Medical Assistant

Why Medical Assistant?

Medical assistants (MA) are healthcare professionals trained to work in a physician’s office/clinic, both administratively and clinically. They are essential for the smooth workflow of the office. This program will work to develop skills including professionalism; scheduling; insurance and billing; assisting physicians with procedures, blood draws and specimen collection; preparing patients for examination; transmitting prescription refills as directed; and providing direction and support for patient administration of medical therapies and medications.

Medical assistant is a growing profession that has the ability to make a difference in medical offices, clinics, and medical and diagnostic laboratories where this role is very much in demand.

Medical Assistants:

  • Interact with patients every day
  • Can be employed in a variety of roles
  • Are ready for the workforce after just one year of training

There are many reasons to study at Heartland Community College.

  • Affordable
  • Student focused
  • Dedicated instructors
  • Small class sizes
  • Supportive environment

Program Details

Medical Assistant

Format
On Campus, Online
In-District Tuition
$169/credit hour
Out-of-District Tuition
$337/credit hour
Program Options
Financial Options
Financial Aid is available.
Medical Assistant Application Dates 
  • Application open: January 1 
  • Application due: May 1 
  • Program decisions made by June 1 
  • Program starts each year in August 
  • Students will be required to complete 40 hours in a lab and 120 hours in a doctor’s office or ambulatory care center.

Accreditation Information

Students who successfully complete this program will be eligible to apply for the CMA (AAMA) Certification Exam offered by the Certifying Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants. The Heartland Community College Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

CAAHEP, 9355 - 113th St. N. #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, (727) 210-2350

The average exam passage rate for the years 2020–2023 is 95.24%.

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MA Program Mission Statement and Program Outcomes

Mission Statement

To prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.

Program Outcomes

  • Connect the value of effective communication to maintaining professional relationships and use effective strategies to communicate with patients, family members, and colleagues.
  • Recognize challenges to the provision of patient care in order to make moral and ethical medical decisions.
  • Use effective business and administrative practices to ensure efficient flow of the medical office and provide safe and transparent service to patients.
  • Model empathy, integrity, and professionalism within their practice and community.
  • Assess healthcare environments for potential threats to patient and personnel safety and use best practices to ensure patients receive safe and effective care.
  • Identify, perform, and document appropriate procedures in all standard aspects of medical assisting.

Meet the Faculty

Kacie Lind

Assistant Adjunct Professor

Teaches: Health

Martha Stearns

Professor I

Teaches: Medical Assistant Program

Program Options

Medical Assistant Certificate

Application Dates – Fall 2026 Program:

  • Applications accepted January 1 – May 1
  • Program admission decisions by June 1
  • Program starts each fall (August)

Documents to Submit:

Program Prerequisite:

Placement into ENGL 101 and Math 095 (with an ALEKS score of 20 or higher), or completion of Math 095 or higher with a “C” or better. Math 095 may be in progress during the spring semester of the application cycle; final grade must be a “C” or better.

Curriculum Sequence:

Students following the sequence below will be on track to complete the Medical Assistant Certificate in one year.

Prerequisite: Must be completed with a “C” or better, or be concurrently enrolled in, all courses within this sequence.

First Semester: Fall
Course Hours

BIOL 1211  - Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology

4

BTEC 115 – Business Communications

3

HLTH 1092 – Fundamentals of Medical Terminology

1

MA 110 – Introduction to Medical Assisting

1

MA 120 – Medical Assisting Clinical Procedures

6

Semester Total

15

1 Completion of BIOL 181 and BIOL 182 can be used to satisfy this BIOL 121 requirement.

  • If using BIOL 181/182, for sequencing and completion purposes, BIOL 181 must be completed before the start of the program. Students would then take BIOL 182 in the fall semester of the MA program.

2 Completion of HLTH 110 can be used to satisfy the HLTH 109 requirement.

Students must complete all courses in the fall sequence with a “C” or better to continue in the program.

Second Semester: Spring
Course Hours

HLTH 111 – Diseases of the Human Body

3

MA 130 – Medical Administration and Finance

3

MA 140 – Pharmacology for Medical Assistants

3

MA 140 – Pharmacology for Medical Assistants

3

MA 161 – Certified Medical Assisting Practicum

4

Semester Total

16

Medical Assistant to Associate Degree in Nursing Pathway

The MA to ADN pathway option is open to qualified Heartland Medical Assistant graduates from the last two years. Enrollment is limited.

For detailed Nursing Program information, please visit the nursing website and attend an information meeting.

Application Dates – Fall 2026 Program

  • Application process begins October 1
  • Application deadline is March 1
  • Supporting documents due March 15
  • Program decisions made by April 15
  • Program starts each fall

Documents to Submit

  • Heartland Community College application
  • Nursing application
  • Official final high school, GED, and college transcripts (if not already submitted)
  • Residency documentation (Preference is given to in-district applicants)

Admission Requirements

Priority #1 – These are prerequisites for applying for the program and must be completed by March 15.

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in Priority 2 coursework
  • Eligible to enroll in BIOL 181 (Anatomy & Physiology I) or show completion of equivalent (no expiration)
  • Complete the ATI TEAS with a minimum score of Proficient (58.7%). Study materials are available at ATI TEAS Prep or the HCC Library.
  • Test through ATI at https://atitesting.com/teas/register/teas-at-ati
  • Limited remote TEAS dates are offered through Heartland from October through March. Contact nursing.admissions@heartland.edu for details.

Priority #2 – These general education courses are required for the nursing program. They are not required before applying but can improve your application score. All courses must be completed with a “C” or better and an overall 2.5 GPA.

  • BIOL 181 – Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIOL 182 – Anatomy & Physiology II
  • BIOL 191 – Introductory Microbiology
  • COMM 101 – Introduction to Oral Communication
  • ENGL 101 – Critical Reading & Writing
  • ENGL 102 – Multimodal Composition
  • PSY 101 – Introduction to Psychology
  • SOC 101 – Sociology

Priority #3 – These courses are not required but may earn additional points if all Priority #2 courses are completed. All must be completed with a “C” or better.

  • CHEM 120 – Fundamentals of Chemistry
  • HLTH 110 – Medical Terminology
  • HLTH 120 – Nutrition
  • MATH 141 – Introduction to Statistics
  • PSY 209 – Human Growth & Development
  • SPAN 100 – Spanish for Healthcare Professionals

Financial Considerations

Contact Financial Aid for information about scholarships or other assistance with program costs.

The information below provides estimates of potential expenses incurred by students in the HCC Medical Assistant (MA) program. Totals may vary depending on prior completion of general education courses and costs associated with immunizations and testing. If you have health insurance, it may cover some health-related testing and immunizations. Fees for the criminal background check and drug screening are estimates and are paid directly to the provider.

The tuition rate for the Medical Assistant program is the same as for all other Heartland courses.

Additional items and approximate costs are listed below.

Tuition and Supplies
Item Cost

Tuition & Fees: $169.00 / credit hour (tuition + college fees) 

$5,239.00

Approximate course fees

$500

CPR

$30-$60

MA Books - with use of lending library

$25.00

MA Books - without use of lending library

$400.00

Uniform and shoes

$125

Personal Health Insurance (student's reponsibility)

Varies

Travel to Clinical Sites

Varies

A variety of immunizations are required by our clinical partners. A detailed list will be provided after acceptance into the program.

*All tuition, fees, and cost estimates are subject to change without notice.

Admission Information

Admission

Heartland Community College’s Medical Assistant (MA) program leads to a certificate. This program includes general education courses, MA technical courses, and practical clinical experience.

As a selective admission program, enrollment is limited to 16 students per year. Admission decisions are based on achievement of minimum academic criteria, residency, and the quality of the applicant’s credentials compared to other applicants.

Prepare to Apply

Meet with an Academic Advisor

Call or visit an academic advisor for assistance with course selection and the application process.

Attend an Information Meeting

It is strongly recommended that anyone interested in applying to the Medical Assistant program attend an information meeting. These sessions provide an overview of the program and the admission process. All meetings are held at the main campus in Normal, IL, unless otherwise noted.

Informational Session(s)
Room Day and Time
Please register for this event here. 

Tuesday, March 3rd at 5:00 PM.

Review Other Program Requirements

  • Please review important information in the Medical Assistant Handbook (link to MA Handbook).

Essential Functions

Applicants accepted to the program must be able to perform the essential functions of the program with or without reasonable accommodation. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Student Access and Accommodation Services to discuss any concerns.

Clinical Requirements

To meet the requirements of our clinical partners, students must comply with the following:

  • Student Criminal Background Check Policy
  • Student Drug Screen Policy
  • Medical Examination & Vaccinations

Review Certificate Considerations

Passing the American Association of Medical Assistants exam is required for certification. Please review exam eligibility requirements.

Review MA Curriculum

General Education Courses

General education courses may be completed prior to admission. If not completed beforehand, they must be completed with a “C” or better during the semester indicated in the Curriculum Sequence.

MA Courses

Medical Assistant courses begin each fall for accepted applicants and can be completed in two semesters. These courses are offered only at the Normal Campus during the day and must be taken in sequence as outlined in the Curriculum Sequence.

Clinical Education Experiences

Clinical experience (practicum) is completed off campus during the last four weeks of the final semester. Hours vary and may include day, evening, and weekend schedules. Students must complete 40 hours in a lab and 120 hours in a doctor’s office or ambulatory care center.

Admission Requirements

Medical Assistant admissions follow applicable laws and nondiscrimination policies, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants. The program is selective, with enrollment limited to 16 students per year.

Admission decisions are based on completion of prerequisites, residency status, and the quality of applicant credentials.

Placement Testing

  • Ability to enroll in BIOL 121 and placement into college-level English or concurrent enrollment in ENGL 099/101
  • ALEKS score of 20+ or completion of college-level math with a “C” or better
  • Applicants below required levels must complete coursework before the May 15 documentation deadline

Residency

  • Applicants residing in Community College District #540 receive preference for admission and must provide proof of residency.
  • Out-of-district applicants are considered after qualified in-district applicants. Learn more about residency and District #540 boundaries.
  • Applicants on F-1 visas are not eligible. Other visa types are reviewed individually.

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply to Heartland Community College

Step 2: Apply to the Medical Assistant program (application available January 1 – May 1).

  • Application opens: January 1
  • Application deadline: May 1
  • Documentation due: May 15
  • Medical Assistant application (Firefox recommended)
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Copy of driver’s license or state ID

Applications may reopen if seats remain available.

Transfer Students

Students with prior Medical Assistant coursework may apply. Credits are evaluated individually. Admission is based on space availability after regular and re-entry applicants.

  • Letter requesting transfer into the program
  • Heartland Community College application
  • Official transcripts from all institutions
  • Syllabi and course outlines for completed MA courses (grade of “C” or better)

Re-entry Students

Refer to the HCC Medical Assistant Program Handbook for re-entry criteria.

How Applicants Are Selected

Qualified applicants are ranked, and the top 16 are offered admission. Additional candidates may be admitted if seats become available.

Application Evaluation

For advising purposes only. Official evaluation will be completed by the Admission Coordinator.

Math and Literacy Placement (Max Points: 4)
Points awarded for math and literacy placement
Requirement Points Awarded
Placement at English 101 2.0
Placement at college-level math 2.0
Non-Medical Assistant Course Completion (Max Points: 8)

"C" or better required. Points awarded only for courses completed by the end of Spring 2026.

Points awarded by course and grade
Course Grade of A Grade of B Grade of C
BIOL 121 2.0 1.0 0.5
BIOL 181 2.0 1.0 0.5
BIOL 182 2.0 1.0 0.5
BTEC 115 2.0 1.0 0.5
HLTH 109/110 2.0 1.0 0.5
HLTH 111 2.0 1.0 0.5
Prior Academic Achievement (Max Points: 1)
Points awarded for prior academic achievements
Achievement Points Awarded
Bachelor’s degree or higher 1.0
Associate degree 0.5
EMT – Paramedic 0.5
Phlebotomy 0.5
EMT – Basic 0.25
CNA 0.25

In case of a tie, priority is given to the applicant with the highest GPA in general education courses.

Notification of Acceptance

Applicants will be notified via their Heartland email by June 1.

Applicants not accepted are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor and must reapply during a future application cycle.

Accepted students must complete the following prior to final enrollment:

  • Attend orientation
  • Complete background check and drug screening
  • Meet all clinical requirements
  • Resolve all financial obligations

Alumni Stories

Heartland’s MA program was the perfect opportunity to explore my passion of healthcare. MA let me learn and grow as a healthcare worker while growing my confidence outside of healthcare while I was finding my own path. MA was a huge stepping stone for me to jumpstart my nursing career and I still use skills that I learned from MA in my nursing career."
Reaghan Stair