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Toledo Campus: Polysomnographic Technology Certificate
Polysomnographic Technology
Data-analysis and patient care are the foundation of the ever-growing sleep studies field
This credit certificate program is designed in a three semester format beginning in January of each year (spans Spring, Summer, and Fall terms), which allows the student to complete the required 28.5 credit hours in one year. Currently, classes are set up in a Tuesday/Thursday format to allow students to schedule work and outside interests more easily. Courses include both lecture and lab, providing students with both the knowledge and hands-on experiences required to be successful in the field of polysomnography. Students are also required to complete a clinical practicum in both the second and third semesters, beginning at 7pm and going into the night, sometimes until morning (when people generally sleep).
This program was designed to specifically prepare students for immediate employment in the field and to sit for the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) examination as administered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). As a polysomnographic technologist, you will enjoy being part of a team in a career that offers both flexibility and growth.
This program is approved by the Higher Learning Commission and Ohio Board of Regents.
Program At A Glance
Scholarships available
up to $4000 of tuition covered
3 semesters
to certificate completion
$45,000–$52,000
average salary for a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist
10–12 hours
average shift length in the field
11% career growth (much faster than average)
expected from 2018 to 2028
Online lecture
in-person lab and clinical
Program Overview
At the end of the certificate program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate entry-level cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) competencies required in polysomnography.
- Display responsible, ethical, and professional patient care.
- Use effective communication skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to solve problems and think critically.
Students are admitted to Mercy College of Ohio and subsequently to a program of study. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a program. Please note: Admission requirements are subject to change. Students should contact the Office of Admission or consult mercycollege.edu for the most up-to-date information.
Entrance into Mercy College of Ohio requires either an earned diploma from an accredited high school or a home-schooled program in a college preparatory course of study, or a general equivalency diploma (GED).
Following are the requirements for admission to Mercy College of Ohio:
- Cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher or a general equivalence diploma (GED) recipient with a score of 500 (score of 53 prior to 2002)
Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.
To complete the Polysomnographic Technology Certificate students must fulfill all of the following:
Required Program Courses
Complete All of the Following Courses:
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| BIO 103 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| PSG 101 | Fundamentals of Sleep | 3 |
| PSG 102 | Essentials of Polysomnographic Technology | 3 |
| PSG 110 | Polysomnography Analysis | 3 |
| PSG 111 | Respiratory Monitoring | 3 |
| PSG 113 | Polysomnographic Practicum I | 1 |
| PSG 123 | Advanced Topics in Polysomnographic Technology | 3 |
| PSG 124 | Polysomnographic Technology Capstone Seminar | 2 |
| PSG 125 | Polysomnographic Practicum II | 2 |
| HIT 105 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
Printable Version
Semester I
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| BIO 103 | Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| HIT 105 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| PSG 101 | Fundamentals of Sleep | 3 |
| PSG 102 | Essentials of Polysomnographic Technology | 3 |
Semester II
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| PSG 110 | Polysomnography Analysis | 3 |
| PSG 111 | Respiratory Monitoring | 3 |
| PSG 113 | Polysomnographic Practicum I | 1 |
Semester III
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| PSG 123 | Advanced Topics in Polysomnographic Technology | 3 |
| PSG 124 | Polysomnographic Technology Capstone Seminar | 2 |
| PSG 125 | Polysomnographic Practicum II | 2 |
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Document .pdfPolysomnographic Technology Program Outcomes Data
View program outcomes specific to Polysomnographic Technology at Mercy College
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Career Outlook
Employment Growth
Sources both inside and outside the field of polysomnography indicate that this is a rapidly growing occupational field, due to the increasing awareness, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Potential area employers indicate that several positions may be open over the next three year period.
Salary Range
According to the American Association of Sleep Technologists 2010 Salary & Benefits Survey, annual salaries for a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) range from $35,000 to $52,000. Prior to gaining the RPSGT credential, people can work in the field as technicians for slightly less.
Alumni Job Titles and Where They Work
Frequently Asked Questions
What will my role be in healthcare?
You will be trained to collect medical histories, perform patient hook up, monitor physiologic readings and make appropriate adjustments, and score sleep studies to help to ensure the accurate diagnosis and treatment of a variety of sleep disorders. You may also be called upon to educate patients about the use of various types of equipment to treat their sleep disorder.
What environment will I be working in?
As a Polysomnographic Technologist, you will work in sleep disorder centers, preparing patients for sleep studies, monitoring patients during studies and recording results. Some senior technologists may spend all or part of their time scoring sleep recordings, performing daytime tests or managing a center, but most technologists work nights. Typical shifts are three to four 10 to 12 hour shifts per week.
What are the credentialing requirements?
Completion of the Polysomnographic Technology Certificate program prepares the student for the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) exam, as well as the newly minted Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) exam. This exam was created as competing credential to the RPSGT. Currently, the new credential is not as widely recognized as the RPSGT credential; however, exam fees and credential maintenance fees are much lower.
See the BRPT website for more information on the RPSGT and/or the ABSM website for more information on the RST exam. Both credentials recognize the Mercy College of Ohio PSG Technology Program as a viable pathway to their exam.