MEDICAL ASSISTING (A.S.)
Patsy H. Haslam School of Health Sciences

The A.S. program in medical assisting comprises general studies in the humanities, business, and the natural sciences along with preparation for clinical and administrative health care occupations. Medical assistant positions often include such tasks as reception, appointment scheduling, medical coding and transcribing, computer use, taking patient histories, taking and recording vital signs, medication administration, assisting the physician with minor procedures, venipuncture, and giving injections.

The medical assisting program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater FL 33756, 727.210.2350, www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). To ensure that the program teaches current and relevant skills, it follows the objectives outlined in the American Association of Medical Assistants Role Delineation Study.

Any student wishing to take the national Medical Assisting Certification Exam must graduate from an accredited program. Mountain State University’s medical assisting program was the first in West Virginia to be accredited.

Program Application and Admission
Because the program has a rolling admissions policy, there is no application deadline. Qualified applicants who apply early are accepted as soon as their completed application is reviewed. It is strongly, suggested, however, that applications be submitted by March 15. Qualified applicants who apply after that date are accepted until the class is filled. Once the class is filled, qualified applicants are placed on a waiting list.

Students enter the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Most student must take some courses during the summer terms, depending on when you enter the program. See Suggested Sequence. Acceptance to the University does not guarantee admission into the program.

To be considered for acceptance into the program, you must have an overall high school GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a GED equivalency. If you are applying to transfer in to the program from another program at MSU or from another institution, you are required to have a college GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and must include copies of any professional certifications, licenses, and relevant credentialing materials with your application. Applicants who have completed their prerequisites at MSU and who are otherwise qualified for the program are given preference over those who are transferring prerequisites from other colleges or universities.

Program Progression
MAST courses can be taken only twice. After two unsuccessful attempts at taking any MAST course, you will be dismissed from the program unless documented extenuating circumstances exist.

Progress to the next level of the program requires a grade of C or better in all MAST courses and an overall minimum GPA of 2.0. The minimum passing score for all MAST courses is 70 percent.

Prerequisite Study
Depending on your admission status, you may be required to take prerequisite courses before beginning the program of study. These prerequisites are not included in the 66 credit-hour program total. Prerequisites may include the following courses: