Medical Assistant
Associate of Applied Science
Program Overview
The Medical Assistant is a trained health care professional that is at the forefront of providing effective and efficient health care to patients in a variety of ambulatory health care settings such as physician's offices and clinics. The Medical Assistant is cross-trained in medical administrative and clinical duties necessary to maintain an efficient professional medical facility including:
- Update patient records
- Complete insurance paperwork (billing and coding)
- Schedule patients
- Answer telephones
- Perform EKG
- Phlebotomy
- Administer injections
- Obtain vital signs
- Change dressings
- Remove stitches
- Wound care
- Prepare patients for procedures
- Perform tests (vision, hearing)
- Collect specimen
This in-demand occupation offers an expansive scope of healthcare and according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than average for all occupations.
The Associate degree in applied science is a two-year program offering students additional clinical training including a third and fourth clinical rotation during the last year of the program. Upon completion of the program, eligible students may apply for graduation from Laredo College and exit the program with an Associate of Applied Science degree and sit for the national clinical medical assistant certification.
Program Mission
The mission of the Medical Assistant Program is to provide the education where by students will obtain the knowledge (cognitive), skills (psychomotor), and professional characteristics (affective) of an entry-level medical assistant that will positively impact their patients, community, and profession upon graduation.
Career and Transfer Opportunities
Medical Assistants with an Associate of Applied Science degree can transfer core courses to complete a Bachelor Degree from:
- Laredo College: Bachelor of Organizational Leadership - Medical Assistant. Source: Laredo College
- Texas A & M International University: Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS). Source: TAMIU
- South Texas College: Bachelor of Applied Technology in Medical and Health Sciences Management. Source: South Texas College
- Texas Tech University- Health Sciences Center: Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management. Source: Texas Tech University
- University of Texas- RGV: Bachelor of Applied Technology in Health Services Technology (BAT HST). Source: UTRGV
Program Costs
The approximate cost of the two-year program for tuition, books, fees, and miscellaneous cost is $9,360 for in-district students, $12,360 for out-district students, and $15,360 for out-of-state students. The estimated cost of out-of-town room/travel for clinical affiliations is approximately $2,000 to $2,500. Please refer to the MA Handbook LC catalog for information. Students seeking financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Center at either campus for more information.
Clinical Education
The student is assigned to an ambulatory health care office or clinic to develop clinical skills under the supervision of assigned facility staff. The student must master technical standards that represent the essential requirements of a successful Medical Assistant. Applicants may be required to work with clients who speak Spanish.
Click on Medical Assistant Guided Pathway to download the curriculum guide.
Please note: Students must maintain a grade of "C" or better in all coursework and be in compliance with all program, institutional, and clinical site policies and procedures in order to progress through the curriculum.
Certification
Students who graduate with an AAS degree are eligible to earn the following certifications from the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA):
- Medical Assistant Certification (MAC)
- Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC)
Marketable Skills
- Active Listening
- Organization
- Time Management
- Attention to Detail
- Critical Thinking
- Multitasking
- Customer Service
- Problem Solving
Complaints
Campus Location
Admission Criteria
- Meet Laredo College criteria set forth in the college catalog.
- If pursuing an AAS degree, the student must be college-ready as per Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirement.
- Have an overall GPA and prerequisite GPA of 2.5 or greater.
- Have successfully completed the prerequisite courses with a "C" or better prior to applying to the program: MDCA 1313 Medical Terminology and MDCA 1409 Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants.
- Submit a complete application packet through the online portal for fall admission by the deadline. Applications are accepted March 1st through the last Thursday in May.
- Students are expected to be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking the English language.
- Be in good standing at Laredo College.
Students are responsible for verifying that all documents sent via email were received by our office. Submitting your application packet does NOT guarantee admission into the program.
Selection Process
- The MA review committee will screen all applications to ensure that the applications meet the criteria as stated in the admissions criteria section above.
- Qualified applicants who meet the required GPA and completed all prerequisite courses as described in the admissions criteria section above will be invited to sit for an interview.
- Admission into the MA program is based on achieving a minimum of 60% of total percentage points awarded from 100% of the following:
Overall GPA 45%
Prerequisite GPA 30%
Essay questionnaire 15%
Skills 10%
Total 100%
4. Once students are evaluated applicants will be ranked from highest percentage points earned from the GPA, prerequisite courses, essay questionnaire, and skill.
5. Applicants will be notified through Laredo College's PasPort email address with program admission status by late June.
6. A maximum of 20 students will be accepted. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted to the program. Applicants should note that although the MA program has placement for up to 20 students, only those who meet cut-off percentage points of 60% will be admitted each fall semester.
7. Qualified applicants selected must attend a mandatory information session in July. Failure to attend and/or display unprofessional behavior during the mandatory information session disqualifies the candidate from moving forward in the application process.
8. Students who are not selected must reapply the following spring and complete all admission criteria as described in the Admissions Criteria Section and Selection Process section above.
Pre-Req, Background Info/Vaccines/Clinical Requirements/Etc.
ACCEPTANCE
A student accepted into the Medical Assistant Program must submit the following prior to the first day of class to complete the application process (the student is responsible for all fees associated with these procedures).
- A physical exam by a U.S. physician or nurse practitioner of choice within 45 days prior to the first day of class. Please click on Physical Examination Form to download the form.
- Proof of Immunization: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, MMR, Varicella, Tetanus-Diphtheria Pertussis (Tdap), Bacterial Meningitis (S. B. No. 62 requires that all college students under the age of 22 must receive the Bacterial Meningitis vaccine. If you are 21 or under, you may request an exemption form in the mail from the Texas Department of State Health Services, annual flu vaccine.
- TB Skin test (annual) or chest x-ray (every two years) Please click on Immunization form to download the form.
- American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider CPR Certification
- Negative Criminal background check: Laredo Police Department and Webb County
- Negative ten-panel drug screen
The MA Program adheres to the Equal Educational Opportunity Policy as listed in the LC Manual of Policy FA (LEGAL). Click LC Manual of Policy to read the policy.
Program Student Handbook
Click on 2023-2024 Medical Assistant Student Handbook to download and read the program handbook.
Plan of Study
| Recommended Course Sequence | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Requisites | ||
| MDCA 1313 – Medical Terminology | Fall, Spring Summer I & II | 3 |
| MDCA 1409 – Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants1 | Fall, Spring Summer I & II | 4 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 7 Hours | |
| First Semester - Fall Admission | ||
| MDCA 1310 – Medical Assistant Interpersonal & Communication Skills | Fall | 3 |
| MDCA 1321 – Administrative Procedures | Fall | 3 |
| MDCA 1343 – Medical Insurance | Fall | 3 |
| MDCA 1160 – Clinical I – Medical/Clinical Assistant | Fall | 1 |
| HPRS 1204 – Basic Health Profession Skills | Fall | 2 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 12 Hours | |
| Second Semester – Spring | ||
| MDCA 1302 – Human Disease/Pathophysiology | Spring | 3 |
| MDCA 1305 – Medical Law and Ethics | Spring | 3 |
| MDCA 1417 – Procedures in a Clinical Setting | Spring | 4 |
| MDCA 1161 – Clinical II – Medical/Clinical Assistant | Spring | 1 |
| HPRS 1210 – Introduction to Pharmacology | Spring | 2 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 13 Hours | |
| Summer Session I | ||
| MDCA 1162 – Clinical III – Medical/Clinical Assistant | SSI | 1 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 1 Hours | |
| Third Semester – Fall | ||
| MDCA 1348 – Pharmacology and Administration of Medications | Fall | 3 |
| MDCA 1452 – Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures | Fall | 4 |
| MATH 1314 – College Algebra (C)2 | Fall, Spring Summer I & II | 3 |
| COSC 1301 – Introduction to Computing (C) TOTAL | Fall, Spring Summer I & II | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 13 Hours | |
| Fourth Semester – Spring | ||
| MDCA 1254 – Medical Assisting Credentialing Exam Review | Spring | 2 |
| MDCA 1361 – Clinical IV – Medical/Clinical Assistant | Spring | 3 |
| ELECTIVE – Language, Philosophy, & Culture/Creative Arts (C)3 | Fall, Spring Summer I & II | 3 |
| PSYC 2314 – Lifespan, Growth and, Development (C) | Fall, Spring Summer I & II | 3 |
| ENGL 1301 – Composition I (C) | Fall, Spring Summer I & II | 3 |
| TOTAL SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS: | 14 Hours | |
| AAS DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS/PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS | ||
1. Completion of BIOL 2301, BIOL 2101, & BIOL 2302, BIOL 2102 will satisfy this requirement.
2. Mathematic courses are selected from the following depending on TSIA 2.0 scores: MATH 1314, or MATH 0114+MATH 1314 or MATH 0314+MATH 1314
3. Creative Arts courses must be selected from ARTS 1301, ARTS 1303, ARTS 1304, DANC 2303, DRAM 1310, MUSI 1306, MUSI 1310.
Degree Plans migh change in later catalogs. Be sure to consult with your advisor if you are continuing on an older degree plan.