Make your mark in an expanding career field that will change your life while making a difference in the lives of others.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, eight of the top 20 fastest-growing professions are in the health care industry – an industry with more than 13 million jobs. And thanks to advances in medicine, and the country's aging population, the demand for medical professionals is only increasing.

Our health care certificate programs can help you embark on a new career or advance your current health care career in as little as two months.

Estimated Cost
PhT: $1,599
EKG: $1,499
CMA: $2,998
Completion Time
PhT: 59.5 Hours
EKG: 52.5 Hours
CMA: 140 Hours
Course Format
In Person

Program Features

  • Skill-based, fast-paced, and hands-on learning programs
  • Preparation for state certification exams
  • Upgrading and cross-training of skills
  • Approved for Workforce Partnership and MyCAA Scholarship benefits

Where the jobs are: Doctors' offices and clinics, hospitals, emergency care centers, outpatient care facilities, medical laboratory and testing services, medical research services, pharmacies, community care facilities for the elderly, and home health care.>

Location of Classes
SDSU Extended Studies/Gateway Center, Hardy Avenue entrance, unless otherwise noted.

For more information, email healthcare.ces@sdsu.edu or call (619) 594-0845.

 

Health Care Courses Hours Cost Day 19SU 19FA 20SP
HC 0008 Pharmacy Technician Training and Test Prep 59.5 $1,599 M, W 6/3-7/31 9/30-12/4 ✔
HC 0011 EKG Technician Certification 52.5 $1,499 Tu, Th   10/1-11/26* ✔
HC 0015 Clinical Medical Assistant 140 $2,998 Tu, Th, Sa 6/25-9/26* 10/1-1/28* ✔

*Last class date assisgned for the EKG/CMA certification exam. The fee is not included. Information about the exam will be provided by instructor.

 

Labor Analysis
Pharmacy Technician, EKG Technician, Medical Assistant — Nationwide


Job Postings
Last 12 months

PhT: 89,458
EKG: 4,756
MA: 123,986


Projected Growth
Over 10 years

PhT: +11.8%
EKG: +10%
MA: +29%


Salary Range
Average

PhT: $28,000-33,000
EKG: $30,000-39,000
MA: $28,000-33,000

Courses

2019 Fall2020 Spring2020 Summer
2019 Fall
HC 0008 Pharmacy Technician Training and Test Prep

This comprehensive 59.5-hour program and 80-hour optional clinical externship will prepare students to work as a pharmacy technician in a retail pharmacy or other pharmacy setting. Course content, delivered through classroom lecture and hands-on labs includes: pharmacy medical terminology; the history of pharmacy; pharmacy practice in multiple environments; pharmacy calculations and measurements; reading and interpreting prescriptions; defining drugs by generic and brand names; dispensing of prescriptions; and inventory control. The course material assists in preparation for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s (PTCB) PTCE exam. The last two sessions of this course will focus solely on reviewing the new PTCE exam study guide and practice test.

This program also includes an 80-hour clinical externship opportunity at a local health care service provider for students who qualify. Students will be required to provide immunization records, PPD (TB) test results, a negative nine-panel drug screen, and background check at their own cost (approximately $300 for externship).

SDSU is accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Pharmacy Technician Info Sheet

Program Details and FAQs

Course Date(s)
September 30 - December 4
Register
Inquire
Instructors
Enrique Lopez
2019 Fall
HC 0011 EKG Technician Certification

This comprehensive 52.5-hour classroom course will prepare students to perform as an EKG Technician and sit for the American Society of Phlebotomy Technician (ASPT) Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam. Students will learn the role and the function of the EKG Department in a variety of settings to include hospitals, mobile services, medical clinics, and offices. They will also learn medical terminology as it relates to electrocardiography, learn about the care and safety of patients, and how to prepare a patient for monitoring. Students will practice with EKG strips to gain a basic understanding of the heart’s anatomy and electrical conduction system. They will also learn how to interpret EKG monitoring, equipment operation and troubleshooting, and 12-lead placements.

EKG Technician Info Sheet

Program Details and FAQs

 

 

Course Date(s)
October 1 - November 26
Register
Inquire
Instructors
Steven Baker
2019 Fall
HC 0015 Clinical Medical Assistant

This comprehensive program trains students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical responsibilities of a medical office. Instruction includes preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, the technical aspects of phlebotomy, and the use of the electrocardiograph (EKG) machine. Students will review important topics including phlebotomy, EKG, pharmacology, professional workplace behavior, ethics, and the legal aspects of health care. This program includes 140 hours of classroom lecture and hands-on labs and a 160-hour clinical externship opportunity at a local healthcare service provider for students who qualify.

Clinical Medical Assistant Info Sheet

Program Details and FAQs

 

 

Course Date(s)
October 1 - January 28
June 25 - September 26
Register
Inquire
Instructors
Winnie Rose Hendricks

 

San Diego Workforce Partnership: Creating Workforce Solutions

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts

The College of Extended Studies is a State-approved provider for the Federal Workforce Investment Act and MyCAA Scholarship benefits for this SDSU Research Foundation Program.