Medical assisting
Train for a career at the heart of healthcare
Program Options
Medical Assisting Certificate
The Medical Assisting Certificate provides training in both the clinical and administrative skills needed for entry-level employment in physician offices, outpatient clinics, and other ambulatory care settings. The program includes classroom and lab instruction followed by a supervised externship at an approved clinical site.
What Can I Do within Healthcare?
Medical Assisting graduates may pursue entry-level careers in a variety of outpatient and ambulatory care settings, including:
- Physician offices and multi-specialty clinics
- Urgent care centers
- Community health clinics and federally qualified health centers
- Specialty practices (pediatrics, dermatology, orthopedics, etc.)
- Tribal health programs
- Outpatient surgery centers
- Public health departments
Medical assistants are among the fastest-growing healthcare occupations nationally. The combination of clinical and administrative training makes graduates flexible and valuable in a wide range of healthcare environments.
What Will I Learn?
Medical Assisting coursework covers both clinical and administrative skills needed for entry-level practice. You may develop skills in:
Clinical Skills
- Vital signs measurement and patient intake
- Phlebotomy and specimen collection
- Medication administration and pharmacology basics
- Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG)
- Wound care and minor surgical assistance
- Infection control and sterilization procedures
- Patient preparation and exam room procedures
Administrative Skills
- Medical terminology and documentation
- Electronic health records (EHR) and practice management software
- Scheduling, billing, and insurance processing
- Medical office communication and customer service
- Healthcare law, ethics, and patient privacy (HIPAA)
Externship Experience
All Medical Assisting students complete a required externship at an approved healthcare facility as part of the program. The externship provides supervised, real-world experience in a clinical or medical office setting and is a required step before students are eligible to sit for the AMT RMA examination.
Externship sites are coordinated by the program. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from assigned sites. Specific placement details, including hours required, are communicated during the program.
Program at a glance
- Length of Program
- Associate of Science (AS) Transfer Degree
- AGEC-S Certificate
- Individual AGEC courses
- Course Delivery:
- In-person and Online Classes
- Course Schedule:
- Day and Evening Classes Available
- Transferrability:
- All Courses transfer to NAU, ASU, and U of A as AGEC credit.
- Financial Aid Eligible
- Military/Veteran Benefits Available
- Location:
- Lone Tree Cmapus
- Page Campus
- Online
Continuing your education
The Medical Assisting Certificate is designed as a workforce credential for direct employment. Students interested in continuing their education may explore CCC’s Medical Office Management AAS, which builds on a foundation of healthcare administrative and clinical skills. An advisor can help you understand how Medical Assisting coursework may apply toward further credentials.
Please meet with an Advisor to discuss options.
Career Outlook
Program Standards & Recognition
CCC’s Medical Assisting program is accredited by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) and is part of CCC’s broader institutional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Medical Assisting Certificate is a credit-bearing credential eligible for federal financial aid.
Upon completing the program and externship requirements, graduates are eligible to sit for the AMT Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification examination. The RMA is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates competency in medical assisting and is recognized by employers across the healthcare industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I apply to the Medical Assisting program?
The Medical Assisting program has a separate application process from general CCC enrollment. Prospective students should contact the Allied Health Department or an academic advisor to confirm current admission requirements, application deadlines, and availability before applying. The program has historically had limited enrollment capacity, so reaching out early is strongly encouraged.
- Is there a waitlist for the program?
The Medical Assisting program has historically operated with a waitlist due to limited enrollment capacity. Contact the Allied Health Department as early as possible to understand the current application process, waitlist status, and next available start date.
- What health documentation do I need before starting?
Before participating in externship placements, you must provide current health documentation required by CCC and clinical partner facilities. This includes immunization records and a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. A full and current list of requirements is available from the Allied Health Department.
- Is the program online or in person?
The program uses a hybrid format, combining online coursework with required in-person lab sessions. The externship component takes place at an approved clinical site in the community. Contact the Allied Health Department for current scheduling details.
- How long does the program take?
The Medical Assisting Certificate is designed to be completed in two semesters, or approximately nine months, for students following a full-time schedule.
Related Programs
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Next Steps:
- Apply for free
- Find ways to pay for college
- Meet with your Advisor
- Enroll in classes