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).

Students pursuing the Associate of Science in Medical Assisting with a concentration with Patient Navigator will develop advanced skills in patient care built around the patient. Develop skills to support individual patients through the continuum of the health care environment.  Patient Navigators work in a variety of settings, including but not limited to: community, hospitals, PCMH (patient-centered medical home), primary care facilities and other third-party entities. There is a need for trained patient navigators to assist a growing population to navigate the ever-changing health care environment.

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.

Related Degrees and Certificates

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:
MATH-0955Beginning 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

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:

  1. Identify, administer and document medications based on usage outcomes, side effects and according to the principles of the six rights.
  2. Collect, process and test diagnostic specimens and document follow-up on results.
  3. Apply current up-to-date quality control and safety principles in the workplace.
  4. Skillfully perform and document routine clinical procedures according to office protocol.
  5. Perform and document routine administrative procedures according to office protocol.
  6. Maintain ethical standards and confidentiality for patient privacy and practice integrity.
  7. Effectively utilize an EMR program for documentation and insurance purposes.
  8. Identify medical law and regulatory guidelines as it pertains to the ambulatory setting.
  9. Determine patient’s understanding of their plan of care and identify barriers to following the plan of care.
  10. Assist patient in navigating the healthcare system and outside resources in order to comply with their plan of care.
  11. Use effective communication with diverse patient populations and healthcare team to support positive patient outcome
  12. Work independently and as a member of a health care team within scope of practice to support patient outcomes.
  13. Review patients electronic medical record and identify patient needs requiring navigation of care.

Suggested Semester Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
Summer StartCredit 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 Hours11
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 Hours13
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-2861 Medical Assisting Practicum and Seminar 2
 Credit Hours13
Third Semester
HIM-1113 Physician Office Coding with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Coding 2
HIM-1114 Medical Office Coding with ICD-10-CM 3
HTEC-1120 Critical Thinking in Healthcare 1
HLTH-2500 Women's Health Issues 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 Hours15
Fourth Semester
COMM-1000 Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication 3
Select one of the following: 3
Child Growth and Development
Honors Child Growth and Development
MA-2600 Patient Navigator Fundamentals 2
MA-2610 Advanced Health Care Delivery Coordination 2
MA-2620 Patient-Centered Medical Home 2
MA-2841 Patient Navigator Practicum 1
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours65
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.