Medical Assisting: Clinical
Associate in Science Medical Assisting · San Jose City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Description
San José City College offers an Associate in Science (AS) and Certificate of Achievement in Medical Assisting: Clinical degree. The Medical Assisting: Clinical program prepares the student for employment as a clinical (back office) medical assistant in a physician’s office, clinic, or hospital setting. The student performs a variety of clinical medical assisting procedures including physical examination, medication administration, electrocardiography, minor surgery assist, medical asepsis, phlebotomy, and laboratory specimen handling, processing, and analysis. An externship in the clinical area of a physician’s office, clinic, or hospital will provide the student with the necessary experience to enter the workforce.
An advanced course in the major must be taken at San José City College.
A grade of "C" or better is required for each course in the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is an acceptable grade for courses in the major or area of emphasis if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
CAREER OPTIONS:
- Medical Office
- Medical Clinic
- Hospitals
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Apply principles of anatomy/physiology and medical terminology to clinical protocols and procedures.
- Execute the clinical skills required of a medical assistant.
- Exercise compliance with regard to HIPAA and OSHA regulations, and be able to explain relevant privacy and safety protocols to patients and other health professionals.
- Apply knowledge of clinical medical assisting to passing the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam and/or the Registered Medical Assisting (RMA) exam.
- Communicate effectively with patients and other health care personnel while exercising the highest level of professional conduct.
- Utilize the practical experience acquired during a clinical externship performed in a doctor's office, clinic, hospital, or laboratory to successfully integrate into a similar clinical health care environment upon post-graduate employment.
- Service the community by filling a need for qualified, well-trained clinical medical assistants.
Requirements
Major Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 24 | |
| HSCI 008 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MA 005 | Medical Office Emergencies | 2 |
| MA 006 | Introduction to Medical Assisting | 3 |
| MA 020 | Physical Examination Procedures | 3 |
| MA 021 | Medical Office Laboratory Procedures | 3 |
| MA 022 | Medical Asepsis and Surgical Procedures | 3 |
| MA 023 | Medication Administration for Medical Assistants | 3 |
| MA 024 | Medical Assisting Clinical Practicum Experience | 4 |
| Complete one of the following BUS courses: | 3 | |
| BUS 007A | Business Language Skills | 3 |
| BUS 008 | Business Communication | 3 |
| Complete one of the following courses: | 4-5 | |
| BIOL 020 | Human Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 071 | Human Anatomy | 5 |
| MA 004 | Structure and Function of the Human Body | 4 |
| Total Units | 31-32 | |
Approved Program Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ADS 071 | Pharmacology/Physiology of Addiction | 3 |
| BIOL 061 | Human Heredity | 3 |
| CA 005 | Computer Literacy | 2 |
| CA 010A | Computer Keyboarding | 1 |
| CA 011 | Speed and Accuracy | 1 |
| CA 100D | Microsoft Office | 3 |
| FCS 019 | Nutrition | 3 |
| FCS 070 | Child Development | 3 |
| HED 011 | Dynamic Health Concepts | 3 |
| MA 007 | Medical Front Office Procedures | 3 |
| MA 008 | Medical Office Financial Procedures | 3 |
| MA 009 | Electronic Health Records and Medical Billing | 3 |
| MA 011 | Medical Coding | 2 |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
AS Degree Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | 31-32 | |
| General Education Requirements | 27 | |
| Approved Program Electives | 2 | |
| Complete two courses for the U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals Requirement (US-1, US-2, and US-3) | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |