Testimonials
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistant Information Sessions
Register today for a Medical Assistant Information Session. Dates include Oct. 18, Nov. 15, Dec. 20, Jan. 17, Feb. 21, Mar. 21, Apr. 18, and May 16. All sessions begin at 5 p.m. Register Now!
| Awards/Outcomes | Credits | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant - A.A.S. Degree | 60 cr. | Rosemount | Online |
| Medical Assistant - Diploma | 42 cr. | Rosemount | Online |
| Program Datasheet: Download Medical Assistant Datasheet | ||
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, or CAAHEP, on recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), the Medical Assistant Program trains students to be professional medical assistants dedicated to patient care management. Graduates are equipped to assist physicians with examinations and treatments, take medical histories, perform diagnostic tests, expose X-ray films, sterilize instruments and supplies, assist with minor surgery and administer medications. The program goal is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Attending DCTC was a very positive experience. The teachers helped me to succeed and make the most of my education. The classes were just what I needed to prepare me to work in the clinic setting. Highlights include the laughter & fun shared with my fellow students as we “practiced” our newly learned medical skills on one another. I am currently working as a CMA at Fairview Cedar Ridge Clinic in Apple Valley.
I wanted to get an education in a field that was in demand. Employers in the medical field look for new hires that have a good school behind them and Dakota County Technical College is on of those schools. My favorite part of DCTC is the teachers that they have. I enjoyed all of them. The teachers really care about their students and it shows by their willingness to work with each student daily to keep them on a path to achieve their goals. I am working as a CMA for a Fairview clinic and was hired immediately after my internship.
From the first meeting, I felt very comfortable and welcome. DCTC is also very diverse; I never felt out of place being a foreigner. The Medical assistant program at DCTC is well-known and respected in the health industry. One thing to keep in mind is that you can be a part of the program even with a full-time job or family responsibilities. We worked in small groups, which gave me the feeling of having a second family. We created bonds that will last. We celebrated birthdays and baby showers in the classroom. Online hybrid worked fantastic for me! I was able to take tests and do homework at my own pace, but still get clinical and laboratory practice in the classroom once per week.
I wasn’t happy with my current job and came upon a discussion with my cousin who told me about this program she enrolled in. We got to talking more in depth and it sounded like something I would really enjoy. So I enrolled, too! The professors are really great. They really want you to succeed and they try their best so you do so. While enrolled you really do become a family of sorts. You get to know all of the people and go through their ups and downs as well. Right now I am currently working in the Specialty Surgical Service Department in ENT. I love my job and I love the people I work with. It’s really great to know that your services help people and that you are needed.
| Medical Assistant A.A.S. Degree • 60 credits |
Medical Assistant Diploma • 42 credits |
|
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $185.41/cr. | $185.41/cr. |
| Fees | $21.45/cr. | $21.45/cr. |
| Tools & Equipment | $20 | $20 |
| Textbooks | $1,200 | $800 |
| Other | $90 | $90 |
| Personal Property Fee | $30 | $30 |
| Student Activities | $50 | $0 |
| Grand Total | $13,801.60 | $9,628.12 |
Each year, Dakota County Technical College and the DCTC Foundation make more than $200,000 in scholarships available to our students. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.
Students looking for ways to help finance their college education can find part-time jobs on campus with various DCTC departments and programs. Deliver your completed Work-Study Application to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and search for openings at College Central Network Services. For more information, you can review Work Study Procedure.
Step 1: Apply now for financial aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
DCTC's Federal School Code: 010402
Step 2: After receiving an official award letter from DCTC, you may apply online for a Federal Stafford Student Loan. Visit the Loans page for more information.
Graduates assist primary care physicians and specialists in clinics ranging in size from single-doctor to large, multi-specialty. Opportunities are also present in a variety of other health care areas.
Medical assisting continues to be one of the fastest growing occupations in Minnesota and the United States—for the state, a 28.1 percent increase by 2020, for the nation, a 31.9 percent increase. Job prospects in the Twin Cities area are best for medical assistants who have graduated from an accredited program, particularly programs with certification.
According to CAREERwise Education, Minnesota's go-to resource for information on jobs, careers and education, growth in the medical assisting profession is linked to technological advances in medicine. CAREERwise: "Because of these advances, more disorders can be treated. Another factor is growth in the population, especially of the elderly. This group is most likely to need medical attention. In addition, some health care providers are shifting tasks from nurses to medical assistants. This will also increase the demand for these workers. Job prospects should be excellent for medical assistants who have formal training or experience."
Graduates assist primary care physicians and specialists in clinics ranging in size from single-doctor to large, multi-specialty. Opportunities are also present in a variety of other health care areas. More than half of all medical assistants work in a doctor's office.
Articulation Agreements are formal agreements between two or more colleges and universities to accept credits in transfer toward a specific academic program. DCTC has articulation agreements in place for this program with the following schools:
| Transfer To | Degree | Major Offered | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorry, there are no Articulation Agreements in place for this program. | |||
| Don't worry though, courses in this program may still transfer to other colleges or universities. Visit Transferology for fast and accurate course and transfer equivalency information. | |||
Do you want to see how your courses transfer to programs at participating colleges and universities? Add the coursework you've taken and use Transferology to find out how it might transfer to any of the participating schools in the Transferology network. Get an account and create a plan now!
MN Transfer.org Your official guide to a seamless transfer experience in Minnesota Higher Education.
Whether you're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or an international student or transferring from high school or a four-year university, DCTC will help you through the process. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
The Medical Assistant program at DCTC is active throughout the year and makes headlines in college publications. Read about graduate success, faculty accomplishments, and the latest and greatest in the medical assisting field.
For the chance to see faculty and students in action, check out the Medical Assistant blog.
Like us on Facebook for an inside view of the program.
As a student in DCTC's Medical Assistant program, you can make connections in the health care industry through your involvement in a professional organization with a national and state presence. You can also make connections on campus by joining one or more of the more than 20 student clubs and organizations. Civic engagement and service-learning opportunities are a hallmark of the program.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) with its affiliate, the Minnesota Society of Medical Assistants, and the local MSMA–South Suburban Chapter provide our students with professional networking opportunites while they are still in college. On completing the Medical Assistant program, our graduates can take the national certification exam to earn the title of Certified Medical Assistant, or CMA. The AAMA offers a variety of continuing education activities as well as record keeping for participation. Sixty hours of continuing education every five years in various content areas is required to re-certify the CMA credential.
The Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is recognized as the official honor society for two-year colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges. PTK provides many leadership and civic engagement opportunities for students. To be eligible for membership, you must have completed a minimum of 12 hours of coursework at DCTC with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Invitations to join the society are mailed to eligible students at the end of each term.
Creating and participating in a civic engagement project is an important responsibility for all clinical medical assistant students. Our students are encouraged to volunteer to work on a project that will serve the needs of a population in Dakota County (DCTC is situated at the exact geographic center of the county). Considerations are made concerning the cost of the project, student time requirements and other ongoing projects in the Medical Assistant program.
Our students supported Safe Haven Shelter for Youth, collecting new items that included twin-size bed-in-a-bags, pillows, towels (bath, hand and washcloths), kitchen towels and cloths, household cleaning supplies, laundry supplies and floor lamps for Safe Haven Shelter for Youth homes, which provide a unique, community-based service to young people in transition from metro, suburban and rural counties in or near the Twin Cities. The program focuses on reunification with families whenever possible through the goal of helping young people increase their self-esteem and confidence, complete educational pursuits, save money, learn independent living skills and transition to a safe, permanent and independent living situation.
Our students served the families of Minnesota troops overseas by participating in Cell Phones for Soldiers. The students received 17 cell phones and collected $187 for the purchase of Hero Bears. The cell phones were converted into calling cards for the troops. The Hero Bears were purchased for the children of deployed Minnesota soldiers.
Service-learning is an activity or action where our students learn a skill, practice a skil, or learn something about their profession. Students need the ability to relate the activity to their education. The activity can be a volunteer project or a part of their normal studies. The practicum course our students are required to take is considered service-learning.
Our students routinely take part in health fairs, providing glucose screening and diabetes risk assessment. They also provide body mass index calculation, including measurement and blood pressure screening. Many educational brochures and some referrals are given.
Rosemount High School students visit our students on a regular basis. The purpose is twofold: students from the high school receive an opportunity to explore health career opportunities and medical assistant students at DCTC gain confidence when interacting with the public.
