At Iowa Central Community College, you can get a medical assistant diploma in just 11 months. The curriculum is intensive and includes theory and laboratory work. Additionally, students take part in an eight-week practicum over the summer. The program starts every fall and it is completed after the practicum. Some of the topics covered in the curriculum include medical terminology, lab procedures, health and disease, office management and interpersonal relationships. If students have a passing grade in each of the core courses and if they are able to meet all the other prerequisite requirements, they will be able to take the exam for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification. Those who pass can then choose to work or study on towards their associate’s degree.
They may choose to continue on to their associate’s degree at the same college. This will involve another 13 credit hours in additional topics and they will also have to complete 6 elective hours. Some of the classes they will take include psychology, composition and physiology. Once they have completed this program, they will be able to work in a variety of clinical settings in an entry level position.
• Campus: Fort Dodge, IA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: HLC
• Tuition: $4,380 for in state students and $6,360 for out of state students
• Minimum time commitment: 11 months for diploma program, 19 credit hours for associate’s degree
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: Placement test, high school or GED
• Programs: Diploma and associate’s degree
• School Site: Tuition and Financial Aid