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College of Marin’s Medical Assisting program develops the basic entry-level skills necessary for employment in a clinical or medical office environment.
In a rapidly growing profession, medical assistants work directly with physicians and other health care personnel as team members to provide patient services.
As a student, you will learn to perform a variety of clinical, laboratory, and administrative functions in physicians’ offices, medical clinics, laboratories, and hospital departments, opening a wide range of doors in the Medical Assisting field.
We offer an Associates Degree and a Certificate of Achievement option for all three tracks:
Medical Assisting, Clinical
Medical Assisting, Administrative
Medical Assisting, Administrative and Clincal
Medical Assisting Program Options – What does COM Offer?
CLICK on the program award to view costs and required classes for each certificate. The courses listed are also required for the corresponding Associates Degree programs. Please see a counselor to learn more about the increase of costs and General Education classes required to earn an Associates Degree.
Medical Assisting, Administrative & Clinical Certificate of Achievement (32.0 units)
| Time to Completion (minimum): | 2 semesters |
| Estimated Tuition & Fees*: | $1472.00 |
| Estimated Books & Supplies*: | $1692.00 |
Required Courses (Example 1st Semester) (16.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDA 160 | Introduction to Medical Assisting Careers | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 161 | Administrative Medical Office Procedures | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 162 | Medical Financial Procedures | ◻ | 1.5 |
| MEDA 164 | The Electronic Health Record | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 164L | The Electronic Health Record Lab | ◻ | 0.5 |
| MEDA 165 | Medical Terminology I | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 170 | Clinical Procedures | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 170L | Clinical Procedures Lab | ◻ | 1.0 |
| MEDA 172 | Understanding Human Diseases | ◻ | 3.0 |
Required Courses (Example 2nd Semester) (13.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDA 163 | Medical Office Computers - MediSoft | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 163L | Medical Office Computers - MediSoft Lab | ◻ | 0.5 |
| MEDA 166 | Medical Terminology II | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 171 | Medical Laboratory Procedures | ◻ | 2.5 |
| MEDA 171L | Medical Laboratory Procedures Lab | ◻ | 1.5 |
| MEDA 173 | Pharmacology for Medical Assistants | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 174L - C | Clinical Externship - Administrative and Clinical Track | ◻ | 2.5 |
Electives (3 units, suggested 2nd semester) (3.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIS 102 | Beginning MS Word | ◻ | 1.5 |
| CIS 126 | Introduction to Windows | ◻ | 1.5 |
| BOS 151 | Electronic Office Skills | ◻ | 3.0 |
Medical Assisting, Administrative Certificate of Achievement (20.0 units)
| Time to Completion (minimum): | 2 semesters |
| Estimated Tuition & Fees*: | $897.00 |
| Estimated Books & Supplies*: | $1162.00 |
Required Courses (Example 1st Semester) (10.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDA 160 | Introduction to Medical Assisting Careers | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 161 | Administrative Medical Office Procedures | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 162 | Medical Financial Procedures | ◻ | 1.5 |
| MEDA 164 | The Electronic Health Record | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 164L | The Electronic Health Record Lab | ◻ | 0.5 |
| MEDA 165 | Medical Terminology I | ◻ | 2.0 |
Required Courses (Example 2nd Semester) (10.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDA 163 | Medical Office Computers ? MediSoft | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 163L | Medical Office Computers ? MediSoft Lab | ◻ | 0.5 |
| MEDA 166 | Medical Terminology II | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 174L - A | Clinical Externship - Administrative track | ◻ | 2.5 |
Electives (3 units, suggested 2nd semester) (3.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOS 151 | Electronic Office Skills | ◻ | 3.0 |
| CIS 102 | Beginning MS Word | ◻ | 1.5 |
| CIS 126 | Introduction to Windows | ◻ | 1.5 |
Medical Assisting, Clinical Certificate of Achievement (26.0 units)
| Time to Completion (minimum): | 2 semesters |
| Estimated Tuition & Fees*: | $1196.00 |
| Estimated Books & Supplies*: | $1442.00 |
Required Courses (Example 1st Semester) (12.5 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDA 160 | Introduction to Medical Assisting Careers | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 164 | The Electronic Health Record | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 164L | The Electronic Health Record Lab | ◻ | 0.5 |
| MEDA 165 | Medical Terminology I | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 170 | Clinical Procedures | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 170L | Clinical Procedures Lab | ◻ | 1.0 |
| MEDA 172 | Understanding Human Diseases | ◻ | 3.0 |
Required Courses (Example 2nd Semester) (0.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDA 166 | Medical Terminology II | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 171 | Medical Laboratory Procedures | ◻ | 2.5 |
| MEDA 171L | Medical Laboratory Procedures Lab | ◻ | 1.5 |
| MEDA 173 | Pharmacology for Medical Assistants | ◻ | 2.0 |
| MEDA 174L - B | Clinical Externship - Clinical track | ◻ | 2.5 |
Electives (3 units, suggested 2nd semester) (3.0 units)
| Class Code | Name | Completed | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOS 151 | Electronic Office Skills | ◻ | 3.0 |
| CIS 102 | Beginning MS WORD | ◻ | 1.5 |
| CIS 126 | Introduction to Windows | ◻ | 1.5 |
* These expenses may not reflect your actual cost to attend College of Marin.
-Tuition cost is for in-state tuition, which is currently $46/unit plus additional fees. For out-of-state tuition, see marin.edu/paying-college.
-For information about opportunities for financial aid, please visit marin.edu/financial-aid
-For financial aid and enrollment questions, contact Enrollment Services at (415) 457-8811 Ext. 8822 or admissions@marin.edu.
Some classes may have prerequisites. Please meet with a College of Marin Counselor to plan your education path and determine which classes are necessary for you.
Career Outlook
What work can I get and how much can I earn?
JOB TITLE: Medical Assistant
- Annual Earnings: $28,220 to $60,850
- What They Do: Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
JOB TITLE: Medical Secretary
- Annual Earnings: $29,860 to $64,820
- What They Do: Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
To explore these professions in more detail or find out about other growing professions, visit onetonline.org.
Salary ranges reflect 10% to 90% of annual earnings per data sourced from Economic Modeling Specialists International (www.economicmodeling.com); data includes the North Bay Region (Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma) and San Francisco County.
Key Contacts
Who do I contact if I have questions?
PLAN: Call the Counseling Office at (415) 485-9432
OTHER QUESTIONS: Call COM's Career Programs Dept at (415) 457-8811 x8200
Department Contact:
Cesar Pomajulca, Instructor and Program Coordinator
Phone: (415) 457-8811 x8536
Email: cpomajulca@marin.edu
READY TO GET STARTED?
Why Choose College of Marin for Medical Assisting?
- Affordable: College of Marin classes are open to all and cost only $46 per unit for California residents.
- Starting here is a terrific and inexpensive way to start your career in real estate.
- Financial aid and student support services are available to those who qualify.
- High Quality Instruction for In-Demand Jobs: Career education programs at College of Marin prepare students for well-paying, high-demand careers at a fraction of the expense of private programs. Our graduates enter the workforce as innovative critical thinkers with comprehensive skills directly connected to real-world needs.
- Small Class Size: Most classes have 10-22 students. This low student-to-teacher ratio allows instructors to work individually with students as needed while covering material in-depth.
- Connected to Industry Leaders: Our instructors are highly experienced and well-connected industry professionals recognized as healthcare experts who understand what it takes to be part of a successful healthcare team. We have an excellent working relationship with Kaiser Permanente and other state-wide healthcare providers and work with them to ensure a quality learning experience during students’ clinical externships.
- Realistic Clinical Setting: The MEDA lab is equipped with modern technology that replicates real clinical settings providing a whole exposure and hands-on experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What else should I know?
Are there any pre-requisites?
No, there are no requirements or prerequisites. However, good working English is essential.
What are my job prospects as a Medical Assistant?
There is a high demand for Medical Assistants! An estimated 85% of our students are hired before even completing the program.
A Medical Assisting certificate can be a step to getting a degree, and also a great stepping stone to going into further health careers (MD, Physical Therapy, RN, etc.) Medical Assisting opens many doors in clinical and administrative environments too.
Where can I work as a Medical Assistant?
Once you complete your education and get your certificate, there are Medical Assisting jobs just about everywhere. Medical Assisting is highly portable – credentials are recognized throughout the US, and typically internationally too!
How do I get started?
To get started, you need to enroll at College of Marin and should meet with a career counselor (who can help you with planning your education, direct you to financial alternatives, and more!)
- See College of Marin Enrollment Services or Apply Online
- Contact a Counselor today at
- (415) 485-9432
- (415) 485-9430
PLEASE NOTE: This program is subject to change! For the most up-to-date information and to plan an individualized education plan, please see a College of Marin Counselor.
This program is eligible for financial assistance under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA). For information about opportunities for financial aid, please contact Enrollment Services at (415) 457-8811 Ext. 8822 or admissions@marin.edu.
Gainful Employment - For more information about College of Marin graduation and completion rates, the median debt of students who have completed our programs, and other important gainful employment information, please visit www1.marin.edu/gainful-employment.
