Polysomnography

Your Guide to Getting Started in Polysomnography at Pitt Community College

Minimum Required Pre-Requisites

Must be completed or in progress by the spring semester before program entry.

  • Must be a high school graduate or hold a high school equivalency diploma
  • Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in general education and recommended courses for the ADN program
  • BIO 163 with a C or better within the past 10 years counting back from the date of enrollment in the program
  • MAT 110 with a C or better

General Education and Recommended Courses

The grades in these courses earn quality points toward admission to the program.

  • ACA 111 – College Student Success
  • CIS 111 – Basic PC Literacy
  • ENG 111 – Writing and Inquiry
  • ENG 112 – Writing/Research in the Disciplines
  • HSC 110 – Orientation to Health Careers
  • HUM 115 or PHI 240 – Critical Thinking or Introduction to Ethics
  • MAT 110 – Mathematical Measurement and Literacy
  • MED 118 – Medical Law and Ethics
  • MED 120 – Survey of Medical Terminology
  • PSY 150 – General Psychology

Major Core Courses

Must be formally admitted to the Polysomnography Program to take PSG courses.

  • PSG 110 – Intro to Polysomnography
  • PSG 112 – PSG Fundamentals
  • PSG 111 – Neuro/Cardiopulmonary A&P
  • PSG 113 – PSG Instrumentation
  • PSG 214 – PSG Clinical Apps I
  • PSG 114 – PSG Clinical Education I
  • PSG 215 – PSG Clinical Apps II
  • PSG 210 – Polysomnography I
  • PSG 212 – Infant/Pediatric PSG
  • PSG 211 – Polysomnography II
  • PSG 213 – Exam Review/Case Studies

Admission to the Polysomnography Program is competitive. Applicants compete for admission based on the sum of quality points and points earned for TEAS. Applicants earn quality points by completing the general education and recommended courses required for the Polysomnography Program with a C or better.

CriteriaPoints Calculation
Quality Points for General Education CoursesMultiply credit hours by quality point value (A=4, B=3, C=2) for each course completed with a grade of C or better.
Total Quality PointsSum of quality points from all general education and recommended courses based on the best grade earned.
GPA CalculationDivide total quality points by total credit hours attempted in general education and recommended courses.

Pitt County Schools Health Sciences Academy (PCSHSA) graduates who participated in the Health Sciences Academy in their junior and senior years of high school, earned college credit for general education courses required for their program of interest with an “A” or “B,” and fulfilled all responsibilities of the Health Sciences Academy program will receive a 10% increase to their quality point calculation. These points are awarded to PCSHSA graduates who have graduated within five years prior to enrollment in a health sciences program at PCC. PCSHSA graduates are not guaranteed acceptance into any health sciences program.

Students admitted to health sciences programs are required to complete a clinical practicum. Clinical facilities may require criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, professional license checks, and/or proof of US citizenship prior to or during participation in the clinical portion of a program. Any expenses associated with these requirements are the responsibility of the student. Pending the outcome, clinical facilities may deny a student the opportunity to complete the clinical portion of a program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of a program will not be able to graduate. Criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, professional license checks, and/or proof of US citizenship may also be required after graduation by examination boards, state licensing boards, and employment agencies. Pending the outcome, a graduate may be disqualified from examination eligibility, state licensure, and/or employment.

Students admitted to health sciences programs are required to have a physical examination to determine if they are physically and emotionally capable of performing the essential functions of the program and must submit a completed medical form. A record of immunizations, including, but not limited to, an annual Influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine must be included with the medical form. A medical or religious exemption for vaccines must be approved by the clinical site(s). PCC does not grant vaccine exemptions in lieu of the clinical site(s) and does not guarantee vaccine exemptions will be approved by the clinical site(s).

Programs at PCC that prepare students for professional licensure are designed to prepare a student to apply for applicable licensure in North Carolina. In order to ensure whether the program meets requirements for professional licensure outside North Carolina, PCC recommends the student contact the program director prior to enrolling in the program.

It is the policy of PCC not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, handicap, religion, age, or national origin in the recruitment and admission of students; the recruitment, employment, training, and promotion of faculty and staff; and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations. PCC is an equal opportunity institution.

Health Sciences admissions policies are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between PCC and students. PCC reserves the right to change any provisions or requirements at any time. Every effort will be made to minimize the inconvenience such changes create for students.

Program Overview

The Polysomnography curriculum prepares individuals, working in conjunction with a physician, to perform and interpret sleep studies and to provide comprehensive clinical evaluations that are required for the diagnosis of sleep-related disorders.

Students should acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to perform sleep studies, including recording and interpreting events observed during sleep. Treatment of sleep-related disorders and patient education focused on healthy sleep habits will also be discussed.

Graduates of accredited programs may be eligible to apply to take the examination offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists. Employment opportunities may be found in hospitals and freestanding sleep centers.

Our Educational Pathways

The Polysomnography program offers both Associate’s Degree and Certificate options. If you are interested in the Certificate option, please fill out our interest form here.

Polysomnography AAS Degree Curriculum Sheet

Polysomnography AAS Degree Bridge Curriculum Sheet

The bridge option is a degree completion track allowing currently registered, non-degree Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT) to earn an AAS Degree in Polysomnography.

Polysomnography Certificate Curriculum Sheet

The certificate option is available for applicants who have a minimum of an Associates Degree.

Why Choose Polysomnography at PCC?

Hospitals
Clinical Sleep Centers
Research Facilities

Intro to Polysomnography
Neuro/Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology
PSG Instrumentation
PSG Fundamentals
Polysomnography I & II
Infant/Pediatric PSG
Case Studies/Exam Review
PSG Clinical Applications I & II

Students will perform analysis of pre-testing information.
Students will prepare the equipment and patient for data collection.
Students will collect, analyze, interpret, and report polysomnographic data and clinical observations.
Students will identify and differentiate sleep disorder characteristics.
Students will demonstrate effective patient education.
Students will communicate and demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with employer expectations.
Students will prepare for the RPSGT credentialing exam.

Associate of Applied Science in Polysomnography
Certificate in Polysomnography