Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Assisting prepares students to work as entry-level medical assistants. Medical assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals specifically trained to work in ambulatory settings, such as physicians’ offices, clinics and outpatient care centers. These multi-skilled personnel can perform administrative and clinical procedures.

Admission Requirements

• Complete the Admission Requirements for Associate Degrees.

Special Considerations

Prior to beginning MA A295, students must provide documentation of the following:

• Immunizations:
  • Annual TB screening using the Mantoux method or PPD two-step testing process: 
    • the first step must have been completed within twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the student's supervised, clinical experience; and 
    • the second step must have been completed within one to three weeks after the first step was administered
  • Hepatitis B immunity
  • Hepatitis B series, two MMRs, two varicella, or proof of immunization
  • Current influenza vaccination
  • Other immunizations specifically required by the practicum clinical site
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• Completion of State of Alaska criminal background check and fingerprinting

• Some practicum clinical sites may require additional documentation such as a drug screen; each requirement is site-specific

Additionally:

• Medical assisting courses are sequenced and only offered during certain semesters
• Students are strongly encouraged to maintain personal medical insurance
• MA A295 is a required course. It is a 6-week/240 hour commitment to full-time on-the-job education that is non-remunerated (unpaid).
• Individuals who have been found guilty of a felony, or plead guilty to a felony, are not eligible to take the CMA (AAMA)® examination; however, a waiver may be granted by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Certifying Board in cases of mitigating circumstances.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees.
• Complete the General Education Requirements for Associate of Applied Science Degrees.
• Complete all required MA courses with a minimum grade of C.
• Complete the following major requirements:

A minimum of 60 credits is required for the degree.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting will be able to:

• Demonstrate entry-level psychomotor, affective and cognitive curriculum content areas of medical assisting.
• Exhibit professional and ethical behavior in the healthcare setting.
• Show commitment to the medical assisting profession by sitting for the CMA (AAMA)® exam.

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

• Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
• GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
• Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
• Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.