Medical Assisting (Diploma)
Program Start Date: Fall or Spring term
Minimum Program Length: 64 academic weeks; 4 consecutive terms day; 50 credits
Curriculum Code: 15214
Program Description
Medical assistants are health care professionals who perform basic clinical and laboratory skills as well as
administrative office procedures. They assist physicians and nurses in caring for patient in ambulatory
medical facilities.
Practical Experience
Students gain interpersonal and technical skills by completing clinical rotations in local physicians' offices.
Professional Opportunities
Certified medical assistants are employed in physicians' offices and selected areas in hospitals and
clinics.
Unique Aspects
A criminal background investigation (CBI) and drug testing are required at student expense for each
Health and Human Services student who has been accepted into a Spartanburg Community College
curriculum program of study. For more information, please visit the Criminal Background Investigations
and Drug Testing Policy section of the SCC webpage.
The Medical Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board
(MAERB). The CAAHEP contact information is: CAAHEP, 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158,
Clearwater, FL 33763, Phone (727) 210-2350, www.caahep.org.
EEDA Career Cluster
Health Sciences
Prerequisites

One unit high school biology or chemistry or equivalent
Course Requirements
Credits
3
1
3
3
2
5
3
3
4
4
4
2
2
Course Title
Medical Terminology
College Orientation
Professional Communications
Math for Business and Finance
Introduction to the Medical Assistant Profession
Medical Office Skills I
Common Diseases of the Medical Office
Basic Laboratory Techniques
Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures
Medical Office Lab Procedures II
Pharmacology for Medical Assistants
Medical Assistant Emergency Preparedness
Medical Assisting Financial Management
Course Code
AHS 102
COL 101*
ENG 165
MAT 160
MED 102
MED 105
MED 108
MED 113
MED 114
MED 116
MED 118
MED 120
MED 134
Credits Course Title
Course Code
8
Clinical Office Experience
MED 158
3
Psychology Course
PSY 103 or PSY 201
50
TOTAL CREDITS
*Or COL 103 College Skills.
NOTE: Students who place into two or more developmental areas are required to take COL 103 in place
of COL 101.
Semester Display
(Courses in bold are restricted and cannot be taken without permission of the department)
First Semester
Course Code
AHS 102
Course Title
Medical Terminology
Credit Hours
3
COL 101
College Orientation
1
ENG 165
Professional Communications
3
MAT 160
Math for Business and Finance
3
Psychology course as listed above
3
Second Semester
Course Code
MED 102
Course Title
Introduction to the Medical Assistant Profession
Credit Hours
2
MED 105
Medical Office Skills I
5
MED 113
Basic Laboratory Techniques
3
MED 118
Pharmacology for Medical Assistants
4
Third Semester
Course Code
MED 108
Course Title
Common Diseases of the Medical Office
Credit Hours
3
MED 114
Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures
4
MED 116
Medical Office Lab Procedures II
4
MED 134
Medical Assisting Financial Management
2
MED 120
Medical Assistant Emergency Preparedness
2
Fourth Semester
Course Code
MED 158
Course Title
Clinical Office Experience
Credit Hours
8
Total Credits
50
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Operate as a multi-skilled medical assistant in a healthcare setting.
2. Perform clinical responsibilities/procedures.
3. Apply administrative principles within the medical office.
4. Define the concept of medical asepsis.
5. Facilitate and/or assist with patient education.
6. Operate within the legal and ethical standards of the medical profession.
7. Practice professional oral and written communication skills.