Associate Degree in
Medical Assisting

Behind every doctor is a team of people keeping their office running — and with an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting, you can build the skills you need to become an essential part of that team. 

Medical assistants are often the first people patients see when they step into an exam room, and can often set the tone for a patient’s experience. While their duties may vary depending on the size and nature of their office, medical assistants perform a wide range of administrative procedures and clinical tasks. They measure vital signs, schedule appointments, record and file patient information, draw blood samples, and much more. 

Monroe University's fully accredited School of Allied Health Professions can help you learn how to do it all, laying the groundwork for a rewarding and stable career. Read on to discover what an AAS in Medical Assisting can do for you. 

There’s a reason U.S. News and World Report ranks medical assisting as one of the best health care jobs in the country. Medical assistants work alongside other medical personnel to care for patients young and old, providing a tremendous sense of job satisfaction. 

Those jobs are in demand, too. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that medical assisting jobs will grow at a rate of 16% over the next several years. That’s more than three times the national average for all occupations — and the New York metro area currently has the highest level of employment for medical assistants. 

Employers also tend to prefer candidates with medical assisting degrees (as opposed to certificates alone), meaning an AAS in Medical Assisting will give you a competitive edge in the job market. 

Applicants to the Associate Degree in Medical Assisting program must fulfill the following admissions requirements: 

• Candidates must possess either a high school graduation credential or high school equivalency diploma, or a recognized college associate degree or higher as listed in the transfer admissions policy.
• Candidates must also submit a completed application for admission, as well as a personal statement or essay.

Medical Assisting applicants also participate in a pre-admission interview.

Learn more about how to apply to Monroe University.

How Much Does a Medical Assisting Degree Cost? 

At Monroe University, we do more than deliver a quality education. We deliver an affordable one. We offer competitive tuition and fees, manageable payment plans, and a dedicated financial aid office that will help you secure all the grants, scholarships, and loans for which you qualify. Your financial aid counselor will even help you explore work-study employment opportunities.

Learn more about financial aid opportunities.

Wherever you find doctors and nurses, you’ll find medical assistants. With a Medical Assisting degree, you’ll have the skills you need to seek employment in healthcare settings that include:

• Private physicians’ offices
• Acute care hospitals and outpatient facilities
• Ambulatory care facilities
• Long-term care facilities
• Rehabilitation facilities

Many Medical Assisting graduates also choose to transition into one of our Bachelor’s Degree Programs, opening the door to an even wider range of career possibilities.

The New York metro area has some of the best medical facilities in the nation — and our graduates have found employment in many of them, including Jacobi Hospital and the Morris Heights Health Center. 

Your professional experience will begin even before you graduate, of course: every Medical Assisting student must complete a semester-long practicum as a medical assistant in a real-world clinical setting. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to build your professional network with clubs and organizations right on campus. 

• The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) provides networking opportunities and education for Medical Assisting students, as well as scholarships for deserving students. AAMA also issues the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, which, while not required by New York State, demonstrates your proficiency to potential employers.  
• The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential, one of the medical assistant certification programs recommended (though not required) by the New York State Education Department.
• Alpha Eta, the national honor society for the allied health professions, awards several $1000 honorariums per year to students who demonstrate outstanding research and scholarship.
• American Medical Technologists (AMT) provides Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification, continuing education options, career development tools, and networking opportunities on both the state and local level. 
• The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) offers the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential for eligible students. 
• Monroe’s Allied Health Club brings students together to develop education programs aimed at improving health outcomes in the surrounding community. 

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