Medical Assisting

Effective: Fall 2024
Associate in Science Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description

Looking for a career in healthcare? Medical Assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals who can perform a variety of administrative and clinical skills. According to the 2019 Labor Market Data report, there will be a 14% increase in annual openings for medical assistants from 2018 to 2023 in the Bay Area Region.


What can I do with this major?

Graduates of the Medical Assisting programs at Chabot College can apply for employment as Medical Assistants in an ambulatory care setting. Job titles include medical assistant, medical receptionist, certified medical assistant, scheduler, and medical office assistant.


Learning and Career Pathway
  • Health and Wellness

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

Semester 1

17 units

HLTH 51A
Medical Terminology & the Human Body1

4 units
Terminology and human body structure and function typically used in the medical profession. Explanation of the history of terminology, prefixes, suffixes, and root words with emphasis on spelling, definitions, pronunciation, and an understanding of their meanings. Includes basic understanding of the basic structure and function of the human body as well as medical abbreviations, anatomical, disease, diagnostic, medical, surgical, and additional terms as they relate to each body system.

PSY 1
General Psychology

3 units
Introduces students to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Provides an overview of major psychological concepts and theories in such areas as consciousness, learning, memory, motivation, perception, personality, stress, and social behavior.
Course Details:
  1. Strongly Recommended: ENGL 1A
  • Transfers to CSU

    • Nutrition course (Choose one)

    3 units

    NUTR 1
    Introduction to Nutrition Science

    3 units
    Scientific concepts of nutrition related to the function of nutrients, sources and recommended intakes. Nutritional assessment and the role of nutrition in the maintenance of health.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: CHEM 30A
      2. and
    2. Strongly Recommended: MTH 53
      3. and
    3. Strongly Recommended: ENGL 1A
  • Transfers to CSU
    • or

    NUTR 6
    Nutrition for Healthy Living

    3 units
    An introductory course focusing on basic nutrition concepts and their application to personal dietary assessment and diet planning. Socioeconomic conditions, personal behaviors, and cultural influences will be examined. Ideal for students not majoring in a healthcare profession.
    Course Details:

    Computer course (Choose one)

    3 units
    GE
    Counts towards Major Specific G.E. Requirement

    CAS 50
    Introduction to Computer Application Systems

    3 units
    Introduction to computer applications systems as it relates to business and home use. Course introduces software topics in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, internet, World Wide Web, electronic mail, file management, data communications and an introduction to basic computer programming. Hardware topics include PC system components and troubleshooting issues. Other topics include computer-based careers and trends, electronic computing issues, terminology, electronic communication skills, ethics, security, and netiquette in today’s business computing environment.
    or

    CSCI 8
    Computer Literacy

    3 units
    Introduction to computers including: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Multimedia, the internet, browsers, World Wide Web, an awareness of types of computer software in use including programming languages, electronic mail, computer-based careers and trends, and other computing issues in today’s society. No prior computer experience necessary. Course recommended for students of any major who want to learn about computers and how to use them. Hands-on laboratory experience reinforces lecture.

    English 1- Critical Reading and Composition

    4 units
    GE
    • 1 - Must pass with a "C" or better to enter the Medical Assisting program

    Semester 2

    16-17 units

    HLTH 51B
    Advanced Medical Terminology and Disease Process

    4 units
    Introduction to the nature of disease and to structural and functional changes of diseases as they affect the systems of the body. Discussion of causes, symptoms and treatment of diseases/disorders pertaining to each body system and the body as a whole. Understanding how diseases and disorders affect individuals as well as the population. Identify tools and behaviors that promote health aging to reduce the risk of diseases and disorders.

    BIOS 15
    Anatomy and Physiology

    4 units
    Structure and function of the human body is studied. Emphasis on human anatomy and physiological principles at the cellular and systemic level. Designed primarily for majors in paramedic and medical assisting programs and pre-medical students who wish to explore the realm of anatomy and physiology. May not receive credit if BIOL 50 has been completed successfully.
    Course Details:

    MEDA 60
    Introduction to Medical Assisting1

    2 units
    This course is an introduction to the Medical Assisting profession. It includes job duties, scope of practice, medical law & ethics, and communication. Medical Assisting is a 2-semester certificated program. This is a pre-requisite, along with HLTH 51A, to enter the medical assisting program. This course also is a pre-requisite for the Medical Assisting-Administrative program.
    Course Details:

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3 units
    GE

    Math Course for General Education: see a counselor to choose the appropriate course.

    3-4 units
    GE
    • 1 - Must pass with a "C" or better to enter the Medical Assisting program

    Semester 3

    13.5 units

    MEDA 70A
    Clinical Skills For the Medical Assistant I

    3.5 units
    Introduction to the clinical role of the Medical Assistant. Includes basic and advanced skills which are utilized when assisting the physician and performing direct patient care. Theory and skills include performing within the scope of practice, vital signs, documentation, preparing and assisting with medical examinations, OSHA regulations, electrocardiograms, sterile technique, injections, oral medications, and first aid.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: HLTH 51A
    2. Prerequisite: MEDA 60
      3. and
    3. Corequisite: MEDA 75
    4. Corequisite: MEDA 71A

    MEDA 71A
    Administrative Skills I

    2 units
    Administrative Medical Assisting skills and theory to include the healthcare industry, the medical assisting profession, interpersonal skills and human behavior, law and ethics, computer concepts, telephone techniques, scheduling appointments, patient reception and processing, office/clinic environment and daily operations, written communication and mail processing, medical record management.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: HLTH 51A
    2. Prerequisite: MEDA 60

    MEDA 75
    Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant

    2 units
    Introduction to pharmacology fundamentals. Medication administration fundamentals including study of medications, drug research, drug therapy, immunizations and skin tests. Discuss safe preparation, administration, and documentation of medication given by oral, sublingual, inhalation, topical, vaginal, rectal, transdermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intradermal routes.
    Course Details:
    1. Corequisite: MEDA 70A
    2. Prerequisite: HLTH 51A
    3. Prerequisite: MEDA 60

    MEDA 76
    Electronic Health Record for the Medical Office

    3 units
    To prepare the student medical assistant, or any health care professional, to work within an electronic health record (EHR) and practice management software (PMS). This course will provide the knowledge and skills to understand and apply practical applications in the Electronic Health Record, managing the revenue cycle, and documenting patient encounters. As most of the healthcare industry uses electronic health records, this is a valuable course to become familiar with the data that is entered into the medical record and practice management software, how that data is entered and how the data is reviewed and processed throughout all departments of a medical practice.
    Course Details:

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3 units
    GE

    Semester 4

    13 units

    MEDA 70B
    Clinical Skills For the Medical Assistant 2

    3 units
    Continuation of Medical Assisting 70A. Basic and advanced clinical skills common to medical offices and clinics. Use of advanced clinical skills while assisting the physician and performing direct patient care. Skills include venipuncture, capillary punctures, CLIA waived laboratory tests, assisting with specialty exams, pharmacology for systems, and pediatric exams and documentation.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: HLTH 51A
      2. and
    2. Prerequisite: MEDA 70A
      3. and
    3. Prerequisite: MEDA 75
    4. Strongly Recommended: HLTH 51B
    5. Corequisite: MEDA 71B
      6. and
    6. Corequisite: MEDA 73
      7. and
    7. Corequisite: MEDA 74

    MEDA 71B
    Administrative Skills II

    2 units
    Administrative Medical Assisting skills and theory which include medical coding, health insurance, billing, collections, practice finances, confidentiality and development of life skills. This course also includes resume writing and job search techniques.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: MEDA 71A

    MEDA 73
    Clinical Experience Practicum

    4 units
    Application of principles and skills through participation in a simulated employment experience. Assisting the physician under close supervision in a health maintenance organization, or physician’s office or clinic. Practicum - approximately 36 hours a week until required hours are completed - will occur the last 6 weeks of the spring term.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: MEDA 70B
    2. Prerequisite: MEDA 71B
    3. Prerequisite: HLTH 51B
    4. Prerequisite: MEDA 76
    5. Corequisite: MEDA 74

    MEDA 74
    Clinical Experience Seminar

    1 unit
    Discussion and analysis of clinical experience in a clinic setting or private physician's office.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: MEDA 70B
    2. Prerequisite: MEDA 71B
    3. Prerequisite: MEDA 76
    4. Prerequisite: HLTH 51B
    5. Corequisite: MEDA 73

    General Education Course- see a counselor to choose the appropriate general education pattern and general ed course option for this term.

    3 units
    GE
    Total Units: 59.5-60.5 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.