Certificate in Medical Assisting

Prepare for in-demand jobs by training to be a medical assistant

Expedite your route to a career as a medical assistant with the certificate in medical assisting at Davenport University. You’ll learn from expert faculty in allied health and medical assisting who are credentialed and certified in their fields.

Receive your medical assistant training through in-person classes offered on our W.A. Lettinga Campus and Lansing Campus as well as online through our Global Campus*. After completing this one-year certificate in medical assisting, you’ll be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exams. These nationally recognized credentials give you a competitive advantage for jobs and top medical assistant pay.

This stackable certificate in medical assisting also puts you on the path to earning Davenport’s associate in medical assisting as well as bachelor’s degrees in health and human services case management, health services administration or nursing.

*Practicums must be completed in person.

How to be a medical assistant

You can bypass medical assistant training, but finding a job — much less one with high medical assistant pay — is much more difficult without a certificate in medical assisting.

At Davenport, you can complete your training to be a medical assistant in one year. Your education as a medical assistant makes you eligible to test for the CMA certification — the gold standard for excellence in the field. With this credential, you’re well-positioned for assisting physicians in health care settings, such as outpatient clinics and ambulatory care offices.

Explore classes for Davenport’s certificate in medical assisting

Davenport’s education for medical assistants includes courses that teach you all aspects of patient care, including vitals, injections and EKG. Your courses also include phlebotomy and blood chemistry. Through this medical assistant training, you’ll use multiple electronic record systems so that you gain the administrative skills you’ll need to earn top medical assistant pay.

See Full Course List

Courses		30 Credits
BIOL115	A & P w/Human Disease I This course is the first of a two semester sequence that provides a foundation in human anatomy, physiology and the disease process for students in the Health Information Management and Allied Health programs. Students will learn anatomical and physiological terminology, homeostatic mechanisms, and other fundamental principles of anatomy and physiology. Students will study the structure, function, common disease processes, characteristics, and treatments related to the following body systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, senses, and endocrine. Each organ system will be studied with emphasis on the relation-ship between systems. Note: A grade of C or better is required to take the next course in the sequence. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	4
BIOL116	A & P w/Human Disease II This course is the second of a two-semester sequence that provides a foundation in human anatomy, physiology and the disease process for students in the Health Information Management and Allied Health programs. This course expands on previously gained knowledge in the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Students will continue to learn anatomical and physiological terminology, homeostatic mechanisms, and other fundamental principles of anatomy and physi-ology. Students will study the structure, function, common disease processes, characteristics, and treatments related to the following body systems: blood and circulation, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive. Each organ system will be studied with emphasis on the relationship between systems. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Completion of BIOL115 with a C grade or above.	4
HLTH101M	Intro to Health Careers This course is required for any College of Health Professions (CoHP) major. As part of orienting the student to the College of Health Professions programs, this course is also a primer regarding the importance of professionalism in healthcare and patient privacy, and the use of universal precautions and safety requirements for healthcare settings. Students are required to complete the criminal background check (CBC) and drug screen (DS) testing as part of this course. A review of the CoHP Student Handbook is included, as well as an introduction to the CoHP practicums and/or clinical professional practice experiences. Note: Grading is Pass/Fail. Additional course fee(s) apply. Co-requisite(s): ACES100	0
HLTH110	Medical Terminology This course introduces the concept of a system-based approach to learning the professional language of those who are directly or indirectly engaged in health care. Word building through knowledge, use of prefixes, suffixes, root words, and combining forms is a central theme of this course. Spelling, pronunciation, abbreviations, medical symbols, and use of a medical dictionary are also emphasized. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	3
HLTH220	Pharmacology This course focuses on the principles of understanding basic Pharmacology and the effects medications have on the body and disease. Names of the top fifty most commonly used medications, their classification, and side effects will be discussed. Safety with respect to calculation and administration of medications will be emphasized. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Recommended Prerequisite(s): BIOL120, BIOL115 or BIOL221 and BIOL221L	3
HLTH230	Health Care Law and Ethics This course will provide the opportunity to explore basic law as it is applied to health related issues and the health care community. The student will be introduced to the concepts of medical ethics and will explore the major ethical issues currently facing health care professionals, with an emphasis on maintaining the highest legal, moral, and ethical standards in their profession. Note: A grade of C or better is required to pass this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. successfully.	3
MEDA254	Clinical Patient Care In this course, the student is introduced to the theoretical and applicable procedures of ambulatory care practices including legal, and ethical clinical aspects of patient care. Emphasis is placed on obtaining accurate clinical and historical patient data, patient education and safety, assisting with medical office procedures and minor office surgeries, assigning diagnostic and procedural codes to corresponding conditions and procedures, and the application of sterile technique. In addition, the student will gain an understanding of body mechanics, patient assessment, physical modalities, electrocardiography, drug calculations and administration, and principles of IV therapy. Clinical experiences will encompass the physical and psychosocial developmental stages and needs of various patient populations. Note: This course requires one hour of lecture and four hours of lab per week. DU scrubs are required for this course. A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfull	3
MEDA255	Clinical Laboratory Procedures This course will introduce the theory and techniques involved with basic laboratory procedures such as urinalysis, hematology, blood chemistry and microbiology. Emphasis will be placed on patient instruction, specimen collection, specimen processing, and documenting. Standard precautions, legal and ethical considerations, and OSHA standards are applied in the performance of venipuncture, capillary punctures, specimen handling and processing of bodily fluids, and equipment usage. Note: This course requires one hour of lecture and four hours of lab per week. DU scrubs are required for this course. A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): BIOL116 and HLTH101M; Medical Assisting Limited Enrollment Form submitted and approved and students are required to provide documentation of immunizations, including HBV or a signed waiver and	3
MEDA259	Medical Office Applications Students will master the administrative duties of medical office management. This will include communication skills both verbal and non-verbal, computerized office management, scheduling, accounting practices, financial management, third party billing and reimbursement, and daily operations. Students will have hands-on interaction in the use of electronic medical records. Note: This course requires two hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week. A grade of C or better is required to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	3
MEDA290	Medical Assisting Practicum Registration Internship/Practicum Note: Contact the Practicum Coordinator two semesters in advance of taking this course to begin the approval process. Approval for enrollment in the course is required by the Program Director. This experience is designed to prepare the student for successful employment as a certified Medical Assistant. The student will gain clinical and administrative experience while working 180 hours in a health care facility outside the institution. Unless approved by the Program Director, no compensation shall be awarded and evaluations will be completed by the facility supervisor in conjunction with the assigned faculty member. In addition, this course will include preparation for and mandatory registration for either the American Medical Assisting Association Certification Exam (CMA) or the American Medical Technologist's Registered Medical Assistant Exam (RMA). This course requires two hours of lecture and at least twelve hours of clinical experience per week. T	4
OPEN	Open Elective	3

Recommended Open Electives		3 Credits
BIOL110	Foundations of Cell Biology This course provides a foundation in fundamental biological and cellular concepts common to plants, animals, and microorganisms. Topics include the chemical and molecular basis of life, metabolism, cellular reproduction, principles of inheritance, and evolution. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): BIOL110L	3
BIOL110L	Foundation of Cell Biology Lab (2 contact hours) This course is designed to provide the laboratory fundamentals of biological science at the cellular level. Students will focus on the scientific method, cellular structure and function, cellular energetics, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, genetics, and heredity. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): BIOL110	1
CHEM150	Foundations of Chemistry	3
CHEM150L	Foundations of Chemistry Lab (2 contact hours) This course is an introduction to general chemistry laboratory principles and techniques that accompanies CHEM150. Emphasis is placed on fundamental chemistry principles, organic chemistry, and biochemistry for the health professions student. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): CHEM150 Prerequisite(s): MATH120 or MATH125	1
HINT110	Introduction to HIM 4 contact hours This course introduces the student to the contents of the health record. The student will analyze, synthesize and evaluate the contents of the health record gaining a detailed understanding of documentation requirements, data governance, health law, health information technologies, analytics and decision support, health information exchange, revenue management. The student will comprehend the difference between data and information, classification systems and nomenclatures, and primary and secondary data sources. The student is introduced to HIPAA (the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act); legal and ethical issues pertaining to the contents of the health record, privacy, confidentiality and security, and professional ethics. The student gains comprehension of health care information systems acquisition and evaluation, data integrity, data security, and work process design. Through hands-on experiences the student will gain a detailed understanding of h	3
PSYC101	Introductory Psychology	3
SOSC201	Diversity in Society This course introduces students to the complex issues surrounding diversity in U.S. society and to the need for understanding difference in an increasingly globalized world. Students will explore the social-historical context of multiple experiences on individual, cultural and institutional levels. They will analyze the complex interactions regarding diversity in organizations. Students will also evaluate their own thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors in order to understand their roles in a diverse society. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	3

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

See our Recommended Program Sequences:

Finish your medical assistant training in just one year at Davenport

560

Earn the AAMA-required 560 contact hours to sit for the CMA exam

Get to work sooner with a 33-credit certificate in medical assisting

18:1

Experience personal attention with a 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio

Why pursue medical assistant training at Davenport?

By pursuing an education for medical assistant at Davenport, you’ll receive the 560 contact hours the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) requires for you to sit for the CMA exam. You’ll also receive 180 hours of practicum experience. Your medical assistant training is led by Davenport’s highly credentialed and certified expert faculty. They have the knowledge, experience, connections and desire to help you succeed.

Experience the Davenport difference:

Choose from two Davenport locations

Take classes for your certificate in medical assisting on either the W.A. Lettinga Campus in Grand Rapids or through Livestream classes with Davenport’s Global Campus (Online+) (practicums must be completed in person).

One-year medical assistant training

Accelerate your path to a career in medical assisting through Davenport’s one-year certificate in medical assisting. Position yourself to compete for the best jobs and medical assistant pay.

Contact hours and practicum experience

Receive a comprehensive education for medical assistants that gives you the 560 hours required by the AAMA to sit for the CMA exam — and 180 hours of practicum experience.

Opportunities to network

Network and surround yourself with alumni and others who share your passion for health care by getting involved in the Allied Health/Health Information Student and Alumni Association.

In-demand education for medical assistant

Training to be a medical assistant is a great career move. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 19% through 2029.

Go beyond the certificate in medical assisting

Take your education for medical assistant to the next level. Apply your college credit toward an AAS in medical assisting and then a bachelor’s and master’s degree at Davenport.

Get started on your medical assistant training

Explore the admissions requirements and then take the next step toward earning your certificate in medical assisting at Davenport.

Talk to a a graduate admissions advisor

Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.

Apply now or request more information

Get on the path to land a job that brings you good medical assistant pay. Request more information or begin your application now.

Your certificate in medical assisting stackable degree

Davenport University’s certificate in medical assisting was created as a building block for our associate in medical assisting and other advanced degrees. After completing this stackable certificate in medical assisting, you can seamlessly apply your credits to the degrees below — while you enjoy the benefits of having your medical assistant training on your resume.

Stack 1: Certificate in Medical Assisting

Stack 2: Associate

Medical Assisting

Stack 3: Bachelor

Health and Human Services Case Management

Health Services Administration

Nursing: Pre-Licensure

Admission requirements

View criminal background and drug screening information

About Davenport University

Davenport is a private, not-for-profit university with more than 150 years of experience preparing students for successful careers.

Offering over 80 degree and certificate programs, we align with top employers to design degree programs that help you gain the skills and real-world experience you need to rise above the rest. With small class sizes and campuses across Michigan or online, you’ll earn a quality education on your schedule at Davenport University.*

Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses

Sources:

DU Student Data, Fall 2023
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Davenport University, 2023/2024 Catalog