Financial Aid Eligible
Banner Code: 1_CT_MACE
Control Number: 18204

The Medical Assisting program includes specific business and clinical courses that prepare students for employment as clinical and/or administrative assistants in medical offices, clinics, or in related medical and business fields. The coursework can be completed in two semesters, and includes on-the-job experience in a medical office or ambulatory care center.

Orange Coast College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Such accreditation permits graduates of this program to take the California Certified Medical Assistant examination (CCMA) immediately upon graduation. The California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants has been administering the CCMA exam since 1990. CCMA is one of three Boards that is recognized by the Medical Board of California. The medical assisting profession is highly diversified, and the work is challenging and personally rewarding. Employment opportunities are excellent in the expanding health care field.

Program Admission

Allied Health 010 course – application and orientation

Program Outcome

1. The graduates of the program will be prepared for entry-level employment as a professional and competent Medical Assistant to meet the needs of the local health care community.

Certificate Requirements

Orange Coast College offers two types of certificate awards in career programs designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment. At least 3 units in an advanced course from the certificate must be completed at OCC.

1. Certificate of Achievement - 8 units or more in a state-approved program.  Certificates of Achievement are not automatically awarded. A petition must be filed in Enrollment Services or online at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing his or her final requirements.  The petitioning periods are listed in the Graduation Requirements section of this catalog. 
2. Certificate of Specialization - 16 units or less in a locally approved program.  Certificates of Specialization are not automatically awarded, not printed on official academic transcripts, and there is no acknowledgment of completion given at graduation.  Please contact the division for details regarding the submission of petitions as procedures for each division vary.  Most division offices prefer that students complete all of the required courses and then provide a copy of the transcript while some divisions allow petitions for Certificates of Specialization before finishing.

Minimum Grade Requirement
In order to be awarded a certificate, students are required to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all program-required courses. Grades of “CR” or “P” will be accepted whereas “CR” or “P” meets the equivalency of a “C” or better. A list of certificate programs can be found in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog. Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

Required Prerequisites

All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to admission into the program.

Course List

Course	Title	Units
ALH A010	Health Occupations	0.5
ALH A111	Medical Terminology	3
BIOL A221	Anatomy-Physiology	4
Total Units		7.5

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Fall		Units
ALH A115	Patient Care	2.5
MA A150	Medical Assisting Core	3
MA A175	Administrative Medical Assisting I	3
MA A181	Clinical Medical Assisting 1	5
	Units	13.5
Spring
ALH A120	Human Diseases	2
MA A205	Administrative Medical Assisting 2	5
MA A281	Medical Assisting Clinical Experience	3.5
MA A289	Clinical Medical Assisting II Specialty Procedures	0.5
	Units	11
	Total Units	24.5

Medical Assisting Suggested Electives

Course List

Course	Title	Units
ALH A130	Applied Pharmacology	3
BUS A138	Business English	3
PHIL A120	Ethics	3