Academic Programs

Although Harcum degree programs are divided into three distinct centers-Allied Health, Business and Professional Studies, and Human Services--all programs at Harcum College share the same characteristics of excellence:

• All instruction is by professionals in their field.
• All students are given the opportunity to complete a career-related work experience either through required internships, clinical or practicum experiences, or service learning activities.
• All programs integrate liberal learning throughout their curriculum.
• All students graduate with both career-specific and life-enriching skills.

Allied Health

Allied Health programs prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry as well as for transfer to a 4-year college. Programs listed under Allied Health include Allied Health Science, Animal Center Management, Chiropractic Assistant, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygiene, Expanded Functions Dental Assisting(EFDA), Histology, Medical Laboratory Technician, Nursing,  Neurodiagnostic Technology, Occupational Therapy Assisting, Pharmacy Assisting(certificate), Phlebotomy(certificate) Physical Therapist Assistant, Pre-Nursing/Allied Health Science,  Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Technology.

Business and Professional Studies

The Business programs provide excellence in business education by offering an appropriate blend of the fundamental principles and practices of business. The program emphasizes contemporary business theory and practices set in a diverse and ethical context. Students experience a liberal arts and science core that develops writing and communication skills as well as critical thinking skills. The Business Advisory Board, which is composed of executives from companies throughout the Delaware Valley, provides ongoing review of the Business curriculum to ensure its quality. They also furnish advice on preparing students for successful professional careers. Due to the evolving nature of this field of study, a student may be required to repeat courses taken over five years ago. This also applies to transfer courses.

Within our business degree, all students register for the business core and select a business concentration in any of the following areas: Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Fashion Design, Interior Design, International Business, Retail Merchandising, Sports Management. 

Human Services

Students enrolled in the Human Services  prepare for careers in human services professions or transfer to a four-year colleges and universities. Programs include criminal justice, early childhood education, human services, legal studies and general studies.

The College has credit-bearing certificate programs in Dental Assistant and Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. Two other certificates, Pharmacy and Phlebotomy, may be taken for credit or for non-credit. The Office of Continuing Education also offers non-credit certificate programs.

Special Programs

The College offers a unique set of special academic programs, including the PACT Program, TRIO Programs, Medley Music Programs, and International Initiatives.

TRIO

TRIO refers to a list of special programs funded through the U.S. Department of Education, Higher Education Act. The mission of each of the programs under TRIO is to provide access to education to those who may have not had the opportunity to receive an appropriate education. Through the college's A.I.M. Program, students receive comprehensive support services, enriched cultural activities, and opportunities for scholarships and special awards.

Another successful TRIO Program is the College's Upward Bound Program. The mission of Upward Bound is to provide academic and counseling assistance to motivate high school students to graduate from high school, matriculate into and successfully complete a program of post-secondary education.

Medley Music

Private music instruction is offered at Harcum through the College's Continuing Education program. Through the Medley Music Summer Camps, high school students may register for credit through Harcum College. Degree students at Harcum may elect to take music instruction through Medley Music and receive academic credit.

International Initiative

To provide students, faculty, and administrators with an international perspective on education, Harcum College established an agreement of educational exchange with Freiburg Teacher's College of Freiburg, Germany, in 2001.

Harcum supports an exchange of ideas, concepts, and teaching techniques between faculty of both institutions. This sharing of ideas has resulted in collaboration on an interdisciplinary and intercultural course.

The course in Intercultural Communication is a collaboratively designed and taught internet-based course, offering students an opportunity to engage in comparative field research, and in communication across cultural and geographic barriers.

In the future, Harcum is exploring follow-up to the course with international travel and life abroad for several weeks. Harcum is hoping to offer students the experience of living in a different culture, while participating in educational offerings by our partner institution.