Career-Focused Pathway
At Northwest Suburban College, our academic pathways are designed to help students build their education with purpose. Through stackable credentials, students can earn certificates that lead to immediate employment while creating a foundation for continued academic and professional advancement. As students progress, they have the opportunity to build on their previous coursework, expanding their knowledge, enhancing their skills, and increasing their career opportunities without starting over.
Whether entering the workforce after earning a certificate or continuing toward an associate or bachelor’s degree, NWSC’s pathways provide flexible options that support lifelong learning and career growth in the healthcare and sciences.
Concurrent Pathway
Designed for students who want to maximize their time and accelerate their education, this pathway allows students to complete the general education courses required for the AAS-MA or BHS degrees while simultaneously completing certificate coursework.
Sequential Pathway
Designed to support continued academic and professional growth, this pathway allows students to complete a certificate program before advancing to a degree program, building on the knowledge and skills they have already acquired.o.
Pathway Options
MA-Certificate🡪 AAS-MA
Upon earning the NWSC Medical Assistant Certificate, students can easily transition to the AAS-MA Program, which will help strengthen their clinical knowledge and enhance their critical thinking and communication skills. Graduates of the MA Certificate Program may qualify to transfer up to 28 credits in the AAS-MA Program, significantly reducing their program completion timeline. Speak to the Admissions Associate or your NWSC Advisor for more information.
AAS-MA🡪 MRI Technologist
The MRI Technologist Program requires students to have an associate degree in any discipline and complete the following prerequisites for entry into the program: Medical Terminology, Human Anatomy & Physiology I, Healthcare Ethics and Legal Issues, College Algebra, and General Physics. Students who do not have the associate degree and/or have not completed the prerequisite courses can earn their Associate of Applied Science Degree and move into the MRI Technologist Program. This helps them not only meet the MRI Tech Program admission requirements, but also gain an additional credential of the AAS-MA degree. Speak to the Admissions Associate or your NWSC Advisor for more information.
HCM🡪 BHS
Graduates of NWSC’s Healthcare Management Certificate Program (HCM) may be eligible to apply their certificate toward the Bachelor of Health Science Program (BHS), earning a maximum of 9 credit hours for the certificate program. Speak to the Admissions Associate or your NWSC Advisor for more information.
Certificate Programs🡪 BHS
Your certificate is just the beginning. Whether you choose Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, MRI Technologist, or Healthcare Management, you can continue your educational journey by earning a Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) degree. The BHS is designed to build on your certificate education, helping you develop broader healthcare knowledge, leadership skills, and career opportunities. Contact an Admissions Associate or your NWSC Advisor to explore the pathway that’s right for you.