Medical Office Assistant Certificate

This concentrated 43 credit-hour certificate program is designed for the individual who is interested in becoming a medical assistant in a physician's office or other outpatient health care setting. The curriculum provides training in a variety of administrative and clinical tasks to facilitate the work of the physician. Administrative duties include patient communication, computer skills and record keeping. Clinical duties include assisting with examinations, treatments and diagnostic testing.

A minimum keyboarding speed of 30 words per minute is recommended to enter the program; 40 words per minute is expected in order to progress through externship. The program may be taken part-time and many courses are available on an evening schedule. An orientation and planning session is recommended by the coordinator; detailed information will be sent upon request.


Professional Accreditation and Certification:
The Medical Office Assistant certificate and degree programs at Harper College have been accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP). Graduates of the programs are eligible to sit for the national certification examination sponsored by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The MOA graduate who successfully completes this national examination is credentialed as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).

BIO 136 Introduction to Human Diseases 3
HSC 100 Computer Usage in Health Services 1
HSC 105 Introduction to the Health Care Field 2
HSC 112 Medical Terminology 3
HSC 151 Math Applications in Health Care 1
HSC 213 Health Care Law and Ethics(1) 3
MOA 145 Health Care Records Management(1) 2
MOA 195 Health Insurance and Coding(1) 2
MOA 215 Clinical Procedures(1) 8
MOA 235 Health Care Office Procedures 4
MOA 240 Introduction to Medical Transcription(1) 3
MOA 245 Health Care Office Management(1) 3
MOA 280 Medical Office Assistant Seminar and Externship(1) 3
NUR 120 Pharmacology(2) 2
PED 201 First Aid 3


  1. Students must satisfy prerequisites for each course selected.
  2. Prerequisite waived for Medical Office Assistant students.