Medical Assisting, Associate in Science
The Medical Assisting program prepares students for a variety of careers in ambulatory healthcare.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Perform safe, competent, and responsible patient care and medical office procedures within the ethical and legal parameters of a medical assistant.
- Locate, use, and refer to credible professional and technical resources as needed in patient care and day-to-day office business.
- Apply observation, adaptability, critical thinking, and problem-solving techniques to evaluate and continuously improve patient care, administrative operations, and staff relations in the medical office.
- Succinctly and accurately communicate and follow through with patients and members of the healthcare team using various modalities, including up-to-date computer technology.
- Implement efficient time-management techniques to ensure smooth patient flow in a medical office.
Associate in Science Degree Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| ANAT 5 | Human Biology | 4 |
| CSIS 50 & CSIS 50L | MS Office Applications and MS Office Applications Lab | 3 |
| ENGL 1A | College Composition | 3 |
| or ENGL 1AE | College Composition: Enhanced | |
| MEDA 100 | Introduction to Health Careers | 1 |
| MEDA 101 | Ethics, Law and IT Security in the Medical Office | 3 |
| MEDA 105 | Medical Terminology | 4 |
| MEDA 110 | Medical Office Management 1 | 3 |
| MEDA 112 | Medical Office Computer Applications | 2 |
| MEDA 114 | Medical Insurance Management | 2 |
| MEDA 118 | Pharmacology and Human Diseases | 3 |
| MEDA 120 | Medical Assisting Clinical Techniques I | 3 |
| MEDA 121 | Medical Assisting Clinical Techniques II | 3 |
| MEDA 122 | Medical Assisting Clinical Techniques III | 3 |
| MEDA 130 | Medical Assisting Externship | 0-3 |
or successful completion of the MPC Medical Assisting CLICK apprenticeship program | ||
| Current valid healthcare provider CPR certificate (American Heart Association only) | 0 | |
| Recommended Electives | ||
| Healthy Living | ||
| Nutrition | ||
| Health Psychology | ||
| TOTAL MAJOR UNITS | 37-40 | |
| Additional Requirements | 20-23 | |
| Complete Competency Requirements, general education pattern (MPC General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC), and electives, if needed, for a total of 60 degree-applicable units. | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
A student enrolled in CLICK Medical Assisting Apprenticeships may substitute MEDA 90 - Independent Study (3 units) for MEDA 110.
Please refer to the graduation requirements section of the Catalog for information about degree and certificate requirements including Reading and Writing, Mathematics, Information Competency, and General Education requirements.
The model sequence of coursework below is one pathway for students to complete the program. The information below is not an official educational plan. An MPC Counselor can assist you with creating a personalized education plan based on your academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling and up-to-date program requirements.
Suggested 2-Year Course Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| ENGL 1A or ENGL 1AE | College Composition or College Composition: Enhanced | 3 |
| LIBR 50 | Introduction to Library and Research Skills | 1 |
| CSIS 50 & CSIS 50L | MS Office Applications and MS Office Applications Lab | 3 |
| MEDA 100 | Introduction to Health Careers | 1 |
| MEDA 105 | Medical Terminology | 4 |
| MEDA 120 | Medical Assisting Clinical Techniques I | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ANAT 5 | Human Biology | 4 |
| MEDA 101 | Ethics, Law and IT Security in the Medical Office | 3 |
| MEDA 110 | Medical Office Management 1 | 3 |
| MEDA 121 | Medical Assisting Clinical Techniques II | 3 |
| MPC GE Area C | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MPC GE Area A2 (MATH 16 Recommended) | 4 | |
| MEDA 112 | Medical Office Computer Applications | 2 |
| MEDA 114 | Medical Insurance Management | 2 |
| MEDA 118 | Pharmacology and Human Diseases | 3 |
| MEDA 122 | Medical Assisting Clinical Techniques III | 3 |
| Current valid healthcare provider CPR certificate (American Heart Association only) | 0 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| MEDA 130 | Medical Assisting Externship 2 | 3 |
| MPC GE Area D | 3 | |
| MPC GE Area E (HLTH 4, NUTF 1, or PSYC 50 Recommended) | 3 | |
| MPC GE Area F | 3 | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
MPC “Ready to Work” Career Education programs offer students the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills needed for employment and job advancement.
All students should consult with a Counselor to discuss career pathways, for support with career exploration and planning, and to create a personalized education plan to help them meet their academic, career, and personal goals. Visit MPC’s Counseling website for more information about Counseling services provided by MPC and to connect with a Counselor.
Additional resources are available through MPC’s Career & Transfer Resource Center (CTRC). The CTRC offers career resources, workshops, guidance and referrals. Visit the CTRC for support finding online career information and other resources to explore majors, occupations, and employment information.