Medical Assisting, Advanced Certificate

College(s):

Malcolm X

Program Code: 0421

Program Requirements

Required Program Core
BIOLOGY 116Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology 14
or BIOLOGY 226
BIOLOGY 227
Human Structure and Function I
and Human Structure and Function II
BIOLOGY 120Terminology For Medical Careers3
MEDASST 102Medical Law & Ethics3
MEDASST 105Medical Careers Professional Development2
MEDASST 103Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I3
MEDASST 104Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures II3
MEDASST 106Administrative Procedures3
MEDASST 107Pharmacology4
MEDASST 108Fundamentals of Ambulatory Billing and Coding3
Required Work-Based Learning Courses
MEDASST 109Medical Assisting Practicum3
Total Hours31
1
Effective Spring 2024, BIOLOGY 226 & 227 can be used in place of BIOLOGY 116.

Pathways

These are example course sequences for students interested in medical assisting, one for full-time students and one for part-time students. If either pathway is followed as outlined, you will earn an Advanced Certificate (AC) in Medical Assisting. This does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability.

The Advanced Certificate program for Medical Assisting prepares students to become multi-skilled health care professionals qualified to perform administrative, clinical, and laboratory procedures in a doctor’s office, clinic, hospital, or other medical setting.

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
Fall  
BIOLOGY 116 Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology 1 4
MEDASST 102 Medical Law & Ethics 3
MEDASST 103 Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I 3
MEDASST 105 Medical Careers Professional Development 2
MEDASST 106 Administrative Procedures 3
 Hours15
Semester 2
Spring  
BIOLOGY 120 Terminology For Medical Careers 3
MEDASST 104 Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures II 3
MEDASST 107 Pharmacology 4
MEDASST 108 Fundamentals of Ambulatory Billing and Coding 3
 Hours13
Semester 3
Summer  
MEDASST 109 Medical Assisting Practicum 3
 Hours3
 Total Hours31

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Part-Time Students

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
Spring  
BIOLOGY 116 Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology 4
MEDASST 103 Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures I 3
MEDASST 106 Administrative Procedures 3
 Hours10
Semester 2
Summer  
BIOLOGY 120 Terminology For Medical Careers 3
MEDASST 104 Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures II 3
MEDASST 105 Medical Careers Professional Development 2
 Hours8
Semester 3
Fall  
MEDASST 102 Medical Law & Ethics 3
MEDASST 107 Pharmacology 4
MEDASST 108 Fundamentals of Ambulatory Billing and Coding 3
 Hours10
Semester 4
Spring  
MEDASST 109 Medical Assisting Practicum 3
 Hours3
 Total Hours31
1

BIOLOGY 226 & 227 can substitute for this requirement, effective Spring 2024.

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Special Admission Requirements

To apply for the Medical Assisting program, students must:

  • Be eligible for ENGLISH 101 Composition
  • Be eligible for MATH 118 General Education Math (or higher)
  • Submit official college transcripts from all accredited colleges attended outside of City Colleges to the Malcolm X College Office of Registrar Services
  • Interview with the Program Director
 
For more information on admissions requirements and the application process, visit the program website.

Careers

This program can prepare students for the jobs listed below. Click on each one to learn more, including average earnings, annual job openings, and how much education people in that field have. For additional guidance and resources on career options, current City Colleges students and alumni can contact the Career Services Office.

Medical Assistants

Job Description

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$30,552
Median 50th Percentile$39,127
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$48,434

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile$15
Median 50th Percentile$19
Senior-Level 90th Percentile$23

Annual Job Openings

1262 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less20.54%
A certificate44.74%
Some college17.20%
An Associate degree0.05%
A Bachelor's degree17.47%
A Master's or Professional degree0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more0.00%

17.47% continue their education beyond an associate degree