Health Care Education Programs in West Central Michigan Schools

In discussions about health care careers, one of the questions regularly raised is, “What kind of health care education and training is available for area residents?” To answer this question, two surveys were done. The first collected information on programs offered by Intermediate School Districts. The second survey gathered information to develop a comprehensive list of post-secondary health care programs serving West Michigan residents. Both lists will be updated periodically.

The lists would have been possible without the cooperation and support from the staff of all the schools or districts that submitted the information. We are very grateful for their past and future support.

 

Seconday Schools / Intermediate School Districts (ISDs)

Programs offered by Intermediate School Districts

Nine of ten ISDs in West Michigan offer introductory courses or courses for entry-level occupations to their residents. The tenth ISD has arrangements with an adjacent ISD to include their students. We are aware of two high schools that are offering health science specialty schools: Byron Center High School Health Science Academy and Grand Rapids Central High School - School of Health Science and Technology.

Post-Secondary Colleges, Universities and Other Training Programs

Post-Secondary Occupational Programs by Occupation

Post-Secondary Occupational Programs by School

This listing of over 240 post-secondary health care programs is intended to serve as a reference point for individuals who want to know what kinds of educational opportunities are available to them and to professionals who are advising these individuals about health care careers. It represents a compilation of basic information that should be useful in helping individuals take the next step toward a career in a health care occupation.

 

The information is presented alphabetically in two ways – by school and by occupation – so that you can see all the health care programs offered by a specific school or which schools offer training in a specific health care occupation. The information for individual programs is the same in both lists. It will be periodically updated in order to ensure that it is as current and complete as possible.

While some of the information will be clear, there may be questions about what certain information means. The following explanations may help explain the information presented. It is listed in the order presented on the spreadsheets, reading from left to right.

  • Occupation: This is the occupation for which the education or training is offered. In quite a few instances, the title presented in this list will be different from the official title that the school uses. The names were changed so that they would be grouped together to allow you to compare them easier.
  • Degree categories: This shows the degree or credential earned by completing the program and meeting the school’s requirements. The categories include a Certificate or Diploma, an Associates Degree, a Bachelors Degree, a Masters Degree and a Doctorate Degree.
  • College/University: This identifies the college, university or other educational institution that offers the program.
  • Contact Information: (First Name, Last Name, Phone & E-mail): This is the contact person who can be contacted for more information about the specific program, including the phone number and e-mail address. These obviously will change periodically, but will be updated at least annually. 
  • Normal Start Date(s): These are the times of the year when programs typically start. Some programs that are shorter in length are offered multiple times annually.
  • Graduation Date(s): These are the times of the year when schools present their degrees. In some cases, the individual may complete the program earlier than the official graduation ceremony.
  • # Students Accepted/Yr: If there is a limit, the number shown is the number of students typically admitted to the program each year. In some cases there is no limit or the number may be variable each year.
  • Full Time, Part Time or Both: This shows if the program accepts (a) only full time students, (b) only part time students, or (c) both full time and part time students.
  • 100% Online, Face to Face or Mixed: This shows if the program offers its courses (a) 100% online, (b) only face to face (in the classroom or in a clinical setting), or (c) mixed, with some courses online and some face to face.
  • Length of Program (for full time and/or part time): This shows the amount of time it will take to complete the specific program.

Notes:

  • For information on the specific occupational programs, please contact the person listed for that program.
  • For questions about how to read the lists or for the educational institutions to officially change the content for specific programs, please contact Craig Nobbelin, Regional Skills Coordinator at the Alliance for Health, at 616-248-3820 or craig.nobbelin@afh.org. Suggestions for improving the lists are also welcome.