The Medical Assisting Certificate program provides entry-level education for individuals interested in a health profession. Medical Assistants are allied health professionals who assist the physicians in the medical setting; they perform routine administrative and clinical tasks in order to keep the physician’s office running efficiently.
This program is designed for full-time enrollment.
The Medical Assisting Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
This organization can be contacted at: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs; 1361 Park Street; Clearwater, FL 33756; 727-210-2350.
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Apply to COM and complete the College requirements for entry
- Approved Criminal Background Check
- Approved Drug Screen
Program Requirements
Requirements for progression and completion of the program depend on the student demonstrating the learning outcomes and competencies, including professionalism, for each course. The minimum passing grade for each course is a “C” (i.e., 75% or above). Students who fail a course will be required to repeat the course. Failing a course twice will result in failure to progress and dismissal from the program. Because the knowledge and skills taught in this program are scaffolded, students are expected to take the courses in the sequence provided in the degree plan.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the prescribed courses listed in this Catalog with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or better,
- Pass each MDCA class listed in the prescribed course of study with a grade of “C” (75%) or better,
- Meet any individually prescribed behavior or remediation-related requirements.
Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify potential or enrolled students that a criminal history may make them ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion. Program specific information will be provided in course syllabi.
Stackable Credentials
Full-Time Schedule
| Semester #1 | Semester Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| HITT 1305 | Medical Terminology I | 3 |
| MDCA 1409 | Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants | 4 |
| MDCA 1443 | Medical Insurance | 4 |
| MDCA 1321 | Administrative Procedures | 3 |
| HPRS 1201 | Introduction to Health Professions | 2 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Semester #2 | ||
| MDCA 1417 | Procedures in a Clinical Setting | 4 |
| MDCA 1452 | Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures | 4 |
| MDCA 1448 | Pharmacology & Administration of Medications | 4 |
| MDCA 1291 | Special Topics in Medical Assistant - Professional Readiness | 2 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Semester #3 | ||
| MDCA 1460 | Clinical - Medical/Clinical Assistant | 4 |
| MDCA 1254 | Certified Medical Assistant Exam Review 1 | 2 |
| MDCA 1305 | Medical Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Semester #4 | ||
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I 2 | 3 |
| COSC 1301 or BCIS 1305 |
Introduction to Computing (Select from the following) 2 or Business Computer Applications |
3 |
| SPCH 1318 | Interpersonal Communication (Select from the following) 2 | 3 |
| Select from one of the following | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology 2 | ||
| Social Problems 2 | ||
| General Psychology 2 | ||
| Semester Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Semester #5 | ||
| PSYC 2314 | Lifespan Growth & Development 2 | 3 |
| MATH 1332 | Contemporary Math (Quantitative Reasoning) 2 | 3 |
| BMGT 2303 | Problem Solving and Decision Making | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Capstone course
- 2
Course(s) listed in the Texas Common Course Numbering System