MA22 Medical Assisting, Diploma
Offered at the Griffin and Flint River Campuses
Day and Evening classes available
| Program Entrance Term: |
Day Class: Fall, Spring, Summer
Evening Class: Every 4th term |
| Minimum Length of Program: |
5 or 6 terms |
| Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: |
54 |
Program Description
The Medical Assisting diploma program is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and prepares competent entry-level Medical Assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The Medical Assisting diploma program also prepares the competent entry-level Medical Assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains, prepares the student to sit for the national certification examination to become professionally certified as a medical assistant and prepares students for careers in a variety of positions in today's medical facilities. The sequence of courses emphasizes a combination of medical theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. The grading system for Medical Assisting requires a minimum course grade of C for progress from specified courses to more advanced courses. Classroom instruction and practical experience are divided between administrative skills and clinical skills in a variety of areas: scheduling appointments, banking, bookkeeping, insurance coding, hospital admissions, laboratory services, maintaining patient files, examination room techniques, assisting with minor surgery, administering medications, and performing diagnostic procedures including lab work and electrocardiography. During the program, the student gains experience in a physician's office or appropriate facility by participating in an externship. Clinical externship(s) may be scheduled day, evening, and on weekends. There is no remuneration for clinicals.
Employment Opportunities
Medical assistants work primarily in outpatient settings, including clinics, physicians’ offices, insurance companies, public and private hospitals, inpatient and outpatient facilities, as well as with specialty practitioners, such as chiropractors, optometrists, and podiatrists in outpatient care centers, nursing, and residential care facilities.
Admission Requirements
- Submit completed application and application fee
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript with test scores and ALL post-secondary transcripts in an official sealed envelope
- Meet assessment requirements
Competitive Selection Process
Applicants must meet general admission requirements, as well as the following minimum requirements. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.
Applicants who do not meet the regular admission requirements will be classified as either learning support or provisional status and must take the prescribed learning support courses to prepare for the core curriculum.
It is the student's responsibility to notify the Medical Assisting advisor the term he/she completes or is completing the last of the pre-requisite classes. This is accomplished by turning in the yellow program-ready sheet to a Medical Assisting advisor or the Allied Health secretary during the second week of June (for Fall program entry) or the second week of September (for Spring program entry). The evening program begins every 4th semester, please see advisor for program application date.
Upon successful completion (or transfer in) of ENGL 1010, PSYC 1010, COMP 1000 OR COLL 1500, ALHS 1090, MATH 1012, and ALHS 1011 with a C or better and a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, the student will be considered program-ready and be eligible for admission into the Medical Assisting program based on submission of the "yellow program sheet”, available classroom space, and available clinical sites.
Candidate selection is based on the following and in this order:
- Date completed yellow program sheet with accompanying attachments turned in.
- Time completed yellow program sheet with accompanying attachments turned in.
- Completion of all core classes with a C or better.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
- Available classroom size and available clinical sites
- In the event that two or more applicants complete requirements simultaneously, the earliest uninterrupted program application date will determine placement on the list.
Readmission Policy
Withdrawal from any MAST program class constitutes withdrawal from the program for that term. If a student withdraws for any reason (whether academic deficiency or personal issues), the student may be allowed to re-enter a cohort class at the point he/she withdrew from the program, provided the student demonstrates proficiency. This courtesy is extended only once. Readmission into the Medical Assisting program following withdrawal or first-time failure will be based on the following:
- Successful completion of written, comprehensive examinations for each previously successfully completed medical assisting course with a minimum competency of 85 percent, and
- Successful completion of a comprehensive lab skills check-off with a minimum of 85 percent.
Deficiencies will result in the student repeating course(s). Upon readmission into the Medical Assisting program, the student must complete additional requirements as deemed necessary by the program faculty, i.e. a physical, drug screen, background check, etc. Readmission will be based on availability within the classroom setting and clinical sites. This courtesy is extended only once. Students who do not successfully complete the Medical Assisting program after two attempts, whether at Southern Crescent Technical College or at another college, will not be readmitted into the program.
Transferring medical assisting students from other technical colleges must first complete and submit an enrollment application and official transcripts to Southern Crescent Technical College. Each medical assisting course listed in the transferring student's official transcript will be considered for transfer credit after the transferring student has demonstrated proficiency by examination as noted above with the exception of MAST 1080 and MAST 1090. MAST 1080, MAST 1090, MAST 1170 and MAST 1180 are not transferrable into the Medical Assisting program. A minimum of 25 percent of program courses must be completed on the SCTC campus for graduation from SCTC. Students who do not successfully complete the Medical Assisting program after two attempts, whether at Southern Crescent Technical College or at another college, will not be readmitted into the program.
Withdrawn students or transfer students who desire readmittance must meet current admissions and curriculum requirements and will be admitted following the demonstration of competencies as noted above, submission of a yellow program sheet with attachments, and classroom and clinical site availability.
Documentation of a physical and a dental examination is turned in during the first MAST term with an accompanying completed drug screen and background check. All first-term MAST students and all MAST transfer students will be required to complete a new physical and dental exam, unless they have had one within the previous three months of the assigned due date. All first-term MAST students and all MAST transfer students will be required to complete a new drug screen and background check.
Approximate additional costs other than tuition, fees, and textbooks
| Uniforms |
approximately $150.00 |
| Equipment/supplies |
$50-100 |
| National Registry (RMA) |
$125.00 |
| Liability insurance |
$10.00 per semester |
| Medical/dental |
varies |
| Background check/drug screen |
varies |
| CPR (If Needed) |
varies |
| ACEMAPP |
$50.00 |
NOTE: Grading standards for medical assisting courses are very stringent. For students to progress to the next course of study, a minimum grade of C must be maintained.
Students who are unsuccessful after a second attempt at courses within the Medical Assisting curriculum will be advised to choose another program of study.
A student who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be admitted to the Medical Assisting program; however, such a conviction may prohibit a student from attending certain clinical sites and/or taking the Registry/Certification examination. Documentation of satisfying the penalty of the felony must be presented to the National Board with the exam application. Permission to sit for the examination rests solely with the National Board. Permission to attend a clinical site rests solely with the clinical facility.
Medical Assisting is a diploma program located on the Griffin and Flint River campuses. Medical Assisting 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.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 US HWY 19 N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
727-210-2350
(www.caahep.org)
The following is a suggested path to complete this program in a timely manner. An individual’s path to completion may be different based on institutional and personal factors affecting his/her academic progress.
Note: While all courses are offered, they may vary by term and campus. See the program advisor for any questions.
Program Courses
First Term
Second Term
Choose One: (Required)
Day Program Courses
Third Term—Day Program Courses
Fourth Term—Day Program Courses
Fifth Term—Day Program Courses
Evening Program Courses
Third Term—Evening Program Courses
Fourth Term—Evening Program Courses
Fifth Term—Evening Program Courses
Sixth Term—Evening Program Courses