Medical Assisting
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Assisting is designed to provide education and training for employment as Medical Assistants along with a transfer pathway to a baccalaureate degree. Medical assistants are integral members of the administrative and clinical healthcare team in various healthcare settings. Medical assistants act as liaisons between the healthcare providers and patients, and are of vital importance to the success of the medical practice. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national certification exam. In addition, obtaining the associate degree is designed to provide an opportunity for advancement in the healthcare field. Certificates of Completion (CCLs) in Medical Assisting and Medical Administrative Assisting are also available.
Details
Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Medical Assisting (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3291
Total credits required
67-77
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Admissions criteria
Formal application and admission to the program is required.
Completion of the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Medical Administrative Assisting (5295)
AND
Completion of the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Clinical Medical Assisting (5291)
Students must be at least 18 years of age to apply for admission. Must be a high school graduate or equivalent. Submit current CPR/BLS Provider card (American Heart Association approved) and maintain current status throughout the practicum(s). Complete and submit the Allied Health Student Health and Safety Documentation Checklist, with included documentation, signed by a licensed healthcare provider.
Background Check Requirements
Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Students must maintain current fingerprint clearance throughout the practicum(s). Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.
Notes
Students must be admitted to the program and cannot self-enroll in courses.
Successful completion of each MAS course is required to progress in the Medical Assisting program.
Per programmatic accreditation requirements, students must pass all the psychomotor and affective skills contained within each course in order to successfully complete the course.
Students cannot repeat a course more than once.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Students interested in transferring to the NAU BS in Health Science-Medical Assisting can satisfy the relevant Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) and transfer requirements by completing the following courses:
An additional course with the Humanities, Arts and Design [HU] general studies designation 3
BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
COM225 is recommended for students who wish to transfer to NAU BS in Health Sciences - Medical Assisting.
One of the following courses for students who are interested in transferring to a university:
+ MAT140 College Mathematics (5) OR
+ MAT141 College Mathematics (4) OR
+ MAT142 College Mathematics (3) OR
MAT145 College Mathematics with Review (5) OR
MAT146 College Mathematics with Review (6) 3-6
An additional course with the Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Applications general studies designation. 3
Recommend MAT206 Elements of Statistics 3 OR PSY230 Introduction to Statistics 3 OR PSY230WL Introduction to Statistics with Laboratory 4
What You'll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Apply ethical and legal guidelines and scope of practice to administrative and clinical settings, including use of technology and management of medical documents.
- Demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy and physiology as a healthcare professional.
- Display professional behaviors and accountability.
- Perform various clinical and laboratory procedures using safety protocols under supervision of the healthcare provider.
- Utilize numerical formulas, concepts and data relevant to the healthcare field.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
- Demonstrate empathy, compassion, cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity in the healthcare setting.
- Perform administrative skills and procedures in an ambulatory healthcare environment.
- Use critical thinking skills to follow current best practices in healthcare.
- Communicate effectively and in a culturally responsive manner with patients and the healthcare team.
- Evaluate appropriate types of information relevant to the healthcare field.
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.
Medical Assistants
$38,930 Show expanded career information for Medical Assistants
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Option 1 Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 | |||
| Medical Administrative Assisting CCL | Completion of the Certificate of Completion in Medical Administrative Assisting (5295) | 20–25 | |||
| Clinical Medical Assisting CCL | Completion of the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Clinical Medical Assisting (5291) | 37–40 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYC | Met by + ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) 0 in the Clinical Medical Assisting CCL | FYC | |||
| ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC | 3 | ||
| COM | Met by COM100 or COM110 in the Clinical Medical Assisting certificate. | ||||
| CRE | Met by CRE101 or Equivalent as indicated by assessment in the Required Courses area. | ||||
| MA | Mathematics | Met by MAT114 College Algebra Prep in the Clinical Medical Assisting certificate. | MA | ||
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area. | HU | 3 | |
| SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | Any approved general education course from the Social-Behavioral Sciences area. PSY101 Introduction to Psychology (3) is recommended for students interested in transferring to the NAU BS in Health Sciences - Medical Assisting. | SB | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences | Met by BIO160 in the Clinical Medical Assisting certificate. |
Option 2 Sequence
This option may include variable full-time (12 to 18 credits per semester) and/or part-time (11 credit hours or less per semester) status by term due to course prerequisites and scheduling.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 | |||
| Medical Administrative Assisting CCL | Completion of the Certificate of Completion in Medical Administrative Assisting (5295) | 20–25 | |||
| Clinical Medical Assisting CCL | Completion of the Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Clinical Medical Assisting (5291) | 37–40 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FYC | First-Year Composition | Met by + ENG101 First-Year Composition (3) OR + ENG107 First-Year Composition for ESL (3) 0 in the Clinical Medical Assisting CCL | FYC | ||
| ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC | 3 | ||
| COM | Met by COM100 or COM110 in the Clinical Medical Assisting certificate. | ||||
| CRE | Met by CRE101 or Equivalent as indicated by assessment in the Required Courses area. | ||||
| MA | Mathematics | Met by MAT114 College Algebra Prep in the Clinical Medical Assisting certificate. | MA | ||
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | Any approved general education course from the Humanities, Arts and Design area. | HU | 3 | |
| SB | Social & Behavioral Sciences | Any approved general education course from the Social-Behavioral Sciences area. PSY101 Introduction to Psychology (3) is recommended for students interested in transferring to the NAU BS in Health Sciences - Medical Assisting. | SB | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences | Met by BIO160 in the Clinical Medical Assisting certificate. |
Course Area Key
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=181570).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.