Health Sciences - Medical Assisting Specialization

Graduates of this program know and can apply a combination of real-world technical skills and general education concepts, and have learned to serve as valuable members of a healthcare team. Depending on the career track, graduates may choose from a variety of employment options involving healthcare administration, patient care, or related healthcare situations. Graduates understand and value critical thinking and problem solving, written and interpersonal communication, customer service, diversity awareness skills, and medical ethics, as these concepts relate to the healthcare industry and the community.

• Medical Assistant
• Medical Office Administrative Assistant

The Health Sciences Associate's Degree – Medical Assisting Specialization is not intended to prepare graduates for any professional certification, including but not limited to the following: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification through the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification awarded by the American Medical Technologists (AMT), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), or the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) certification offered through the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT).

Any course with a practicum component at a hospital or clinical site may require the student to complete the full three-injection series of the Hepatitis B immunization and all other program-required immunizations prior to beginning the experience at the site.

Current students who are enrolled in the Medical Assisting Diploma program may concurrently enroll in the residential version of the Health Sciences Associate's Degree-Medical Assisting specialization program. Students must successfully complete all diploma program coursework to earn an Associate's Degree with Medical Assisting Specialization.

Students who have graduated from a Medical Assisting Diploma program from an accredited institution, including Rasmussen University, are eligible to enroll in the fully online version of the Healthcare Associate of Applied Science-Medical Assisting specialization program through Rasmussen University Online.

In addition to meeting all other acceptance requirements, applicants must successfully pass a background check through Rasmussen University's chosen third-party vendor. An additional background check may also be required during active enrollment prior to practicum or clinical placement depending on site requirements. Any prospective student must also consider their history, lifestyle, and future actions before enrolling in this program, and carefully consider whether their actions may prevent them from attaining employment in the field they choose to pursue. Additional requirements, such as industry-specific training may be required to obtain employment in this field. Applicants for careers in this field may be subject to pre-employment screenings such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks, and drug/or alcohol testing. Employment decisions, including whether to require background checks and other tests, are made at the discretion of the employer.

Developmental Education courses do not count toward total program credits and are not calculated in GPA. Students must demonstrate mastery of the subject matter in Developmental Education courses through a Rasmussen University entrance placement exam, approved exemption based on previously completed coursework, or by passing Developmental Education courses.