Health Pathway

Two nurses in scrubs use stethoscopes to examine a patient in a hospital bed, with a medical cross icon and the word “HEALTH” on the left.

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Careers Built on Caring: Health Pathway at CSM 

Some people are called to care: to step in, show up, and make a difference when it matters most.

The Health Pathway at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) prepares you for careers in healthcare where you can play a vital role in the wellbeing of patients and your community. 

The patient experience doesn’t begin or end with talking to a doctor. Dedicated, responsive, and compassionate healthcare professionals are essential for ensuring positive outcomes and providing exceptional patient care. For every physician, there are dozens of nurses, aides, technicians, first responders, and other clinical and administrative professionals who make healthcare possible—when, where, and how it’s needed. 

Sign up for a Health Pathway InfoSession

(This session is not for students who hold a current PN license.)

 

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Why Choose the Health Pathway at CSM?

CSM’s Health programs provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a real difference in the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of the people in your community.  The Health Pathway prepares you to work in a wide variety of healthcare roles, fields, and environments.

You’ll train to provide exemplary, comprehensive healthcare, no matter your career goals or major, and whether you’re on the front lines or behind the scenes. Earn national and industry standard healthcare certifications from the Maryland Board of Nursing, National Healthcareer Association, and others. 

Care Beyond the Classroom 

CSM’s Health Pathway is built from the ground up to ensure you learn in real-world healthcare environments and gain the practical, on-the-job experience that improves lives and saves them. 

Build your skills at CSM’s Center for Health Sciences—a state-of-the-art healthcare training facility equipped to recreate the settings and situations you’ll work in: 

  • Advanced life support mannequins 
  • Authentic ambulance simulator 
  • Clinical simulation center 
  • Extrication car for vehicle rescues 
  • Pharmacy simulator 
  • Roof access for patient lifts and rappelling 
  • Specialized health science and clinical laboratories 

…and more. 

Then step directly into the real thing at one of our many clinical partners throughout Southern Maryland, including hospitals, emergency services, laboratories, medical offices, and more. 

Simple yellow clock icon with hands pointing to about 2 o’clock on a white background.Flexible Learning Options

CSM offers a wide variety of flexible learning options to fit your goals and needs: 

  • Online and in-person classes 
  • Evening and weekend schedules 
  • Accelerated programs 

No matter where you are in life—recent high school graduate, mid-career, re-entering the workforce, returning to school, or a parent—you can build the schedule that’s right for you, your life, and your goals.  

Credit for Prior Learning 

Students who come to the Health Pathway with previous experience in healthcare can earn college credit for the skills and knowledge they already have. CSM’s Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) offers college credits for military service and training; work experience and on-the-job-training; certifications and licensures; and more. 

 

Nursing Transition Pathways 

CSM offers specialized program tracks for healthcare workers who are transitioning or advancing to the next stage in their career, such as for military medics or corpsmen or licensed practical nurses (LPN) to earn their associate degree in nursing. 

Career Outcomes 

The programs in CSM’s Health Pathway can provide immediate entry into healthcare careers. Graduates are prepared to step directly into roles as technicians, nurses, assistants, first responders, and others. 

The credentials and certifications you earn can also stack, preparing you to advance in your profession and lay the foundation for further, specialized training. Earning an associate degree in the Health Pathway can be a launchpad for transfer to a bachelor’s degree program, such as through the associate to bachelor’s (ATB) nursing track. 

Even greater career opportunities open up for Health Pathway graduates who set their sights on advanced degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Pharmacy. 

Explore Our Programs, Degrees, and Certificates

Discover the right academic or professional track to reach your goals. The Health Pathway at CSM offers educational options ranging from workforce development certificate training programs to traditional associate degrees.

Workforce Training

Work-Ready Degrees 

Non-Degree Credentials

Transfer-Ready Degrees

Work-Ready Degrees

Non-Degree Credentials

Work-Ready Degrees

Non-Degree Credentials

Workforce Training

Work-Ready Degrees

Workforce Training

Work-Ready Degrees

Transfer-Ready Degrees

Non-Degree Credentials

Workforce Training


Non-Degree Credentials

Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs. Healthcare occupations are projected to add more jobs than any of the other occupational groups. This projected growth is mainly due to an aging population, leading to greater demand for healthcare services.

Associate of Science

Certificate

 

Workforce Training

Our Valued Partners

CSM’s valued clinical partners provide essential hands-on training for students in Health Pathway programs. Many of these partners also offer employment opportunities to graduates, helping launch rewarding careers in the field.

  • Asbury's Solomon's Nursing Center
  • Calvert County Health Department
  • Calvert County Public Schools
  • Calvert Hospital
  • Calvert Internal Medicine Group, PA
  • Charles County Advanced Life
  • Charles County Department of Emergency Services
  • Charles County Department of Health
  • Charles County Public Schools
  • Charles County Volunteer Rescue Squad
  • Charlotte Hall Veterans Home (Pruitt Health)
  • Chesapeake Shores
  • Children's Hospital
  • Children's Pediatrics and Associates
  • Complete Care LaPlata
  • Labcorp
  • Luminis Health
  • Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
  • MedStar St. Mary's Hospital
  • Milky Moms
  • Pathways
  • Pathways
  • Patriot Urgent Care
  • St. Mary's County Advanced Life Support
  • St. Mary's County Health Department
  • St. Mary's County Public Schools
  • St. Mary's Nursing Center
  • University of Maryland Medical System Corporation (UMMS)
  • Vesta
  • Washington Hospital Center

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Your future in health starts today. Contact our admissions team to learn more about scheduling, financial aid, and finding the pathway that matches your dreams.
 

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