Overview
Offered at the Augusta, Thomson, and Waynesboro campuses and the Columbia County Center
| Entrance Dates: |
Fall and Spring: Augusta |
|
Fall: Thomson |
|
Fall: Waynesboro |
|
Spring: Columbia County Center |
| Length of Program: |
Four Terms |
| Credit Hours Required for Graduation: |
54 |
Program Description: The Medical Assisting program is a specialized training program designed to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Important attributes of successful program graduates are critical thinking, problem solving, human relations skills, and the ability to apply knowledge and skills to the work environment. The field is presently experiencing rapid expansion, and the trend is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. After completion of this four semester day program, the student is encouraged to take the National Certification Exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). The four semester diploma level Medical Assisting program on the Augusta, Thomson, and Waynesboro campuses and the Columbia County Center of Augusta Technical College 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). The address and phone number for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158 Clearwater, FL 33763, 727-210-2350. High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program. For information regarding this process, please contact the Admissions Office (706) 771-4028.
Employment Opportunities: The Medical Assisting Program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today’s medical offices. Additionally, other medically related facilities such as hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and health departments may provide suitable employment opportunities.
Credentialing (Optional): Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Certified Medical Assisting (CMA) AAMA examination.
Curriculum Outline
Basic Skills Courses, 9 credits
Occupational Courses, 45 credits
Notes:
- Students in the health field have a special responsibility regarding grades in their programs. To be eligible for graduation, students must make a minimum passing grade of “C” in all courses.
- A student who does not earn a grade of “C” or higher in any two courses will be suspended from the program for one year. After the third unsuccessful attempt of any course, the student will not be allowed to re-enter the Medical Assisting program.
- ALHS courses must not be older than five years to be used as a prerequisite for MAST prefix courses. Students will need to retake these courses to meet the prerequisite requirements for MAST prefix courses.
- MAST prefix courses that were taken more than five years ago must be repeated.
- MAST 1060 must be taken the semester before students enroll in MAST 1080.
- Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to submit completed medical forms. All required immunizations, including Hepatitis B, must be accompanied by documentation. Students who refuse to take the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form and be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse them an opportunity to gain clinical experience.
- Conviction of a felony or gross misdemeanor may prohibit employment in field and may make a student ineligible to take licensing/certification exam(s) required for the profession. A background check and/or drug screen may be required by some agencies before a student attends a clinical practicum. For more information, contact the appropriate program advisor.
- Student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing his or her clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Students will not be receiving monetary remuneration during this educational experience, nor will he or she be substituted for hired staff personnel within the clinical institution in the capacity of a medical assistant.
- Prior to participation in campus/clinical labs, students are required to show proof of current health insurance. Students who cannot show proof of Health Insurance need to be aware that clinical practicum sites may refuse to allow them the opportunity to gain clinical experience at their facility.
Guided Pathway
You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.
Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.
In the last semester, students must successfully pass MAST 1090 with a "C" or better in order to move onto MAST 1170/MAST 1180.
Augusta Day Program – Fall Entrance
PROGRAM NAME: Medical Assisting
AWARD: Diploma
CAMPUS: Augusta Day Program – Fall Entrance
Year 1 Fall Semester
Year 1 Spring Semester
Year 1 Summer Semester
Year 2 Fall Semester
Augusta Day Program – Spring Entrance
PROGRAM NAME: Medical Assisting
AWARD: Diploma
CAMPUS: Augusta Day Program – Spring Entrance
Year 1 Spring Semester
Year 1 Summer Semester
Year 1 Fall Semester
Year 2 Spring Semester
Grovetown Day Program
PROGRAM NAME: Medical Assisting
AWARD: Diploma
CAMPUS: Grovetown Day Program
Year 1 Spring Semester
Year 1 Summer Semester
Year 1 Fall Semester
Year 2 Spring Semester
Thomson Day Program
PROGRAM NAME: Medical Assisting
AWARD: Diploma
CAMPUS: Thomson Day Program
Year 1 Fall Semester
Year 1 Spring Semester
Year 1 Summer Semester
Year 2 Fall Semester
Waynesboro Day Program
PROGRAM NAME: Medical Assisting
AWARD: Diploma
CAMPUS: Waynesboro Day Program
Year 1 Fall Semester
Year 1 Spring Semester
Year 1 Summer Semester
Year 2 Fall Semester
Accreditation
The Medical Assisting Program on the Augusta, Thomson, and Waynesboro campuses and the Columbia County Center of Augusta Technical College 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). The address and phone number for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158 Clearwater, FL 33763, 727-210-2350.
Student Achievement Data is available on the program's student achievement data page.