Medical Support Specialist - Medical Assisting Option

Program Code:

MSMA

Degree:

Associate in Science

This program may be completed at QCC Worcester (Main Campus).
This program may be completed 50% or more online.

Connections:

The following certificate(s) can be completed along with this associate degree:

Medical Assisting Certificate

Program Contact Email:

medicalsupport@qcc.mass.edu

Additional Information

Goals

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.

Classes

Curriculum:

Course Title	Course #	Semester Offered	Credits	Prerequisites
Semester 1 (Fall) Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: MSMA). Meet with Career Services Representative to credential 22 credits for CMA or RMA. Contact QCC 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: ALH 102 ALH 151 ALH 152 MSS 151 MSS 251 MSS 252 MSS 299		22
		Total	22
Semester 2 (Spring) 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 I	ENG 101	F/S/SU	3	Placement into college level English
Healthcare First Year Experience	FYE 102	F/S/SU	3
Statistics	MAT 122	F/S/SU	3	MAT 095 with a grade of “C” or higher or approp place
Introduction to Psychology	PSY 101	F/S/SU	3	Placement into college level English
		Total	12
Semester 3 (Fall) Follow Academic Plan from FYE 102; adjust with Academic Advisor, as needed. Meet with a QCC Transfer Services Advisor. See www.QCC.edu/transfer. Attend Transfer Services events. Complete ENG 102; or AP English/Literature and Composition, with AP Exam grade of “3” or higher, to count as ENG 102.
Anatomy & Physiology I	BIO 111	F/S/SU	4	BIO 101 or BIO 107 or HS AP Biology, Coreq: ENG 101
Composition II	ENG 102	F/S/SU	3	ENG 101
Introductory Sociology (Principles)	SOC 101	F/S/SU	3	Placement into college level English
Humanities Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
		Total	13
Semester 4 (Spring) Follow Academic Plan from FYE 102; adjust with Academic Advisor, as needed. Continue with/complete the transfer application process. Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Anatomy & Physiology II	BIO 112	F/S/SU	4	BIO 111
History Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
Humanities Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
Humanities Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
		Total	13
Total Credits Required:			60

Elective Information

Outcomes

Program Outcomes:

Program outcomes are defined as performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the purposes of the Quinsigamond Community College Medical Assisting program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. Program outcomes are measurable, consumer-oriented indexes designed to evaluate the degree to which the program is achieving its mission and goals. Examples include, but are not limited to, program completion rates, licensure/certification examination pass rates, and job placement rates.

Program Statistics:

Program Completion:

Expected Level of Achievement developed by QCC Medical Assisting Faculty (and reported to MAERB accrediting body) are that >60% of students complete the program.
- 2017 admission cohort: 76.92% have graduated from the Medical Assisting certificate program
- 2018 admission cohort: 80% have graduated from the Medical Assisting certificate program
- 2019 admission cohort: 84.62% have graduated from the Medical Assisting certificate program

Medical Assisting Certification Passing Rate:

Expected Level of Achievement developed by QCC Medical Assisting Faculty (and reported to MAERB accrediting body) are >60% of test takers will successfully complete one of these exams: CMA (AAMA), RMA (AMT), NCMA (NCCT), CCMA (NHA), or CMAC (AMCA).
- 2017 graduate cohort: 100% have passed at least one exam
- 2018 graduate cohort: 66.67% have passed at least one exam
- 2019 graduate cohort: 54.55% have passed at least one exam

Graduates Obtaining Jobs:

Expected Level of Achievement developed by QCC Medical Assisting Faculty (and reported to MAREB accrediting body) are that >60% of graduates seeking employment are employed within one year of graduation.
- 2017 admission cohort: 40% of graduates have obtained employment
- 2018 graduate cohort: 72.73% of graduates have obtained employment
- 2019 graduate cohort: 63.64% of graduates have obtained employment

Cost & Requirements

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.

Admissions Process:

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

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 [at] qcc.mass.edu for more information and eligibility.

CORI, SORI, Fingerprinting & 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.

Career

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.

The actual median salary and position may vary depending on the employee’s educational level and years of experience

Medical Assisting: Q&A

Apply for Admission Request Information

Contact QCC Admissions at 508.854.4262 for more information.

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