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Psychiatric Technician Certificate

For more information, visit the Dallas College School of Health Sciences webpage and your success coach at your campus.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing the Psychiatric Technician Level I Certificate. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn a Level I Certificate in Psychiatric Technician. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official certificate requirements.

The Psychiatric Technician program is a certificate that prepares students for employment as a Psychiatric Technician. The Psychiatric Technician provides care and training for clients with mental disorders and developmental disabilities. The job duties may include providing assistance and monitoring of patient activities and procedures, helping with basic needs, taking vital signs, dressing, and feeding under the direction of a physician or a nurse. Psychiatric technicians work in hospitals or group homes and state mental hospitals.

This credential results in the acquisition of Psychiatric Technician workforce skills for graduates of the program and prepares candidates for successful completion of the American Association of Psychiatric Technicians Level I certificate examination. Courses that complete the certificate are noted below.

Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites, as long as the student completes the TSI waiver form prior to enrollment.

Catalog Year       2024-2025       You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type       Level I Certificate

GPA Requirement       Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher

TSI       May be Exempt

SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official certificate requirements.

CERTIFICATE MINIMUM: 18 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

PMHS 1305 – Mental Health Services Technician

HPRS 1204 – Basic Health Profession Skills

PSYC 2320 – Abnormal Psychology

PMHS 1160 – Clinical-Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

1. Meet with your success coach to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
2. Meet with your success coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.
3. Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding placement for the Clinical course.
4. Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding placement for the practicum course.

    ​Total Hours: 9

SEMESTER 2

HPRS 2231 – General Health Professions Management

PSYT 2321 – Crisis Intervention

PMHS 2166 – Practicum (or Field Experience)-Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician This is the capstone course for this award.

PMHS 1391 – Special Topics in Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

1. Meet with your success coach to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career path and program of study.
2. After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your success coach to apply for the Psychiatric Technician Level I Certificate.
3. Sign up for commencement.
4. Meet with your success coach for assistance in preparing for job search.
5. Join the Alumni Network

   Total Hours: 9​  

DALLAS COLLEGE PATHWAY TOTAL: 18 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS