The Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Science (NDSS) program has relocated from UNC-Charlotte to UNC-Chapel Hill’s Department of Health Sciences. The program previously spent 14 years operating as a collaborative effort between UNC-Charlotte and UNC-Chapel Hill’s Department of Health Sciences, and now resides solely at UNC-CH.
The NDSS program is a two-year, hybrid, limited residency undergraduate program. Courses will be held both in-person and virtually, and graduates will receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Sciences. Enrollment will begin in fall 2024 and applications for internal, UNC-Chapel Hill students are currently being accepted through May 1 for the fall 2024 cohort.
Previous cohorts of NDSS students have come from across the country to be a part of the unique program. In addition to students from outside UNC-CH, the move to Chapel Hill offers an opportunity for increased exposure to and enrollment of current UNC-CH undergraduates who are interested in pursuing a health professions career that can lead them into patient care settings directly following graduation.
Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Science are two separate but related fields. Training in neurodiagnostics can include building knowledge and skills to measure patient nervous system function by recording electrical activity from the brain, spinal cord, nerves and nerve systems using various electroneurodiagnostic technologies and techniques. Sleep science, also known as polysomnography, involves the study of sleep disorders, stages of sleep, the biological clock, connections between sleep and health and more.
By recording and studying the electrical activity of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, neurodiagnostic and sleep science technologists better understand the roles of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and ultimately contribute to increasing our understanding of sleep processes as well as facilitate the health care of individuals struggling with sleep problems and concerns.
The NDSS program is funded in part by the generosity Smith Family Foundation. The Jo Allison and Edward C. Smith, Jr. Innovation Endowed Fund, Master’s Program Development Fund and Scholarship Fund in Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Science are an extension of the family’s dedication to improving patient quality of life through sleep innovation and research.
The NDSS program and is one of a only a few nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the commission on Accreditation for Polysomnographic Technologist Education.
The Department of Health Sciences is comprised of seven divisions and several other programs and units. It is housed within UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine.