Application Procedure

The UAA Medical Assisting program offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Medical Assisting, as well as preparation for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination, and an Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC) in Medical Office Coding.  

The admittance process to the clinical core courses is competitive due to a limited number of positions available for each class.  For full application instructions for the AAS in Medical Assisting, please review the information on the Application Procedure - AAS webpage. A minimum of 60 credits is required for this degree.

The OEC is comprised of a total of 17 credits.  It is recommended that students start in the Spring or Summer since some certificate requirements are only offered in certain semesters at other UA campuses.  Students must earn a satisfactory grade (C or higher) in all courses to successfully complete the certificate program. For full application instructions for the OEC in Medical Office Coding, please review the information on the Application Procedure - OEC webpage.

For full information about our degree program, student learning outcomes, and course descriptions and course credits, please review the UAA Catalog.  

  • Prerequisites

    Demonstrate the following, or complete preparatory courses as recommended by the medical assisting academic advisor:

    • Placement into MATH A055 or above, or completion of MATH A054 with a minimum grade of C
    • Placement into WRTG A111 or above, or completion, with a minimum grade of C, of WRTG A110 (or PRPE A108)

    Students are strongly encouraged to complete the following courses prior to applying to the clinical core:

    • BIOL A100 Human Biology (BIOL A111 and BIOL A112 may substitute BIOL A100)
    • MA A101 Medical Terminology
  • General Degree Requirements
    • WRTG A111 Writing Across Contexts (previously ENGL A111 Introduction to Composition)
    • WRTG A212 Writing for the Professions or WRTG A211, A213, or A214 (previously ENGL prefex) 
    • COMM A111 Fundamentals of Oral Communication OR COMM A235 Small Group Communication OR COMM A237 Interpersonal Communication OR COMM A241 Public Speaking
    • CIS A105 Introduction to Personal Computers and Application Software
    • MA A104 Essentials of Human Disease 
    • MA A120 Administrative Procedures*
    • MA A220 Coding for the Medical Office 
    • MA A235 Medical Insurance, Billing and Healthcare Documentation
    • MA A250 Clinical Procedures I*
    • MA A255 Clinical Procedures II*

    • MA A295 Medical Assisting Practicum*

      *Requires Department Approval

  • Major Requirements

    Complete 8 to 9 credits in the following courses:

    • ACCT A101 Principles of Accounting I or ACCT A120 Bookkeeping for Business I (3 credits)
    • DN A101 Principles of Nutrition or DN A203 Nutrition for Health Sciences (3 credits)
    • MA A240 Medical Transcription II (3 credits)
    • MA A320 Advanced Case Studies in Medical Coding (2 credits)
    • MEDT A101 Phlebotomy Procedures (3 credits)
    • MEDT A110 Specimen Processing (3 credits)
    • MEDT A195A Phlebotomy Practicum (3 credits)
    • RADT A101 Radiation Protection and Biology for Limited Radiography Professionals (3 credits)
    • Elective credits (1-3 credits)
    • Or additional program director-approved selective courses
  • Medical Assisting Course of Study (CMA Exam Eligibility)

    Successful completion of the 38 credits listed below is required to be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) Examination. It is recommended that students start in the Summer as some courses are only offered in certain semesters across UA campuses. Students must earn a satisfactory grade (C or higher) in all courses to successfully complete the CMA exam preparation requirements. Students interested in the CMA exam preparation are required to complete the annual application process.  

     Summer Semester (12 credits) Fall  Semester (11 or 12 credits) Spring Semester (10 credits) Summer Semester (5 credits)

    BIOL A100 Human Biology (BIOL A111 and BIOL A112 may substitute BIOL A100)

    CIS A105 Introduction to Personal Computers and Application Software

    PSY A150 Lifespan Development

    MA A101 Medical Terminology

     

    MA A104 Essentials of Human Disease 

    MA A120 Administrative Procedures* 

    MA A250 Clinical Procedures I*

     

    MA A220 Coding for the Medical Office

    MA A235 Medical Insurance, Billing and Healthcare Documentation

    MA A255 Clinical Procedures II*

    MA A295 Medical Assisting Practicum* 

    *Requires Department Approval

  • Medical Office Coding OEC
      Summer Semester Fall Semester  Spring Semester  Summer Semester
    One-Year Summer Start
    • MA A101 Medical Terminology (3 credits) 
    • BIOL A100 Human Biology* (3 credits) 
    • MA A104 Essentials of Human Disease (3 credits) 
    • CIS A105 - Introduction to Personal Computers and Application Software (3 credits) (optional)
    • MA A220 Coding for the Medical Office (3 credits) 
    • MA A235 Medical Insurance and Healthcare Documentation (3 credits) 
    • MA A320 Advanced Cases in Medical (2 credits)
      Spring  Semester  Fall Semester  Spring Semester  Summer Semester
    One-Year Spring Start
    • MA A101 Medical Terminology (3 credits) 
    • BIOL A100 Human Biology* (3 credits) 
    • MA A104 Essentials of Human Disease (3 credits) 
    • CIS A105 - Introduction to Personal Computers and Application Software (3 credits) (optional)
    • MA A220 Coding for the Medical Office (3 credits) 
    • MA A235 Medical Insurance and Healthcare Documentation (3 credits) 
    • MA A320 Advanced Cases in Medical (2 credits) 

    *Other Recommended Courses for this Occupation are:

    • BIOL A111 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits) AND BIOL A112 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)