Medical Assistant

  1. Overview
  2. A.A.S., Medical Assistant
  3. Medical Assistant Certificate
Medical Assistant

Become an integral member of a medical team.

Medical Assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. A medical assistant takes vital signs, prepares patients for and assists physicians during examinations, collects and prepares laboratory specimens, performs basic laboratory tests on the premises, schedules appointments, bills patients, fills out insurance forms, and much more.

Berkeley College’s Medical Assistant Associate in Applied Science degree and Certificate programs prepare students to enter the high-demand field of healthcare and to work in a variety of settings, including physicians’ offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and other professional healthcare facilities. Graduates are prepared to meet both the clinical and administrative challenges of today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment.

The Associate in Applied Science degree program is an extension of the career-track certificate program. Graduates of the A.A.S. degree program are also issued a certificate in Medical Assisting.

Graduates of the Medical Assistant programs are eligible to sit for a variety of certification examinations, including:

  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)*
  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
  • Certified Electrocardiography (CET)
  • Certified Phlebotomy (CPT)
  • Certified Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Students gain experience in a wide variety of areas, including:

  • Clinical procedures such as electrocardiography (EKG), venipuncture, and specimen collection
  • Medical office administration
  • Medical terminology and coding
  • Medical law and ethics

Benefit from:

  • A strong foundation in both the theory and practice of clinical care
  • Hands-on learning using modern equipment in simulated healthcare environments
  • Instruction in the use of relevant medical devices and software
  • Valuable, practical experience through a program-related, faculty-monitored internship
  • Eligibility to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)* or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) examination

*Pending accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Certification

Berkeley College is seeking accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) in connection with this program. Only graduates of CAAHEP-accredited Medical Assistant programs are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam. The CMA designation is a national credential awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), indicating that the Medical Assistant meets certain standards of competence as determined by the AAMA. In the State of New Jersey, Medical Assistants who hold the CMA credential are permitted to administer injections.

Medical Assistant
Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)

Beginning Fall 2013: This program is expected to begin with the Fall 2013 quarter, subject to regulatory approvals and other circumstances, and will be offered at the Clifton and Dover locations*.

*The opening of locations in Clifton and Dover is planned for 2013, subject to regulatory approval.

The following are A.A.S., Medical Assistant program statistics for New Jersey. This program is expected to begin in 2013, subject to regulatory approvals and other circumstances. Berkeley reserves the right to modify programs and plans as it deems appropriate.

Click on the links for more information on jobs related to this program:

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services 31-9092 Medical Assistant

 

Q: How much will this program cost me to complete?
A: If you begin this program in 2013, your estimated total costs for the entire program are:

Tuition and fees:

$46,800


Books and supplies:

$1,910


On-campus room & board:

Not required


Q: What's included?
A:
The cost is based on completion of the program within two years for an Associate's degree (Note: Additional costs may be incurred due to individual circumstances such as specific course selections and remediation requirements). Berkeley College does offer a Tuition Freeze Program which may reduce overall tuition cost (click here for terms and conditions). Program costs include tuition and fees plus the estimated cost of textbooks and supplies. Living expenses, such as room, board, and transportation, can vary considerably and are not included in the figures above. Berkeley College does not require students to live on campus. There is optional housing available to students at either the University Center in Newark, NJ (which has an additional estimated cost of $15,300 for six quarters) or housing at the White Plains location (which has an additional estimated cost of $18,300 for six quarters).

Q: What are my financing options to pay for the program?
A:
In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, students may be eligible to borrow federal loans and private educational loans, and participate in institutional financing plans.

Because this is a new program, there are no relevant statistics concerning student loan debt.

Q: How long will it take me to complete this program?
A:

This 90-credit program is designed to be completed in six academic quarters over two calendar years.

Because this is a new program, there are no relevant statistics concerning program completion.


 

In addition to meeting the immunization requirements of Berkeley College and the State of New Jersey, a tetanus shot administered within the past ten years is also recommended. Hepatitis B vaccination and a tetanus shot are also recommended for part-time students enrolled in the Medical Assistant program.  

To qualify for graduation, students must participate in the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification examination.

 


Medical Assistant
Certificate Program

Beginning Fall 2013: This program is expected to begin with the Fall 2013 quarter, subject to regulatory approvals and other circumstances, and will be offered at the Clifton and Dover locations*.

*The opening of locations in Clifton and Dover is planned for 2013, subject to regulatory approval.

The following are Medical Assistant Certificate program statistics for New Jersey. This program is expected to begin in 2013, subject to regulatory approvals and other circumstances. Berkeley reserves the right to modify programs and plans as it deems appropriate.

Click on the links for more information on jobs related to this program:

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services 31-9092 Medical Assistant

 

Q: How much will this program cost me to complete?
A: If you begin this program in 2013, your estimated total costs for the entire program are:

Tuition and fees:

$19,100


Books and supplies:

$1,700


On-campus room & board:

Not required


Q: What's included?
A:
Program costs include tuition, administrative and technology fees, background check where appropriate, and the cost of the first certification/licensure examination. Living expenses, such as room, board, and transportation, can vary considerably and are not included in the figures above. Berkeley College does not require students to live on campus.

Q: What are my financing options to pay for the program?
A:
In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, students may be eligible to borrow federal loans and private educational loans, and participate in institutional financing plans.

Because this is a new program, there are no relevant statistics concerning student loan debt.

Q: How long will it take me to complete this program?
A:

This 60-credit program is designed to be completed in four academic quarters over 12 months.

 

Because this is a new program, there are no relevant statistics concerning program completion.


 

In addition to meeting the immunization requirements of Berkeley College and the State of New Jersey, a tetanus shot administered within the past ten years is also recommended. Hepatitis B vaccination and a tetanus shot are also recommended for part-time students enrolled in the Medical Assistant program.

To qualify for graduation, students must participate in the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification examination.