Medical Assistant Admissions Guide

Program Duration (Number of Semesters)		Study Mode
Full Time: 4 semesters	Part-Time: Varies	Face-to-Face, Hybrid, Online and Offsite Clinical Practicum

• Program days and times may vary but you should plan to attend classes 4-5 days a week.  Day classes are generally between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Evening classes are generally between 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (if scheduled).
• Practicum/Clinical is during the day usually 8:00-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.  Please plan accordingly to ensure you have proper transportation.

 

On average, approximately 50 students apply for admission each application period. Of these, approximately 35 applicants are typically accepted.

 

1. Apply to HCC:
   
   If you are new to college or transferring to HCC, your first step is to become an HCC Eagle by submitting a free admissions application to HCC. Please create a profile and complete an application to obtain an HCC student ID number: https://prod.applytexas.org/. You will receive a welcome email response from HCC within 48 hours, be sure to save your HCCID-Number or P-Number/D-Number (if you are assigned one). If you have filled out an HCC application at any point, or you already have an HCC student ID number, please do not submit another HCC application. Multiple HCC new student applications and/or ID numbers are not allowed.
   
   If you have not been enrolled for the past 3 semesters and are returning to HCC will need to reactivate your HCC student account: Returning Student Readmission | Houston Community College (HCC)
   
   
2. Apply for Financial Aid (this step is applied for students who are seeking Financial Aid):
   
   All students should apply for financial aid immediately after applying for admission to HCC. Filling out a financial aid application is the first step in learning your options to pay for college. HCC accepts financial aid applications throughout the year, submitting an application early will give you a better chance of securing aid.
   • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov, School Code: 010422
   • Free Application for Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) at edu/tasfa.
     
     If you need assistance paying for college, please visit the Coleman Financial Aid office for assistance or visit www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/
     
     
3. My Eagle HCC account checklist:
   Please visit: myeagle.hccs.edu, review and take action on the HCC Policy Checklist and On-Boarding Checklist. Your To-do List may have four types of checklist items in your Student Center including Meningitis Vaccine and Texas Success Initiative requirements:
   • Meningitis Vaccine – Required for all college students under the age of For more information on requirements, resources & any religious, medical, or online student exemptions, please visit: Meningitis
   • Texas Success Initiative requirements – If you have the "Texas Success Initiative College Readiness Requirements" Checklist on your pre-enrollment To-do List in the Student Center, you have to be placed into core courses one of two ways.
   • Have an approved exemption (reason) for not taking Texas Success Initiative Assessment 0 (TSIA2). Please visit: Texas Success Initiative Assessment/ Exemption for more information. OR
   • Take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 0 (TSIA2). Please visit: Texas Success Initiative Assessment for more information.
     
     
4. Meet with HCC Coleman College Representative:
   At least once during the application acceptance period, an applicant must attend an In-Person/Virtual Program Information Session or must meet with an HCC Coleman Pathway Advisor or HCC Coleman Admissions Advisor via the phone or in-person or virtually at least once to ensure they are meeting all of the program admission criteria. To view up-to-date in-person hours for Coleman College Student Services https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/academic-advising/
   
   
5. Program Information Session:
   Attend mandatory online Program Information Session at Medical Assistant | Houston Community College - HCC (hccs.edu). If you have questions regarding the online delivery of program information sessions, please contact via email: healthscience.info@hccs.edu.
   
   
6. Program Application:
   In addition to the HCC admission application, you must complete and submit the online Medical Assistant program application using your HCC student ID number https://hccs.edu/coleman-apply: with a copy of high school or GED equivalent transcript, college transcript/s showing completion of the prerequisite/academic courses, and applicable supporting documents.
   
   
7. Submit official transcripts:
   Please submit your official sealed (unopened) transcript(s) from all colleges and/or Universities previously attended. If you have completed your courses at HCC, you do not need to submit an official transcript.
   
   Submit high-school transcript or GED (official transcript is recommended). If an applicant is applying for Financial Aid then applicant must provide one of the following documents that indicate their high school completion status: A copy of a high school diploma. A copy of a final, official high school transcript that shows the date when the diploma was awarded.
   
   There are two ways to submit an official transcript/s:
   1. Submit Electronically: Have an official PDF transcript electronically sent from approved service providers such as Credentials, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse to: admissions@hccs.edu
   2. Submit by Mail: Please use the address: Houston Community College, Office of Admissions & Records, P.O. Box 667517, Houston, TX 77266-7517
   3. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated for US equivalency and foreign transcripts must first be evaluated course-by-course by an approved evaluating agency. To find a list of approved evaluation companies, please visit Foreign transcript/ Foreign Credit Evaluators. Then the official evaluation report must submit to HCC. The HCC Internal process can take up to 8 weeks for evaluation and transfer of course credits.
   4. Please visit: http://www.hccs.edu/support-services/transfers/transferring-credits/ for more information in order to apply all possible earned credits toward your future degree plan.
   5. TSI/Placement Test: Submit your TSIA2 score, not all new students are required to take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2). In order to determine your level of college readiness and placement status, you should submit transcript from an accredited college/university/institution where you have satisfactorily completed college-level coursework or score reports from external tests like the SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP, IB, Placements may be set from a variety of sources. Please refer to the link Texas Success Initiative (TSI) College Readiness/ Placement Test to learn about your options/exemptions to complete this requirement
   6. International Students: If you are an international student planning to attend HCC on a status F-1, (DACA, refugee, L visa, H visa, ), please visit https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/international- students/. 

For more information on transcript(s) submission, please visit: Transcript(s). It is the responsibility of the student to allow enough time for the evaluation of transcripts; please allow 6-8 weeks for evaluation and transfer of course credits.

To receive Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit towards admissions to the Medical Assistant program, applicant should not have previously taken or attempted the course (by title), that is the same as the PLA credit for which he/she is applying. For more information on PLA you may visit https://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/prior-learning-assessment/ 

• Veteran students: Please visit https://hccs.edu/support-services/veteran-affairs/. Download and complete DD Form 214 & SF-180 Form and submit with the application.

 

Course Description	Credit Hours
Student Success Course N/A	N/A
Placement Test All new students enrolling in a Texas Public Institution of Higher Education must take the TSIA2 to determine college readiness unless they qualify for an exemption. Visit TSIA Exemptions for a list of exemptions. If your TSIA scores or transcript do not indicate college-level proficiency in reading, writing, and math, you are required to complete INRW 0420 and one of the specified MATH courses with a minimum grade of 'C' or higher.  - INRW 0420 - Integrated Reading and Writing  - MATH 0432P - Basic Mathematics & Contemporary Mathematics OR MATH 0424P - Basic Mathematics & Introduction to Business Mathematics OR MATH 0442P - Basic Mathematics & Introduction to Statistics
Cumulative GPA 2.3 or higher
Prerequisite Courses GPA Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of 'C' no later than the semester before you start your program courses.
ENGL 1301 - Composition I	3
HPRS 1201 - Introduction to Health Professions Note: Cannot be substituted with another success course or college-level course unless approved by the Program Director.	2
Recommended Courses N/A
Testing N/A
If you would like to determine your eligibility by calculating your cumulative points earned, please use our Admission Rubric form.

 

 

The Medical Assistant Program requires participation in clinical rotations in order to complete the program. In order to participate in clinical rotations at our affiliate sites, certain background information must be verified. Students participating in clinical rotations must meet the same background verifications as clinical staff at our affiliate sites. For that reason, we require students to submit the following required background information before admission/enrollment in the program is completed. 

1. Social Security Number Verification
2. Criminal Search (7 or up to 5 criminal searches)
3. Violent Sexual Offender and Predator Registry Search
4. OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities
5. GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
6. US Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
7. State Exclusive List hhsc.state.us
8. Driver’s license or government issued

Please note. Verification of this information is the financial responsibility of the student and must be completed through the program-approved vendor – Complio 

Occupational Risks

Medical Assisting is a profession with many rewards, as practitioners can perform both administrative and clinical services, filling several roles in a variety of healthcare environments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics clearly outlines that it is a growth field, with an anticipated 18% growth from 2020 to 2030.

Medical Assistants work directly with providers and patients, with the goal of providing healthcare and ensuring patient safety. It is a position with a great deal of responsibility.

As with any healthcare position, there are certain occupational risks that come into play with being a medical assistant, and those hazards include the following:

• Exposure to infectious diseases
• Sharps injuries
• Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
• Chemical and drug exposure
• Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
• Latex allergies
• Stress

At the same time, there are protections set up with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and those protections are particularly important within a healthcare environment. OSHA has a series of standards that protect the safety of healthcare workers and patients.

Accredited medical assisting programs are required to teach students about the hazards that they face on the job and protocols that can be put into place to ensure a workplace culture that prioritizes safety.

HCC Coleman College Grading Scale

To best prepare students for success in their chosen fields, Health Sciences Programs have high standards for progression. Unlike other HCC programs, the Medical Assistant program requires a C (75%) or better to progress to the next course or semester in the program. For specific questions about grades, grading, and progression within Health Science programs, please contact Coleman College at healthscience.info@hccs.edu.

Medical Assistant Program Grading Scale 

A = 100 – 90 %

B = 89 – 80 %

C = 79 – 75 %*

D = 74 – 60 %

F = 59 – 0 % 

*A grade of C (75%) or better must be achieved to progress to the next course or semester.

 

Tuition is estimated using the Texas resident rates. Out of district and out of state residents will have a higher tuition fees. Please visit http://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/tuition-calculator/ for more information.

Tuition is for core coursework only. General Education and Support courses are not included. These are high estimates; actual costs will vary depending on health insurance coverage. 

Due to increases/decreases in books and supplements, please check the book store website at http://hccs.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/BNCBHomePage?storeId=19561&catalogId=10001&langId=- 1 for updated cost information. Only required books are included in the estimate. Out-of-District tuition is $180.50/hour; Out of State tuition is $227.00/hour.

Certificate II (In-District)

Pre Entrance	Amount $
Criminal Background/Drug Screening	$95
Physical Exam - estimate	$100
Immunization	$200
Medical Insurance	Varies
Supplies	$100
Sub Total	$495
1st Semester (8 Semester hours)
Tuition	$682
Books	$205
Uniforms	$150
Parking (4months)	Varies
SUB TOTAL	$1037
2nd Semester (14 semester hours)
Tuition	$1187
Books	$500
Parking (4months)	Varies
SUB TOTAL	$1,687
3rd Semester (12 semester hours)
Tuition	$1,020
Books	$647
Parking (4months)	Varies
SUB TOTAL	$1,667
4th Semester (4 semester hours)
Tuition	$344
Books	$100
Parking (4 months)	Varies
SUB TOTAL	$444
Liability Insurance	$20
Credential Exam	$125
SUB TOTAL	$145
TOTAL	$5,475

 

You can use a valid MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express card to pay for tuition and fees. You can also use debit card with Visa or MasterCard logo, but not a non-USA credit card. Online payment via check is also available.

Check or echeck payments have a 10 day hold on release of official transcripts. International students or their parents can also pay online from their country of origin with their local currency, where applicable. Online payment from other countries can be made through “International Fund Transfer” payment option.

Additional Options for Payment Financial Aid

If you need assistance paying for college, please visit the Coleman Financial Aid office for assistance or visit www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/

Scholarships

In addition to federal and state aid, scholarships are a great way to offset all or part of the cost of your education. Please visit https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/scholarships/ for more information.

Installment Payment Plan

If you are paying out of pocket and need assistance on how to setup a payment plan please visit Business Office at HCC Coleman or visit https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/student-financial-services/ for more information.

Program Information

Accreditation Agency

Commission on Accreditation of the Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Certification Testing

HCC Coleman College MDCA graduates are eligible to take a National Certification Examination, either the Registered Medical Assistant Exam given by the American Medical Technologists to earn the RMA credential, or the Certified Medical Assistant Exam given by the American Association of medical Assistants to earn the CMA (AAMA) credential.

Employment Opportunities

Medical Assistants work in physician offices, hospital-based clinics, and ambulatory health care facilities.

Average Salary

Entry- level salaries range from $33,112 to $38,783. Find out the entry level wages, the medium wages and high wages for each career field in High School or less, Vocational Certificate, Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree and Graduate degree: Career Coach | Houston Community College (HCC) | We are Houston's  Community College (hccs.edu)

 

Houston Community College supports, and the College is committed to, providing a learning and working environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and gender expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status. 

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Ability Services at each College within the Houston Community College System is responsible for arranging reasonable accommodations for all qualified students with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) to ensure equal access to all programs and activities at the College.

Students who need to arrange reasonable accommodation must contact Ability Services at the College(s) (Central, Coleman, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest) the student plans to attend. Due to the high demand for services and the nature of certain disabilities, it is recommended that students meet with an ADA Counselor at least 60 days prior to the beginning of each term. Every effort will be made to arrange accommodations; however, failure to provide sufficient advance notice may impede service delivery

The Essential Functions for the Medical Assistant Program are those attributes and characteristics that involve cognition, skill, thoughts and feelings. These functions are not used as part of the admission process. Rather, they are identified to provide students with the ability to determine if they may need some level of accommodation. Once identified, the student can be referred to the appropriate source for accommodation assistance.

 

Functional Capacity	Standards (Tasks)
Psychomotor Skills
Gross Motor	Assist patient/client with body positioning. Reach above shoulders and below waist to access equipment and patient/client supplies. Sit and maintain balance. Stand and maintain balance. Respond to emergencies in a timely manner. Administer cardiopulmonary procedures.
Fine Motor	Pick up, grasp, squeeze, and/or twist small and medium‐sized objects (e.g., withdraw solution using a syringe, calibrate equipment, operate a fire extinguisher, etc.). Use specific equipment that may require calibration and manipulation of dials, switches, and knobs. Carry out diagnostic and clinical procedures, and manipulate instruments and equipment (e.g., safely and accurately perform phlebotomy, electrocardiography, and medication administration). Perform physical assessment and engage in skills performance. Demonstrate basic secretarial skills. Key/type and otherwise operate common desktop computer accessories. Prepare and maintain records.
Physical Strength & Endurance	Tolerate physically taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. Stand for at least six (6) hours, or more, per day. Support patients/clients when ambulating. Assist patients/clients into and out of a wheelchair. Assist patients/clients onto and off of an exam table. Push and pull a minimum of 50 pounds (e.g., position and transfer patients). Operate equipment, including ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Mobility	Move from room to room, place to place in a number of physical settings. Move around patient/client care environments, work spaces, and treatment areas. Maneuver in small places and around equipment, to assist patients/clients with care needs. Move independently (e.g., respond rapidly to emergencies). Assist with patient/client mobility and ambulation.
Cognitive Skills
Critical & Analytical Thinking	Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and integrate information. Demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge, skills, and values learned through cumulative coursework. Utilize computer programs to maintain electronic medical records.
Safety	Recognize safety issues and emergencies, and respond with appropriate actions in a timely manner. Protect self and others from environmental risks and hazards. Manage and maintain environment that is safe for the individual, family, groups, and health care personnel. Frequently perform hand washing. Use germicides, and bodily fluid precautions. Abide by safety policies and procedures in classroom, laboratory, and clinical facility settings. Maintain awareness of alarms and emergency signals, and respond appropriately (e.g., monitors, fire alarms, etc.).
Sensory Skills
Observation	Recognize readings on instruments, scales, charts, and graphs. Discern medication orders. Distinguish medication measurements. Assess physical condition of patients/clients. Review and understand document information in both printed and digital formats. Recognize small print on medication packaging, properly and safely prepare and administer medications and treatments.
Perception	Recognize and appropriately respond to alarms and emergency signals (e.g., monitors, fire alarms). Respond to alarms, patients’/clients’ requests for assistance (e.g., use of call bells), auscultatory sounds, cries for help, tape recorded transmissions, oral reports, etc. Obtain readings of physical vital signs (e.g., blood pressure). Discriminate different sounds from physical assessment in an effort to recognize changing condition. Effectively respond to members of the health care team. Use tactile sensory to perform therapeutic interventions (e.g., phlebotomy, electrocardiography, injections, etc.).
Interpretation	Interview and record patient/client histories. Receive, organize, prioritize, and transmit information. Interpret messages not solely based on visual cues (e.g., physical, emotional, and psychological responses from patients/clients). Recognize and understand content printed in English. Perform medical transcription/scribing. Respond to patients’/clients’ changing health conditions through effective observation.
Social-Behavioral Skills
Communication	Converse effectively and sensitively in order to elicit patient/client information. Assess nonverbal communication and transmit information to all members of the healthcare team. Instruct patients/clients with special needs. Instruct patients/clients during emergencies. Demonstrate English language proficiency with patients/clients and members of the healthcare team (e.g., use communication that is clear and easy to understand). Use proper communication techniques (e.g., correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling) in printed and typed correspondence. Correspond via telephone using proper technique and etiquette.
Adaptability	Recognize emergencies and take effective and appropriate action. Adapt to changing environments and increasing tension levels in a variety of situations. Demonstrate flexibility and learn to function in the face of Uncertainties and ambiguities inherent in the clinical problems of many patients/clients.
Emotional Stability	Carry out responsibilities that can often be taxing and stressful, and function effectively under stress (e.g., stressful issues can include human suffering, threats to personal safety, conflict, disagreements, and the need for collaboration in working as a member of the health care team). Demonstrate consistency in exercising good judgement. Qualities like compassion, integrity, and concern for others are assessed during the admission and education processes. Focus sustained attention and concentration on tasks. Monitor and appropriately regulate own emotions to maintain composure, without prompting from others (e.g., control anger and avoid aggressive behavior, even in very stressful or demanding situations). Recognize constructive criticism and performance feedback as avenues for improvement.
Interpersonal Skills	Develop and maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients/clients, families, other students, faculty, and members of the health care team under all circumstances, especially those situations that are highly stressful. Maintain positive interactions with individuals, families, and groups from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Manage difficult interpersonal conflict in a calm and tactful manner. Demonstrate empathy, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility, and tolerance. Foster rapport in a therapeutic environment using effective communication.
Ethics & Professionalism	Promptly complete all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients/clients. Demonstrate respect for self and others. Perform in an ethical and professional manner in all dealings with peers, faculty, staff, and patients/clients. Understand and respect working as part of a trans‐professional team in an effort to manage and coordinate care. Adhere to professional standards. Protect patients’/clients’ privacy and confidential information (e.g., adhere to HIPAA restrictions).

 

To view the degree plan, please visit the HCC Catalog for more information.