Nature of Work

Classified as allied health practitioners, medical assistants can be found primarily in doctors' offices and clinics.  Increasingly, physicians are realizing the importance of medical assistants and view them as partners, essential to success in the ever-competitive medical environment.  Medical assistants are multi-skilled and are competent in both front and back office procedures.  Among the roles that medical assistants often assume are:

• Receptionist
• Billing Clerk
• Lab Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• Clinical Assistant
• Office Manager

Employment of medical assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005 as the health services industry expands.  Most full-time medical assistants work a regular 40-hour week.  Some work evenings and weekends.

For detailed information regarding this career field, visit the official site for the American Association of Medical Assistants.

Program Description

The Medical Office Assisting Program at the College of Southern Nevada is designed for the working student.   Students have the option of either following the full-time curriculum sequence or completing the course work on a part-time basis.  If the full-time sequence is followed, the program may be completed in 12-months or over a period of 3 semesters.  The length of the program will be 5 semesters for those pursuing the program on a part-time basis.  Tuition is on a pay-as-you-go basis each semester with payment required only for the courses in which the student is registered.

Certificate of Achievement Course Requirements

Program Course Sheet

Career Guide and Approximate Costs

Selection Criteria

Note: Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these Essential Functions of Medical Office Assisting Students. Students with documented need for accommodation are to meet with the Disability Resources Center.

Admission Requirements

This is a Limited Entry Program.  Therefore, an application for admission into the program must be submitted and all prerequisite requirements must be completed by the completion deadline in order to be eligible for consideration. 

Learn about the FAST TRACK Program...............

New Student Checklist

New students planning to register for courses at CSN must follow the steps outlined on the Students First Checklist. This checklist provides information on the registration process for new students seeking a Limited-Entry Health Science Degree or Certificate.

How to Transfer Credits to CSN

Please contact the Health Programs Advisement Office at 651-5690 for further information or e-mail the Health Programs Advisor directly.