Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting

Enjoy a career working with patients and physicians.
The medical assisting program provides an entry-level education that concentrates on helping students acquire knowledge and develop skills in performing laboratory, clinical, and medical office procedures. As a medical assistant, you may assist the physician with routine medical exams, record vital signs and medical histories, explain treatment procedures to patients and their families, and run routine laboratory tests. In addition to the online program, you will complete an unpaid clinical instruction experience and an unpaid externship in an ambulatory setting to complete your course of study. Graduates are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam, given by the American Association of Medical Assistants; or the Registered Medical Assistant exam, offered by the American Medical Technologists.†

Please note that students in the medical assisting program are required to complete three separate on-site, unpaid, hands-on clinical experiences for a total of at least 200 hours over three academic terms. Students must be able to accommodate the clinical experiences in their weekly schedules. Some clinical sites may not allow students to complete the clinical hours during the evening or on weekends, so it may be necessary to complete the requirements Monday through Friday during regular business hours. 

The medical assisting program prepares students for a different career path than a nursing program and is not recommended for individuals who wish to pursue a nursing career or nursing degree. 

Students must complete all coursework, achieve a minimum grade of "C" or better in each major and core course, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to graduate.

†Although the program is designed to prepare students for various certification and licensing examinations, the University cannot guarantee students will pass the exams.