Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees

Thinking about nursing, paramedicine or dental hygiene but unsure your high school science will get you through the door? The Chatham Campus version of St. Clair College’s Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (K904) is a two-semester Ontario College Certificate, completed in one academic year with September or January starts, that rebuilds your biology, chemistry and maths before you apply to a health programme.

Your fall or winter starting term includes Biology I, Preparatory Chemistry I and Math Foundations For Health Care, plus Medical Terminology, College Writing and Professional Development In Health Care Education. The second term continues the science thread with Biology II and Preparatory Chemistry II, introduces Introductory Statistics, and adds hands-on Science Laboratory Fundamentals and Communications For Health Care Professionals. Students aiming for sonography, respiratory therapy, medical laboratory science or cardiovascular technology also take Physics Fundamentals For Health Science, which is optional for others.

At Chatham the certificate works as a feeder into St. Clair’s regulated health programmes. Graduates are eligible to apply to Practical Nursing, Paramedic, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assisting Level I & II, Dental Hygiene, Respiratory Therapy, Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant, Veterinary Technician, Medical Laboratory Technician, Medical Laboratory Science, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Cardiovascular Technology and the Bachelor of Science Nursing. Plan your timing carefully: those who complete by May 1 receive first consideration for the fall intake of their next programme, while later finishers are considered only if space allows.

The certificate itself is preparation, but the programmes it unlocks lead to roles such as registered practical nurse, primary care paramedic, pharmacy technician, veterinary technician, physiotherapist assistant and dental assistant. The Chatham option suits students who want smaller classes in a close-knit setting while they raise their science grades and decide which health career fits them best.