# Medical Assisting

**Institution:** ECPI University

**College:** Health Science

**Sub-Program:** Health Sciences

**Degree:** Associate of Applied Science

**Canonical URL:** https://www.ecpi.edu/programs/medical-assistant-associate-degree

**Last Updated:** 2026-08-25T18:04:32+00:00

## Medical Assisting Associate Degree Overview

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Health Sciences-Medical Assisting degree is designed to prepare students for entry-level clinical and administrative roles in medical settings such as physician offices, hospitals, and clinics. The program combines classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory training, and an externship at a local medical facility to provide a well-rounded educational experience.

Graduates of the program are trained in key competencies, including patient care, medical office procedures, and basic laboratory techniques. Students will also receive CPR training during the program. Upon graduation, students may be eligible to pursue certifications such as Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), or EKG Technician, subject to certification-specific requirements.

Through ECPI’s year-round accelerated schedule, students can earn their Associate degree in Health Sciences-Medical Assisting in as little as **15-months**.

- **61 Total Credits** — 15 Month Associate's Degree
- **Built into Program** — 5-Week Externship
- **Phlebotomy, EKG. and more** — Certification Prep

### Knowledge and Skills

Graduates should grow in the following areas:

- **Clinical Competency**
Prepare patients for exams, conduct lab tests and EKGs, administer injections, and uphold a sterile medical environment.
- **Administrative Proficiency**
Oversee appointment scheduling, electronic medical records, insurance processing, billing tasks, and inventory management.
- **Professional Skills**
Enhance communication to engage effectively with patients and providers and apply critical thinking to deliver effective patient care.

## Program Structure and Learning Formats

### Locations

- [Raleigh, NC](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/raleigh-nc)
- [Charlotte, NC](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/charlotte-nc)
- [Virginia Beach, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/virginia-beach-va)
- [Newport News, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/newport-news-va)
- [Roanoke, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/roanoke-va)
- [Charleston, SC](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/charleston-sc)
- [Greensboro, NC](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/greensboro-nc)
- [Northern Virginia, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/northern-virginia-va)
- [Greenville, SC](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/greenville-sc)
- [Columbia, SC](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/columbia-sc)
- [Richmond, VA](https://www.ecpi.edu/locations/richmond-va)

## Medical Assisting Curriculum

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Health Sciences-Medical Assisting degree

- **Medical Ethics** — MED149
Topics investigated may include but are not limited to: malpractice suits and how to avoid them, legal system, confidentiality and truth telling, abortion, critically ill neonates, death and dying, mental illness, human experimentation, justice, surrogate motherhood, stem cells and human cloning.
- **Medical Office Procedures I** — MED160
Students will learn office procedures including: safety in the medical office, records management, mail processing, ergonomics in the office, maintenance of office equipment and policies and procedures of the medical office.

### Program Requirements

To receive the Applied Science in Health Sciences-Medical Assisting degree, students must earn 61 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 4 semesters, which is equivalent to 15 months or 60 weeks of instruction.

This program includes a total of 1,170 contact hours and program courses may be offered via Remote Synchronous Delivery. (see [Remote Synchronous and Hybrid Delivery](https://catalog.ecpi.edu/pages/NptmoZGS6vdUg1k7sbWL))

The program requirements are as follows:

#### Core Courses 34 semester credit hours

**Complete ALL of the following Courses:**

| Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| [MED104](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED104 "View MED104") | [Medical Terminology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED104 "View MED104") | 3 |
| [MED112](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED112 "View MED112") | [Medical Coding and Billing I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED112 "View MED112") | 2 |
| [MED143](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED143 "View MED143") | [Principles of Pharmacology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED143 "View MED143") | 3 |
| [MED149](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED149 "View MED149") | [Medical Ethics](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED149 "View MED149") | 3 |
| [MED158](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED158 "View MED158") | [Phlebotomy and Laboratory Procedures](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED158 "View MED158") | 2 |
| [MED159](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED159 "View MED159") | [Patient Intake and Infection Control](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED159 "View MED159") | 2 |
| [MED160](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED160 "View MED160") | [Medical Office Procedures I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED160 "View MED160") | 2 |
| [MED203](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED203 "View MED203") | [Pathophysiology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED203 "View MED203") | 3 |
| [MED229](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED229 "View MED229") | [Advanced Procedures, Life Support and Specialties](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED229 "View MED229") | 2 |
| [MED232](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED232 "View MED232") | [Advanced Diagnostics and Testing](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED232 "View MED232") | 2 |
| [MED239](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED239 "View MED239") | [EKG Technician and Cardiology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED239 "View MED239") | 2 |
| [MED254](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED254 "View MED254") | [Medical Office Procedures II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED254 "View MED254") | 3 |
| [MED286](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED286 "View MED286") | [National Certification Exam Prep](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED286 "View MED286") | 1 |
| [MED295](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED295 "View MED295") | [Medical Assisting Externship](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MED295 "View MED295") | 4 |

#### Arts and Sciences Courses\* 21 semester credit hours

**Complete ALL of the following Courses:**

*\*For allowable substitutions of arts and sciences courses, see the Arts & Sciences Department page. The following courses are available online for Medical Assisting students:* [QFAYL07TMSHNHGH53WN0](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/QfAyL07tmsHnHGh53wN0), [COM115](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COM115), [ENG110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110), [MTH131](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH131), [MTH120](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120), and [HUM205](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205).

| Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| [BIO101](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO101 "View BIO101") | [Human Anatomy and Physiology I](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO101 "View BIO101") | 3 |
| [BIO104](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO104 "View BIO104") | [Human Anatomy and Physiology II](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/BIO104 "View BIO104") | 3 |
| [COM115](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COM115 "View COM115") | [Principles of Communication](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COM115 "View COM115") | 3 |
| [ENG110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | [College Composition](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/ENG110 "View ENG110") | 3 |
| [HUM205](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | [Culture, Thought, and the Human Experience](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/HUM205 "View HUM205") | 3 |
| [MTH120](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120 "View MTH120") | [College Mathematics](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/MTH120 "View MTH120") | 3 |
| [PSY105](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | [Introduction to Psychology](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/PSY105 "View PSY105") | 3 |

#### Self-Integration Courses\* 6 semester credit hours

**Complete ALL of the following Courses:**

*\*The following courses are available online for Medical Assisting students:* [CIS108](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/CIS108), [COR191](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COR191), and [FOR110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/FOR110).

| Course ID | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| [CIS108](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/CIS108 "View CIS108") | [Office Applications](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/CIS108 "View CIS108") | 2 |
| [COR191](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COR191 "View COR191") | [Career Orientation](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/COR191 "View COR191") | 1 |
| [FOR110](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/FOR110 "View FOR110") | [Essentials for Success](https://www.ecpi.edu/course/FOR110 "View FOR110") | 3 |

## Accreditation

ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees.

Full accreditation details: [ECPI University Accreditation](https://www.ecpi.edu/accreditation).

## Programmatic Accreditation

The Health Science/Medical Assisting programs at ECPI University are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) at the following ECPI University campuses: Newport News, Northern Virginia, Richmond, Roanoke and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina; and Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville, South Carolina and San Antonio, Texas. This is a programmatic accreditation by ABHES, a recognized accrediting agency for allied health programs, including medical assisting. For more information, visit [www.abhes.org](https://www.abhes.org).