Neurodiagnostic Technology, Associate in Science Degree
Financial Aid Eligible
Banner Code: 1_AS_NDT
Control Number: 08657
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
- Allied Health 010 course – application and orientation
- 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
- 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.
- MAJOR REQUIREMENT - Complete the AA or AS major requirements as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog.
- 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.
- GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT - Students may choose to complete Option 1 (OCC AA GE), 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.
Program Prerequisites
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ALH A010 | Health Occupations | 0.5 |
| ALH A111 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| BIOL A221 | Anatomy-Physiology | 4 |
| Total Units | 7.5 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| ALH A115 | Patient Care | 2.5 |
| ALH A130 | Applied Pharmacology | 3 |
| NDT A110 | Basic Electroencephalography | 4 |
| ALH A120 | Human Diseases | 2 |
| Units | 11.5 | |
| Intersession | ||
| NDT A200 | Neurodiagnostic Lab Practice | 0.5 |
| Units | 0.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| NDT A115 | Advanced Electroencephalography | 4 |
| NDT A116 | Clinical Experience 1 | 3.5 |
| NDT A190 | Introduction to Neuro Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| NDT A191 | EEG Record Review-Normal | 1 |
| NDT A287 | EEG Record Review-Abnormal | 1.5 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Summer | ||
| NDT A117 | Clinical Experience 2 | 3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| NDT A280 | Neurologic Disorders | 3 |
| NDT A284 | Introduction to Transcranial Doppler | 1 |
| NDT A285 | Introduction to Nerve Conduction Velocity | 1 |
| NDT A286 | Clinical Experience 3 | 3.5 |
| NDT A288 | Evoked Potentials | 4 |
| Units | 12.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| NDT A289 | Clinical Experience 4 | 2 |
| NDT A296 | Introduction to Intraoperative Monitoring | 2 |
| NDT A297 | Microcomputer Applications in Neurodiagnostics | 2 |
| NDT A298 | Clinical Internship | 1 |
| PSG A100 | Polysomnography Basics | 1 |
| Units | 8 | |
| Total Units | 48.5 | |
| Requirement | Units |
|---|---|
| Program Major Units | 56 |
| AS General Education Option 1, 2, or 3 | Varies |
| Total Minimum Degree Units | 71 |
Neurodiagnostic Technology Suggested Electives
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CMST A100 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| ELEC A140 | Technical Electronics | 3 |
| HMDV A180 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| MA A289 | Clinical Medical Assisting II Specialty Procedures | 0.5 |
| PHIL A120 | Ethics | 3 |
| PHYS A110 | Conceptual Physics | 3 |
| PSYC A160 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 4 |
| SPAN A180 | Elementary Spanish 1 | 5 |
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
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| PSG A150 | Introduction to Polysomnography | 3 |
| PSG A160 | Polysomnography Testing | 2 |
| PSG A165 | Polysomnography Clinical 1 | 1 |
| PSG A170 | Polysomnographic Practice | 0.5 |
| RSPC A185 | Respiratory Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| RSPC A265 | Pulmonary Pathology | 3 |
| Intersession | ||
| PSG A175 | Polysomnography Clinical 2 | 1 |
| Units | 13.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| HMDV A180 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| PSG A250 | Polysomnograpy Record Review | 2 |
| PSG A260 | Advanced Polysomnography | 2 |
| PSG A265 | Polysomnography Clinical 3 | 2 |
| PSG A270 | Physician Lecture Series | 1 |
| PSG A285 | Polysomnography Internship | 2 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Total Units | 25.5 | |