How to Get Started
The Medical Assisting program admits 20 to 30 students each Fall and Spring semester.
There are two official filing periods per calendar year:
- Jan. 1-May 31 for the Fall semester (notification letters are mailed by June 15)
- Aug. 1-Oct. 31 for the Spring semester (notification letters are mailed by Nov. 15)
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Potential applicants are required to attend a Medical Assisting information session in which the program, application procedures and acceptance policies will be discussed in detail. Information sessions are held monthly at El Centro College; no reservation is necessary to attend.
The schedule for the current semester’s information sessions is available online, in El Centro College’s Health Occupations Admissions Office (Room A-140) and through El Centro’s information line at 214-860-2272, menu item 3.
The application for admission into the Medical Assisting program includes these requirements:
- Graduation from high school or successful completion of a GED
- Admission to DCCCD
- Eligibility to enroll in ENGL 1301 and SPCH 1311
- Achievement of minimum score on mathematics assessment testing
- Submission of a complete application packet to the Health Occupations Admissions Office during a designated filing period (see above)
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No prerequisite courses are required to be completed before being accepted into the Medical Assisting program.
For complete information on the Medical Assisting program and its requirements, download El Centro College’s information packet.
Tuition
Dallas County residents pay $117 per three-hour class — that’s $39 per credit hour, or less than $500 for a full semester load of 12 credit hours.
Compare that to what you’d pay elsewhere! See DCCCD tuition rates for tuition according to your place of residency.
Courses Offered (Curriculum)
El Centro offers a 12-month certificate program composed of six credit hours of general education courses and 30 credit hours of medical assisting-specific courses. Students perform a three-credit-hour, 160-contact-hour unpaid internship upon completion of all the didactic and skills courses.
Our catalog provides detailed information about the courses we offer and the courses required for the Medical Assisting Certificate.
Developing Skills for Success
After completing all the didactic courses in the program and successfully learning all of their skills, medical assistant students perform a 160-hour internship at a local physician’s office or clinic.
Because this profession is very people-centered, we do not offer any Medical Assisting courses online or through distance learning.
Professional Organizations
Students are eligible to join the American Association of Medical Assistants, the Texas Society of Medical Assistants and the Dallas Chapter of Medical Assistants at a special student rate.
Students who join these organizations find that the interaction with practicing, professional medical assistants is helpful to them in finding employment, engaging in meaningful dialogue and learning from those in the field.
Related Programs at DCCCD
DCCCD offers related courses and programs that may interest you, including Health Information Management, Medical Transcription, Nursing, Patient Care Technician and more.
Faculty Profiles
Our Medical Assisting faculty members not only have advanced degrees but also have real-world experience in their profession, which makes them able to relate to the challenges you face now in school and will face in the job market.
Our instructors will work closely with you one-on-one, helping you to make the most of your Medical Assisting education. See profiles of our Medical Assisting faculty.
Transferring From DCCCD
The Medical Assisting program is designed for direct entry into the workforce. However, if you are interested in earning a degree at a four-year institution, please visit the Transfer Services Web site for guidance on the transfer process.
The Dallas County Community College District has a transfer agreement with Dallas Baptist University to apply the entire Medical Assisting program toward a bachelor’s degree in health services management.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the Medical Assisting program that aren’t answered on our Web site, please feel free to contact us.