Medical Assisting (Limited Access Program), Vocational Certificate

Program Information

Vocational Certificate - Code 102301 - Catalog 2024/2025

Tamara Mottler, Assistant Chair, 386-506-3215, Tamara.Mottler@daytonastate.edu 

Melissa Brown, Academic Advisor, 386-506-3052, Melissa.Brown-Mack@daytonastate.edu

Program Mission, Description, and Outcomes

Mission:

It is the goal of the Medical Assisting program at Daytona State College to:

  1. Prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

  2. To provide the local and surrounding communities with highly trained competent medical professionals.

Medical assisting is one of the fastest growing allied health professions in the country. Our efforts will be continually directed at improving and providing the most up to date training in the field.

Students should be aware that this is a professional program. The American Association of Medical Assistants has established a code of ethics and a creed for the profession. They both establish guidelines, obligations, basic beliefs and fundamental principles of the profession and offer standards of expected behavior. Students are expected to comply with the standards of professional responsibility as outlined in the documents on the following page.

Description:

The program prepares students to work in the multi-skilled field of medical assisting. Students are prepared to assist in all aspects of medical practice administratively and clinically under the supervision of a physician. Instruction covers terminology, anatomy and physiology, coding, pharmacology, medical office laboratory procedures, diet and nutrition. Clinical experiences will be provided in physician offices, ambulatory care centers and clinics. Job title: Medical Assistant.

Program Accreditation: The Medical Assisting Program Daytona Beach Campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Educational Review Board (MAERB). Information may be obtained from CAAHEP, 9355-113th St. N. #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, (727) 210-2350 and AAMA, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Ste. 1575, Chicago, IL 60606; (312) 899-1500

College Accreditation: Daytona State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associates and bachelor’s degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Daytona State College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Outcomes:

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of the Medical Assisting profession.

  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of administrative and clinical procedures.

  3. Develop a clear idea of his/her role and responsibilities to the patient, the physician and other members of the health care team.

  4. Demonstrate a sound basis of the scientific principles of Anatomy/Physiology and Medical Terminology.

  5. Develop life-long learning habits for personal and professional growth and development.

Financial Aid

This program is eligible for federal financial aid and state Bright Futures Scholarship Program. 

Financing Options: All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state student financial assistance by visiting FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For more information on grants, loans and work programs available please visit the Office of Financial Aid webpage at daytonastate.edu/financial-aid/. Students are also encouraged to apply for one of the many Daytona State College Foundation scholarships offered each semester. For more information see: daytonastate.edu/scholarships/.

Note: Students who do not have a standard high school diploma/GED cannot receive student financial aid.  

Approximate Additional Costs

Program Tuition and Fees*: $3,563
 Access Fee:

$50.26 ($1.16 per credit)

 Assessment Fee: $34
 Lab Fees: $180.29
 Textbook Estimate: $175
 Uniforms: $175
 Laboratory Supplies: $60
 FDLE/FBI Background Screening: $90
 Certification Exam Fee: $125

*In-state tuition only; out-of-state tuition will be higher.

Additional Admission Requirements

Students must take the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) for Career & Technical Education (CTE) Reading and Math skills and achieve specified minimum scores or meet exemption requirements for admission for this program (See an Academic Advisor for exemption criteria). 

  • Meet with a counselor/advisor for placement test evaluation or exemption criteria and to receive advice on course selection and registration. 

  • Admissions into the program will be contingent on the satisfactory completion of both a drug screen and a background check consisting of a fingerprint check of state and federal criminal history information conducted through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

  • Students must have a standard high school diploma (or GED) and be at least 18 years of age to enroll by the start of the program.

  • Applicants starting in a Florida Public high school in 2003 or after and graduating from a Florida public high school with a standard high school diploma and active duty military are exempt from any placement testing. Those applicants that have successfully completed college level English and/or Math may be exempt as well. 

  • Basic Cardiac Life Support for Health Care Provider and AED through American Heart Association or American Red Cross.

  • Students will be held accountable for the policies and procedures of the Medical Assisting program as outlined in the Medical Assisting student handbook, as well as the College Student handbook.

Additional Completion Requirements

Students must take the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) for Career & Technical Education (CTE) Reading and Math skills and achieve specified minimum scores or meet exemption requirements to graduate from this program (See an Academic Advisor for exemption criteria). 

  • Meet with a counselor/advisor for placement test evaluation or exemption criteria and to receive advice on course selection and registration. 

  • Submit completed application for continuing enrollment to the School of Health Careers.

  • Applications are accepted anytime during the year.

  • Selection is made once per year based on cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 or better.

  • Program specific courses must be completed with a grade 'C' or better.

  • Students not exempt from placement testing (see above) must take the AE-CASAS test and must achieve a 10th grade level in Reading and Math prior to graduating.

Careers

The following information is required by federal regulations to be provided to students for all vocational and certificate programs. Additional information on any career, job, or salary potential can be found at http://www.onetonline.org. For additional career information, please see: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9092.00

Program Length: The typical length of this program is three (3) semesters (36 weeks) for a full-time student. The Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP) lists the placement rate (2020-21) for this field at 89%.

CIP Code (6 digit) - 51.0801 Medical Assistant

 

Note: It’s never too early to prepare for your career! Login to your Daytona State Career Services Student Job Board and create your personal account to submit your resume for review and search for jobs, and practice your interview skills with Big Interview. For questions, please email Career Services to connect with a Career Advisor.

Program Specific Courses

Program specific courses must be completed with a grade 'C' or better.

MEA0005Introduction to Medical Assisting

120.9

MEA0204CClinical Procedures for Medical Assisting and Lab

150

MEA0230CMedical Terminology for Medical Assisting and Lab

120

MEA0231CAnatomy and Physiology for Medical Assisting and Lab

180

MEA0242CPharmacology for Medical Assisting and Lab

120

MEA0256CLaboratory Procedures for Medical Assisting

189

MEA0310CClerical Procedures for Medical Assisting and Lab

120

MEA0334CCoding for Medical Assisting and Lab

60

MEA0801Externship for Medical Assisting

240

 

Sample Program of Study

1st Semester - Fall

MEA0005Introduction to Medical Assisting

120.9

MEA0230CMedical Terminology for Medical Assisting and Lab

120

MEA0231CAnatomy and Physiology for Medical Assisting and Lab

180

MEA0310CClerical Procedures for Medical Assisting and Lab

120

 

2nd Semester - Spring

MEA0204CClinical Procedures for Medical Assisting and Lab

150

MEA0242CPharmacology for Medical Assisting and Lab

120

MEA0256CLaboratory Procedures for Medical Assisting

189

MEA0334CCoding for Medical Assisting and Lab

60

 

3rd Semester - Summer

MEA0801Externship for Medical Assisting

240

TOTAL VOC. HRS. 43.33
TOTAL CONTACT HRS. 1300.00

Note: Sequence of courses may vary. Check catalog course descriptions for requisite requirements.