Medical Assisting, Certificate
Program Details
- Location
- Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Degree/Program Type
- Certificate Program / certificate
- Format
- In-person
- Course Info
- Cirriculum Guide
- College
- Health and Human Sciences, College of (Dean's Office)
- School/Department
- School of Allied Health
Program Contact
- Dr. Kristine Kraft
-
Professor, Director of School
330-972-6516
Overview
The Medical Assisting Certificate at The University of Akron is a comprehensive, 9-month program designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in ambulatory health care settings.
The program develops competencies in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (technical skills), and affective (professional behaviors) domains required for success in modern health care environments.
Students complete a 30-credit hour curriculum that integrates clinical and administrative training with hands-on laboratory instruction and a supervised practicum experience.
Graduates are prepared to perform a range of responsibilities including patient care, clinical procedures, laboratory testing, and health care office administration in physician practices, outpatient clinics, and specialty settings.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the Medical Assisting Certificate program requires:
Admission to The University of Akron
Upon admission to The University of Akron, students will need to submit an application to proceed in clinical coursework and labs, including a personal statement explaining your interest in the medical assisting field
Satisfactory academic standing
Background check, drug screening, and immunization compliance for clinical participation
Ability to meet essential technical standards for clinical practice
Progression in the program requires successful completion of all coursework and clinical competencies as defined by the School of Allied Health.
The following courses must be completed in consecutive sequence, and must be completed within 12 months.
Fall Semester
MEDAS 135
Spring Semester
MEDAS 200
MEDAS 235
Summer Semester
MEDAS 246
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the program are prepared for employment in a variety of health care settings, including:
Physician offices and specialty clinics
Urgent care centers
Outpatient and ambulatory care facilities
Group medical practices
Typical responsibilities include:
Patient intake, vital signs, and medical history documentation
Assisting with clinical procedures and examinations
Performing laboratory testing and specimen collection
Administering medications
Managing patient scheduling and health records
The demand for medical assistants continues to grow as health care delivery increasingly shifts to outpatient and ambulatory care environments. Employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 112,300 job openings annually nationwide. This strong outlook is driven by increased demand for health care services and the continued expansion of outpatient and ambulatory care settings, where medical assistants play a critical role in supporting clinical and administrative functions. At the state level, Ohio reflects similar trends, with steady demand for medical assistants across physician offices, outpatient facilities, and health care systems.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants, U.S. Department of Labor,