Harford Community College’s Medical Assisting (AAS) in Bel Air, Maryland, is an associate degree program that prepares students for administrative and clinical work in medical offices and clinical settings. It leads to eligibility to test for the Registered Medical Assistant through American Medical Technologists or the Certified Medical Assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants. The program combines classroom theory with clinical practice and follows a 60-credit course sequence that includes a 160-hour unpaid practicum. Clinical preparation covers patient histories, vital signs, laboratory procedures, pharmacology, injections, phlebotomy, and electrocardiogram training, while administrative preparation includes scheduling, billing, and coding. Clinical-site placement requires health documentation and vaccinations, current healthcare provider-level CPR and first aid certification, a background check, and drug screening; students must be 18 for specified laboratory and practicum courses.

At a glance

• Leads to: Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) through American Medical Technologists (AMT) or Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) through American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)