Are you a credentialed medical assistant looking to obtain credit for your credentials or a graduate of a regionally accredited medical assistant program? The MSMA degree can provide medical assistants with the opportunity to receive credit for their credentials or prior education experience and obtain the necessary general education credits to enter a nursing program of their choice upon graduation.

Program Overview

medical assisting students

What Will You Learn?

Associate of Science

This program prepares a credentialed Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) to transfer into a nursing program either at QCC or at a four-year institution. This program has been designed to provide college credit for students who have successfully completed QCC’s Medical Assisting Certificate program or who have obtained and hold a current CMA or RMA credential.

Cost

In-State Tuition: $223/credit

Out-of-State / International Tuition: $429/credit

Some programs have additional program fees

Timeline

4 Semesters

60 credits

Learn Online

This program may be completed 50% or more online.

Requirements

  • High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.
  • Current Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA); or current Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through American Medical Technologists (AMT); or graduated from a regionally accredited medical assisting certificate program.

Locations

This program may be completed at QCC Worcester (Main Campus).

Curriculum

A foundation for success

Semester 1

This semester will involve the completion of a Certified Medical Assistant credential, where MSS courses are transferred.
Become an Expert

Semester 2

This semester will involve English, healthcare, mathematics, and psychology.
humanities

Semester 3

This semester will cover biology, English, sociology, and humanities.
Electives

Semester 4

This semester will cover more advanced biology and multiple electives.
See the full curriculum

Connections

The following program(s) have connections that can be completed alongside or applied to this program:

Students examine medical instruments in class
Certificate

Medical Assisting Certificate

Join one of fastest growing occupations in healthcare with a Medical Assisting Certificate. Learn the clinical and administrative duties required of medical assistants through hands-on training in the fields of scheduling appointments, telehealth, ethics, vital signs, phlebotomy, pharmacology, and more.

Career Stats

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More Info
Course TitleCourse #Semester OfferedCreditsPrerequisites

Semester 1 (Fall)

  • Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: MSMA).
  • Meet with Career Services to credential 22 credits for CMA or RMA.
  • Contact Career Services (www.QCC.edu/APexams) to receive credit for High School (HS) Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. QCC School Code: 3714.
Upon successful completion of Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through American Medical Technologists (AMT), 22 credits credentialed (22 credits can be transferred from regionally accredited college)Transfer Courses:
MSS 111
MSS 112
MSS 121
MSS 122
MSS 199		 22 
  Total22 

Semester 2 (Spring)

  • Meet with Program Coordinator of desired QCC healthcare field (e.g., Nurse Education, etc.); or if considering transfer, meet with a Transfer Services Advisor. See www.QCC.edu/transfer. Attend Transfer Services events.
  • Complete ENG 101; or AP English/Language and Composition, with AP Exam grade of “3” or higher, to count as ENG 101.
  • Complete PSY 101; or AP Psychology, with AP Exam grade of “3” or higher, to count as PSY 101.
Composition IENG 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Healthcare First Year ExperienceFYE 102F/S/SU3 
StatisticsMAT 122F/S/SU3College level math course or QMAT placement score > 21 or Coreq: MAT 052
Introduction to PsychologyPSY 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
  Total12 

Semester 3 (Fall)

  • Follow Academic Plan from FYE 102; adjust with Academic Advisor, as needed.
  • If considering transfer, meet with representatives of four-year schools to discuss/begin the transfer application process.
  • Complete ENG 102; or AP English/Literature and Composition, with AP Exam grade of “3” or higher, to count as ENG 102.
Anatomy & Physiology IBIO 111F/S/SU4BIO 101 or BIO 107 or HS AP Biology or PNP 240 with a grade of “C” or higher, Coreq: ENG 101
Composition IIENG 102F/S/SU3ENG 101
Introductory Sociology (Principles)SOC 101F/S/SU3Placement into college level English
Humanities Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total13 

Semester 4 (Spring)

  • Follow Academic Plan from FYE 102; adjust with Academic Advisor, as needed.
  • Apply to desired QCC healthcare field associate degree; or continue with/complete the transfer application process.
  • Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Anatomy & Physiology IIBIO 112F/S/SU4BIO 111
History Elective---F/S/SU3 
Humanities Elective---F/S/SU3 
Humanities Elective---F/S/SU3 
  Total13 
Total Credits Required:  60 

Program Goals:

The goal of the Medical Support Specialist - Medical Assisting Option is to prepare credentialed Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) to transfer into a nursing program either at QCC or at a four-year institution. This program has been designed to provide college credit for students who have successfully completed QCC’s Medical Assisting Certificate program or who have obtained and hold a current CMA credential.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

  • Have an understanding of the biological sciences relative to the healthcare profession.
  • Strengthen the development of their general education skills with courses in English, psychology, sociology, mathematics, and the humanities.

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions@qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Program Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

  • High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.
  • Current Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA); or current Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through American Medical Technologists (AMT); or graduated from a regionally accredited medical assisting certificate program.

CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) checks are not required. Fingerprinting and drug testing are not required.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to use skills they already have towards a college degree or certificate. Work, life, volunteer and military experience may be translated into credit, allowing students to take fewer classes and earn their degree faster. CPL eliminates redundancies for students who have already earned credentials or mastered skills required for their program of study. Email experience@qcc.mass.edu for more information and eligibility.

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 51.0716.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.