AGS in Health Professions Exploration (AGSH)

Do you like helping people? Do you like the idea of a career in health care but don’t know where to start?

The AGS in Health Professions Exploration (AGSH) degree gives students the chance to explore a wide array of career options in the health care field. 

Health care programs offered at MHCC include some that require special applications, and some that do not. These are the health care programs at MHCC:

Many health care programs need certain courses to be taken before the student can enter the program. Work with an adviser to plan out what courses you need if you’d like to apply for one of the MHCC programs above. Courses needed to apply for each program may change from year to year. It’s the student's duty to review program information before sending in an application.  Earning an AGSH degree does not guarantee a student will get into any specific program(s). 

Would you rather try for a career such as doctor, chiropractor, dentist, pharmacist or veterinarian? Work with an adviser to decide if the AS or AST in Biology degree is right for you.

See the MyMHCC portal for printable degree worksheets

Degree Requirements

Health Professions Exploration Core, group 124
Health Professions Exploration Core, group 21-5
Human Anatomy & Physiology sequence8-12
Mathematics - MTH020 or placement above0-4
Written Communication, 2 courses7-8
Oral Communication, 1 course3-4
Health & Physical Education, 1 credit1
Arts & Letters / Social Science - take a combination of 8 or more credits, with at least 1 course from each category8
Electives, to reach 90 applicable credits32-36
Total Credits90

Health Professions Exploration Core

Complete a minimum of 24 credits from Group 1:

AHX20Sterile Processing Technician7
BI100Survey of Body Systems (Course offered online)4
Biology with Genetics:4-5
Biology for Health Professions
or BI102
General Biology: Molecular Biology (Course offered online)
or BI212
Principles of Biology II
BI234Microbiology4
CH104General Chemistry for Health Professions5
CH106Biological Chemistry for Health Professions5
EMTX110
EMTX111
Emergency Medical Technician Part 01
and Emergency Medical Technician Part 02 1
12
FN225Nutrition (Course offered online)4
or HE225 Nutrition (Course offered online)
HD130HCIntroduction to Today's Careers: Health Professions (Course offered online)2
HE202Adult Development and Aging1
HE208HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections1
MO111Medical Terminology (Course offered online)4
MO117Hospital Administrative Procedures (Course offered online)3
MO136Healthcare Documentation (Course offered online)3
MO140Understanding Medical Insurance (Course offered online)3
MO250Medical Law and Ethics3
NAX10Basic Training: Nursing Assistants8
1

Or EMTX12 if taken fall 2023 or prior.

Complete a minimum of one (1) course from Group 2:

BA111Introduction to Accounting (Course offered online)4
BA131Introduction to Business Computing (Course offered online)4
BT116Communication Technologies3
CIS120LComputer Concepts Lab I (Course offered online)1
HD100ACollege Success (Course offered online)1
HD209RESDeveloping Your Resume (Course offered online)1
MTH058Quantitative Reasoning I4-6
or MTH065 Beginning Algebra II (Course offered online)
MTH098Quantitative Reasoning II4
or MTH095 Intermediate Algebra with Right Triangle Trigonometry (Course offered online)
MTH105ZMath in Society4
or MTH111Z Precalculus I: Functions (Course offered online)
PSY201ZIntroduction to Psychology I (Course offered online)4
SOC204General Sociology: Principles of Sociology (Course offered online)3
SOC205General Sociology: Social Institutions (Course offered online)3
STAT243ZElementary Statistics I (Course offered online)4

Human Anatomy & Physiology Sequence

  • Choose BI121 and BI122 if considering Respiratory Care, Medical Office Specialist, and/or Funeral Service Education.
  • Choose BI231, BI232, and BI233 if considering Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Physical Therapist Assistant, and/or Surgical Technology, and/or for applying to health professions program at other institutions. 
BI121
BI122
Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Course offered online)
and Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology II (Course offered online)
8
BI231
BI232
BI233
Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Course offered online)
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (Course offered online)
and Human Anatomy and Physiology III (Course offered online)
12

Mathematics

To complete the AGS in Health Professions degree, students must place into MTH058 Quantitative Reasoning I or higher, or complete MTH020 Applied Arithmetic and Pre-algebra with a grade of "C" or better.  Many Health Professions programs require minimum math completion as part of the application process. Meet with an adviser to plan carefully.

The following courses may be needed in order to apply for the following Health Professions programs:

Dental Hygiene, Funeral Services, Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Care, or Surgical Technology
MTH065Beginning Algebra II (Course offered online) (or higher, excluding MTH098)4
or MTH058 Quantitative Reasoning I
Nursing
MTH095Intermediate Algebra with Right Triangle Trigonometry (Course offered online) (or higher, excluding MTH098)5
Transfer to a bachelor's degree program
MTH105ZMath in Society4
or STAT243Z Elementary Statistics I (Course offered online)

Written Communication

Two (2) courses:

WR121ZComposition I (Course offered online)4
WR122ZComposition II (Course offered online)4
or WR227Z Technical Writing (Course offered online)

Oral Communication

One (1) course:

COMM100ZBasic Speech Communication (Course offered online)4
COMM111ZPublic Speaking (Course offered online)4
COMM114Argument and Critical Discourse3
COMM115Introduction to Intercultural Communication (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course) (recommended)4
COMM218ZInterpersonal Communication (Course offered online)4
COMM219Small Group Communication3

Health and Physical Education

HE261 CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or HE252 First Aid: Responding to Emergencies recommended. One (1) credit minimum required:

HE151Drug Education: Stimulants and Performance Enhancing Drugs3
HE152Drug Education: Opioids, Cannabis, Depressants and Hallucinogens3
HE202Adult Development and Aging1
HE204Nutrition for Health3
HE205Diet Appraisal (Course offered online)1
HE207Stress Control Through Activity Intervention1
HE208HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections1
HE209Sport and Exercise Nutrition1
HE225Nutrition (Course offered online) (or FN225, if taken summer 2021 or later)4
HE250Personal Health and Wellness (Course offered online)3
HE251Wilderness First Aid2
HE252First Aid: Responding to Emergencies3
HE255Alcohol and the Family3
HE261CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation1
HE262Basic Life Support (Course offered online)1
HE265Women's Health (Course offered online)3
HE289Wilderness First Responder4
HE289LWilderness First Responder Part- 22
HE289RWilderness First Responder - Recertification2
HPE110Teambuilding and Group Facilitation3
HPE120Introduction to Navigation1
HPE170Structure and Function of the Human Body3
HPE172Exercise Science3
HPE174Fitness Assessment and Programming3
HPE260Prevention and Care of Exercise-Related Injuries3
HPE270Introduction to Sport Psychology3
HPE285OLWilderness Survival3
HPE291Lifeguard Training2
HPE295Health and Fitness for Life (Course offered online)3
PE185__ PE185 activity course1

Three (3) credit hours of PE185 may be granted toward an Associate degree at MHCC for completion of military basic training. A copy of the DD214 form or a Joint Services Transcript is required.

Arts & Letters

One (1) course:

Art / Art History
ART115Basic Design I: Two-Dimensional4
ART116Basic Design II: Color Theory4
ART117Basic Design III: Three- Dimensional4
ART204History of Western Art: Prehistoric - Byzantine (Course offered online)4
ART205History of Western Art: Medieval - Renaissance (Course offered online)4
ART206History of Western Art: Baroque - Modern (Course offered online)4
ART211Survey of Visual Arts (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ART215PSurvey in Visual Arts: Photography3
ART219ACalligraphy - Bookhand2
ART219BCalligraphy - Italics2
ART219CCalligraphy - Historical and Decorative Styles2
ART225Digital Art Toolbox4
ART226Digital Drawing and Imaging4
ART227Introduction to Animation4
ART231Drawing I4
ART232Drawing II4
ART233Drawing III4
ART234Figure Drawing I4
ART235Figure Drawing II4
ART236Figure Drawing III4
ART240Illustration and Cartooning4
ART244Visual Storytelling4
ART254Ceramics I4
ART255Ceramics II4
ART256Ceramics III4
ART257Jewelrymaking/Metalsmithing I4
ART258Jewelrymaking/Metalsmithing II4
ART259Jewelrymaking/Metalsmithing III4
ART260Introduction to Digital Photography4
ART261Black and White Film Photography3
ART262Intermediate Black and White Film Photography3
ART271Printmaking I: Screenprint and Woodcut4
ART272Printmaking II: Silkscreen, Woodcut, and Intaglio4
ART273Printmaking III4
ART281Painting I4
ART282Painting II4
ART283Painting III4
ART291Sculpture I4
ART292Sculpture II4
ART293Sculpture III4
ART294Watercolor I4
ART296Watercolor II4
ART297Watercolor III4
Communication / Speech (cannot be same course used to fulfill Oral Communication requirement)
COMM100ZBasic Speech Communication (Course offered online)4
COMM111ZPublic Speaking (Course offered online)4
COMM114Argument and Critical Discourse3
COMM115Introduction to Intercultural Communication (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
COMM218ZInterpersonal Communication (Course offered online)4
COMM219Small Group Communication3
Creative Writing
WR240Creative Writing: Nonfiction4
WR241Creative Writing: Fiction I (Course offered online)4
WR242Creative Writing: Poetry I (Course offered online)4
WR244Creative Writing: Poetry II4
WR245Creative Writing: Fiction II4
WR291AThe Literary Publication I1
WR291BThe Literary Publication I2
WR292AThe Literary Publication II1
WR292BThe Literary Publication II2
WR293AThe Literary Publication III1
WR293BThe Literary Publication III2
English / Literature
ENG104ZIntroduction to Fiction (Course offered online)4
ENG105ZIntroduction to Drama (Course offered online)4
ENG106ZIntroduction to Poetry4
ENG201Shakespeare4
ENG204British Literature I: Old English to Renaissance (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ENG205British Literature II: Age of Enlightenment to Present (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ENG212Latin American Literature (Course offered online)4
ENG218Arthurian Legends4
ENG222Women's Literature (Cultural Literacy course)3
ENG250Introduction to Mythology4
ENG253Survey of American Literature I (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ENG254Survey of American Literature II (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ENG261Literature of Science Fiction (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ENG271World Literature: The Classical World (Ancient Literature to 1000 C.E.) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ENG272World Literature: 1000 to 1800 C.E. (Cultural Literacy course)4
ENG273World Literature: 1800 C.E. to the Present (Cultural Literacy course)4
Ethics in the Workplaces
HUM202Ethics in the Workplace (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
Film Appreciation / Studies
FA257Films and Society (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
FA258Understanding the Film (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
FA266Film Directors (Cultural Literacy course)4
FA270Film Genres (Course offered online)4
Intensive English for College and Careers (IECC)
IECC201CIntensive English: Communicate for College and Careers3
IECC201RIntensive English: Advanced Reading5
IECC201WIntensive English: Advanced Writing5
Modern Languages
ASL101First-year American Sign Language I4
ASL102First-year American Sign Language II4
ASL103First-year American Sign Language III4
ASL201Second-year American Sign Language I (Cultural Literacy course)4
ASL202Second-year American Sign Language II (Cultural Literacy course)4
ASL203Second-year American Sign Language III (Cultural Literacy course)4
JPN101First-year Japanese I5
JPN102First-year Japanese II5
JPN103First-year Japanese III5
JPN201Second-year Japanese I (Cultural Literacy course)5
JPN202Second-year Japanese II (Cultural Literacy course)5
JPN203Second-year Japanese III (Cultural Literacy course)5
SPAN101First-year Spanish I5
SPAN102First-year Spanish II5
SPAN103First-year Spanish III5
SPAN111Beginning Spanish Conversation I3
SPAN112Beginning Spanish Conversation II3
SPAN113Beginning Spanish Conversation III3
SPAN201Second-year Spanish I (Cultural Literacy course)4
SPAN202Second-year Spanish II (Cultural Literacy course)4
SPAN203Second-year Spanish III (Cultural Literacy course)4
SPAN211Intermediate Spanish Conversation I1
SPAN212Intermediate Spanish Conversation II1
SPAN213Intermediate Spanish Conversation III1
Music / Performance
MUS101Music Fundamentals3
MUS103Jazz History3
MUS105History of Rock3
MUS111Music Theory I3
MUS112Music Theory II3
MUS113Music Theory III3
MUS121Aural Skills I1
MUS122Aural Skills II1
MUS123Aural Skills III1
MUS137Beginning Guitar Class1
MUS138Intermediate Guitar Class1
MUS131Group Piano I2
MUS132Group Piano II2
MUS133Group Piano III2
MUS161Jazz Improvisation2
MUS162Jazz Improvisation2
MUS201Music in Cinema (Cultural Literacy course)3
MUS211Music Theory IV (Cultural Literacy course)3
MUS212Music Theory V (Cultural Literacy course)3
MUS213Music Theory VI (Cultural Literacy course)3
MUS221Aural Skills IV: Modulation1
MUS222Aural Skills V: Polyphony1
MUS223Aural Skills VI: Chromaticism1
MUS231Keyboard Harmony I2
MUS232Keyboard Harmony II2
MUS268Music History: Baroque to Romantic (Cultural Literacy course)4
MUP101Wind Ensemble: First Year1
MUS279Popular Songwriting3
MUP105Jazz Ensemble1
MUP114Chamber Ensemble/Jazz Combo: First Year1
MUP115Chamber Choir: First Year1
MUP121Symphonic Choir: First Year1
MUP171-192 Individual Lessons1-2
MUP271-292 Individual Lessons1-2
Philosophy
PHL191Language and the Layout of Argument4
PHL201Introduction to Philosophy (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
PHL202Fundamental Ethics (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
Religion
R210World Religions (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
R211History of the Old Testament (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
R212History of the New Testament (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
Theatre Arts
TA101Appreciating Theatre3
TA106Theatre History: Origins to the Renaissance (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
TA107Theatre History: Restoration to Contemporary (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
TA121Costuming3
TA141Acting Fundamentals I3
TA142Acting Fundamentals II3
TA143Acting Fundamentals III3
TA144Improvisation3
TA148Movement for the Actor2

Please note that the AGS allows more courses to count toward Arts & Letters than other MHCC degrees. 

Social Science

One (1) course:

General Social Science
SSC100Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship4
Anthropology
ANTH101Introduction to Biological Anthropology (Course offered online)4
ANTH102Introduction to Archaeology and World Prehistory (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
ANTH103Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Cultural Literacy course)4
ANTH140Language and Culture (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
Communication
COMM115Introduction to Intercultural Communication (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course) (if taken summer 2021 or later)4
Economics
EC115Introduction to Economics (Course offered online)3
EC201Principles of Economics I: Microeconomics (Course offered online)4
EC202Principles of Economics II: Macroeconomics (Course offered online)4
Geography
GEOG105Introduction to Physical Geography3
GEOG106Introduction to World Regional Geography (Cultural Literacy course)3
GEOG107Introduction to Cultural Geography (Cultural Literacy course)3
GEOG202The Geography of Europe (Cultural Literacy course)3
GEOG206Geography of Oregon (Cultural Literacy course)3
GEOG209Geography of the Middle East and North Africa (Cultural Literacy course)3
GEOG214Geography of Mexico and Central America (Cultural Literacy course)3
GEOG290Environmental Problems and Restoration3
History
HST101Western Civilization: Ancient and Classical Europe (Cultural Literacy course)4
HST102Western Civilization: Medieval and Early Modern Europe (Cultural Literacy course)4
HST103Western Civilization: Modern Europe (Cultural Literacy course)4
HST110Ancient World History (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
HST111Medieval World History (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
HST112Modern World History (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
HST195History of the Vietnam War (Cultural Literacy course)3
HST201U.S. History: Pre-Colonial-1840 (Course offered online)4
HST202U.S. History: 1840 - 1917 (Course offered online)4
HST203U.S. History: 1910 - Present (Course offered online)4
HST204Women in U.S. History (Cultural Literacy course)4
HST225Women in World History (Cultural Literacy course)4
HST237America in the 1960s3
HST264African-American History: 1500 - 1870s (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
HST265African-American History: 1870 - Present (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
International Studies
INTL101Introduction to International Studies (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
Journalism
J211Introduction to Mass Communications3
Music History
MUS103Jazz History (if taken summer 2020 or later)3
MUS105History of Rock (if taken summer 2020 or later)3
MUS201Music in Cinema (Cultural Literacy course)3
MUS268Music History: Baroque to Romantic (Cultural Literacy course) (if taken summer 2020 or later)4
MUS279Popular Songwriting3
Political Science
PS200Introduction to Political Science (Course offered online)4
PS201American Government (Course offered online)4
PS203State and Local Governments4
PS204Introduction to Comparative Politics4
PS205International Relations (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)4
PS209Problems in American Politics4
PS215Global Issues4
PS217Introduction to Public Land Management: The Politics of Recreation3
PS225Political Ideology: Ideas About Government4
PS241Introduction to Political Terrorism (Course offered online)4
Psychology
PSY101Psychology of Human Relations (Course offered online)3
PSY151Introduction to the Social Sciences3
PSY201ZIntroduction to Psychology I (Course offered online)4
PSY202ZIntroduction to Psychology II (Course offered online)4
PSY214Introduction to Personality (Cultural Literacy course)4
PSY216Social Psychology3
PSY231Human Sexuality3
PSY232Sexuality and Society (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
PSY237Human Development (Course offered online)4
PSY239Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (Course offered online)4
Sociology
SOC204General Sociology: Principles of Sociology (Course offered online)3
SOC205General Sociology: Social Institutions (Course offered online)3
SOC206General Sociology: Social Problems (Course offered online)3
SOC213Race Relations in the United States (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
SOC215Gender and Society (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
SOC216Sociology of the Family (Course offered online)3
SOC223Sociology of Aging (Course offered online)3
Theatre History
TA106Theatre History: Origins to the Renaissance (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course) (if taken summer 2021 or later)3
TA107Theatre History: Restoration to Contemporary (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course) (if taken summer 2021 or later)3
Women's Studies
WS101Introduction to Women's Studies (Course offered online) (Cultural Literacy course)3
World Literature
ENG271World Literature: The Classical World (Ancient Literature to 1000 C.E.) (Cultural Literacy course) (if taken summer 2020 or later)4
ENG272World Literature: 1000 to 1800 C.E. (Cultural Literacy course) (if taken summer 2020 or later)4
ENG273World Literature: 1800 C.E. to the Present (Cultural Literacy course) (if taken summer 2020 or later)4

Please note that the AGS allows more courses to count toward Social Sciences than other MHCC degrees. 

Electives

Complete electives to reach a total of 90 degree credits. Elective courses for the AGSH may be any course numbered 100 or above, not including developmental education courses. No more than 30 credits of one discipline may apply as elective. A maximum of 8 credits of PE185, 25 credit hours of IECC courses numbered 100 or higher, and 12 credits of Cooperative Education Internship may be applied to the AGSH degree as elective credit.

To be awarded an AGSH degree, students must:

  • Complete all requirements to total 90 applicable degree credits.
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher in: the cumulative MHCC grade point average, and all courses being applied toward the degree.
  • Satisfactorily earn 12 credit hours at MHCC. Non-traditional credit (College Level Examination Program, Experience-Based Credit, Challenge, etc.) does not satisfy this requirement.

Please note: Courses may not be repeated for credit unless specified in the course description. Refer to the Course Numbering System and Developmental Education list for courses that are not applicable toward an MHCC degree or certificate.

To check your official progress toward graduation, log on to MyMHCC and click “View My Degree Audit.”

Online option regularly offered

Cultural Literacy course