Step Into Healthcare: Become a Medical Assistant
At San Jacinto College, the Medical Assisting Pathway offers a clear route from foundational preparation to advanced career options. You begin with the Medical Assisting Certificate of Technology, where you gain technical and clinical skills in phlebotomy, EKG, coding, lab fundamentals, and patient communication. From there, you can progress into the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Health Science – Medical Assisting Pathway, which expands your scope through advanced coursework and general education to prepare for supervisory roles, further health care study, or transfer to university programs. Each credential builds on the last, giving you flexibility, upward mobility, and stronger credentials to succeed in healthcare.
Career Opportunities and Income
Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.
Job Entry Requirements. In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508 amendments to Texas Occupations Code Sec 53.152, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the program’s department chair.
Learning & Career Pathway
This learning pathway - a series of related and “stacked” certificates and degrees - includes the following awards. You can start at any point on the path and earn certificates on your way to completing the degree.
- Medical Assisting, Certificate of Technology (1 year)
- Health Science Medical Assisting Pathway, Associate of Applied Science (2 years)
Learning Outcomes and Career Skills
A student completing the last award in the pathway will be able to:
- Operate computer and other electronic equipment to support the medical office.
- Analyze patient demographics to be proficient in electronic health records and order entry to support the medical office.
- Employ professional telephone and interpersonal communication techniques.
- Document patient communication and clinical treatments.
- Implement safe work practices and procedures in the medical office.
- Communicate as a patient liaison to educate patients in the physician's office.
- Perform administrative and clinical duties.
- Apply/assist with examinations, procedures, and treatment.
- Acquire decision making based on critical thinking concepts on administrative and clinical concepts.
Program Accreditation
The San Jacinto College Medical Assisting program is accredited by:
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB)
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355-113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Telephone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2350
Licensure or Certification
After completing the Medical Assisting program, students earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to sit for three exams. These include the American Association of Medical Assistants exam to earn the Certified Medical Assistant certification, the Registered Medical Assistant exam to earn a certificate from the American Medical Technologists, and the National Center for Competency Testing exam to earn the National Certified Medical Assistant certification.
External Learning Experiences
This program includes external learning experiences outside of the classroom, e.g., an internship, externship, clinical, practicum, or cooperative learning experience. Those experiences are typically on-site at a business or organization.
All students participating in external learning experiences are required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the external learning sites. Some learning sites outside the college have their own vaccination requirements. These rules come from those facilities and are not mandated by the college. Failure to meet those immunization requirements may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.
Locations
College Admission
San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s “How to Apply” webpage.
Program Admission
In addition to being admitted to the College, students must also be admitted to the Medical Assisting program which has additional requirements and/or steps.
Students may view the application packet and student handbook online at the Medical Assisting webpage.
Plan of Study
3HSC-MDAST
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Term | Credits | |
| POFT 1301 | Business English | 3 |
| MDCA 1313 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MDCA 1343 | Medical Insurance | 3 |
| MDCA 1421 | Administrative Procedures | 4 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants | ||
| Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (lecture & lab) | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Term | ||
| MDCA 1205 | Medical Law and Ethics | 2 |
| MDCA 1302 | Human Disease/Pathophysiology | 3 |
| MDCA 1448 | Pharmacology and Administration of Medications | 4 |
| MDCA 1310 | Medical Assistant Interpersonal and Communication Skills | 3 |
| MDCA 1417 | Procedures in a Clinical Setting | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Summer Year One Term | ||
| MDCA 1254 | Medical Assisting Credentialing Exam Review | 2 |
| MDCA 1560 | Clinical - Medical/Clinical Assistant | 5 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Third Term | ||
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | College Algebra | 3 |
| BCIS 1305 | Business Computer Applications | 3 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Speech Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Credits | 12 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| ENGL 1302 | Composition II | 3 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) or Creative Arts (Fine Arts) | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Work-Based Learning Experience: MDCA 1560 Clinical - Medical/Clinical Assistant
- 1
Students who have taken BIOL 2301 Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture)/BIOL 2101 Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab) AND BIOL 2302 Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture)/BIOL 2102 Anatomy and Physiology II (Lab) or BIOL 2404 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (lecture & lab) and completed with a letter grade of "C" or above prior to entering the program, may substitute these lecture/lab sequences for MDCA 1309 Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants.
To be eligible for this degree, the student must have completed the Medical Assisting certificate program.
Students must earn a C or better in all Medical Assisting (MDCA) courses and maintain an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to remain in and/or graduate from the program.