Technical Diploma
School of Health Sciences / Health Sciences Career Cluster

Downtown Milwaukee Campus
Program Code: 31-509-1

For Information: 414-297-6263
Downtown Milwaukee Campus, 414-297-MATC
Classes are taught at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus Health Education Center (HEC), 1311 North Sixth Street

Overview — This two-semester program emphasizes the technical skills and knowledge needed to work in physician offices, clinics, hospitals and other community-based healthcare settings. 

The duties of a Medical Assistant will include performing various clinical, laboratory and administrative procedures. 

During the Medical Assistant’s clinical practicum, you will have an opportunity to acquire additional healthcare experience while performing a 176-hour unpaid externship held at various partnering healthcare facilities in the area. For entry into the program, students are required to obtain certification through successful completion of the Basic Life Support CPR course for Healthcare Providers from the American Heart Association (AHA). A First Aid Training certificate is also a required prerequisite for entrance.

As a graduate of the program, you will be eligible to register for the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) exam and qualify to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). 

All Medical Assistant (MEDAST) courses must be completed within 18 months of starting the program’s technical courses.

MATC’s Medical Assistant program has a graduate satisfaction survey rate of 100% for the five-year period (2011-15), which exceeds the Medical Assisting Education Review Board threshold of >=80%.

For 2015, our employer satisfaction surveys and job placement rates for Medical Assistant graduates were 100%. Overall, student retention for the Medical Assistant program increased from 88% in 2014 to 100% in 2015.

This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763; 727-210-2350.

Career Pathway — This program features exploratory courses that count toward a credential. Contact an MATC advisor for information.

 

Career Outlook — The demand for Certified Medical Assistants continues to grow. Graduates perform various functions such as drawing blood, administering EKGs and carrying out lab procedures. In small offices, medical assistants serve as receptionists, secretaries, billing and insurance clerks and transcriptionists. For additional career information, visit http://www.aama-ntl.org.

View gainful employment data about this program

 

Program Learning Outcomes — Employers will expect graduates to:

• Perform clerical functions
• Perform bookkeeping procedures
• Prepare special accounting entries
• Apply principles of medical asepsis
• Perform specimen collection
• Perform diagnostic testing
• Process insurance claims
• Provide patient care
• Communicate effectively
• Apply legal and ethical concepts
• Instruct patients
• Perform medical office operational functions
• Demonstrate professionalism in a healthcare setting

 

Admission Requirements  — This program admits students through a petition selection process. 
Learn more about the petition process

High school-level biology or one semester of college-level biology (grade C or higher) required.

Grade of C or higher required in ENG-151 or 201, HEALTH-101 and HEALTH-107

 

Possible Careers
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
Medical Assistant
Office Manager

Related Programs
Health Unit Coordinator
Medical Administrative Specialist
Medical Coding Specialist

Start Dates: August/January

All MEDAST courses must be completed within 18 months of starting technical courses in the program.

Curriculum effective 2017-18. 

Current MATC students should consult their Academic Program Plan for specific curriculum requirements.
( ) = Semester Order for Full-Time Students.

SIXTEEN-WEEK TERMS			Credits
(1)  HEALTH-101	Medical Terminology *		3
(1)  HEALTH-107	Digital Literacy for Healthcare *		2
(1)  MEDAST-301	Medical Assistant Administrative Procedures ‡		2
(1)  MEDAST-302	Human Body in Health and Disease ‡		3
(1)  MEDAST-303	Med Assistant Lab Procedures 1 ‡		2
(1)  MEDAST-304	Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures 1 ‡		4
(1)  MEDAST-305	Medical Assistant Laboratory Procedures 2 ‡		2
(2)  MEDAST-306	Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures 2 ** ‡		3
(2)  MEDAST-307	Medical Office Insurance and Finance ‡		2
(2)  HEALTH-308	Pharmacology for Allied Health ‡		2
(2)  MEDAST-309	Medical Law, Ethics and Professionalism		2
(2)  MEDAST-310	Medical Assistant Practicum ** ‡		3
(2)  ENG-151	Communication Skills 1 ‡		3
	(or) ENG-201 English 1 ‡
TOTAL CREDITS: 33

‡ Prerequisite required.

* May be taken prior to entering the program.

** MEDAST-306 and MEDAST-310 must be taken in the same semester. 

All MEDAST courses must be completed within 18 months of starting technical courses in the program.

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.

For class times and locations or to register online, visit INFOnline.

Current MATC students should consult their Academic Program Plan for specific curriculum requirements.

TAACCCT‐4 ACT for Healthcare Project information

The MATC Medical Assistant program was awarded a TAACCCT‐4 ACT for Healthcare Project. For more information, please see the website: http://advancewisconsin.org/advance-wisconsin/act-for-healthcare/

Project Mission Statement: The Mission for the TAACCCT‐4 ACT for Healthcare Project is to provide quality education, knowledge, and experience to eligible participants who seek assistance in the high-demand field of healthcare.

This ACT program is 100% funded with a TAACCCT Round IV $19.9 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. This program is an equal opportunity program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Voice/TTY (771 or 800-720-6282).

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. (Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.)  
 

Page updated October 2017.