Medical Assistant Online/Hybrid Diploma Program

Available in Altoona and State College Campuses

For those who are passionate about caring for others, a career as a medical assistant could be the perfect fit. Medical assisting is a hands-on position that lets you contribute to both clinical and administrative work behind the scenes at a variety of healthcare facilities and organizations, doing everything from managing patient records to collecting blood samples to assisting with patient exams. Medical assistants make a profound difference in patient comfort and care, and South Hills School of Business & Technology can prepare you to enter this field with our Diploma in Medical Assistant.

Alicia Aukerman cropped

Meet a South Hills Medical Assistant Alumni

” I chose South Hills, because of the school size. At South Hills, you are a person, not a number. I definitely do feel like everything that was in my classes and program related. All the clinical skills I learned, the medical terminology, and the coding classes, these are still valuable to me now as a medical assistant. I would recommend South Hills to anyone because they make sure you are prepared and ready for a career.”
- Alicia Aukerman

“Why You should Consider the Medical Assistant Program”

  • Online/Hybrid format requires only 2 days per week of in class time!
  • Instructors with real world Healthcare experience.
  • Small class sizes with individualized attention. You’re a name, not a number at South Hills.
  • Curriculum reviewed yearly by working medical professionals and designed to prepare you for dozens of career path opportunities.
  • Mentored “in field” internship prior to graduation.
  • Preparation for Certified Medical Assistant credential.
  • Job placement assistance upon graduation.
  • Recent employers of Medical Assistant grads include, Mount Nittany Physician’s Group, Penn Highlands Center For Childrens Care, Susquehanna Health, Tyrone Medical Associates, UPMC Altoona, Blair Medical Associates, Geisinger, Huntingdon Healthcare, Inc., and more!
 
 

 

Apply Now >>

 

*Upon successful completion of the MA program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

Medical Assistant Program Objectives

Through a comprehensive educational training program including attention to theory, practice, and application, students in the Medical Assistant program will develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes:

  • To prepare the student to function competently at an entry level, principally in a physician’s office or clinic.

  • To provide adequate information, demonstration, and practice of medical assistant administrative skills for the healthcare field to insure student competency in this area.

  • To provide adequate information, demonstration, and practice of medical assistant clinical skills for the healthcare field to insure student competency in this area.

  • To provide adequate information, demonstration, and practice of medical assistant laboratory skills for the healthcare field to insure student competency in this area.

  • To provide an adequate foundation of knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, disease processes and conditions.

  • To provide an adequate foundation of knowledge and hands on practice to understand proper aseptic techniques, and diagnostic and treatment procedures commonly performed in the physician’s office.

  • To prepare the student for employment in the health care field, emphasizing the need for maturity, responsibility, and attention to detail that is essential for all health care employees.

  • To provide the student with information and skills needed to take the CMA (AAMA) exam.

Financial Aid is available to those who qualify

Investing in your education is an investment in your future. South Hills is committed to helping you take advantage of the many financial aid options available to you. Most eligible full- and half-time students seeking degrees are eligible for financial aid. To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form; our school code (OPE ID) is 013263. South Hills offers to all its enrolling students full-service financial aid appointments to assist you every step of the way through the financial aid process. We greatly encourage you to contact our Financial Aid office at 814-234-7755 or email financialaid@southhills.edu to setup your appointment.

We'll help you do everything necessary to apply for aid from these sources:
    Applying for Financial Aid  -  Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)
    Federal Pell Grant (PELL)  -  Pennsylvania State Grant   
    Federal Student Loans  -  Federal PLUS Loan
    Alternative Loans  -  Scholarships
    Other Financial Aid Resources

Complete Course List

You can see the full breakdown of the courses you will take, including descriptions, in our course catalog.

Medical Assistant Course List for 2023-24

TermCourse #Course NameModalityCreditsClock Hours
First TermMA112Anatomy & PhysiologyHybrid5.082
MA113Introduction to HealthcareHybrid3.560
GE179Mathematics for Health Care ProfessionalsResidential 4.060
PD130Professional DevelopmentFully Online2.027
MA114Medical TerminologyHybrid5.082
Totals:19.5311
Second TermGE188Business Writing EssentialsResidential4.060
MA115Clinical SkillsHybrid5.590
MD240Medical Administrative SkillsHybrid3.560
MA117Medical Legal AspectsHybrid3.036
MD222PharmacologyFully Online3.040
Totals:19.0286
Third TermGE207Applied Psychology in HealthcareResidential336
CP136Business ApplicationsFully Online4.060
MA119Disease & DiagnosticsHybrid3.560
CD220Job Search SkillsFully Online2.028
MA118Laboratory ProceduresHybrid5.590
Totals:18.0274
Fourth TermMA120Certification Preparation for the Medical AssistantHybrid1.524
MA203Medical Assistant Internship11.0330
Totals:12.5354
MA PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITSMA PROGRAM TOTAL HOURS
69.0 Credits1,225 Clock Hours

The Outlook for Medical Assisting Jobs and Careers

The demand for healthcare in the United States is growing every day, and with much of our population aging, the need for skilled medical professionals is expected to expand rapidly. Medical assistants are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country Certified job candidates with quality training from an accredited ASB degree program will be well positioned to take advantage of this in-demand career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics published these facts in 2023: 
 
  • Projected growth (2021-2031)
  • Much faster than average (11% or higher)
  • Projected job openings (2021-2031) 123,000

Medical Assistant graduates who have secured their CMA Certification can expect to be working in entry level healthcare jobs like:

  • Clinical Medical Assistant
  • Electrocardiography Technician
  • Medical Administrative Assistant
  • Medical Assistant
  • Phlebotomist
  •  Emergency Department Technician
  • and more!

Careers For Medical Assistants

South Hills Medical Assistant graduates are well-trained and in demand for their skillsets and work ethics. Some of the many locations employing our graduates including but not limited to:

  • Advanced Regional Center for Ankle and Foot Care
  • Allegheny Regional Endoscopy (Blair Gastroenterology)
  • Altoona Heart and Vascular Institute
  • Altoona Lung Specialists
  • Blair Medical Associates
  • Dr. Nalin G. Patel
  • Geisinger
  • Huntingdon Healthcare, Inc.
  • Mount Nittany Physician’s Group
  • Penn Highlands Center For Childrens Care
  • Susquehanna Health
  • Tyrone Medical Associates
  • UPMC Altoona

Meet the Faculty

Bobbi Brumbaugh

Lead Program Coordinator (AL)


Jessica Ritter

Program Coordinator (SC)