The Medical Assistant program prepares students for employment as a medical assistant in a physician’s office or clinic. The curriculum is designed to provide training in administrative (front office) and/or clinical (back office) medical assisting skills. Instruction is given in basic medical office procedures (including appointment scheduling, billing, and insurance), assisting with examinations, surgical and laboratory procedures (including venipuncture, pharmacology, and injections), electrocardiography, electronic health records, public relations, supervision, and practice-building techniques. An externship experience helps provide the student with the skills necessary to enter the field.
NOTE: Clinical Medical Assistant Road Map * MA 217 is now offered ONLY fall semester. Road maps are currently in revision.
We offer three different certificates
Administrative = Front Office
Clinical = Back Office
Comprehensive = Combination of Front and Back
Application Process
There is no application process for the Medical Assistant Program.
Length (full time student)
Administrative and Clinical – 3 semesters plus a 160 hr. externship
Comprehensive – 4 semesters plus a 160 hr. externship
Cost (Tuition, Health Fee, Parking)
Admin - $1,391.00
Clinical - $1,529.00
Comp - $2,104.00
*Cost based on fall ’23 tuition and fees. Cost subject to change. Plan for at least $1,000.00 more for scrubs, clinical requirements, textbooks, etc.
Class Offerings
Some courses are offered only certain semesters, e.g. MA 282 is only offered in the fall. To ensure a student completes each program in the most efficient manner, we highly recommend following the roadmaps. Make an appointment with counseling to setup your academic MAP (my academic plan).
Accreditation
The MA program is accredited through CCBMA (California certifying Board for Medical Assistants).
We are NOT nationally accredited through AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistant).
After Graduation
Students will receive a certificate of achievement (stamped on their transcripts) which then allows them to sit for the CCBMA exam. They are officially “Certified” as a Medical Assistant once they take the CCBMA exam. Learn about how to apply for the exam at http://www.ccbma.org/exam.html.
MA 217, the clinical externship course, is the final step in the Medical Assisting program, where students apply their classroom knowledge in a real healthcare setting. Under professional supervision, students gain hands-on experience in clinical and/or administrative tasks, preparing them for positions in the field. MA 217 students complete 160 hours at a designated clinical site in Orange County.
Before enrolling in MA 217 clinical experience, the student must pass with a "C" or better all other MA courses within their pathway.
MA 217 A, B, C – Externship Important Dates and Deadlines
Externship Semester
Mandatory Orientation
Requirements Deadline*
Lab Review Days
Fall ’25 Externship
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Two weeks before semester starts - exact date TBD
* If all requirements are not met by the deadline, you will not be permitted to enroll in the externship and must wait until the following semester.
Enrolling in MA 217: Clinical Externship Experience
Students assigned to clinical rotations must meet the health requirements mandated by the clinical facilities. The following health requirements must be completed and maintained throughout the clinical rotation:
Titers
Measles
Mumps
Rubella
Varicella
Hepatitis B
Medical Documents (valid and not expired)
Tuberculosis (TB) Test
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination
COVID 19 vaccination
Flu vaccination
Physical
Other Documents (valid and not expired)
Basic Life Support (BLS) card through the American Heart Association (no other providers)
Professional Liability Insurance (PLI)
Medical Health Insurance
Background Check
Drug Screening
Students who do not meet the health requirements established by the clinical facilities may not be permitted to attend clinical rotations. Failure to complete the required clinical hours may result in an inability to successfully complete the course. It is the student's responsibility to ensure all health requirements are met by the deadlines provided.
For any questions or concerns regarding these requirements, students should contact the Program Office as soon as possible.
Administrative Program - 27 Units
Course
Title
Units
MA 206
Introduction to Medical Assisting (8 wk)
3
HSC 104
Medical Terminology (8 wk)
3
HSC 106
Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information (8 wk)
3
CIM 112 or HSC 230
Microsoft Office or CPC Exam Prep
3
MA 282*
Fundamentals of Medical Practice Coding (16 wk)
3
MA 280
Healthcare Organization Practices (8 wk)
3
HSC 108
Disease Processes for the Health Sciences
3
MA 224A^
Basics of Medical Insurance, Billing and Reimbursement (16 wk)
3
MA 217A
Medical Assisting Clinical Experience - Administrative (160 hours) APC required
3
* - only offered in Fall ^ - only offered in Spring
Medical Insurance Billing Occupational Skills Award automatically earned after taking, MA 224A, MA 280, MA 282, HSC 104, and HSC 106
Earn a Medical Scribe Certificate by adding: HSC 108 (or BIO 45 or BIO 112) and CIM 121B
Clinical Program - 30 Units
Course
Title
Units
MA 206
Introduction to Medical Assisting (8 wk)
3
HSC 104
Medical Terminology (8 wk)
3
HSC 106
Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information (8 wk)
3
MA 211B*
Physical Examination Procedures (8 wk)
3
MA 213B*
Medical Asepsis and Surgical Procedures (8 wk)
3
MA 280
Healthcare Organization Practices (8 wk)
3
MA 212B^
Medical Office Laboratory Procedures (8 wk) APC required
3
MA 214B^
Medical Administration Procedures (8 wk) APC required
3
MA 218B^
Electrocardiography for the Medical Assistant (8 wk)
3
MA 217B
Medical Assisting Clinical Experience Clinical (160 hours) APC required
3
* - only offered in Fall
^ - only offered in Spring
Earn a Medical Scribe Certificate by adding: HSC 107, 108 (or BIO 45 or BIO 112) and CIM 121B
Comprehensive Program - 42 Units
Course
Title
Units
MA 206
Introduction to Medical Assisting (8 wk)
3
HSC 104
Medical Terminology (8 wk)
3
HSC 106
Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information (8 wk)
3
CIM 112 or HSC 230
Microsoft Word or CPC Exam Preparation (in the summer)
3
MA 282*
Fundamentals of Medical Practice Coding (16 wk)
3
MA 280
Healthcare Organization Practices (8 wk)
3
HSC 108
Disease Processes for the Health Sciences
3
MA 224A^
Basics of Medical Insurance, Billing and Reimbursement (16 wk)
3
MA 211B*
Physical Examination Procedures (8 wk)
3
MA 213B*
Medical Asepsis and Surgical Procedures (8 wk)
3
MA 212B^
Medical Office Laboratory Procedures (8 wk) APC required
The estimated cost of attendance at Saddleback College includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.
Expenses
Living With Parents (2 Semesters)
Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition & Fees
$1,432
$1,432
Books & Supplies
$1,062
$1,062
Living Expenses: Food & Housing
$14,480
$25,916
Personal & Misc.
$4,059
$4,968
Transportation
$1,791
$1,962
Total Resident
$22,824
$35,340
Total Non-Resident
$35,124
$47,640
Expenses
Living with Parents
Living Away from Parents
Tuition & Fees
$712
$712
Books & Supplies
$354
$354
Living Expenses: Food & Housing
$4,827
$9,276
Personal & Misc.
$1,353
$1,656
Transportation
$597
$654
Total Resident
$7,843
$12,652
Total Non-Resident
$13,993
$18,802
Expenses
Living With Parents
Living Away from Parents
Fall & Spring
Summer
Fall & Spring
Summer
Tuition & Fees
$1,432
$712
$1,432
$712
Books & Supplies
$1,062
$354
$1,062
$354
Transportation
$1,791
$597
$1,962
$654
Total Resident
$4,291
$1,666
$4,462
$1,723
Total Non-Resident
$16,591
$7,816
$16,762
$7,873
Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and Summer
Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $446 per unit ($376 non-resident tuition fee + $70 capital outlay fee)
Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)
