Offering Campuses
Argosy University, Dallas; Argosy University, Twin Cities
Program Overview
Argosy University offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Assisting degree program. The mission of this program is to prepare students to work in a healthcare environment as part of a professional team dedicated to providing top-quality medical care.
In support of this, the Argosy University faculty and staff strive to provide an educational environment in which the students have an opportunity to develop their personal and technical skills to become dedicated, knowledgeable, and ethical caregivers demonstrating utmost respect and concern for the well-being of the patients and families they serve. Medical assistants are trained to be multi-skilled allied healthcare professionals. Their responsibilities include patient care, laboratory testing, limited x-ray, office management, and assisting the physician.
Program Learning Outcomes
All graduates of the AA in Medical Assisting degree program will be prepared for the wide range of clinical and administrative duties required in the clinical setting.
Outcome One: Patient Care
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1A. Proficiently perform all components of patient rooming and assisting providers with patient care.
1B. Perform within the legal and ethical boundaries, demonstrating his/her responsibility to protect the privacy of the patient. |
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Outcome Two: Clinical Skills
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2A. Demonstrate the ability to perform diagnostic tests performed in the medical office.
2B. Apply pharmacology principles to prepare and administer oral and/or parenteral medications. |
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Outcome Three: Administrative Office Skills
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3A. Competently perform clerical functions of the medical office using the electronic and/or paper medical record.
3B. Demonstrate the ability to perform billing and basic bookeeping procedures using the electronic and/or paper billing systems. |
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Outcome Four: Interpersonal Effectiveness
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| 4A. Demonstrate positive relationship skills, respect for others, and awareness of the impact of decisions on others. |
Certification
Graduates of the AAS in Medical Assisting degree program are eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant. Completion of the program requirements does not guarantee passage of the AAMA certification exam. Requirements for taking and passing certification exams are subject to change without notice to the University. The most current information regarding the AAMA Certified Medical Assistant exam can be found at http://www.aama-ntl.org.
Track I
Students with an earned secondary degree or equivalent (GED) may apply to Track I of the AAS in Medical Assisting degree program. The Track I program of study requires the satisfactory completion of 60 semester credit hours that includes 21 credit hours of General Education, 37 credit hours of program-specific courses, and 2 credit hours of clinical training. Full-time students following the recommended Track I course sequence can complete the program in as little as 16 months.
Track II
Students with an earned bachelor’s degree may apply to Track II of the AAS in Medical Assisting degree program. The Track II program of study requires the satisfactory completion of 45 semester credit hours that includes 6 credit hours of General Education, 37 credit hours of program specific courses, and 2 credit hours of clinical training. Full-time students following the recommended Track II course sequence can complete the program in as little as 12 months. In addition to the stated credit hour requirements, students enrolled in the AAS in Medical Assisting degree program — Track II are required to have successfully completed college level algebra and psychology courses. These requirements may be satisfied through transfer credit. Otherwise, students are required to take MAT 107 College Algebra and PSY 101 General Psychology during the first semester of enrollment and earn a grade of “C- “ or better.
Admission Requirements
Track I
Applicants must provide proof of high school graduation or GED and meet one of the following conditions:
- ACT Composite score of 18 or above, or
- Combined Math and Critical Reading SAT score of 870, or
- Argosy University Entrance Exam passing score, or
- Minimum High School or College GPA as follows:
- For students with 12 or fewer college credits, cumulative High School GPA of 2.0 or above
- For students with 13 or more college credits, cumulative College GPA of 2.0 or above
- A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, “English Language Proficiency Policy .”
Track II
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a nationally accredited institution approved and documented by the faculty and dean of the College of Health Sciences, or an appropriately certified foreign institution.
- A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, “English Language Proficiency Policy .”
All applications for admission to the AAS in Medical Assisting degree program must be submitted to the Admissions Department. An admissions representative will help interested applicants to complete the following required documentation:
- Student Information Form
- Personal interview
- Completed Application for Admission Form
- Application fee (non-refundable, except in California and Arizona. In the state of Arizona, the application fee is refundable if the application is canceled within three business days of the applicant signing the Enrollment Agreement.)
- Proof of high school graduation or GED, or proof of earned college degree
- ACT or SAT or Argosy University Entrance Exam score and pre-approved English language proficiency exam score (if applicable)
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
- Clinical Training Agreement
- Technical Standards Form
- Health forms
Allied health professionals perform a wide range of physical tasks and assignments, and they must accept certain risks that are inherent in healthcare delivery. In applying for admission to Argosy University, prospective students are given information regarding these tasks, and applicants agree that they are capable and willing to perform these tasks and assume these risks.
Graduation Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of all requirements in the program of study
- Successful completion of all General Education courses with a letter grade of “C-” or better
- Completion of all technical courses with a grade of “C-” or better
- Completion of MED 110 , MED 150 , MED 220 , MED 280 , and MED 290 with a letter grade of “B-” or better
- Successful completion of all clinical training competencies and requirements
- A completed Petition to Graduate submitted to campus administration
- Students must also be current on all financial obligations in order to receive official final transcripts
AAS in Medical Assisting Degree Program—Track I Course Requirements
The AAS in Medical Assisting degree program — Track I requires the satisfactory completion of 60 semester credit hours completed according to the sequence outlined below.
Program Credit Hour Distribution
- General Education (21)
- Program Specific (37)
- Clinical Training (2)
AAS in Medical Assisting Degree Program—Track II Course Requirements (Bachelor’s Degree Required)
The AAS in Medical Assisting degree program — Track II requires the satisfactory completion of 45 semester credit according to the sequence outlined below.
Program Credit Hour Distribution
- General Education (6)
- Program-Specific (37)
- Clinical Training (2)
Clinical Training Requirement
Clinical Medical Assisting (MED 290 ) is a supervised eight-week internship (320 hours). Students are in-residence at a medical facility during this phase of training. A sample list of clinical training sites is available upon request. Students must pass a criminal background check and have current immunizations prior to clinical training.
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