Medical Assisting - Program Overview

Become essential to patient-facing health care

Take a speedy, affordable path to an in-demand career in the medical field with the Medical Assisting program at CLC. In one year or less, you can get a job helping patients navigate today’s complex health care systems. Build rapport and trust with patients and families. Perform administrative and clinical duties in fast-paced doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, outpatient care centers and more.

Why study Medical Assisting with us?

During your clinical externship, you will gain real-world experience at partner healthcare institutions in the community.

The Medical Assisting program at the College of Lake County in Waukegan, Illinois, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants CMA (AAMA) Certification Examination, where, upon passing the examination, the individual earns the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential.

The goal of the Medical Assisting Program is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. The Medical Assisting program is proud to highlight a 5-year (2018-2022) exam pass rate of 80.49%.


See what students love about the medical assisting program at CLC. Picture yourself here:

Highlights

  • PATH Grant Stipends

    Get extra financial support for school and living expenses through the Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce Program (PATH) grant.

  • Stackable Credentials

    Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.

  • Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

    Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.

  • Career Certificate

    Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.

  • Career Degree

    Earn an associate degree in 2 years and gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills.

Career Degrees & Certificates

For students who want to start or shift to a new career or advance in their current career.

You can earn an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree at CLC in 2 years*. Gain job-ready skills from experienced instructors and earn work-based experience from apprenticeships and internships. Some of the courses you’ll take earn college credit, which can transfer to a 4-year college or university toward a bachelor’s degree.

*Assumes full-time enrollment.

For students who want to earn job skills for entry level occupations, or level up in their career.

Certificates are designed to be completed in less than 2 years. Many certificate programs contain Career Degree core courses so you can continue with additional study or stack certificates to earn an A.A.S. degree.

Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you

  • complete the admission process
  • choose an academic program
  • enroll in first-semester classes
  • get access to helpful resources

Talk to a CCN



Benefit from the PATH program

The Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce Program (PATH) provides you with financial support to help pay for educational and living expenses.

Enroll in a qualifying program (like Medical Assisting!) and receive helpful resources:

  • educational expense stipend for tuition, fees, books, uniforms and other needs
  • living expense stipend for childcare, technology and other essentials
  • program-specific tutoring
  • free loaner laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots, calculators and more

Learn more about the PATH program

Save time and money with stackable credentials

Certificates and the A.A.S. degree in this program are stackable. You could complete the Certificate in Medical Reception/Receptionist (21ME) before enrolling in the program or during your first semester as a medical assisting student.

If you want to earn a CMA certification, complete the Certificate in Medical Assisting (21MA). The certificate takes around one year to complete if you attend full-time. Next, to complete the A.A.S degree, you complete the remaining credits for the A.A.S. in Medical Assisting (21MD). The A.A.S takes about one more year to complete if you attend full-time.

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Courses in the program

We offer a wide range of courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Assisting, Insurance Coding, Medical Lab Technology—and so much more!

Meet our instructors

Experience the benefit of small class sizes and personalized instruction from your CLC instructors.

Department chair


Faculty




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Be debt-free at CLC

CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.

Paying for college

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