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
- Perform EKG
- Phlebotomy
- Administer injections
- Obtain vital signs
- Prepare patients for procedures
- Perform tests (vision, hearing)
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 Medical Assistant Program offers learner-centered instruction to transform students to reach their potential and fulfill the dynamic needs of the local, regional, and global community.
Learn more about the Program Vision, Program Goals, and Program Outcomes.
Program Vision Goals and Outcomes.pdf
Job Opportunities
Employment opportunities for Medical Assistants are good. Career opportunities are available locally and throughout the state of Texas. 100% of LC MA Program graduates are employed as MAs or continue their training and education by pursuing undergraduate degrees or acceptance into the nursing and allied health programs.
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
Salary
Salaries for MA graduates vary depending on the setting (clinics, private practice, hospitals) and location (urban vs. suburgan). The average annual salary for an MA in this region is approximately $31,607.
Program Costs
The approximate cost of the two-year program for tuition, books, fees, and miscellaneous cost is $8,760 for in-district students, $11,330 for out-district students, and $14,134 for out-of-state students. Students seeking financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Center at either campus for more information.
Medical Assistant Program Outcomes
Program Graduation Rates
| Year | Number Accepted | Number Admitted | Completed the Program | Graduation Rate* |
| 2024 | 18 | 18 | TBD | TBD |
| 2023 | 14 | 13 | TBD | TBD |
| 2022 | 19 | 13 | 13 | 100% |
| 2021 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 100% |
| 2020 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 90% |
| *(TBD) To Be Determined |
MA Licensure Exam Pass Rate and Employment Rates
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Graduation Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Certification pass rates | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Employed or accepted into a program withing 12 months of passing certification exam | 100% | 92% | 83% |
| *(TBD) To Be Determined |
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
- Interpersonal Communication
- Interviewing
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Complaints
Campus Location
Admission Information
Application Requirements
The student seeking admission to the MA Program must:
- Apply for admission and be accepted to Laredo College (click here for more information)
- Be college-ready in Reading, Writing, and Math (MA - A.A.S. degree only)
- Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 in MA degree-specific courses (pre-requisite and academic courses), with a grade of "C" or better
- Complete two pre-requisite courses:
Selection Process
-
Admission into the MA Program will be based on the following:
- Institutional grade point average GPA (45%)
- Degree-specific grade point average (30%)
- Essay (15%)
- Skill (10%)
Frequently Asked Questions PDF
- Eligible students will be invited to complete a skill and essay in early June.
- Students will be ranked based on percentage points awarded. Admission is based on achieving at least 60% of the points awarded. A maximum of 20 students will be accepted. Due to program size limitations, some applicants who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted. Additionally, only those students who meet the cut-off percentage score will be admitted each fall semester.
- Accepted applicants will be notified via email mid-June and must attend a mandatory information session in late June.
4. The applicant not selected for admission into the program may reapply at the next application cycle and complete the admission requirements described above.
Conditional Acceptance
A student conditionally accepted into the Medical Assistant Program must submit the following items before the first day of clinical rotations. The student is responsible for all fees associated with these procedures.
- A physical exam by a U.S. physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner of choice. To access the Physical Examination Form, please click here.
- 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 from the Texas Department of State Health Services, please click here for further information) and annual flu vaccine.
- TB Skin test (annual) or chest x-ray (every two years).
- American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider CPR Certification.
- Negative Criminal background check: Laredo Police Department and Webb County Sheriff.
- 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.MA Program Student Handbook
Clinical Education Resources
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.
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 XXXX – Any college Math2 | 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 must be selected from the following: MATH 1314, MATH 1316, MATH 1324, MATH 1332, MATH 1342, MATH 1350, MATH 1351, MATH 2412, MATH 2413, MATH 2414.
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.