Become highly sought after for rewarding medical assistant jobs
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting (61 credits)
Gain the clinical and administrative skills that can lead to a medical assistant job with a top medical assistant salary through the associate of applied science in medical assisting degree at Davenport University.
With Davenport’s AAS in medical assisting, you’ll complete a 180-hour practicum at an outpatient medical facility, giving you the hands-on training you need for medical assistant jobs. As a medical assistant, you’ll work alongside physicians and others in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics.
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), Davenport’s medical assisting program is offered in-person on our W.A. Lettinga Campus and Lansing Campus as well as online through our Global Campus*. You’ll learn from Davenport faculty who are experts in their field and who are committed to making sure you are highly trained for in-demand medical assistant jobs.
*Practicums must be completed in person.
What is a medical assisting degree?
As you explore this medical assisting program, you may be wondering what a medical assisting degree is. A medical assisting degree helps you develop into a capable medical assistant who has the knowledge, skills and disposition for a range of health care careers. Through the AAS in medical assisting at Davenport, you’ll gain the basics of patient care, laboratory practices and medical office procedures. You’ll also develop the communication skills and foundation in both psychology and cultural diversity needed for today’s medical assistant jobs.
Explore classes for the medical assisting degree
To prepare you to go on to earn a medical assistant salary, you’ll take courses like clinical patient care, clinical laboratory procedures and administrative office applications. You’ll also complete a 180-hour medical assisting degree practicum. Many of our graduates are hired for a medical assistant job at their site after completing their practicum for the medical assisting degree.
Which class should I take? When should I take it?
See our Recommended Program Sequences:
Why the AAS in medical assisting at Davenport University?
Unlike others, Davenport’s certified medical assistant program leads to a medical assisting degree, not just the medical assistant certification. You can also ladder your credits into another degree. For example, you can receive your AAS in medical assisting and earn a medical assistant salary while you pursue a bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) at Davenport. View the Medical Assistant to BSN pathway here.
If you’re a high school student who is taking advantage of Davenport’s dual enrollment/middle college program, the medical assistant program enables you to graduate with both a high school diploma and an AAS in medical assisting.
By completing your coursework and practicum for the medical assistant program, you’ll be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants and/or the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam from American Medical Technologists.
Experience the Davenport difference:
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Preparation for medical assistant jobsEarn a medical assisting degree at Davenport University and set yourself apart from your competition for medical assistant jobs. |
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Become CMA and/or RMA certifiedComplete Davenport’s medical assisting degree and you’ll be eligible to take the CMA and/or the RMA certification exams. |
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Continue your health care studiesLadder up to a bachelor’s degree in health services administration, health and human services case management or nursing after you earn your AAS. |
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Leading-edge labsBenefit from two dedicated labs using simulation equipment to further your understanding and practice on campus. |
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Scholarships just for youEarn a scholarship just for medical assistant students and open the door to other scholarships by earning both an AAS and a bachelor’s. |
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Network with professionalsBenefit from Davenport’s partnerships with area facilities, where you can network with office managers and site directors. |
Start on your AAS in medical assisting at Davenport
Explore the admissions requirements and then take the next step toward the medical assisting degree at Davenport University.
Talk to an admissions advisor
Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.
Apply now or request more information
Get ready for a medical assistant job with a top medical assistant salary. Request more information or begin your application now.
Davenport programs related to the AAS in medical assisting
About Davenport University
Davenport is a private, not-for-profit university with more than 150 years of experience preparing students for successful careers.
Offering over 80 degree and certificate programs, we align with top employers to design degree programs that help you gain the skills and real-world experience you need to rise above the rest. With small class sizes and campuses across Michigan or online, you’ll earn a quality education on your schedule at Davenport University.*
Additional resources
REGIONAL ACCREDITING BODY:
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
Date of Reaccreditation: 2014
Next Accreditation Due: 2021-2022
NATIONAL ACCREDITING BODY:
The Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) is a Committee on Accreditation of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Medical Assisting program at Grand Rapids (AAS), Lansing (AAS), and Midland (AAS) campuses are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org), upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
25400 U.S Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, Florida 33763
(727) 210-2350
Annual Report Form (ARF) Outcome Publication
In the 2015 Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Medical Assisting, Standard V.A.4 states the following:
The Sponsor must maintain, and make available to the public, current and consistent summary information about student/graduate achievement that includes the results of one or more of the outcomes assessments required in these Standards.
Davenport University students and employers are highly satisfied with the Medical Assisting Program at the Lettinga campus as indicated by the following:
Program's Retention Rate for 2018 Admission Cohort and calendar year is 82.22%
HIM/Allied Health Department Chair and Graduate HIM Program Director: Joseph C. Brown, DHA, CHDA
Grand Rapids
Associate Department Chair and Program Director: Marybeth Pieri-Smith, MBA, RHIA, CCS-P, CPC, CMA (AAMA)
Online
Associate Dean: Kelly McCarron, Ed.D,OTR/L
Associate Department Chair and Program Director: Marybeth Pieri-Smith, MBA, RHIA, CCS-P, CPC, CMA (AAMA)
Teaching and Learning Coordinators:
Carly Davidson cdavidson6@davenport.edu
Dawn Strauss-Berta dstraussberta@davenport.edu
The Medical Assistant student must be able to observe safe practice criteria in assisting patients. Students can expect to spend several hours standing, be able to move quickly, appropriately handle stressful situations, and function as a member of the health care delivery team.
This program requires 180-hour practicum for Medical Assisting
Medical Assisting Program Objectives:
Upon completion of the Medical Assisting Program, a student is expected to be able to:
- Successfully demonstrate effective communication verbally and non-verbally with patients, families, and healthcare professionals in various environments utilizing active listening, interviewing, instruction of procedures and patient education, and documentation skills.
- Apply critical thinking and knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, mathematics, pharmacology, and pathophysiology in the performance of clinical procedures and administrative functions to ensure safe and effective care of patients in the practice setting.
- Utilize critical thinking, effective time management, cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and ethical decision-making in the medical business practice setting using current technology in order to integrate clinical workflow and business strategies.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills to identify, prioritize, and mitigate ethical dilemmas while providing patient care in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations, policies, and laws while upholding patient rights.
- Exhibit critical thinking based on knowledge of academic subject matter required for competence in the medical assisting profession including accurately calculating and administering medication dosages, performing laboratory testing and interpreting data for safe and effective patient care.
- Incorporate cognitive knowledge in performing in the psychomotor and affective domains in the practice of medical assisting, applying quality control measures in following health and safety policies and procedures to prevent illness and injury.
Medical assistant graduates from an associates degree program can continue on to the Pre-Licensure BSN program.
Upon admission to the BSN: Pre-Licensure program, medical assistants from an associates degree program will be awarded up to 33 advanced-standing credits.
ACES 100 – Freshmen Seminar
COMM 120 – Presentation Techniques
ENGL 109 – Composition
ENGL 110 – Advanced Composition
HLTH 230 – Health Care Law and Ethics
MATH 120/125 – College Mathematics
PSYC 101 – Introductory Psychology
SOSC 201 – Diversity in Society
NURS 101 – Foundations of Nursing
NURS 101C – Foundations of Nursing-Clinical
NURS 125 – Pharmacology I
NURS 135 – Nutrition in Nursing
Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses
Source:
Davenport University, 2023/2024 Catalog