Clinical Medical Assistant - Formerly Medical Assistant-Clinician – Major #2122

Associate of Science Degree Program Map
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The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


The Clinical Medical Assistant, Associate in Science Degree, is an entry-level career in the medical field.  This program is designed for the student who desires employment and advancement in medical facilities assisting practitioners with the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Admission Policy:
Enrollment is limited in the Clinical Medical Assistant Program.  The applicant must have met all of the following conditions:

  1. Have no physical impairment that would preclude the performance of all Clinical Medical Assistant duties.  The student must submit evidence of a physical examination by a licensed practitioner.
  2. Background checks may be required according to clinical placement facilities.  A negative result may impact the student's ability to complete the Clinical Medical  Assistant Program. 
  3. The program is structured as cohorts.  Students must register in MA 4, MA 5, MA 6A, and MA 6B in the same semester.
  4. Students must submit immunization record and tuberculosis clearance.
  5. Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in all major courses.

Increased Student Success:

  1. Student success in the Clinical Medical Assistant Program increases when the foundational courses are taken first. 
  2. Prior to enrollment in core Clinical Medical Assistant courses, it is recommenced to take AHLTH 11 (Healthcare Ethical Concepts), AHLTH 12 (Pharmacology), and HIT 10 (Medical Terminology).

Course Substituitions: ​​​​​

  1. MA 1 (Legal and Ethical Concepts) or HIT 2 (Legal Aspects of Health Information) can be substituted for AHLTH 11.

Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 1. Observe and document common medical conditions and diseases.
  2. 2. Perform clinical skills standard to the Clinical Medical Assisting profession.
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester

Term 1

8 units

AHLTH 11
Healthcare Ethical Concepts

2 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
This course presents ethical concepts for the healthcare provider, who is an integral part of the medical profession. Topics include HIPAA, privacy and security rules, professional relations in the healthcare setting, and specialty fields. (A, CSU)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    1. CSU Transfer

      AHLTH 12
      Pharmacology

      3 units
      Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester
      This course is designed to analyze pharmacology as it relates to the healthcare profession and patient care. The topics of study include drug sources, legislation relating to drugs, drug reference and classification, and drug actions and administration. The clinical application is to master mathematical concepts needed to calculate a patient's medication dosage correctly. (A, CSU)
      Course Details:
      1. Advisory: HIT 10
        1. CSU Transfer

          HIT 10
          Medical Terminology

          3 units
          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
          This course will cover medical vocabulary with a concentration on prefixes, suffixes, and word roots. Word dissection and definitions will be highlighted as applied to the body system, including the terminology used in examinations, diagnoses, and procedures. (A, CSU)
          Course Details:
          1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
            1. CSU Transfer

              Term 2

              10 units

              MA 4
              Office Laboratory Procedures

              2.5 units
              Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
              This course focuses on the collection and preparation of patient specimens for laboratory study and/or transportation. Topics include urinalysis, blood collection, recording of findings, regulations, and safety hazards. The clinical applications include safety standards relevant to specimen collection and handling, personal and patient safety. (A, CSU)
              Course Details:
              1. Advisory: HIT 10
              2. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                1. CSU Transfer

                  MA 5
                  Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

                  2.5 units
                  Effective Term: 2024 Fall Semester
                  This course prepares students to demonstrate the clinical skills necessary for patient preparation within diagnostic studies. Topics include diagnostic and therapeutic processes commonly performed in ambulatory care facilities. Clinical application includes performance of therapeutic procedures and documentation of findings. (A, CSU)

                  MA 6A
                  Clinical Training

                  2.5 units
                  Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                  This course is designed to prepare students to practice medical assisting skills. Topics pertinent to medical assisting include: infection control, medical asepsis, interview and communication techniques, vital signs, patient education, and assisting in physical exams. (A, CSU)
                  Course Details:
                  1. Advisory: HIT 10
                  2. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                    1. CSU Transfer

                      MA 6B
                      Advanced Training

                      2.5 units
                      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                      This course covers medical assisting procedures in the specialty office within the scope of practice of a Medical Assistant. Topics include identification of common medical conditions, assisting the practitioner in the specialty offices, therapeutic modalities, infection control, sterilization procedures, medical office emergencies, critical thinking, adult and pediatric vital signs, gestation, orthopedic conditions, and vision and hearing screenings. (A, CSU)
                      Course Details:
                      1. Prerequisite: MA 6A
                        1. CSU Transfer

                          Term 3

                          6 units

                          FN 40
                          Nutrition

                          3 units
                          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
                          Nutrition and diet patterns throughout the life cycle play an integral role in physical health, emotional health, and the prevention of chronic disease. Students will study this relationship through learning about nutrients and their interactions in the human body. Nutrition will be discussed through the lens of different social, psychological, and cultural considerations. This course includes nutrient metabolic pathways in its course content. (A, CSU, UC)
                          Course Details:
                          1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                            1. CSU Transfer

                              MA 19
                              Work Experience Education

                              3 units
                              Effective Term: 2024 Summer Semester
                              This course is a supervised employment experience directly related to the student's major and is offered under specific majors. Collaborative learning objectives are required specific to the particular occupational field. Orientation hours may be required. (A, CSU)
                              Course Details:
                              1. Prerequisite: MA 5
                              2. Prerequisite: MA 6B
                                1. CSU Transfer
                                  Total: 24 units