Public Health Technology/Navigator

The Public Health Technology/Navigator Concentration program offered at MGCCC is composed of 60 stackable credit hours that lead to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Individuals interested in a specialized area of the public health technology healthcare field are able to focus their studies in one of three concentrations:

• Public Health Technology/Navigator
• Dietary/Nutritional Navigator  
• Personal/Family Services Navigator  

Each concentration provides a closer look at three important areas of the Navigator program. By choosing a concentration, the learner will engage in targeted studies and coursework including an education on the broader and essential underlying principles of the Navigator role. Providing three (3) unique concentrations also enables the learner to gain experience in one or more areas that closely relate to the desired career choice.  As a stackable credential program, the learner has the option of earning one or all of the following credentials:

• Career Certificate – 30 credit hours
• Diploma – 45 credit hours
• Associate of Applied Science Degree – 60 credit hours

 

(Harrison County Campus)

Fall Entry

The Public Health Technology/Navigator program at MGCCC offers three distinct concentrations in the area of Public Health, Nutrition, and Community. Each area of concentration enhances added skillsets in patient care and patient-care services.  Health Navigator, a term that has gained considerable attention since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, is used across the country in healthcare and academia to describe healthcare jobs and academic degree and certificate programs meeting several health care related job descriptions. The term has been used in the 2014 document Community Colleges and Public Health Report funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Health related Navigators work in a variety of settings, including but not limited to: community, hospitals, PCMH (patient-centered medical home), primary care facilities and other third-party entities. With employment opportunities and salaries growing across the nation, there is a need for trained patient navigators to assist a growing population to navigate an ever-changing health care environment.

The Public Health Technology/Navigator program certificate option begins each spring semester, and supplemental applications are due between August 15th and November 1st. Supplemental Applications for PHT/Navigator Concentrations starting in the Summer semester can be submitted between April 1st and May 15th; and for Fall semester between April 15th and July 1st.  If deadline falls on a weekend, holiday, or college closing, the deadline is 5:00 p.m. on the next college business day.

Apply for Public Health Technology/Navigator

Admission Procedure

1. Apply and become accepted to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. You can apply to MGCCC online.
2. Submit copies of official transcripts of all schools attended to the Office of Admissions. All transcripts must be reviewed by the Office of Admission for determination of course credits.
3. Meet all Academic Requirements (listed below) and complete any program pre-requisites or Entry Requirements.
4. Register for and successfully complete Core Courses/Prerequisites (maintaining a 2.0 GPA)

Academic and Entry Requirements

Prerequisites

• Achieve a minimum Accuplacer English Placement score (Traditional Exam = 175; Next Generation Exam = 502) and a minimum Accuplacer Math Placement score (Traditional Exam = 53; Next Generation Exam = 231) 
• Achieve a GPA of 2.5 on College work with no grade less than “C” on any core courses required for graduation - (High school GPA will be reviewed if student has no previous college course work).
• Successfully complete all General Education Co-requisite Courses (as listed)
• Comply with Mississippi law requiring a Criminal Background History Check with Fingerprinting through the Mississippi Department of Health. All students making application to a School of Nursing and Health Professions program at MGCCC are required to obtain a clear or acceptable Criminal Background Check from the MGCCC Campus Police Department at HC, JC, Perkinston, or GC Campus.  The criminal background check policy (including testing dates and times) can be viewed at: School of Nursing and Health Professions Criminal Background Check Policy .
• Review the online mandatory Pre-School of Nursing and Health Professions Orientation Session prior to completing the supplemental application for program ranking. The session can be viewed anytime and anywhere you have access to the internet. The PowerPoint presentation gives you valuable information on topics common to all School of Nursing and Health Professions programs at MGCCC. Even without the ability to speak directly or interact immediately with a School of Nursing and Health Professions advisor, the session speaks to frequently asked questions from program entrance to completion. In order to receive credit for viewing the session, follow the steps below. The information is approximately one (1) hour in length.

To complete this requirement do the following:

1. Visit MGCCC Web Services
2. Select Student
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application Orientation Session.
4. In order to receive credit, you must review the entire session.
5. Click survey complete so that your log-in information will be recorded in the college’s BANNER system. 

PHT/Navigator Supplemental Application (For any selected concentration)

Complete and submit the online Supplemental Application.

To complete and submit the online Supplemental Application:

1. Visit MGCCC Web Services
2. Select Student
3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application.
4. Click survey complete so that your log-in information will be recorded in the college’s BANNER system.

Thereafter, the applicant MUST read the guidelines carefully.  In order to complete and submit the application, college admission and ALL pre-requisite requirements are required.

Supplemental Application Deadline Dates:

Fall Semester - July 1st

Spring Semester - November 1st
The spring semester deadline will apply in 2023

Selection Process

Program openings are filled based on Selective Admission; applicants are ranked based on their individual achievement test scores and prior college course work. Student ranking for entry into the Navigator program is based on a point system. Students are awarded points for their required ACCUPLACER Score, any general education corequisite courses already completed, and cumulative GPA.

PHT/Navigator Program Policies (For all concentrations)

• All students are required to submit to substance testing in accordance with the substance testing policy and procedures for the School of Nursing and Health Professions. View the School of Nursing and Health Professions Substance Testing Policy .
• The School of Nursing and Health Professions requires proof of Immunizations and/or CPR. Submission of all required documents will begin following program acceptance. Failure to meet the requirements will result in withdrawal/dismissal.
• Upon admission to the Public Health Technology/Navigator Program, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA on the required courses and complete each course with a C or better.
• Adherence to additional clinical affiliation requirements may be necessary depending on clinical rotation placement. (i.e. hospital orientation, HIPAA training, CPR certification)
• School of Nursing and Health Professions Student Manual (PDF)