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Associate Degree

Medical Assisting
Online Associate Degree Program

Program Length

20 Mo.

Credits

60

Format

Online

Cost Per Credit

$515
calendar

NEXT START January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

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Earn a degree and become a medical assistant

AccreditationAccredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Transfer creditUp to 45 approved credits
FormatOnline classes + hands-on clinical labs & externship
CertificationPrepare for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam – we pay for your first attempt!
QuickPathsAdvance your education in allied health with many options at the bachelor’s degree level, including health sciences or healthcare administration

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Classes start: January 6th
Satisfaction rate

Over 90%

Satisfaction rate

Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.

Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services

The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services degree is a 60-hour undergraduate program which prepares you for a career as a medical assistant.

The online degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in medical terminology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, insurance claims, patient privacy, billing and coding, and much more.

Herzing University medical assisting student smiling confidently with a stethoscope and tablet in hand, symbolizing readiness for healthcare careers.

  • Career-focused curriculum

    Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

  • Flexible schedule

    We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

  • Virtual services

    Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

  • Lifelong support

    We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

  • Rolling admissions

    No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Curriculum

Medical Assisting associate degree classes & curriculum details

Our associate degree program builds upon our diploma in medical assisting, introducing students to the overall operation of a physician’s office. You’ll be trained in basic clinical and administrative tasks including exam room assistance, routine lab procedures, handling financial records, insurance forms and more. You will prepare for and sit for the Medical Assisting Certification Exam as part of the program.

All classes are delivered online. The curriculum also includes hands-on clinical experience and an externship.

ProgramMonths iCredit
Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services2060

i. Average number of months for students to complete the program attending full-time

Required Courses

All courses, 24.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course introduces common medical terms through the analysis of word components. Emphasis will be placed on the structure of terms-Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes. A medical vocabulary will be developed through the study of the anatomical structures, physiological functions, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and pathologies of the body systems. Terminology will be practiced through the use of common abbreviations, spelling, pronunciation and definitions.

This course is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of the roles healthcare managers perform within varied settings in the healthcare field.  Using the theories and principles of healthcare management, the student will examine the responsibilities of a healthcare manager as well as how they work with other healthcare professionals.  Students will explore different types of job opportunities and conduct a talent inventory to identify their strengths.

This course will introduce students to health insurance and medical billing practices.  Students will understand the health insurance industry, legal and regulatory issues, and differences in reimbursement methodologies. The student will learn principles of medical billing related to proper claim form preparation, claim submission, payment processing and follow-up.

This course will introduce students to the foundational principles of patient privacy and security of personal health information.  Students will understand the confidential and sensitive nature of medical information and how to protect it.  The course will emphasize the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security rules, patient rights and reporting requirements.  

This course provides instruction in the study of human diseases with focus on the symptoms, signs, causes, and diagnosis of disease. Additionally, students will learn about pharmacology, drug abbreviations, drug categories, diagnostic equipment including lab values, and pharmacological treatment related to human diseases.  This course has a lab component. 

This course introduces the student to administrative and operational procedures and policies pertaining to the medical office. Students will learn about various medical office software including patient registration, appointments, office financial management, and electronic health records.  Students will learn about the different types of healthcare systems, diversity among coworkers/patients, licensure, accreditation and patient privacy (HIPAA).

This course is designed to introduce the student to important ethics as it pertains to the healthcare profession which includes controversial health care issues. The student will be introduced to patient confidentiality and information security as identified and enforced through HIPAA regulations. Additionally, the student will learn about the importance of professionalism in the workplace.

In this course, the student will understand the basic types of medical insurance programs available in today's healthcare environment. It acquaints students with billing formats, using universal claim forms, and it provides the skills necessary to master basic aspects of medical insurance billing and adjudication. Current reimbursement methodologies and compliance will also be covered.

This course provides an introduction to the study of the structure and function of the human body. Topics include an introduction to homeostasis, cells, and tissues, along with a survey level study of organ systems and their interrelationships. The lab component of this course provides active learning to reinforce and clarify anatomical and physiological features of the body.

Required Clinical Courses

All courses, 13.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course is designed to provide the basic theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in assisting physicians or medical office staff with medical exam room preparation and routine patient examination preparation with an emphasis on various communication techniques. Students will be introduced to basic clinical procedures including vital signs, first aid, injections, and emergency preparedness.

This course is a continuation of MS 263 Medical Clinical Assisting I with Lab. It is an introduction to diagnostic procedures routinely performed in the physician's office laboratory setting. Students will be introduced to electrocardiography, respiratory testing, hematology, microbiology, proper specimen collection techniques, quality control, and equipment inventory and maintenance.

During the externship phase of training, the student will experience various aspects of working in the actual industry that they have trained for. The externship will provide the student with the opportunity to experience and participate in the duties typical of a real workplace setting which include clinical and administrative components. Instruction centers on observing experienced personnel as well as participating in actual procedures under close supervision of trained professionals. This 180-hour portion of training must be completed within one year of completion of didactic training.

This is a course in which the student will enhance their test-taking and study skills by participating in practice exams, to prepare for their transition into the workplace, as well as successful completion of a credentialing examination for medical assisting. Students will learn the importance of credentialing, maintaining their credential, and Continuing Education Units (CEU's).

* Enrollment and successful completion in a student readiness training course is required two terms prior to MS 263 and MS 268. 

Healthcare Elective Courses

A minimum of 2.00 semester credit hours is required from a combination of healthcare electives and/or credits transferred from the core (non-general education) courses of a healthcare-related associate or diploma programs. Students not transferring in 2.00 semester credit hours in healthcare courses may make up the difference with elective courses in healthcare and/or related subject areas.

General Education Requirements - Associate

Students enrolled in this program must complete a minimum of 24.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications EN 104 – English Composition I EN 111- Information Literacy EN 116 – Speech 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities HU 140 – Cultural Diversity HU 240 – Introduction to Humanities 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics MA 109 – College Algebra 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science SC 144 – Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology* 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences PS 101 – Psychology *This requirement is being met by the programmatic science course requirement, SC 144, above.

Tution & Cost 

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the Associate of Science in Medical Assisting program is $515 per credit.

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That's why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

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  • Scholarships & Financial Aid

    You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.

    Find scholarships and grants  

  • Military/Veteran Discounts

    Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

    VA/Military benefits  

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Requirements 

Medical Assisting associate degree enrollment requirements

Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Medical Assisting associate degree program include:

  • Completion of a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
  • Meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor
  • Complete an enrollment application