Medical Assisting Diploma
Offered at the Following Campus Locations
Program Overview
The Medical Assisting program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today’s medical offices. The Medical Assisting program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of medical assisting. Graduates of the program receive a Medical Assisting diploma.
Satisfactory completion of all program courses entitles students to participate in the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) examination and certification process. Many employers require candidates to hold a CMA for entry level employment. Application assistance and fee for the exam is included in the Medical Assisting Externship course (MAST 1170).
The Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 9355 – 113th St., N., #7709, Seminole, FL 33775; Phone: 727-210-2350; www.caahep.org.
Outcomes for the Medical Assisting Program
Results from 2019 MAERB Annual Report
- The Medical Assisting program at Savannah Technical College has a graduation rate of 73.3%.
- Graduates of the Medical Assisting program at Savannah Technical College are satisfied with the education that they receive; 100% graduate satisfaction is reported for the 2018 graduating class.
- Five-year average for retention: 83.6%.*
- Five-year average for job placement: 85.9%.
| Date |
Retention |
Job Placement |
| 2018 |
73.3% |
85.7% |
| 2017 |
87.5% |
71.4% |
| 2016 |
72.7% |
87.5% |
| 2015 |
100% |
100% |
| 2014 |
92.3% |
83.3% |
*Retention average = Total graduated over the 5-year period plus total students in-progress for the 5-year period divided by the total number of students admitted for the 5-year period.
**Job Placement average = Total number of in-field placements over the 5-year period divided by the total number of graduates over the 5-year period.
Medical Assisting Application
Medical-Assisting Admission Requirements FALL 2021
Entrance Requirements
This program requires either the ACCUPLACER or COMPASS college placement test and High School Diploma or GED. Minimum Required Age of 16.
ACCUPLACER minimum scores:Reading Comprehension 55, Sentence Skills 60, Arithmetic 34
COMPASS minimum scores: Reading 70, Writing 32, Mathematics 26
The Medical Assisting diploma program utilizes a competitive entry process and requires the completion of the Heath Care Assistant Certificate with any approved specialization OR the Emergency Medical Technician - Basic certificate plus the required core classes as part of the its admission process. Applications are accepted from April 1 until May 1 of each year for a Fall (August) start. The Medical Assisting diploma program starts one (1) cohort each academic year. Meeting the minimal program requirements does not guarantee acceptance in the program. For additional information on program requirements, click on the link below or contact the department head for the Medical Assisting program.
Note: Students may be required to successfully pass criminal background check and drug screen analysis before placement in clinical settings.
Course Overview
Basic Skills Courses:ENGL1010Fundamentals of English I3Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.1240MATH1012Foundations of Mathematics3Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.1291PSYC1010Basic Psychology3Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.1319Occupational Courses:ALHS1011Structures and Functions of the Human Body5Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.1326ALHS1090Medical Terminology for ALHS2Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.1330COMP1000Introduction to Computer Literacy3This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications.1098MAST1010Legal and Ethical Concerns in the Medical Office2Introduces the basic concept of medical assisting and its relationship to the other health fields. Emphasizes medical ethics, legal aspects of medicine, and the medical assistant's role as an agent of the physician. Provides the student with knowledge of medical jurisprudence and the essentials of professional behavior. Topics include: introduction to medical assisting; introduction to medical law; physician/patient/assistant relationship; medical office in litigation; as well as ethics, bioethical issues and HIPAA.5465MAST1030Pharmacology in the Medical Office4Introduces medication therapy with emphasis on safety; classification of medications; their actions; side effects; medication and food interactions and adverse reactions. Also introduces basic methods of arithmetic used in the administration of medications. Topics include: introductory pharmacology; dosage calculation; sources and forms of medications; medication classification; and medication effects on the body systems5467MAST1060Medical Office Procedures4Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice. Topics include: office protocol, time management, appointment scheduling, medical office equipment, medical references, mail services, medical records, and professional communication.1369MAST1080Medical Assisting Skills I4Introduces the skills necessary for assisting the physician with a complete history and physical in all types of medical practices. The course includes skills necessary for sterilizing instruments and equipment and setting up sterile trays. The student also explores the theory and practice of electrocardiography. Topics include: infection control and related OSHA guidelines; prepare patients/assist physician with age and gender-specific examinations and diagnostic procedures; vital signs/mensuration; medical office surgical procedures and electrocardiography.5469MAST1090Medical Assisting Skills II4Furthers student knowledge of the more complex activities in a physician's office. Topics include: collection/examination of specimens and CLIA regulations/risk management; urinalysis; venipuncture; hematology and chemistry evaluations; advanced reagent testing (Strep Test, HcG etc); administration of medications; medical office emergency procedures and emergency preparedness; respiratory evaluations; principles of IV administration; rehabilitative therapy procedures; principles of radiology safety and maintenance of medication and immunization records.5471MAST1100Medical Insurance Management2Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice. Topics include: managed care, reimbursement, and coding.1370MAST1110Administrative Practice Mgmt3Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice in the areas of computers and medical transcription. Topics include: medical transcription/electronic health records; application of computer skills; integration of medical terminology; accounting procedures; and application of software.1371MAST1170Medical Assisting Externship6Provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of principles and techniques in a medical office job setting. This clinical practicum allows the student to become involved in a work setting at a professional level of technical application and requires concentration, practice, and follow-through. Topics include: application of classroom knowledge and skills and functioning in the work environment.1373MAST1180Medical Assisting Seminar3Seminar focuses on job preparation and maintenance skills and review for the certification examination. Topics include: letters of application, resumes, completing a job application, job interviews, follow-up letter/call, letters of resignation and review of program competencies for employment and certification.1374MAST1120Human Disease3Provides fundamental information concerning common diseases and disorders of each body system. For each system, the disease or disorder is highlighted inlcuding: description, etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, management, prognosis, and prevention. Topics include: introduction to disease and diseases of body systems.1372Minimum Length of Program: 5 Term(s)Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: 54