Self Service and Colleague (Cabrillo’s student information systems) will be unavailable during spring break, 3/28/25-4/4/25
Cabrillo Information Systems Scheduled Maintenance
Medical Assistants taking a patients blood pressure
Medical Assisting

Certificates and Course Requirements

In order to be eligible for entrance into the program, applicants must have completed the required prerequisites, MA70-Medical Terminology and ENGL C1000- Academic Reading and Writing (formerly ENGL 1A-English Composition) with a grade of C or better, OR the classes must be in progress during the application period.


Continue Reading

medical devices and a computer
vein being felt for blood draw
medical professionals
Medical assisting lab

The program is full-time and intensive. It is designed to result in a Medical Assisting Certificate of Achievement, including completion of 180 externship hours. Students will take on campus classes, full-time, for two consecutive semesters. The following third semester will be off campus, in a clinical externship site to complete 180 clinical hours.

Students may also complete an Associate in Science degree.

The three-semester program begins each Fall and Spring, with a mandatory orientation and Foundation Course. Students sign up for the entire block of classes, and they are guaranteed placement in all required medical assisting courses for the length of the program.

Upon program completion, students are eligible to apply for the following examinations for certification:

What is Needed

To be eligible to participate in the Medical Assisting Program, you must complete the following prerequisite courses:

MA70 - Medical Terminology:

Teaches allied health students fundamentals of medical word building with emphasis on prefixes, word roots, suffixes, combining forms, abbreviations, and lay terms. May be offered in a Distance-Learning Format.

ENGL C1000 - Academic Reading and Writing:

In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. Readings serve as models for student work, sources for research, and a catalyst for class discussions. Emphasis is on writing for various audiences, purposes, and contexts. May be offered in a distance-learning format.

First Semester Courses

Courses include:

  • ALH 110: Pre-semester Foundation Course, 1 unit - meets for 5 days, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm, 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester

  • MA 100: MA Essentials, 4 units

  • MA 125: Clinical Skills for Medical Assistants I, 4 units

  • MA 170: Medical Terminology: Structure and Function and Disease processes of the human body, 4 units

  • MA 173A: Medical Law and Ethics, 2 units

  • MA 184: Healthcare Communication, 2 units

Total Units: 17

Second Semester Courses

Courses include:

  • MA 115: Administrative MA, 8 units

  • MA 135: Clinical Skills for Medical Assistants II, 6 units

  • CABT 101: Computer Proficiency, 3 units

Total Units: 17

medical assistant devices

Ready to get started?

Contact Natalya Miller for more information.