# Medical Assistant - Administrative / Clinical (A.S. Degree)

Santa Ana College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Medical Assistant

Source: https://sac.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/34297/34898/36138/34936/35882

Program Code: SAC.MA.AS

Program Control Number: 04227

The associate degree of science curriculum for medical assistant administrative/clinical is designed to prepare a student for employment in a medical office, hospital business office, ambulatory clinic, or allied health facility. Allied health careers for medical assistants function in the front and back office, as health insurance specialists, admission representatives, medical records specialists and receptionists in all medical facilities.

Course content includes medical terminology; medical data entry, computer skills; medical documents, electronic health records, reports and charts; medical insurance and coding, billing and collections, bookkeeping; effective human relations and communication as related to a medical office; clinical procedures such as medical and surgical asepsis, measuring vital signs, documenting health histories, medication administration, sterilizing instruments, assisting with minor surgery, instrument identification; laboratory procedures; and professional ethics, legal and scope of practice.

Graduates will be qualified to assist providers, doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses and medical assistants in clinical situations and function under the direct supervision of a medical doctor or podiatrist. Graduates will also be qualified to perform all administrative duties normally required in the medical office, hospital business office, clinics, and allied health facilities.

**Learning Outcome(s):**

1.  Upon completion of an Associate Degree of Science, graduates will demonstrate proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing when communicating with patients and healthcare team, critically think and adapt, and logically problem-solve administrative and clinical issues in healthcare settings, and exhibit workforce preparation as a Medical Assistant for an entry-level healthcare career. Communication Skills: Medical Assistant proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing communication for healthcare team, co-workers, and patients. Think and Reasoning: Medical Assistant logical problem-solving for administrative and clinical issues inthe health care environment, demonstrating professionalism, creativity, and equitableanalysis. Information Management: Medical Assistant positive adaptation to change and technology in healthcare systems and delivery of care. Diversity: Medical Assistant inter-relational model for themulticultural healthcare system with respect, compassion, and empathy in the provision ofservices for people of many cultures. Civic Responsibility: Medical Assistant engagement in activities that promote awareness, health, and safety, such as CPR and First Aid Training. Life Skills: Medical Assistant responsibility for personal health and well-being and ability to collaborate within the health / illness continuum effectively. Careers: Medical Assistant employability forentry-level Medical Assistant healthcare career upon completion of the certificate and/or degree option.

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Major requirements for the Associate Degree in Science:** | | 15 |
| MA 051A | Beginning Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MA 051B | Advanced Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MA 053 | Medical Assistant - Administrative Front Office | 3 |
| MA 054 | Medical Insurance Billing and Coding | 3 |
| MA 055 | Medical Assistant - Clinical Back Office | 3 |
| **Elective must be 6 units selected from the following courses:** | | 6 |
| MA 001 | Work Experience - Medical Assistant | 0.5-4 |
| MA 020 | Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogen Standards | 0.5 |
| MA 030 | Phlebotomy | 1 |
| MA 056 | Computer Applications for the Medical Office | 3 |
| BUS 103 | Work Experience - Business | 1-4 |
| BA 125 | Microsoft Word | 2 |
| BA 132 | Medical Interpretation and Translation - Spanish / English | 3 |
| BA 142 | Medical Interpretation and Translation - Vietnamese / English | 3 |
| BA 179 | Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | 3 |
| **Total** | | **21** |