American Public University System Catalog
2026 - 2027 Catalog
Course Descriptions
MEA Medical Assisting
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MEA1243 Pharmacology for the Allied Health Professional
40 hours, 4 credits
This course is designed for a variety of allied health programs requiring an understanding of pharmacology. It attempts to present a basic rationale for understanding current drug therapy. This course presents drugs according to their therapeutic applications. Pertinent physiology and related diseases are reviewed before the pharmacology of the drug is discussed. The approach by body system in this course serves to provide the necessary background information and to refresh the student’s memory of previously learned material through which the therapeutic action of the drugs can be clearly understood.
MEA1350 Fundamentals in Clinical Techniques
100 hours, 6 credits
MEA1350 Lecture (20 hours, 2 credits)
MEA1350L Lab (80 hours, 4 credits)
In this course, students will begin to develop and apply skills in injections, phlebotomy, and basic vital signs. They will begin to understand reasoning and sequencing of immunizations, basic lab functions, and applied lab skills as well as learn basic CPR. In addition, students will recognize proper techniques in providing efficient patient care within a clinical setting and applied knowledge of basic laboratory coding.
MEA1460 Clinical Laboratory Applications and Diagnostic Procedures I
100 hours, 6 credits
MEA1460 Lecture (20 hours, 2 credits)
MEA1460L Lab (80 hours, 4 credits)
In this course, students will begin to develop and apply learned applied skills and procedure technique within pulmonary, audiology, and ophthalmology. Students will also learn patient care assessment, procedures, and applicable tests within women’s health, the importance of good nutrition in conjunction with an understanding of common eating disorders. In addition, students will learn to work with common injuries and treatment of orthopedics. Students will gain overall knowledge within various clinical department settings.
MEA1570 Clinical Laboratory Applications and Diagnostic Procedures II
100 hours, 6 credits
MEA1570 Lecture (20 hours, 2 credits)
MEA1570L Lab (80 hours, 4 credits)
In this course, students will begin to develop and apply learned patient care assessment, procedures, diagnosis, and treatments within clinical departments to include internal medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, urology, cardiology, endocrinology, special needs, and disability patient care. In addition, students will recognize proper assessment and utilize basic skills in working with patients dealing with a terminal illness in addition to identifying the psychological states of death or dying. In this course, students will also learn basic procedural coding, where applicable.
MEA2203 Pathophysiology
50 hours, 5 credits
Students will learn basic concepts and terminology related to diseases and disorders of the human body. Focus is on the structure, nature, causes, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology and treatment of common diseases of selected human body systems.
Prerequisite: BSC2093C
MEA2820 Medical Assisting Capstone
20 hours, 2 credits
In conjunction with the Medical Assisting Externship, students will complete an online Medical Assisting Capstone course. In this course, students will learn job-search techniques and skills for entry-level medical assistants as well as share and learn from their externship experiences with the class. Students will also prepare to sit for a medical assisting credential examination during this course (either the CMA or RMA depending on program enrollment date).
Corequisites: MEA2895; Expected to be the final lower-level core course completed
MEA2895 Medical Assistant Experiential Externship
200 hours, 6 credits
In conjunction with a Medical Assisting Capstone, students will complete 180 hours of a Medical Assisting training experience in a physician’s office/clinic or medical center and 20 hours of online lecture. While on the clinical site, the extern will perform medical assisting job duties in both the front-office administrative and the back-office clinical areas, in order to develop on-the-job learning skills.
Prerequisite: Must have passed all Medical Assisting core courses except E242 Career Development
Corequisite: MEA2820
MEA2976 Medical Assistant Professional Externship
260 hours, 6 credits
In conjunction with the Medical Assisting Capstone course, students will train in a physician’s office/ clinic or medical center. They will complete 240 hours of Medical Assistant training where they will perform a wide variety of clinical, administrative, and technical duties. They will develop their skills to better prepare them for their future employment in the Medical Assisting field.
Prerequisite: Must have passed all Medical Assisting core courses except E242 Career Development
Corequisite: MEA2820
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