Medical Assisting
Medical assistants are valuable members of the health care team and are trained to
perform both administrative and clinical duties. The medical assistant curriculum is
a two-year associate of applied science degree program. This program offers the
student a broad foundation in basic medical assisting skills, including a period of
practical experience in a medical facility working under the supervision of clinic
personnel and the Medical Assistant Program Director. Basic medical assistant
training and education consists of learning experiences in science, communication
skills, insurance and general office practices, as well as medical laboratory and
examination room procedures.
Program Chair
Melinda Rhynes, BS, CMA
(AAMA)
Morton Hall (Russellville)
(479) 880-4036
mrhynes@atu.edu
The Arkansas Tech University Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied
Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review
Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). Students who successfully complete the
associate degree program for medical assistants will be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination, CMA
(AAMA).
Students who are pursuing a program of study where admission is limited (Cardiovascular Technology, Cosmetology,
Medical Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing and Registered
Nursing), will be assigned a major of Associate of General Studies until admitted into their selected program.
Medical Assisting
Curriculum in Medical Assisting Associate of Applied Science Degree
(60 Semester Credit Hours)
Course #
Course Name
Semester Hours
Fall
BST 1303
Introduction to Computers
3
EMTP 1001
CPR and First Aid for Health Care Providers
3
ENGL 1013
Composition I
1
HIT 1113
Medical Terminology
3
HIT 1123
Human Anatomical Structure I
3
Total
13
Spring
ENGL 1023
Composition II
3
HIT 1213
Legal Aspects of Health Information
3
HIT 1243
Human Anatomical Structure II
(prerequisite: HIT 1123)
3
PSY 2003
General Psychology
3
TMAT 1203
Technical Mathematics II (or higher math)
3
Total
15
Fall
HIT 2243
Diagnostic (ICD-10) Coding
(prerequisite: HIT 1123 and HIT 1243)
3
MA 2113
Basic Pharmacology with an Overview of Microbiology
3
MA 2123
Medical Office Computer Systems and Insurance
3
MA 2124
Medical Assistant Administrative Practice
4
Total
13
Spring
HIT 2323
Procedural (CPT) Coding
(prerequisite: HIT 1123 and HIT 1243)
3
MA 2212
Medical Laboratory Orientation and Instrumentation LAB
(co-requisite: MA 2213)
2
MA 2213
Medical Laboratory Orientation and Instrumentation
(co-requisite: MA 2212)
3
MA 2222
Medical Assistant Practice Laboratory
(co-requisite: MA 2223)
2
MA 2223
Medical Assistant Practice
(co-requisite: MA 2222)
3
Total
13
Summer I
INT 2904
Internship
(co-requisite: MA 2312)
4
MA 2312
Medical Assistant Seminar
(co-requisite: INT 2904)
2
Total
6