Health Science Medical Assisting Pathway, Associate of Applied Science

Program Information

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in a Health Science concentration is a career path for persons who have completed one of the following certificate programs: Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, or Vocational Nursing.

The 60 semester credit hour degree is designed for health science professionals in these areas to meet continuing education goals, transfer into four-year university health care administration or allied health programs, and to attain possible promotion from entry-level to advanced-level clinical positions.

Career Outlook Vocational Nursing

The US Department of Labor is reporting a sharp increase for these jobs, with specific increases in large cities and metropolitan areas.

Graduates can work in:

  • Hospitals,
  • Out-patient facilities, and
  • Nursing homes.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: $52,757 per year,  1

1

Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2021

Career Outlook Medical Assisting

A Medical Assisting Certificate of Technology prepares students for careers in the offices of:

  • Physicians,
  • Podiatrists,
  • Chiropractors,
  • Ophthalmologists, and
  • Other health practitioners.

Medical Assistant: $36,807 per year,  1

1

Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2021

Career Outlook Pharmacy Technician

Employment of pharmacy technicians is expected to increase by over 21 percent from 2016 - 2026, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This demand will be due to the expansion of retail pharmacies, the increased number of middle-aged and elderly people, and the increasing roles and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians.

Graduates of the Pharmacy Technician program are able to work as technicians in:

  • Hospitals,
  • Nursing homes,
  • Retail,
  • Home health care, and
  • Public and government health agencies.

Pharmacy Technician: $39,905 per year1

1

Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2021

For more information, students may contact Central campus, 281-476-1817; North campus, 281-459-5410; and South campus, 281-922-3466.

Campuses

Central Campus

Generation Park Campus

North Campus

South Campus

Information

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in a Health Science concentration is a career path for persons who have completed the following certificate programs: Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, or Vocational Nursing. The 60 semester credit hour degrees for these programs are designed for health science professionals to meet education goals, to transfer into four-year university health care administration or health care service programs, and to attain possible promotion from entry-level to more advanced level office positions.

Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites 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 clinical/external learning site. 

Plan of Study

3HSC-MDAST

Plan of Study Grid
First TermCredits
MDCA 1313 Medical Terminology 3
POFT 1301 Business English 3
MDCA 1309 Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Assistants 3
MDCA 1421 Administrative Procedures 4
MDCA 1343 Medical Insurance 3
 Credits16
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
 Credits16
Summer Year One Term
MDCA 1254 Medical Assisting Credentialing Exam Review 2
MDCA 1560 Clinical - Medical/Clinical Assistant 5
 Credits7
Third Term
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
MATH 1314 College Algebra 3
BCIS 1305 Business Computer Applications 3
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Speech Communication
Public Speaking
Interpersonal Communication
Business and Professional Speech
 Credits12
Fourth Term
ENGL 1302 Composition II 3
PSYC 2301 General Psychology 3
Language, Philosophy and Culture (Humanities) or Creative Arts (Fine Arts) 3
 Credits9
 Total Credits60

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.