# PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN (Associate in Science)

Cuesta College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Psychiatric Technician

Source: https://cuesta.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/30065/30066/30067/30068/30239

The Psychiatric Technician Program prepares graduates to take the Psychiatric Technician state licensure exam leading to licensure as a California Psychiatric Technician.

Students interested in applying to the Psychiatric Technician Program are strongly urged to attend a program information meeting at the Department of State Hospitals - Atascadero. Additional information is available: contact the Psychiatric Technician Program Office at the Department of State Hospitals - Atascadero at (805) 468-3175, email ashptprogram@ash.dsh.ca.gov), or refer to the Nursing and Allied Health Division https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/divisions/nah/index.html webpage.

All persons who meet Cuesta College’s admission requirements, additional Psychiatric Technician Program admission criteria, and submit a Psychiatric Technician Program application are eligible for admission into the program.

Eligible applicants are admitted into the Psychiatric Technician Program by random selection from a pool of qualified applicants. The year-long program starts three times a year.

Entrance requirements and deadlines are subject to change.

The following are current requirements for consideration for admission to the Psychiatric Technician Program.

**Eligibility Requirements:**

1.  18 years of age with a valid government-issued Driver’s License and Social Security card.
2.  Satisfy one of the following:

-   High school graduate.
-   Completion of Equivalency Examination or G.E.D.
-   College Degree

3.  Once an applicant has been notified that they are being processed for a class, candidate must obtain a Cuesta College Student ID number, clear a health screen/physical, a drug screen and two sets of fingerprints.
4.  Enrolled students must successfully complete PSYT 110, a three-week New Employee Orientation at the Department of State Hospitals-Atascadero.

The Psychiatric Technician Associate in Science Program (PSYT) prepares students to utilize the nursing process in the provision of care and treatment to individuals with mental and/or intellectual impairment under the supervision of a physician, psychologist, and/or registered nurse. Psychiatric Technicians participate in rehabilitation and treatment programs, assist patients with activities of daily living, and administer medications and treatments. Upon completion of the program students are eligible to take the Psychiatric Technician state licensure exam leading to licensure as a California Psychiatric Technician. The Associate Degree program is designed to prepare students for transfer into upper division course work in a bachelor's degree program, or, to prepare students to enter the workforce in a particular vocational field. To qualify for an Associate's Degree, a student must 1) complete each major-specific course required for the degree with at least a "C" grade or better, 2) complete all Cuesta College general education, graduation, and residency requirements, 3) achieve an overall grade point average of 2.0 for all courses attempted (major, general education, elective), and 4) submit an Associates's Degree Application to Admissions and Records.

**Learning Outcome(s):**

1.  Implement procedures based on critical thinking and learned knowledge regarding the care, treatment and rehabilitation of the mentally ill, emotionally disturbed or developmentally disabled person.
2.  Demonstrate skills and ability to practice safely within the legal, ethical and privacy issues through accurate documentation.
3.  Demonstrate the ability to guide the client toward an optimal therapeutic regime by implementing appropriate treatment plans, medications and delivery of safe patient care.

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Required Courses (64.5 credits)** | | 64.5 |
| BIO 212 | HUMAN BIOLOGY | 3 |
| ASHS 212 | HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: LIFE SPAN | 3 |
| PSYC C1000 | INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| PSYT 207 | NURSING SCIENCE | 16 |
| PSYT 208 | CARE OF THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED | 16 |
| PSYT 209 | PSYCHIATRIC NURSING | 17 |
| PSYT 110 | INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN | 6.5 |
| **Total** | | **64.5** |