Academy of Health Professions Overview
The Academy of Health Professions (AHP) is a four-credit career completion pathway. The first two courses in the AHP program provides students with a solid foundation in the study of body systems, examining how these systems function in relation to their structure. The third course is a specialty course for each program, at Magruder it is the Fundamentals of Pharmacy. These three courses provide students with the knowledge and confidence to apply their classroom experiences in a clinical setting. Students research local medical offices and centers of their personal interest and through a collaborative effort of the student and our internship coordinator students complete the required 150 hours either in one or two semesters. Students may also select the dual enrollment option with Montgomery College instead of the internship. MCPS pays for the support materials and the ExCPT Exam fee certifying students as a pharmacy technician upon passing.
Courses Required for the AHP Program
The following courses listed below are required to complete the AHP Program. The first three courses listed, Foundations of Medicine, Structures and Functions, and Fundamentals of Pharmacy. are classroom courses. The fourth course, AHP Allied Health Internship is completed off campus and ONLY during the student's senior year.
Doubled up or taking two of these courses during the same year is an option, allowing for students to complete the program in two or three years. Foundations of Medicine and Structures and Functions can be taken concurrently, as well as completing the Pharmacy course and the Internship during the student's senior year. There are other course combinations to consider based on the student's class year when entering the AHP program.
Foundations of Medicine and Health Science A/B
0.5 credit per semester
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the therapeutic, diagnostic, environmental, and information systems of the health-care industry. The course includes medical terminology, medical ethics and documentation, health-care delivery systems and agencies, and an introduction to human body systems. Related mathematical concepts are embedded in the curriculum where appropriate.
Grade Level: 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
Structures and Functions of the Human Body A/B
0.5 credit per semester
Students study the structure and functions of the human body by investigating the body's responses to the external environment, maintenance of homeostasis, electrical interactions, transport systems, and energy processes. Students will conduct laboratory investigations and fieldwork, use scientific methods during investigations to solve problems and make informed decision. Upon completion of this course, students will be eligible to take a medical terminology exam for college credit.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Medicine and Health Science A/B
Grade Level: 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
Fundamentals of Pharmacy A/B
0.5 credit per semester
This course focuses on exposing students to the many career options in pharmacy and pharmaceutical science. Students experience relevant activities that engage them in a rigorous curriculum that integrates academic and technical standards.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Medicine and Health Science A/B, and Structures and Functions of the Human Body A/B
Co-requisite: Must be co-enrolled in appropriate math and science courses.
Grade Level: 9 - 10 - 11 - 12
AHP Allied Health Internship A/B
0.5 credit per semester
The Allied Health Internship Course is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied theory in a professional healthcare setting such as a hospital or a physician’s office. This internship course includes work-based learning experiences and school-based instructional requirements, including seminars, portfolio development, and research.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Medicine and Health Sciences A/B, and Structure and Functions of the Human Body A/B
Co-requisite: Must have completed or co-enrolled in AHP specialty option.
Extras!!
Magruder's AHP Program provides students with:
- Field Trips relevant to the medical field
- Guest speakers
- Scrub Fridays
- Medical level CPR course paid for by MCPS
- Clinical experience via an internship
- Free ExCPT Exam fee and support materials to prepare for your pharmacy technician certification.
Requirements for Program Completion
- Students must complete all three classroom courses; Foundations of Medicine, Structures and Functions, Fundamentals of Pharmacy.
- Students must intern for 150 hours at a medical office or center OR apply for dual enrollment with Montgomery College. Students select one class from several health related courses. Internships or dual enrollment is ONLY completed during the student's senior year.
- MCPS pays for the ExCPT Exam fee and the support materials to appropriately prepare for the certification process, sitting for the ExCPT Exam is not a requirement.
Helpful Information for Students:
Slide Presentation for Academy of Health Professions (AHP)
MCPS Academy of Health Professions
Magruder High School AHP Brochure
The study of Pharmacy with additional post-secondary study may lead to these careers:
Think About It!
- Employment of pharmacy technicians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services according the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Montgomery College also highlights a career as a pharmacy technician and showcases several local programs.
For more information, contact Diane Lee, Academy of Health Professions Coordinator.
