DEGREES, CERTIFICATES & AWARDS

A.S., Medical Assisting
C.A., Medical Assisting
C.S., Medical Assisting
C.S., Phlebotomy

DESCRIPTION

The Medical Assisting Program (MAST) prepares students for employment in medical offices and laboratories. Training is offered in front and back medical office management and in phlebotomy.

Medical Assisting training prepares the student for an entry-level position as a medical assistant. Students are taught basic and advanced clinical skills, verbal and written communication skills, medical office management techniques, and essential customer service skills required in professional employment settings. Hands-on externship experience is part of the training.

Phlebotomy training prepares students by teaching skills required for essential blood specimen collection needed to fulfill state phlebotomy certificate requirements for a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1). The graduate is prepared for employment in hospitals, independent labs, physicians’ offices or public health clinics. Hands-on externship experience is part of the training.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE and CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

An Associate Degree, depending on the focus of study, is designed to prepare students for transfer into upper division course work in a bachelor’s degree program, or, to prepare students to enter the workforce in a particular vocational field. To qualify for an Associate’s Degree, a student must:

  1. complete each major-specific course required for the degree with at least a “C” grade or better,
  2. complete all Cuesta College general education, graduation and residency requirements, and
  3. achieve an overall grade point average of 2.0 for all courses attempted (major, gen-eral education, elective).

A Certificate Program is designed for students who desire specific training to meet an immediate occupational or personal goal, or for promotion or lateral transfer within their existing field of employment. To qualify for a Certificate of Achievement or a Certificate of Specialization, a student must

  1. complete all courses required for the Certificate with an overall grade point average of 2.0.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Medical Assisting: Phlebotomy:
Medical front-office – administrative/clerical Laboratory setting
Medical back-office – patient care Hospital setting
  Medical offices
Degree/Certificate Types:
A.A. - Associate in Arts C.A. - Certificate of Achievement
A.S. - Associate in Science C.S. - Certificate of Specialization
A.A.-T. - Associate in Arts for Transfer C.C. - Certificate of Completion (Non Credit)
A.S.-T. - Associate in Science for Transfer C.C. - Certificate of Competency (Non Credit)