The Medical Assistant is a multi-skilled professional who assists the physician with the administrative and clinical aspects of patient care. The program includes courses in administrative, clinical, and communication skills; ethical and legal standards of medical practice; and a "hands on" clinical practicum experience. Graduates are eligible to take the National Certifying Examination given by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Program contact: Learn more
This degree program contains one or more embedded certificates which will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the embedded certificate(s), please notify the Office of the Registrar at RegistrarOffice@tri-c.edu.
Learn more about how certificate credits apply to the related degree.
Related Degrees and Certificates
- Medical Assisting, Certificate of Proficiency
- Medical Administrative Specialist, Certificate of Proficiency
- Laboratory Phlebotomy, Short-Term Certificate
- Medical Billing Specialist, Short-Term Certificate
Related Training and Credentials
Program Admission Requirements
Application may be submitted to the Health Careers Enrollment Center while meeting the following requirements:
- Students must request an application packet from the Health Careers Enrollment Center (216-987-4247) for comprehensive admissions information.
- High School Diploma/GED
- GPA required: 2.00 overall
- Non-native English speaking applicants: Admission into Cuyahoga Community College is premised on a complete and accurate initial application to the College, including, if applicable, proof of English Language Proficiency Requirements for admission as indicated on the English Language Proficiency Requirements for Admissions to the College, and available on the web at: http://www.tri-c.edu/get-started/international-students/english-language-proficiency-requirements-for-admission.html
To be accepted into any selective admission programs, students must successfully complete English as a Second Language (ESL) course/s, as referenced above, if deemed necessary by the College at the time of enrollment. Admission is conditioned upon achieving the necessary grade point average (GPA), English language proficiency requirements and any specific pre-requisite courses, and by meeting program accreditation or licensing requirements as evidenced in the Program Handbook for the specific program. - Completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or higher:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH-0955 | Beginning Algebra (or eligibility for MATH-1190 or higher) | 6 |
| Select one of the following: | 2-3 | |
| Introduction to Medical Terminology | ||
| Medical Terminology I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| Honors College Composition I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Honors Computer Applications | ||
| Computer Applications | ||
Other Information
- 15 students per semester per campus accepted per year
- Criminal background check required
-
Students in the medical assisting program must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all program required courses.
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Identify, administer and document medications based on usage outcomes, side effects and according to the principles of the six rights.
- Collect, process and test diagnostic specimens and document follow-up on results.
- Apply current up-to-date quality control and safety principles in the workplace.
- Skillfully perform and document routine clinical procedures according to office protocol.
- Perform and document routine administrative procedures according to office protocol.
- Effectively apply verbal, nonverbal and written communication principles and skills in the workplace.
- Maintain ethical standards and confidentiality for patient privacy and practice integrity.
- Demonstrate professional work ethics with efficient use of multitasking skills, technology, time management, self management and teamwork.
- Effectively utilize an EMR program for documentation and insurance purposes.
- Identify medical law and regulatory guidelines as it pertains to the ambulatory setting.
Suggested Semester Sequence
| Summer Start | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| MA-1010 | Introduction to Medical Terminology 1 | 2 |
| MATH-1190 | Algebraic and Quantitative Reasoning (or higher Approved Ohio Transfer 36 Mathematics course) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| Honors College Composition I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Honors Computer Applications | ||
| Computer Applications | ||
| Credit Hours | 11 | |
| First Semester | ||
| BIO-1050 | Human Biology 2 | 3 |
| BIO-105L | Human Biology Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| MA-1503 | Administrative Procedures for the Medical Office | 2 |
| MA-1321 | Medical Office Laboratory Procedures | 2 |
| MA-132L | Medical Office Laboratory Procedures | 1 |
| MA-1403 | Basic Clinical Medical Assisting | 1 |
| MA-140L | Basic Clinical Medical Assisting Lab | 1 |
| MA-150L | Administrative Procedures Laboratory | 1 |
| MA-1600 | EKG - Electrocardiogram Fundamentals | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| DIET-1200 | Basic Nutrition | 3 |
| EMT-1310 | Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation | 1 |
| MA-2110 | Reimbursement for Physician Services | 2 |
| MA-2413 | Advanced Clinical Medical Assisting | 3 |
| MA-241L | Advanced Clinical Assisting Lab | 1 |
| MA-2420 | Medical Assisting Certification Exam Review | 1 |
| MA-2860 | Medical Assisting Practicum | 2 |
| MA-2980 | Medical Assisting Seminar | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| COMM-1000 | Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| HTEC-1120 | Critical Thinking in Healthcare | 1 |
| HIM-1113 | Physician Office Coding with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Coding | 2 |
| HIM-1114 | Medical Office Coding with ICD-10-CM | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| College Composition II | ||
| Honors College Composition II | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| General Psychology | ||
| Honors General Psychology | ||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| BADM-1301 | Small Business Management | 3 |
| LP-1300 | Introduction to Blood Collection | 3 |
| LP-1850 | Laboratory Phlebotomy Practicum | 2 |
| LP-2970 | Advanced Phlebotomy Seminar | 1 |
| PSY-2120 | Multicultural Health Psychology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 65 | |
- 1
MA-1020 Medical Terminology I will be accepted in place of MA-1010 Introduction to Medical Terminology
- 2
BIO-2331 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO-2341 Anatomy and Physiology II together will be accepted in place of BIO-1050 Human Biology and BIO-105L Human Biology Laboratory.
MATH-1140, MATH-1141, MATH-1200, MATH-1270, and MATH-1280 can no longer count towards fulfilling the college-level mathematics requirement. These courses were re-classified as developmental mathematics by the state of Ohio in 2016. Tri-C established a 5-year transitioning window for students who had completed these courses prior to 2016 to apply them towards meeting graduation requirements, which expired in Summer 2021. It is highly recommended to see a counselor to determine the appropriate math required for your current major.