Health Science

Prepare for a wide range of careers in healthcare through this unique degree

Upon the completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Health Science, students are eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification through the PTCB. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. Graduates work in pharmacies, hospitals, doctor’s offices, urgent care centers, nursing homes, medical clinics, and diagnostic laboratories. The projected growth is 18% from 2020-2030 with 104,400 job openings each year.

The Associate of Applied Science in Health Science prepares students for entry-level work in medical assisting and related healthcare support roles. Graduates may seek positions in physician offices, clinics, outpatient settings, and other healthcare environments. Students completing the Medical Billing and Coding/Pharmacy Technician option may also pursue pharmacy technician positions.

The curriculum consists of a 73-quarter-credit Core Health Science Curriculum and a required 24-quarter-credit pathway component. Students may satisfy the pathway through an approved Allied Health Technical Studies Transfer Block or through the Medical Billing and Coding/Pharmacy Technician option. Up to 24 quarter credits of approved health-related coursework may be transferred from institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Examples include Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography, Surgical Technology, and Registered Nursing. If fewer than 24 quarter credits are accepted, the remaining credits must be completed from the Medical Billing and Coding/Pharmacy Technician option, as determined by the College.

Upon successful completion of the program, Eastwick College will award the student an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Health Science.

Facilities. Fully equipped medical laboratories include medical examination tables, equipment and supplies for blood chemistry determination, digital spirometry, digital electrocardiography, sterilization, and equipment and supplies for the practice of vital signs, phlebotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and first aid.

• One degree, two directions: the core prepares students for entry-level medical assisting and related healthcare support roles, and students completing the Medical Billing and Coding/Pharmacy Technician option may also pursue pharmacy technician positions.
• Upon completion, students are eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification through the PTCB; the catalog also lists eligibility for the Medical Assistant, EKG Technician and Phlebotomy Technician certifications (AMCA) and coding certifications from AHIMA, NHA and NCCT.
• Up to 24 quarter credits of approved health-related coursework -- for example from diagnostic cardiovascular sonography, surgical technology, registered nursing or licensed practical nursing -- may be transferred in to satisfy the pathway.
• The program is offered at the Ramsey, Hackensack and Nutley campuses.

For admission to Eastwick College, applicants must interview with an admissions representative to obtain information about curriculum characteristics and professional profiles of our programs in each of their areas of interest. Applicants who determine that an Eastwick program is right for them must submit proof of high school completion or GED equivalency, complete an application for admission, and take an admission exam. The director of admissions oversees the admission process, and the campus director makes the final decision for acceptance.

Students in programs that include practicum, clinical, fieldwork, or externship experience must meet all health requirements to be eligible to start their rotations, and criminal background checks will be completed on all such students.

Program length (catalog): 18 Months, Full-Time (Day); 21 Months, Part-Time (Evening); 97 quarter credits.

Eastwick College’s classes meet Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Classes may also be offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to meet academic requirements or address special group needs. Clinical and laboratory experiences may have earlier starting times and later ending times and may also be offered on Saturdays and Sundays.

The school year is divided into four 12-week terms.

According to the 2026 academic calendar, the Fall Term starts October 19, 2026 and ends January 9, 2027.

Cost of Attendance. Tuition is $350 per quarter credit for 97 quarter credits, for total tuition of $33,950. The application fee is $25 and the registration fee is $100; books and supplies are $1,874, for a total cost of $35,949 (Schedule of Tuition and Fees effective July 1, 2026; subject to change). The cost of tuition does not include the cost of transportation to and from school.

Financing Your Education. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

• Eastwick College Payment Plan: Quarterly or monthly payments. Cash, checks, and money orders, as well as American Express, Discover, Visa and Master Card charges are accepted.
• Pell Grant: Based on need; grants for the 2025 - 2026 Aid Year range from $767 - $7,395 per academic year. To apply for Title IV aid, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG): degree-seeking students who have lived in New Jersey at least twelve consecutive months may be considered; students must attend full-time.
• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: If you qualify, you may borrow $3,500 for the first academic year.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: If qualified, an independent student may borrow up to $6,000 per academic year.
• FSEOG: awards range from $100 to $4,000 per year depending on the student’s financial aid need.
• Parental Loan (PLUS), College Ave, NJ Class and EdvestinU private loans for those who qualify.
• NJ-GIVS: A State of New Jersey scholarship that will pay up to $2,000 per year to eligible New Jersey residents for the cost of enrollment in an eligible certificate program.
• Scholarships awarded by the Eastwick Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• Eastwick College Book Grant: a book and laptop grant applied as a tuition/book discount each term for students in good financial standing.
• Waiver of application and registration fees: prospective students may be eligible under the Policy on Application and Registration Fees.

Eastwick College Hackensack is approved to train eligible veterans under Title 38, US Code. Federal School Code (FAFSA) for Eastwick College Hackensack: 012462. Net Price Calculator.

Career paths named by the school.

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
• Clinical Medical Assistant
• Doctor's Assistant
• Health Assistant
• Outpatient Surgery Assistant
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
• Compounding Technician
• Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPhT)

ACCSC Student Achievement (2025 Annual Report, updated December 7, 2025).

• Day session: cohort of 13 students, graduation rate 73%, employment rate 80%.

Student/graduate eligibility for certification examinations (credentialing organizations may change their requirements without notice):

• Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) — American Medical Certification Association (successful program completion)
• EKG Technician Certification (ETC) — American Medical Certification Association (M103 & CVS105)
• Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PTC) — American Medical Certification Association (M102)
• Certified Coding Associate (CCA) — American Health Information Management Association
• Certified Billing & Coding Specialist (CBCS) — National Healthcareer Association
• Insurance & Coding Specialist (NCICS) — National Center for Competency Testing
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) — National Healthcareer Association (PHA102, PHA103, PHA104 & PHA105)
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) — Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PHA102, PHA103, PHA104 & PHA105)

While we strive to provide students with the best tools to prepare for their careers, we cannot and do not guarantee employment.

New student orientation. Attendance at an orientation session for new students is required before starting a program and is held prior to the beginning of each term. College staff present institutional regulations and distribute schedules, and orientation gives new students the opportunity to become familiar with the campus and to meet informally with other new students. Programs with specialized accreditation may require additional orientation activities.

Class schedule. Eastwick College's classes meet Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Classes may also be offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to meet academic requirements or address special group needs. Clinical and laboratory experiences may have earlier starting times and later ending times and may also be offered on weekends. The school year is divided into four 12-week terms, except for the evening Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology program, which is offered in 8-week modules.

Class size. Lecture courses have a maximum of 90 students. The maximum number of students in a laboratory varies with the setting, with a maximum of 10 students for each laboratory instructor.

Dress code. No dress code is required for either the day or evening division, but students are asked to use good judgment and dress in accordance with the business setting. Medical and nursing students must dress in compliance with OSHA regulations to attend laboratory activities, and students at clinical sites must meet the dress code requirements of the affiliated institutions.

Attendance. Lateness and excessive absences are strongly discouraged; documented absences may be justified only for illness or other unavoidable reasons. Instructors explain the attendance policy for each course in the syllabus, and failing to meet attendance requirements in a course with a clinical or laboratory component may result in a failing grade. Students are withdrawn after an absence of 14 consecutive calendar days.

Graduation. To graduate, students must pass all subjects in the prescribed curriculum, earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (2.5 in the Bilingual Licensed Practical Nursing, Licensed Practical Nursing, AAS in Nursing [LPN-to-RN Bridge] and BS in Nursing [LPN-to-BSN] programs), and obtain authorization from the financial aid department.