Medical Assistant
Certificate I
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
- 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 Medical Assistant Certificate I is a one-year program offering students the opportunity to cross-train in medical office administrative and clinical skills. Upon completion of the program, eligible students may apply for graduation from Laredo College and exit the program with a Certificate I in Medical Assisting.
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 Opportunites
Employment opportunites 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. suburban). The average annual salary for an MA in this region is approximately $31,607.
Program Costs
The approximate cost of the one-year program for tuition, books, fees, and miscellaneous costs is $5,624 for in-district students, $7,224 for out-district students, and $8,888 for out-of-state students. The estimated cost of out-of-town room/travel for clinical affiliations is approxicmately $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.
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 |
(Discipline) 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 within 12 months of passing certification exam | 100% | 92% | 83% |
| *(TBD) To Be Determined |
Certification
Students who graduate with a Certificate 1 in Medical Assistant are eligible to earn the following certifications from the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA):
- Medical Administrative Assistant Certification (MAAC)
- Medical Assistant Certification (MAC)
Marketable Skills
In addition to acquiring the knowledge and skills required to become a medical assistant, students also develop marketable skills that are valued by employers. These skills include:
- Active Listening
- Interpersonal Communication
- Interviewing
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
Complaints
Community members may submit concerns or complaints about Laredo College's MA Program, Faculty, students, or program graduates. Comments must be submitted by completing the Complaint Referral Form. Completed forms should be emailed to ma@laredo.edu
*Neither the Board nor any College employee shall unlawfully retaliate against any member of the general public for bringing a concern or complaint.
Campus Location
Laredo College South Campus
College of Health Sciences
5500 South Zapata Highway
Laredo, TX 78046
For additional information, students may contact Graciela Y. Gonzales at 956-721-5261 or via email ma@laredo.edu
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 (Note: MAA Continuing Education students will complete the pre-requisites once accepted to the program):
- MDCA 1313 Medical Terminology
- MDCA 1409 Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants
5. Submit the following through the online application portal: Applications are accepted from March 1st through May 31st.
- Upload copies of all transcripts with your application.
- MAA Continuing Education Program students: submit a copy of your NHA MAA certification, LC certificate of completion, and Continuing Education transcript.
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
1. Eligible students will be invited to complete a skill and essay in early June.
2. 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.
3. 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 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 an 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
MAA Continuing Education Program students will also need to submit the following:
7. Letter requesting credit by certification for the MAA courses.
8. Receipt of payment for 9 credit hours for the following courses:
- MDCA 1310 Medical Assistant and Interpersonal Communication skills
- MDCA 1321 Administrative Skills
- MDCA 1343 Medical Insurance
The MA Program adheres to the Equal Educational Opportunity Policy listed in the LC Manual of Policy FA (LEGAL). Click here to read the policy.
Continuous Enrollment
To maintain continuous enrollment in the MA Program, the student must pass all program courses with a "C" or better, adhere to the College and Program Student Code of Conduct, uphold professional behaviors, and maintain a negative background check.
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 Certificate I 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 throught 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 | |
| MA LEVEL CERTIFICATE I MINIMUM: SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS/PATHWAY TOTAL: 32 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS | ||
Degree Plans might change in later catalogs. Be sure to consult with your advisor if you are continuing on an older degree plan.