Medical Assisting Program
Selective Admissions
All our health career pathway programs are selective admissions with qualification and selection criteria for program entry. Students must meet eligibility requirements and complete a program application by the posted deadline. Program admissions are on a best-qualified basis, and students must be in good academic standing (overall GPA of 2.0 or higher) at Kapiʻolani CC. Priority selection is given to Hawaiʻi state residents. Non-residents can apply and will be considered after all qualified residents have been accommodated per Board of Regents Policy 5.211.
Admissions Procedures
- Apply and complete the steps to become a Kapi‘olani CC student if you are currently not a student of the UH system. For assistance with getting started at the College as a first-time, transfer, or returning student, contact kapstart@hawaii.edu.
- Meet the program faculty and counselors to learn more about the program. Register for the mandatory Health Careers Info Session to join an upcoming session. Connect with the Health Careers Counseling Center for advising support as needed.
- Complete program requirements and apply to the program. For more information, download the following links:
Program Overview
The Medical Assisting curriculum is designed to prepare students to assist physicians in private medical offices and clinics and hospital outpatient clinics. They assist with patient care as well as with routine office laboratory and diagnostic tests (clinical medical assisting). In addition, students are prepared to perform administrative medical office and business practices and procedures (administrative medical assisting).
Contact Information
- Program Director: Jennifer Au Hoy, auhoy@hawaii.edu
- Counselors/Advisors: Health Careers Counseling Center
Degree & Certificates
Associate in Science – Medical Assisting (72-73 credits)
The Medical Assisting curriculum is designed to prepare students to assist physicians, in private medical offices and clinics and hospital outpatient clinics, with patient care as well as with routine office laboratory and diagnostic tests (clinical medical assisting). In addition, students are prepared to perform administrative medical office and business practices and procedures (administrative medical assisting).
Certificate of Achievement – Medical Assisting (33 credits)
This program provides a career ladder in medical assisting. Certificate graduates may continue their course of study and earn an Associate in Science degree in Medical Assisting. The Medical Assisting curriculum is designed to prepare students to assist physicians, in private medical offices and clinics and hospital outpatient clinics, with patient care as well as with routine office laboratory and diagnostic tests (clinical medical assisting). In addition, students are prepared to perform administrative medical office and business practices and procedures (administrative medical assisting).
Certificate of Competence – Medical Assisting Healthcare Practice Management (20 credits)
The Medical Assisting Healthcare Practice Management curriculum is designed to prepare students to manage multiple processes, including the revenue cycle, compliance regulations, human resources, health information, and general business processes. This certificate prepares students to take the Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM) and the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) examinations. These credentials provide additional opportunities for Medical Assistants to advance their careers in physician practice management and medical coding.
Program Information
Program Accreditation
The Associate in Science degree program in Medical Assisting, & the Certificate of Achievement program, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), on the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). Graduates of the programs are qualified to write the national certification examination of the American Association of Medical Assistants, Inc.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775-7709
(727) 210-2350
Potential Careers and Employers
Careers: Clinical Medical Assisting, Administrative Medical Assisting.
Program Outcomes
Associate in Science Degree
Upon successful completion of the Associate in Science degree in Medical Assisting, the student should be able to:
- Perform administrative and clinical skills expected of a beginning practicing medical assistant in an entry-level position.
- Maintain professional and ethical behavior as a health care provider.
- Communicate, interact and work appropriately and effectively with patients, patients’ family, peers, staff and supervisors.
- Discuss the value of lifelong learning and being an active member of a professional society.
- Identify and use multicultural perspectives to meet the needs of diverse populations.
- Use general education knowledge and advanced administrative and clinical medical assisting skills in the delivery of quality patient care.
The medical assisting Associate in Science Degree program at Kapi‘olani Community College has a five-year retention rate of 96.00% retention for the years 2019-2023.
Certificate of Achievement
Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Medical Assisting, the student should be able to:
- Perform administrative and clinical skills expected of a beginning practicing medical assistant in an entry-level position.
- Maintain professional and ethical behavior as a health care provider.
- Communicate, interact and work appropriately and effectively with patients, patients’ family, peers, staff and supervisors.
- Discuss the value of lifelong learning and being an active member of a professional society.
- Identify and use multicultural perspectives to meet the needs of diverse populations.
The medical assisting Certificate of Achievement program at Kapi‘olani Community College has a five-year average of 82.61% for job placement for the years 2019-2023.
FAQs
Should I consider medical assisting as a career?
Yes, if you enjoy working on a team, are organized, possess computer and office management skills, and have an interest in hands-on patient care. For more information go to Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Then select ‘advanced search’ and type in your health science program of choice.
Is certification available?
Yes. Graduates are able to take the American Association of Medical Assistants, national certification examination and become Certified Medical Assistants (CMA). For more information go to http://www.aama-ntl.org
What degrees and certificates do you offer?
The certificate of achievement (CA) and the associate in science (AS) degree.
Do I need to maintain a certain grade and grade point average in these courses?
Yes. For an AS or CA, you must earn:
- a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (“C” average) or higher for all required courses and
- a grade of “C” or better in all required courses
What were the requirements in previous years?
For requirements in past years, contact a program counselor or view the previous online catalogs.
When can I enter the program?
You can enter in the fall.
Are there any special entry requirements?
Yes. The program is a selective admission program.
Health Careers Info Session
Program Information sessions are held monthly and provide potential applicants with program details and requirements, application procedures, and career outlook. Attending an information session is recommended before you start your academic journey. Attendance of a program information session within one year of the application submission is mandatory when applying to a Health Science and EMS program.
Health Careers Counseling Center
Support for Health Career Pathways
Learn about admission requirements and criteria, program curriculum, program cost, financial aid, application for licensure/certificates, and transfer to baccalaureate programs.
Health Career Counselors/Advisors
hlthsci@hawaii.edu | (808) 734-9224, Kauila 106
STAR Balance Virtual Kiosk Hours
Mondays through Thursdays, excluding holidays
9:00-11:30am & 1:00-3:00pm
STAR Balance Kiosk is available for UH system students. For information about our health programs, attend a program information session. Email kapstart@hawaii.edu for assistance with getting started at Kapiʻolani CC.