Medical Assistant

Health Sciences
Award
Diploma
Credits
40
Locations
Peosta
Entry
Fall
Time to Complete
12 Months
NICC Students working in a medical lab

After you complete this program you will be an in-demand healthcare professional working in hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers and other medical clinics. As a Certified Medical Assistant you may work directly with patients taking vital signs, assisting with medical procedures and documenting medical history. Your work may also involve administrative tasks such as assisting with billing, charting, answering phones and scheduling patients - regardless of where you work, medical assistants are essential to a smooth-running healthcare facility. To prepare for your career you’ll demonstrate proficiency in administrative functions in the healthcare setting, learn to use technology and medical equipment in healthcare environments and understand clinical functions. You will be able to model proficiency in administrative and clinical functions within American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) legal and ethical standards.

The goal of the Medical Assistant program is to prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national credentialing exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). If you enjoy working with people and caring for their healthcare needs, this program is a perfect fit for you.


Accreditation and Awards

The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775-7709
727.210.2350


Paying for the Program

Tuition and Fees

$9,220*

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees

$10,540*

Program Supplies

$390
* Approximate cost. Amount reflects the estimated tuition and student fees based on rates at the time of publication. These rates do not include additional expenses (books, tools, supplies, living expenses, licensures, remedial or pre-requisite coursework or partnership tuition and fees, etc.) related to your NICC education. Rates are subject to change.

Financial Aid & Tuition Assistance

There are many options available for tuition savings. Credit programs may have opportunities for Financial Aid eligibility, while non-credit programs have separate tuition savings available on a per-program basis.

Earn While You Learn

Earn while you learn programs allow you to begin employment and earn a wage, with a sponsoring company, while you are also enrolled at the College in a career specific pathway program that could lead to full-time employment after graduation.

Kibbie Grant Eligible

This scholarship is for Iowa residents enrolled in specific high-demand career/technical programs. It provides a maximum award of $4,500 per year for up to two years. The FAFSA is required and the award is based on need.

Last-Dollar Scholarship

This state funded scholarship is for Iowa residents enrolled in specific high-demand career programs and pays remaining tuition costs after all other federal and state aid has been applied. The FAFSA is required and the award is based on need.

NICC Scholarship Eligible

Any student enrolled in this program is eligible for NICC scholarships. The NICC Foundation offers a wide range of scholarship award amounts and all students are encouraged to apply.

Vo-Tech Grant Eligible

This scholarship is for Iowa residents enrolled in specific career/technical programs. It provides a maximum award of $1,000 per year for up to two years. The FAFSA is required and the award is based on need.

Learn more about Financial Aid.

Career Outlook


Enrollment Process

  1. Apply for admission.
  2. Submit official high school, high school equivalency and/or college transcripts to the Admissions Office of the campus you plan to attend.
  3. Complete ACCUPLACER® reading and writing assessment and ALEKS® math assessment for course placement. Assessments may be waived based on previous college coursework or submission of valid ACT®, or SAT® test scores. Reading and writing scores are valid for three years, and math scores are valid for two years.
  4. View the Program Admission Checklist.

In addition to the college enrollment process, applicants must achieve a minimum ACCUPLACER CLASSIC® reading score of 70 or ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION® reading score of 250. (ACT® scores are also acceptable) and a minimum ALEKS® score of 14.

The health sciences programs have additional admission requirements including background checks, health records and training requirements. Please review these requirements for program admission.

Program Information

View a sample schedule for this program of study.

Review program courses, admissions and academic requirements.

Program Outcomes

Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) Annual Reporting

Retention
The medical assistant program at Northeast Iowa Community College has a five-year average retention rate of 86.73% for the years 2018-2022.

Job Placement
The medical assistant program at Northeast Iowa Community College has a five-year average job placement rate of 91.75% for the years 2018-2022.

Exam Passage
The medical assistant program at Northeast Iowa Community College has a five-year average exam passage rate of 90.43% for the years 2018-2022.

Additional Information

Students should be aware that clinic sites can be located anywhere within the NICC service area at both ends of the district. Travel is required and students are responsible for transportation to and from, which could be as far as two hours away. Practicum is held only in the summer semester and is a six-week full time externship.

Scholarships

Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) are a valuable part of the teams at Medical Associates and Grand River Medical Group. CMAs perform both administrative and clinical functions as support to providers.

The Medical Associates CMA Scholarship Program offers up to ten full scholarships each year that pay 100 percent of the tuition costs (including books).

Gainful Employment Information

View gainful employment information for this program.

Licensure and Certification Disclosure

Successful completion of this program leads to a professional licensure or certification. Use this state guide to identify the states in which NICC program requirements fulfill the state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.

Transfer Information

The Medical Assistant program maintains formal transfer agreements with the institutions listed below. Students are encouraged to speak with their transfer college or university to verify that their planned courses at NICC will meet necessary requirements. Learn more about transferring from NICC.

Program Contacts

Jennifer Anglin
Jennifer Anglin, B.S., N.C.M.A.
Medical Assistant Program Director
  • Email: anglinje@nicc.edu
  • Phone: 844.642.2338, ext. 2196
  • Location: Peosta