Neurodiagnostic Technology is an allied health specialty for diagnosing patients with neurological disorders such as epilepsy, stroke, coma, multiple sclerosis, and many others. A competent Neurodiagnostic Technologist has knowledge of the nervous system and knows how to properly operate many types of sophisticated instruments. Neurodiagnostic Technologists are employed in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, university medical centers and research centers.

Orange Coast College’s Neurodiagnostic Technologist program provides theory and clinical experience in Electroencephalography (EEG) and in Evoked Potential (BAEP, PVEP, SSEP) testing as well as an introduction to other neurological testing procedures. Some of the testing procedures include Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS), Long-term Monitoring (LTM) for Epilepsy, Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM), Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Studies, and more.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has accredited this NDT Program. The program meets the eligibility requirements to take the EEG and EP exams of the American Board of Registration in Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET).

The program can be completed in approximately 22 months (4 semesters and 1 summer). Completion of the program earns an Associate in Science Degree in Neurodiagnostic Technology. A new group of students begins this program in the fall semester of even years.

Program Admission

1. Allied Health 010 course – application and orientation
2. The student must complete Associate in Science degree General Education requirements and the program prerequisites prior to acceptance into the program.

Program Outcome

The goal of the program is to meet the needs of the local health care community by preparing students for entry level employment as a professional and competent Neurodiagnostic technologist.

Associate in Science Degree Requirements

1. UNIT REQUIREMENT - 60 UNITS, with at least a 2.0 grade point average. At least 12 of the units must be earned at OCC, with a minimum of one course taken for a letter grade. At least 3 units in an advanced course from the program must be completed at OCC. A student must be enrolled at the time of application for graduation. Units earned at an accredited college or university on a credit/no credit basis will be counted toward the degree requirements of the college, to a maximum of 15 units.
2. MAJOR REQUIREMENT - Complete the AS major requirements.
3. MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT - Demonstrate competence in mathematics by either obtaining a satisfactory grade (grade of “C” or better or“pass”) in a mathematics course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra as demonstrated by prior coursework, or by demonstrating competency that is comparable through the completion of a college-level math course that has Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite: Psychology A160 or Math A100 or higher, with the exception of Math A220.
4. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT - Students may choose to complete Option 1 (OCC AS GE), Option 2 (CSU GE), or Option 3 (IGETC) to satisfy the general education requirement. See the General Education Patterns section of this catalog for more information.

Neurodiagnostic Technology Suggested Electives

CMST A100 Interpersonal Communication
ELEC A140 Technical Electronics
CDE A180 Child, Growth and Development
MA A289 Clinical Medical Assisting II Specialty Procedures
PHIL A120 Ethics
PHYS A110 Conceptual Physics
PSYC A160 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
SPAN A180 Elementary Spanish 1

Polysomnography Cross-Training Option

This option is recommended for Neurodiagnostic Technology graduates who would like to cross-train as Polysomnographic Technologists. Upon completing the cross-training courses, students will earn an additional AS in Polysomnography.

Program Option Prerequisites

Neurodiagnostic Technology Associate in Science Degree

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

For terms less than 15 units, students should meet with a counselor to reconfigure their sequence to maintain financial aid eligibility with a full-time course load.