Medical Assistant, Baccalaureate Certificate

The primary purpose of the Medical Assistant program is to prepare students to work as a certified Medical Assistant in a physician’s office, hospital, outpatient clinic, lab or insurance company. It is designed to provide the skills necessary to perform as a clinical medical assistant and to increase marketability by also providing administrative certification. This busy professional can go from the front office, answering the phone and completing insurance forms, to assisting the doctor by performing clinical tasks such as taking vitals, drawing blood or performing an EKG.

Health care professions require a high degree of honesty and integrity. Students are expected to conduct themselves in the classroom as they would in the place of employment. Because knowledge gained in the classroom, lab, or externship directly impacts the student’s future ability to safely provide patient care, all breaches of ethical behavior are considered extremely serious.

Students who successfully complete the program will be prepared and able to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam offered by National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Program Learning Outcomes and Competencies:

PLO1. Students will define common medical terminology and apply in their roles as medical assistants.

PLO2. Students will demonstrate professional behavior and knowledge of professional development responsibilities expected of Medical Assistants.

PLO3. Students will apply legal and ethical resolutions to situations in the healthcare setting.

PLO4. Students will demonstrate the use of therapeutic communication with patients/clients across the lifespan.

PLO5. Students will perform skills for safety in the medical office and the community.

PLO6. Students will demonstrate administrative skills according to the best practices of medical office management.

PLO7. Students will demonstrate healthcare billing and coding practices.

PLO8. Students will provide accurate healthcare education and instructions to patients.

PLO9. Students will demonstrate clinical skills according to current hospital and ambulatory care center standards.

PLO10. Students will demonstrate awareness of cultural humility, diversity, equity, and inclusion when interacting with patients. 

PLO11. Students will identify the anatomy, physiology, and common pathology of the body systems.

In addition to the Undergraduate Admissions requirements, applicants must:

• Complete successful interview with members of the program Admissions Committee

Program Details:

• Requires 30 QH for completion
• Requires completion of all courses at NLU
• Requires a minimum grade of "C" or better in all coursework
• Requires successful completion of the practicum training
• Requires a min GPA of 2.0 for graduation  

Required Courses

Medical Assistant Certificate

CAR 204	Your Professional Story	1 TO 5
MEDA 101	Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology	5
MEDA 110	Medical Assisting Professional Skills I	5
MEDA 115	Medical Assisting Professional Skills II	5
MEDA 130	Clinical Medical Assisting	5
MEDA 140	Clinical Practicum	5

Note: CAR 204 must be taken for 5 QH. 

Program Policies

Students are expected to conduct themselves in the classroom as they would in the place of employment. Because knowledge gained in the classroom or practicum directly impacts the student’s future ability to provide client care, all breaches of ethical behavior are considered extremely serious.

Affiliating employer partners may require a criminal background check and drug screen as a prerequisite for practicum experience. Positive/flagged results can result in the employer partner denying the student access to practicum in the facility. Any student who is denied access to a practicum facility may not be allowed to progress in the program. Students are responsible for fees associated with background check/drug screen.