also employment opportunities in private fire protection, safety and stop-loss, insurance agencies, inspection and investigation.
Practical skills training will accompany the Firefighter I and II and EMR courses.
Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in both the fire science courses and in their emergency medical service courses. Students must complete all required course work with a grade of “C” or better.
Graduates of the program will receive a Certificate of Proficiency in Fire Science.
Students must submit a completed Fire Science Program application packet into the Fire Science Program Director. Students must also meet NWACC admission criteria.
For more information, contact the Division of Health Professions or visit NWACC Health Professions Fire Science.
Upon successful completion, this Certificate of Proficiency will provide students with the essential knowledge and skills required to become an entry-level Firefighter, and test for their Firefighter I and II Certifications.
Programs
Certificate of Proficiency
Health Sciences
The Associate of Applied Science in Health Sciences prepares students for entry level positions in specific areas of Health Professions that include direct patient care. Students will also be prepared to apply to Health Profession programs at NWACC and apply to programs at other colleges and universities offering Health Profession program not offered at NWACC. The degree provides a foundation needed to understand modern health care delivery, and includes a base in general education requirement options as well as a science core.
Programs
Associate of Applied Science
Health Sciences, A.A.S. - Degree Plan
Nursing
The Nursing Program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The mission of the NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) Associate Degree Nursing Program is framed from the mission of the College. The Nursing Program’s mission is to serve and strengthen Northwest Arkansas by offering a nursing education program that prepares graduates for eligibility to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX- RN); educates students to provide safe, quality, patient-centered nursing care in current health care settings, and provides a nursing knowledge base for lifelong learning either through continuing nursing education or a formal degree program.
Any individual having been found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony may be ineligible to sit for the NCLEX exam for licensure as a Registered Nurse. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing can provide further information. Clinical Placement is subject to a criminal background check, drug screening, and other clinical facility policies.
Students are advised that the Nursing Program at NWACC is strenuous in nature. Students must complete all general education course requirements prior to being accepted into the program; therefore, students will not have a full load of 12 credit hours or more each semester. The Nursing program requires approximately 30-35 hours per week of theory/labs/clinicals. This does not include prep time or study time. The hours ascribed to each semester while in the Nursing program are considered by the program to be full time.
Course Load Information
Students are advised that the Nursing Program at NWACC is strenuous in nature. Students are not allowed to take additional course work that is not directly related to their degree plan while in the Nursing program. Students must complete all general education course requirements prior to being accepted into the program, therefore, students will not have a full load of 12 credit hours or more each semester. The Nursing program is very intense and requires approximately 30-35 hours per week of theory/labs/clinicals. This does not include prep time or study time. The hours ascribed to each semester while in the Nursing program are considered by the program to be full time.
Admission to Nursing Program and Requirements
The Nursing Program offers 5 different tracks and enrollment into the programs is based upon the student’s GPA, an NLN entrance exam, an interview, and acceptance into the program.
- Track I Benton County (Bentonville): This traditional track begins each fall for four semesters with the summer semester off: fall, spring, fall, and spring.
- Track I Washington County (Springdale): This traditional track begins each fall for four semesters with the summer semester off: fall, spring, fall, and spring.
- Track II Benton County (Bentonville): This accelerated track begins each summer for four consecutive semesters: summer, fall, spring, and summer.
- Track II Washington County (Springdale): This accelerated track begins each summer for four consecutive semesters: summer, fall, spring, and summer.
- LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge (Online): This online track begins each spring for three consecutive semesters: spring, summer, and fall.
All clinical rotations occur in person in various Northwest Arkansas hospitals with one rotation at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Applications are taken once a year for each nursing program track.
- Applications for Track I are available each year April 1 - May 1.
- Applications for Track II are available each year November 1 - December 1.
- Applications for LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge are available each year August 1 - September 1.
If accepted into the nursing program, applicants must be 18 years of age by the first day of class and have a high school diploma or have completed the high school level General Education Development (GED®) Test.
Nursing Program Selection
Selection for all nursing program tracks is based on points accrued on the specific general education courses, GPA, completing the National League for Nurses (NLN) entrance exam with a pass rate of 70% or better in all three categories: math, science, and reading, and an interview. Additional points are awarded if the applicant is a veteran, has completed and graduated from one or all of NWACC’s CNA/PCA or paramedic programs.
The Nursing Department will only consider the first two attempts of the general education courses for points; therefore, it’s important to keep in mind that anything that shows on your transcript, including a W for withdrawal, is an attempt. Refer to the nursing homepage for more information on the selection and criteria process.
Contact a Center for Health Professions enrollment advisor at HPadvisor@nwacc.edu with any enrollment questions.
Track Eligibility/Curriculum Requirements
All applicants must complete the following general education classes prior to applying to any nursing program. LPN/Paramedic to RN applicants must also complete the following criteria with additional requirements.
All applicants must complete the following classes by the end of the semester in which they are applying to be eligible for admission.
- ENGL 1023
- PSYC 2103
- HIM 1123
- All required courses must be completed with the following:
- Grade of “C” or better.
- A cumulative NWACC GPA of 2.75 or better.
*The completion and passing of these classes can be no older than five years old at the time of applying.
Admission by Transfer
Students who have been enrolled in nursing courses at another institution’s nursing program and are seeking transfer into the NWACC Associate Degree Nursing Program should follow NWACC’s Transfer Student Admission Steps.
To be eligible to transfer into the NWACC nursing program, applicants must meet the following:
- Complete, successfully, one full semester of a nursing program at another institution.
- Submit course descriptions of nursing classes completed.
- Submit letter of good standing from a previous nursing program (included with application).
- Students failing academically from a previous nursing program are not eligible for transfer into the NWACC nursing program.
- Enroll and be accepted at NWACC.
- Have a GPA of 2.75 or better.
- Complete and pass, with a grade of a C or better, all the general education courses required by the NWACC nursing program.
No more than one year shall have elapsed since the completion of the Fundamentals/Foundations course.
- If more than one year has elapsed, the student is not eligible for transfer into the nursing program.
- The student may apply for general admission into the NWACC nursing program.
- Residency requirements for graduation from the nursing program will include at least 12 hours in the nursing program at NWACC.
- A minimum of 16 overall hours at NWACC is required for graduation.
- Acceptance is contingent on available seating.
Additional Program Fees
Our nursing programs do have some additional fees. The list below is not all-inclusive, but gives a good overview of the additional expense.
Specific uniform (scrubs) and shoes
- Program patch to be sewn on the scrubs
- A stethoscope
- A 2-year safeMedicate license
- A lab kit
- A CastleBranch records review and immunization tracker package
- Clinical travel expenses
Additionally, nursing students will be responsible for having and keeping health and liability insurance throughout the program; purchasing textbooks, Hurst review, which is an NCLEX exam review, an iPad/tablet, and graduation expenses. Additional expenses could range between $3,000 - $5,000.
Programs
Associate of Applied Science
Practical Nursing
Physical Therapist Assistant
The Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) is a technically educated health care provider who assists the physical therapist in the provision of physical therapy. Under the supervision of a physical therapist and within the physical therapy plan of care the tasks performed by the PTA may include but are not limited to effectively communicating through listening, speaking, reading and writing in English with a variety of patients, assessing patient progress, gathering patient information, performing data collection of muscle strength and patient function, taking vital signs, patient transfer and gait training, manipulation of exercise equipment, exercise instruction, application of various modalities, patient handling and facilitation skills, palpation, and wound care.
PTAs work closely with the patients and other healthcare professionals to help the individual achieve an optimal level of function. Graduation from the PTA Program prepares the student to sit for a state licensure examination. Upon receiving licensure, the graduate is prepared for entry-level employment as a Physical Therapist Assistant.
PTAs may work in private practice therapy offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, schools, home health agencies, fitness clubs, industrial health centers, nursing homes, pediatric centers, community health centers, colleges or universities. PTAs work with persons of all ages. Physical therapy services may be offered to individuals with musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary or integumentary conditions. A few specific areas may include children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, and individuals with diagnoses such as stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, fracture, carpal tunnel, heart attack, or multiple sclerosis.
NWACC currently offers two PTA program options. The traditional PTA Program at NWACC includes two semesters of prerequisite course work followed by admission into the PTA Program for three semesters of technical and clinical physical therapy courses. This program will allow students to take all coursework online and only come to campus once a month from Friday-Sunday 8-4 for the lab component. This program is designed to meet the needs of those students who do not live in NW Arkansas but wish to have high quality PTA education available with a flexible schedule all while remaining living, completing clinical internships, and working in their hometowns. Therefore, students who reside further from NWACC will receive points towards the application process. A copy of the selection processes and criteria for both the Traditional and Hybrid programs are made available to the student on the PTA website or upon request. The deadline for the completed Traditional PTA Program application packet to be received in the Health Professions Division is March 1 and the deadline for the Hybrid Program will be November 1. The PTA degree program consists of 27 hours of general education courses and 50 hours of PTA core courses for a total of 77 credit hours in the A.A.S. degree. A list of required general education courses for each program is available on the PTA website and must be passed with a grade of “C” or better for students to be considered eligible for acceptance into the PTA program. Students in the Hybrid Program will be required to go to health care institutions outside Northwest Arkansas for clinical internships at the student’s expense, while students in the Traditional Program may be required to go to health care institutions outside Northwest Arkansas for clinical internships also at their own expense. Clinical placement is subject to criminal background checks, drug screening and other clinical facility policies. Student must carry health insurance if admitted into the PTA Program in order to attend clinical education.
Graduates of the PTA Program receive an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant. The two-year average for ultimate pass rate on the National Physical Therapist Assistant Examination is 100%.
For more information, contact the Division of Health Professions or visit the NWACC Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
NOTE: General Education prerequisite courses MUST be completed the semester prior to entering the technical phase of the coursework. For example, students applying to enter the Traditional PTA Program in June must complete the prerequisite courses by the end of the spring semester and students wishing to enter the Hybrid PTA Program in January must complete courses in the fall semester.
Clinical Kinesiology must be taken at NWACC; there will be no course substitutions for this course. It is recommended that you take this course the year you are applying to the program.
Admission is made using a rank system. The Traditional program will accept the top ranked 18 students and the Hybrid Program will accept the top 10. There are options available for students wanting to complete all prerequisite courses in one year. Please see the Health Professions Advisor for information about the Biological Concepts Test and BIOL 0112 Introduction to Life Sciences. Contact a Health Professions Advisor or the PTA Program Director for advising after reviewing the NWACC PTA webpage.
Programs
Associate of Applied Science
Pre-Health Care Studies
Programs
Technical Certificate
Pre-Health Diagnostic Medical Sonography
These certificates will provide students with pre-requisite requirements to transfer to UAMS Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.
Programs
Certificate of Proficiency
Technical Certificate
Pre-Radiologic Imaging Sciences
The Technical Certificate in Pre-Radiologic Sciences consists of the remainder of the prerequisites required for the UAMS Radiologic Imaging Sciences program. Once the Technical Certificate has been completed, the student has all the requirements for admission to the UAMS RIS program.
The Certificate of Proficiency in Pre-Radiologic Sciences that consists of courses designed prepare students to enter the Radiologic Imaging Sciences program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The Certificate of Proficiency consists of entry-level prerequisites for the UAMS Radiologic Imaging Sciences program. Once the Certificate of Proficiency has been successfully completed, students may apply for early acceptance into the UAMS Radiologic Imaging Sciences program.
Programs
Certificate of Proficiency
Technical Certificate
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory Therapists (RT) deal with one of the critical life- sustaining functions of the human body: breathing. RTs work with patients who have been diagnosed with disorders ranging in severity from the non-acute and chronic lung diseases to life-threatening emergencies. RTs might treat newborns, trauma victims, drowning victims and patients suffering from asthma, bronchitis, coronary heart disease, emphysema and pneumonia.
Respiratory Therapists work primarily in hospitals, but employment opportunities are also available in home health agencies, rehabilitation facilities, physician offices, sales, and home equipment companies. For more information on Respiratory Therapy as a career, go to American Association for Respiratory Care.
A student must meet NWACC admission criteria and the criteria for admission to the RT Program before applying. The deadline for the completed RT Program application packet to be received in Health Professions is July 1. The application period begins on March 1 annually.
Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in both the respiratory therapy and general education courses. Students must complete all required course work with a grade of “C” or better. The Respiratory Therapy Program is designed to prepare students for the Registered Respiratory Therapist Credential. The program consists of 28 or 29 credit hours in general education and 53 credit hours in respiratory therapy course work. Clinical placement will be subject to criminal background checks, drug screening and other clinical facility policies.
Students are advised that the Respiratory Therapy program at NWACC is strenuous in nature. Students are not allowed to take additional course work that is not directly related to their degree plan while in the Respiratory Therapy program. Students who have completed all the general education courses required for the Respiratory Therapy degree prior to being accepted will not have a full load of 12 credit hours or more each semester. The Respiratory Therapy program is very intense and requires approximately 30-35 hours per week of theory/labs/clinicals. This does not include prep time or study time. The hours ascribed to each semester while in the Respiratory Therapy program are considered by the program to be full time.
For more information, contact the Program Director at (479) 619- 4252 or visit NWACC Health Professions.
NWACC’s respiratory therapy program’s AAS in Respiratory Therapy (Bentonville, AR) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC #200491), 264 Precision Blvd. Telford, TN 37690.
Course Load Information
Students are advised that the Respiratory Therapy program at NWACC is strenuous in nature. Students are not allowed to take additional course work that is not directly related to their degree plan while in the Respiratory Therapy program. Students who have completed all the general education courses required for the Respiratory Therapy degree prior to being accepted will not have a full load of 12 credit hours or more each semester. The Respiratory Therapy program is very intense and requires approximately 30-35 hours per week of theory/labs/clinicals. This does not include prep time or study time. The hours ascribed to each semester while in the Respiratory Therapy program are considered by the program to be full time.
Programs
Associate of Applied Science
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