(714) 484-7004

Psychiatric Technology Program Application Information

A. Minimum Standards to Apply 

  • Apply to Cypress College to obtain a Cypress College student ID#. The email address used on the Cypress College application will be used within your Health Science Application and for all email interactions between the college faculty and staff, clinical sites, and any other program related email interactions. 
  • Graduation from high school or completion of the General Education Development (GED test with an average score of 450 on the five-test battery, or passing the high school proficiency examination. Possession of an associate degree or higher satisfies this requirement. 
  • Minimum age of 17 years to apply. Must be 18 years old at the start of clinical training. 
  • Completion of ENGL 100C or ENGL 101C or ESL 110C or a comparable course with a “C” or better or provide transcript showing course in progress. 
  • Completion of Biology 160C or Biology 210C or Biology 231C & 241C or a comparable course with a “C” or better; or provide transcript showing courses in progress. 
  • Completion of Psychology 101C or a comparable course with a “C” or better or provide transcript showing course in progress. 
  • Completion of Psychology 139C or a comparable course with a “C” or better or provide transcript showing course in progress.

B. Program Prerequisites and Requirements 

The following courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or better or be in progress at the time of application. In-progress course(s), at the time of application, must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or better. 

  • ENGL 100C/ENGL 101C/ESL 110C* – College Writing – 4 units 
  • BIOL 160C – Integrated Medical Science – 3 units
    OR BIOL 210C – Anatomy & Physiology Combo Course – 4 units
    OR BIOL 213C & 241C  – Anatomy Course & Physiology Course – 4 units and 4 units
  • PSY 101C – Introduction to Psychology – 3 units 
  • PSY 139C – Developmental Psychology – 3 units

General Education and Graduation Requirements  

Applications will be ranked based off completed General Education courses (with a “C” or better grade) and health care related certificates and courses listed below. Each item is worth one point. 

Eligible general education course listed below: 

  • Communication 
  • Mathematics 040C or above 
  • BIOL 231 (Anatomy) AND BIOL 241 (Physiology) 
  • Nutrition 

Eligible health care related certificates/courses:  

  • Certified Nurse Assistant 
  • Medical Assistant 
  • Emergency Medical Technician 
  • Phlebotomist 
  • Licensed Vocational Nurse
  • Completion of Medical Terminology 
  • Pharmacology
  1. Application Procedures
  • Before the application opens online, review and follow the required instructions on the Checklist and Sample Application on the Psychiatric Technology home page. 
  • Apply to Cypress College to obtain a Cypress College student ID#.  
  • Once a Cypress College Student ID# has been received, submit required official transcripts from other colleges to Cypress College Admissions and Records. Admission and Records will not accept transcripts opened prior to submission, PDF documents sent from a student, unofficial transcripts, or a Cypress College transcript. 
    • Digitally (directly from school to school) – send to incomingtranscripts@cypresscollege.edu Attn: Transcripts. You can choose Cypress College if that is an option when ordering. 
    • Through mail (unofficial if opened) –
      Cypress College
      Admissions and Records – Transcripts
      9200 Valley View St.
      Cypress, CA  90630 
  • Application must be completed online during the month of February-March for fall enrollment and September-October for spring enrollment. Application deadlines may be extended depending on space availability. Application deadline.  
  • Notification letters are emailed out no later than May 1 for fall consideration and December 1 for spring consideration 
  • Log into the online Health Science Application using myGateway credentials. Submit needed documents following the instructions within the online Health Science application. 
  • Determination of acceptance is based upon the selection criteria. 

D. Candidate Selection Criteria 

  • Approximately 24 are selected for admission each Fall and Spring semester. The number of applicants usually exceeds available seats. 
  • Acceptance is based on a confirmation response by the deadline stated in the notification letter from the applicant selected and followed by mandatory attendance at an orientation. 
  • Selection criteria are subject to change. See a Health Science Counselor for current selection criteria. 
  • Upon selection for the program but prior to the start of classes, the candidate will be required to obtain a physical examination and required immunizations. 
  • Students selected for admission to the program must obtain a Professional Provider level cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) card issued by the American Heart Association prior to attending clinical training and must maintain current certification throughout the program. 
  • If you have been convicted of a criminal offense, your eligibility to enroll in the program may be affected. All students will be fingerprinted and cleared by the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) before enrolling in PT 110. 
  • F-1 visa students will not be accepted for admission into any program when applications by qualified U.S. citizens exceed space available (AP 5012 1.4.).
  1. Psychiatric Technology Program Requirements

Required courses are listed in the suggested sequence. Any deviation from this sequence requires the prior approval of the Director of the Psychiatric Technology Program. A current “Health Care Provider” cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification must be maintained by all students admitted to the program. 

Curriculum 

Semester I 

  • PT 110C – Nursing Science I – 7.0 units 
  • PT 115C – Nursing Science II – 7.0 units 

Semester I Units – 14.0 

Semester II 

  • PT 120C – Developmental Disabilities I – 7.0 units 
  • PT 125C – Developmental Disabilities II – 7.0 units 

Semester II Units – 14.0 

Semester III 

  • PT 130C – Mental Disabilities I – 7.0 units 
  • PT 135C – Mental Disabilities II – 7.0 units 
  • PT 90C – Leadership, Supervision & Ethics – 0.5 units 

Semester III Units – 14.5 

TOTAL PROGRAM UNITS – 51.5 

Electives 

  • COUN 140C – Educational Planning – 0.5 units 
  • PT 80C – State Board Review Class – 1.0 units 

NOTE: Courses designated “PT” may be taken only by students officially accepted into the program. 

Associate of Science Degree in Psychiatric Technology 

While the state of California does not require an Associate Degree for licensure as a Psychiatric Technician, the student may elect to earn one. To earn an Associate Degree, students must: 

  • Complete all major course requirements with a minimum grade of “C” 
  • Complete 25 units of General Education Graduation requirements 
  • Complete any elective courses to complete a minimum of 60 units, and 
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 2.0. At least 50% of all major course work must be completed at Cypress College. 

Psychiatric Technology Certificate 

To earn a certificate, complete the required courses with a minimum grade of “C.” At least 50% of all course work must be completed at Cypress College. Upon completion of the 51 units of required course work, the student becomes eligible to apply to the BVNPT for licensure examination. 

Health Science Counselors 

Division of Health Science
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA  90630-5897
(714) 484-7015
Denise Vo, PT Counselor
dvo@cypresscollege.edu 

Health Science Applications Office 

Health Science Building/TE3-217 
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St. 
Cypress, CA 90630-5897
healthscience@cypresscollege.edu 

Incoming Psychiatric Technology Students 

Recent changes in health care have caused clinical facilities to mandate that all Psychiatric Technology students carry health insurance. All Psych Tech students must have documentation of health insurance to be allowed to provide patient care in the clinical areas. This required health insurance differs from the mandatory health fee collected from each enrolled Cypress College student. 

For students who do not have health insurance, this process needs to be started through Covered California as soon as possible since the process may take several months. https://www.coveredca.com 

If you have been convicted of any offense other than a minor traffic violation you will be required to declare this on your state application for licensure. A criminal offense may affect your eligibility to be admitted into the Psychiatric Technician program or to become licensed as a Psychiatric Technician.  

The North Orange County Community College District, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State Laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. The district is also committed to maintaining campuses that are free of harassment, drugs, and alcohol.