College of Health Care Professions Launches 48-Week Associate Degree

The new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree will debut this fall at the college’s McAllen and Houston Southwest campuses. Rather than trimming curriculum or clinical hours, the institution redesigned the academic calendar to eliminate gaps between enrollment and employment. The program includes 1,216 clock hours of instruction, three semesters of clinical coursework, and a 160-hour supervised externship.

Eric Bing, Chancellor and CEO of CHCP, emphasized that the program avoids the common pitfalls of acceleration, such as cutting credit hours. By mapping courses and certification-prep modules specifically for adult learners, the college intends to provide a full-weight credential that does not require students to sacrifice their existing employment or family obligations. The initiative arrives as healthcare employers, including the Hope Clinic and the Ibn Sina Foundation, continue to seek qualified staff to address critical labor shortages.