Program Preparatory Courses and Departmental Requirements

1. ENG 87, ENG 88, ENG 90, ENG 99, IT 98, MATH 90, and MATH 97 are preparatory courses for the college-level work required of this major. To determine if students must complete these courses, see Course Descriptions. These courses are non-matriculating and do not count toward credit hours required for graduation.
2. IT 120, Integrated Computer Applications is required the first semester. The competency prerequisite for this course indicates that students should have basic computer literacy including knowledge of the Windows® operating system, email, Internet Browser use, and basic word processing . In addition, it is recommended that students who do not keyboard at a minimum speed of 20 correct words per minute without looking at the keyboard take IT 98, Introduction to Keyboarding, concurrently with IT 120. These students should then take IT 109 the second semester.
3. Because of the need to stay current with technology, computer software courses must be taken within three (3) years of graduation, except IT 120, which must be taken within four (4) years of graduation.
4. LE 100, Learning Techniques, is recommended for all students with a high school grade point average of less than 3.0 and is recommended for all students needing improved college -level learning skills. LE 100 is required to be taken during the first semester for all students with a high school grade point average of 2.5 or less and for all students placed on academic probation the next semester and must be passed with a B- grade or higher. Students required to take LE 100 must enroll in that course to be allowed to enroll in other courses.
5. To continue in the Medical Assistant major, students must: a. Enroll in MC 140 the first semester of study and receive a B- or better. This is a prerequisite course and must be completed with the appropriate grade in order to take most other courses in this department. A repeat of MC 140 will be allowed only once. b. Provide evidence of good health, i.e., a physical examination from a physician and the Hepatitis B vaccination series. Federal OSHA regulations require all students to provide evidence of receiving the Hepatitis B vaccination series. This series includes three injections. The second is given one month after the first and the third five months later. It is desirable that the series be completed before the clinical classes Winter Semester. The series must be completed before students can be assigned to an externship site. TB screening is also required. c. Have a set of Navy Scrubs, stethoscope, and blood pressure cuff set ordered through the Medical Careers department in conjunction with taking MC 210.
6. Students will complete an externship prior to graduation. The externship will consist of a minimum 180 hours, without remuneration, in an ambulatory health care setting. The course number is MC 283 and is the capstone class for the MA major. A student will register for the course the last semester of classes. The externship cannot be completed until after all other required courses have been completed. Students will apply knowledge, reinforce professional attitudes, interact with other health care professionals and patients and perform both clinical and administrative procedures. Students must be CPR certified and pass drug and background checks prior to their externship experience.