What are the program prerequisites?

The program prerequisites are:

Biology 33 (Anatomy and Physiology)
OR
Biology 31 (Human Anatomy)

Plus the following:

Psychology 1 - General Psychology
Health Science 19/FCS 19 - Human Development
Health Science 36 - Medical Terminology and Speech

In addition to the above, PT applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Completion of the Twelfth (12th) Grade in High School or its Equivalent. A copy of your High School Diploma, High School Transcripts showing graduation, or passed the "GED" test at the 12th Grade Level; copy of certificate required.
• If a student has a High School diploma from a foreign country, an evaluation must accompany that foreign High School diploma that indicates it is equivalent to a U.S. Twelfth (12th) Grade High School completion.  The agency evaluating the foreign diploma must be accredited by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
• Foreign Educational Document Service website

Do the prerequisites have to be completed when I apply?

Yes, all prerequisite courses must be completed at the time of application.

I have taken prerequisite and general education courses at other colleges. How will I know if they are equivalent to Delta College courses?

To determine equivalency of courses taken at another college, each candidate must submit an official transcript to the Evaluations Department. A letter must accompany the transcript requesting evaluation for PT program prerequisites and general education courses. Also request that a copy of the evaluation be sent to you. Any questions regarding equivalency of non-psychiatric technician courses must be directed to the college evaluations department.

How do I apply to the program?

Apply to the Psychiatric Technician program during the Online application period for the random selection drawing. The date for the Online application will be posted on the department web page.

How are students selected?

A random selection process is utilized to select qualified students. To qualify for the drawing, all prerequisites must be completed and the minimal cumulative prerequisite GPA must be 2.5 or greater. In addition, all courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

What is a typical schedule?

The psychiatric technician program is an intensive 46 week program. Students are in class five days per week during the fall, summer, and spring semesters. Students are selected once per year and begin courses in January. Students attend psychiatric technician classes throughout the fall, summer, and spring semesters.

The schedule for the first semester is as follows:

Clinical laboratory: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 6:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Lecture: Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Can I work while I am in the program?

While there are no program policies prohibiting students from working while in the PT program, students are strongly advised to limit work hours as much as possible. A major cause of student failure in psychiatric technician courses is excessive work hours which limit study time. It is essential that each student allot a minimum of three hours of study time for each hour of lecture. For the 10 hours per week of lecture, students are expected to spend a minimum of 30 hours per week on study time. Candidates are advised to review their own financial status prior to applying to the program and make appropriate adjustments.

What about financial aid?

As Delta College students, nursing students are eligible for all college financial aid services. In addition, employers may be able to offer assistance and several scholarships are available throughout the academic year for nursing students. Candidates should contact the financial aid department at the college for more information.

I have a criminal history. Can I still apply to the nursing program?

Each of the clinical facilities will require students to clear a background check for criminal history. This is done to comply with a January 2004 regulation requiring hospitals to have information pertaining to criminal backgrounds on all staff, volunteers, and students. The cost for this clearance check will be covered by the student. In addition, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians requires all candidates for licensure to submit fingerprints which are analyzed and cleared prior to granting a license to practice nursing.

Candidates with a criminal background may not be allowed to attend clinical if the offense is determined to be significant enough to warrant denial by the clinical facility. There is no specific list of offenses from which access to the facility is denied but a criminal history of violent crimes, crimes involving substance abuse, and sexually violent crimes are among those that may result in denial of access. If the applicant is not allowed into the clinical facility, he/she will not be able to meet the objectives of the nursing program. Applicants with criminal histories are strongly encouraged to consider this information prior to selecting this career option and applying to the program.

How much does the program cost?

While it is not possible to give specific costs for each individual, a listing of typical costs follows below:

Tuition: 54 units @ $36 per unit $1944*
Textbooks (includes prerequisite courses) $1000
Clinical Requirements $1000
Assessment Exam System $200
Licensure Application Fees $125
Licensing Exam fees $200
APPROXIMATE TOTAL $4269**

** total does not include gasoline, vehicle maintenance, and child care as these are individual costs

I have prior experience as a Certified Nurse Assistant. Can I receive credit for this training?

Candidates with a current California certificate as a Certified Nurse Assistant may waive Psychiatric Technician 80. Information and Prerequisite Verifications for advance standing in the PT program are available on the web page and in the division office. A special Prerequisite Verification for entry this route is required and submitted to the nursing department office, Locke 213, during the regular submission period.

Candidates with the above qualification may also submit an Prerequisite Verification as a beginning student at the same time. If the candidate is selected as a beginning student, they must complete all the psychiatric technician program courses.

Advanced standing is granted by submission of the certificate identified above. Entry is on a space available basis. Work experience is not utilized in the selection of students for the nursing program.

I attended a psychiatric technician program at another college. Can I transfer into the PT program?

Candidates who left their prior program in good standing may be eligible for transfer into the PT program on a third priority, space available basis. Good standing is defined as completion of all nursing courses with a grade of "C" or better and satisfactory completion of clinical objectives. Candidates who did not leave in good standing are not considered for transfer.

The candidate must submit an official transcript to the Evaluations Department for determination of equivalency of prerequisite courses. The candidate must also submit to the nursing department syllabi and all course information pertaining to completed nursing courses and a copy of the official transcript. Equivalency of nursing courses is completed by the nursing program faculty. All course work must have been completed at United States regionally accredited college or university.