Dental Hygiene
1. How long is the waiting list for the Dental Hygiene program?
There is NO waiting list. There is a selective admissions process which is a point system based upon your GPA and
completion of general education and support courses.
2. When is the application deadline?
Students must apply for the program by October 1st.
Emergency Medical Services
1. What are the prerequisites for EMT?
Applicants must meet all college admissions requirements, including the college placement test (CPT); prior to completing the Application for Health Programs found on the HEC home page. A copy (front and back) of your current, Healthcare Provider CPR card must accompany the Application for Health Programs, which should be sent to the address at the bottom of the form.
2. What are the prerequisites for Paramedic?
Florida certified EMTs, who have completed the same prerequisites as required for application to the EMT
program.
3. What information do I need before deciding to start an EMS career?
Visit our website for more information on this career.
4. Does SPC offer continuing education for EMS?
Yes, visit our website for details.
Funeral Services
1. Do I have to have all of my General Education Requirements complete?
Yes
2. How do I get Financial Aid?
Apply online at Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Human Services
1. Where are the courses offered in Human Services?
All the core and major courses are held at the HEC (Health Education Center) at 7200 66th St. North. We will offer courses outside of this site if there are at least 15 students willing to take the class.
2. How and where do I start?
If you are not a student of the college, you must complete an application with a $40 fee first. Those individuals with only a high school diploma or GED (check with counselor) must take the Placement Test.
For those individuals pursuing the Human Services Program, it is desirable for you to make an appointment with the Instructor-in-Charge/Program Director to discuss what will be your best options to follow.
3. What are the salaries for the Human Services field?
It depends on the agency and the area in which you work and the level of education that you have obtained. Ex.: The area of Addiction tends to pay more than the entry level positions in Social Services.
Health Information Management
1. What is Health Information Management?
2. What is Health Informatics?
3. What is Medical Coding?
4. What is professional credentialing?
5. What are the differences in the HIM credentials?
6. Why should I consider an accredited college?
SPC is an accredited college through SACs.
7. Why should I consider an accredited HIM program?
The HIM AS degree program at SPC is an accredited program through
CAHIIM.
8. Are the HIM programs online?
Yes. HIM 2820 (Professional Practice III) is blended. It has an online component with a clinical practicum conducted at a
healthcare facility one day a week (Thursdays 8:00 am - 5 pm) for twelve weeks. A physical exam and immunizations are
required for clinical practicum placement at a healthcare facility.
9. Do HIM 1800 Professional Practice I & HIM 2810 Professional Practice II have placements at healthcare facilities? No.
10. Does the Medical Coder program have placements at healthcare facilities?
This program no longer places students at healthcare facilities. No physical exam or immunizations are required.
11. Are General Education and Support courses online?
The General Education courses are online and in the traditional classroom setting. Support courses for HIM are only online.
12. What is the cost for each of the HIM programs?
See the complete list of
SPC Fees.
* The above costs are for in-state residents and include the application fee, registration fee, online fee, lab fee, graduation application and about $100 per book. Fees are subject to change. Out-of-state fees are included in the link to the fee schedule above.
13. What is the start date for the HIM program?
January and August are the start dates for this program. For important dates please consult the comprehensive
SPC Academic Calendar.
14. Are all courses offered every semester?
No. All courses are offered in fall, spring and summer semesters with the exception of the following courses
that are not offered in the summer:
- HIM 1110 Classification Systems, Indexes & Registries
- HIM 2012 Health Law Concepts and Practices
- HIM 2214C Healthcare Statistics & Research
- HIM 2500 Organization & Supervision
- HIM 2510 Quality & Performance Improvement
- HIM 2820 Professional Practice Experience III
15. Do all HIM classes contain the same number of weeks? No.
- Modmesters are eight weeks.
- Express classes are ten weeks.
- Regular classes are sixteen weeks.
16. Once the General and Support courses are done, how does one apply to be accepted into the HIM program?
Consult an advisor at the Caruth Health Education center and complete an application. It will take 4-6 weeks for processing. All courses must be completed with a "C" grade or better. Twelve General Education credits and all pre-requisites must be completed to apply for the HIM program. Applicants who are approved will receive a letter of acceptance into the HIM program and can then register for HIM core courses.
17. Does each HIM program require an application to enroll? Yes.
18. In what order should students take the HIM courses?
Take them in the order they are listed in the catalog. The Healthcare Informatics courses should be taken in the order listed in the brochure.
19. What is a co-requisite?
Co-requisite courses are designed to be taken at the same time.
20. What is a pre-requisite?
A pre-requisite is required to be taken first before enrolling in a more advanced class.
21. What is the average starting salary after earning my degree?
The average starting salary ranges from $20,000-$30,000. Salary increases with experience and by applying for
opportunities to move up into higher level jobs. Additional credentials and degrees are available in this field as one
progresses up the career ladder. Some HIM professionals in key positions earn in excess of $100,000. Investigate
job postings and the AHIMA website regarding career paths and salaries. Keep in mind some states, such as Florida,
traditionally have lower salaries than other parts of the US. Salaries differ in urban areas when compared to rural
employment opportunities. When making comparisons be sure to take these factors into consideration.
AHIMA 2008 salary study results.
22. Are jobs available? See job postings on sites below. Many contain requirements & salaries.
23. What are some of the pathways to a career in HIM?
Health Information Careers
24. Where do I start at SPC?
Visit the eCampus site for information on admission to SPC, registration, program enrollment into HIM, books and more.
25. Where can I find out about financial aid?
Visit the Financial Aid site for information.
26. How can I transfer credits from another college to SPC?
Send an official sealed transcript to:
REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, Central Records, St. Petersburg College, P.O. Box 33089, St. Petersburg FL 33733.
Reviewing academic quality
Transfer credit. Transcripts from other colleges are evaluated for transfer credit regardless of whether or not the student has been admitted in a degree seeking status. Credit is placed in the St. Petersburg College academic record and is identified as transfer credit from the appropriate school on the College’s official transcript. All acceptable coursework is transferred, including courses for which grades of D and F were awarded. Transfer credit bears the same weight as credit earned locally. Only credit from regionally accredited institutions is transferable to St. Petersburg College, with the exception of credit from proprietary schools participating in Florida’s common course numbering system that has been certified as acceptable by the State of Florida’s Articulation Coordinating Committee, and courses from institutions with which the College has locally developed articulation agreements. Transfer students must complete at least 25 percent of program requirements at St. Petersburg College to be eligible for award of the credential sought.
27. Is there a related bachelor's program to progress to?
Yes. Visit the Baccalaureate Degree Programs site for information.
28. How long will my schooling take?
On average it will take 2-3 years to complete an AS degree depending upon how many courses the student enrolls in
each semester and the number of general education and support courses the student needs to complete.
On average, it can take 6 months to complete the Health Informatics certificate and 18 months to complete the
Medical Coding certificate.
29. Are there opportunities for students to network with HIM professionals in the field?
Students are offered free membership to attend the
Gulf Coast HIM Association
meetings locally.
Students are offered reduced price membership to
AHIMA.
This membership qualifies them for free membership at
FHIMA!
30. Are HIM scholarships available? Yes!
Medical Laboratory Technician
1. What is the average starting salary for MLTs?
Salaries are going up. A survey of clinical laboratories in the Tampa Bay area conducted in January of 2007 showed that the average starting salary is $32,000 for an associate degree and a technician license and $36,000 for an associate degree and a technologist license.
2. What are the employment prospects for MLTs?
Excellent. There is a nationwide shortage.
3. Where do most of your graduates work?
Most work in hospital laboratories but there are also employment opportunities in blood banks, reference labs, physician office labs, veterinary labs, and industry.
4. When is your next class?
August, we only admit one class a year.
Nursing
1. How can I get information on the Nursing program?
On this site you will find the
minimum requirements checklist
(pdf) , General Nursing Program application (pdf) and
LPN / Paramedic application
(pdf). You can also call (727) 341-3404 to have an information packet mailed to you. You can reach a Health Education Center Academic Advisor at (727) 341-3687.
2. Is there a waiting list?
We no longer add students to a waiting list. There is a selective admissions process which is a point system based upon your GPA and completion of general education and support courses. Contact an HEC Advisor if you have questions concerning specific courses.
3. When can I apply to Nursing program?
You can apply once you have met all of your minimum application requirements. Please see an Academic Advisor at HEC as early as possible to review your academic plan.
4. What is the cost of the Nursing Program?
Currently the approximate estimated cost of the Nursing Program is $7,000. This includes tuition, fees, books and supplies. This estimate may vary and is subject to change.
Physical Therapist Assistant
1. Do you offer the program at night or on the weekends?
No, classes are held only during the day.
2. When do classes begin?
We admit a new class every August.
3. Where do you hold the PTA classes?
All program classes are held at the Health Education Center ONLY.
4. How long is the program?
Once you enter the program, it is just shy of 2 years. So if you enter in the fall of 2010, you will graduate in May 2012, provided you have completed all general education and support courses.
5. Can you complete the PTA program in less than 2 years?
No, each semester's classes build a foundation for the semester to come. The classes are taken in sequence and cannot be taken in a different order.
Radiography
1. What is the application deadline for the program?
The program application window is July 1st to September 15th.
2. What are the prerequisites for the program?
You must be at least 18 years old, complete 8 hours of clinical observation, and pass BSC
2085, BSC 2085L, and MAC 1105 with a "C" or better.
3. What other jobs can you specialize in once you become a Radiographer?
One of the real advantages of this field is that it has an extensive career ladder. A radiographer can specialize in 17 career paths that a radiographer can specialize in including CT, MRI, special procedures, mammography, and Radiation Therapy just to name a few.
4. What is the starting salary for a Radiographer?
A new graduate that takes a full-time, first shift, hospital job with full benefits in Pinellas County will earn between $37,500 to $40,000 during the first year.
Respiratory Care
1. Do all General Education and Support Courses need to be completed prior to entry into the program?
You need to complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of General Education/Support Courses including BSC
2085 and BSC 2085L with grades of "C" or better. You will also need to complete a minimum of 4 hours of observation, volunteer service or work experience in a Respiratory Care department.
2. Are there jobs available upon graduation from the Respiratory Care Program?
There is a severe manpower shortage in the Respiratory Care field.
Veterinary Technician
1. What is a Veterinary Technician?
A veterinary technician is similar to a registered nurse for animals. A technician provides assistance to veterinarians in primary animal care, in radiology, anesthesia, nursing and laboratory. Technicians also assist veterinarians with client education, sales and marketing.
2. What is the difference between a veterinarian technician and a veterinary assistant?
A technician is a person who has completed a two-year program of study and has obtained an Associate in Science degree. Technicians are responsible for the duties listed above. An assistant is primarily responsible for clerical duties, restraint and assisting the technician.
3. What should I do if I want to enroll in the SPC Vet Tech program?
STEP 1
1. If you have never been a student at SPC, submit the white College application form along with the required $40 fee. You also have the option of applying electronically.
2. Submit official transcripts from your high school (unless you have an AA or higher degree) and any colleges you have attended and/or take the college placement test. (International students should review the International Center Information on the college web site.) Please have the transcripts mailed to the Vet Tech Department at SPC's Health Education Center. A copy will be made for our file before they are sent to the College Registrar.
3. Review the college Orientation.
STEP 2
1. Submit the Health Programs Application form for allied health programs.
2. Complete at least 18 hours of the required Veterinary Technology general education and support courses including composition, math, and biology through enrollment or transfer credits with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses.
3. Submit a completed Veterinary Hospital Observation and Documentation form documenting the completion of at least 80 hours of observations and discussions with a veterinarian and veterinary technician in a veterinary practice.
4. What is expected of students entering the Veterinary Technology Distance Program?
The SPC Veterinary Technology Distance Education Program is based on the following assumptions:
1. Completion of at least 18 of the 22 hours of general education and support courses including al communication, math and biology requirements with a minimum grade of “C” in all courses.
2. Students have the initiative, resourcefulness, and perseverance to work independently.
3. Students have a solid relationship with an employer veterinarian.
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