Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals who work in ambulatory settings, where they perform administrative and clinical duties.
It’s a job for people who are organized, interested in helping patients, and have excellent communication skills and a team-oriented attitude.
As a medical assisting student, you’ll master a complex body of knowledge and develop specialized skills with a combination of classroom, laboratory, and computer experience, plus a practicum in an ambulatory care clinic.
You'll earn your one-year diploma first, then take additional courses to earn your associate's degree.
Kirkwood offers more than $3 million in scholarships for students each year.
Students in this program may be eligible to have half their tuition paid for by the Kibbie Grant.
Graduates of the Medical Assisting program will be able to:
A one-hour program conference is required prior to acceptance to the program. You'll learn more about the program, specific admissions requirements and have the opportunity to have questions answered by program faculty and staff.
School Year: 2024–25
Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring, Summer
| Pre-Reqs | First | Second | Third | A.A.S. | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours per Semester | 3 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 19 | 63 |
| In-State Tuition | $651 | $3,255 | $2,821 | $2,821 | $4,123 | $13,671 |
| Technology Fee per Semester | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $250 |
| Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) | $0 | $500 | $0 | $650 | $0 | $1,150 |
| Conferences/Seminars | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) | $126 | $796 | $740 | $400 | $0 | $2,062 |
| Course/Section Fees | $10 | $80 | $210 | $0 | 90 | $300 |
| Laptop (required devices) | $0 | $759 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $759 |
| Testing Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Third Party Credentials | $0 | $0 | $0 | $125 | $0 | $125 |
| Tool Sets | $0 | $150 | $150 | $0 | $0 | $300 |
| Uniforms | $0 | $250 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $250 |
| Other | $0 | $86 | $0 | $25 | $0 | $111 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $837 | $5,926 | $3,971 | $4,071 | $4,173 | $18,978 |
Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).
Fees and costs are subject to change.
To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.
School Year: 2024–25
Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring, Summer
| Pre-Reqs | First | Second | Third | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours per Semester | 3 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 44 |
| In-State Tuition | $651 | $3,255 | $2,821 | $2,821 | $9,548 |
| Technology Fee per Semester | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $200 |
| Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) | $0 | $500 | $0 | $650 | $1,150 |
| Conferences/Seminars | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) | $126 | $796 | $740 | $400 | $2,062 |
| Course/Section Fees | $10 | $80 | $210 | $0 | $300 |
| Laptop (required devices) | $0 | $759 | $0 | $0 | $759 |
| Testing Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Third Party Credentials | $0 | $0 | $0 | $125 | $125 |
| Tool Sets | $0 | $150 | $150 | $0 | $300 |
| Uniforms | $0 | $250 | $0 | $0 | $250 |
| Other | $0 | $86 | $0 | $25 | $111 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $837 | $5,926 | $3,971 | $4,071 | $14,805 |
Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).
Fees and costs are subject to change.
To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.
To get into the Medical Assisting program, you must meet the following additional standards. These steps/requirements are in addition to Kirkwood's steps to become a student.
If college-level placement is not met, students are recommended to meet with an advisor. Kirkwood and Medical Assisting admissions policies and procedures are subject to change at any time. After all admissions criteria are met, students are accepted or placed on the waitlist to the Medical Assisting program.
Students in Kirkwood's Medical Assisting program, as well as those pursuing the Medical Assisting Diploma, are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of HOSA, a global student-led organization exclusively for students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions.
HOSA is one of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.
After you earn you diploma, you can take the nationally recognized Certified Medical Assistant exam. Most employers require you to earn certification within a year of graduation. View the state listing guide to identify which Kirkwood program fulfills state guidelines for professional licensure and certification.
Although the state of lowa does not require licensure to practice as a medical assistant, most employers do require certification or registration upon employment. Please see the program overview on Kirkwood’s Medical Assisting webpage to learn more about the certification exam credentialed through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Students who graduate from Kirkwood’s Medical Assisting program are eligible to sit for this exam. To see exam pass rates for the certification exam, please see information in the Annual Report Outcomes tab.
The Kirkwood Medical Assisting diploma program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants Endowment (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
The Medical Assisting program at Kirkwood Community College has a five-year retention rate of 87.98% for the years 2019-2023.
The Medical Assisting program at Kirkwood Community College has a five-year average of 60% for job placement for the years 2019-2023.
The five-year average for the exam passage rate for the years 2019-2023 is 78.89%.
| Year | Retention | Job Placement | Exam Passage |
|---|---|---|---|
| >=60% | >=60% | >=60% | |
| 2023 | 87.80% | 60% | 81.82% |
| 2022 | 91.30% | 67.31% | 80.95% |
| 2021 | 91.07% | 58.33% | 80% |
| 2020 | 80.56% | 36.73% | 74.42% |
| 2019 | 87.04% | 72% | 78.57% |
| Cumulative | 87.98% | 60% | 78.89% |
Graduates of the Medical Assisting program will be able to:
Our mission is to provide competent entry-level medical assistants who in turn provide exceptional quality healthcare under the supervision of their licensed employer. Certification and recertification will promote our graduates to be lifelong learners.
The mission of the Kirkwood Medical Assisting Program is to provide competent entry-level medical assistants who in turn provide exceptional quality health care under the supervision of their licensed employer. Certification and recertification will promote our graduates to be lifelong learners.
Where do medical assistants work?
Medical assistants work at:
They also work at:
Will I be able to give shots and draw blood?
As part of your program you will learn to draw blood, test specimens, and give injections.
How does a medical assisting student practice his/her skills?
Students practice by demonstration, simulation, and practice on classmates.
Do I need a physical and hepatitis vaccination before I start the program?
The requirements for physical and immunizations will be discussed during program orientation when you are asked to set up your CastleBranch account.
Will I need a uniform or any special supplies?
For Intro to Clinical Procedures, Med lab, clinical procedures, and externship experience, you will wear black scrubs, a black lab coat (optional), closed toe shoe with good support and non-permeable (to protect from spills or dropped objects), socks, and a name badge. You will also need a watch with a second hand and a stethoscope for these classes.
Do I need proof of CPR?
You must provide proof of a completion of a recognized CPR course. It must be at the health care provider level.
What about tattoos and piercings?
In lab and externship, all tattoos must be covered. Only one small earring per ear; no other piercings are allowed.
Is a background check required?
Yes, this is part of the admin office procedures course and will be completed through CastleBranch.
What courses should I take in high school?
Biology, accounting, typing, English and computer classes would be helpful. Some high schools offer Health Care Academy, which covers some core courses.
What Kirkwood courses can I take before beginning the program?
You can take Professionals in Health; Information Computing; Basic Anatomy and Physiology; First Aid; Fundamentals of Communication or equivalent; Medical Terminology (4cr) and AAS degree requirements/electives.
Do I have to take these courses prior to entering the program?
The only course that must be taken prior is the Basic Anatomy and Physiology course which is a prerequisite course needed for entry into the program. Other courses are included in the regular program.
Can I earn a degree?
Many students coming into the program have enough previous course work which allows them to pick up a few required courses and graduate with their AAS degree.
Can I work without my certification?
Most employers require certification. In order to be hired you must get your certification within 3 months.
Can I transfer courses to Kirkwood from another college?
If you're transferring to Kirkwood from another school, or if you've attended college at all in the past, contact your former school's registrar office and ask them to send your official college transcript to us at:
Kirkwood Community College
Enrollment Services
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Your transcript will be evaluated for general education courses.
Where is my Externship?
Clinic sites will be within Kirkwood's seven-county service area. Faculty determine the assignment of students to externship sites and a clinical agreement is established with the site. Liability insurance coverage is provided by the college. Students are supervised but not paid for their externship experience; it is part of the medical assistant curriculum.
How much study time will I have outside of class?
A good rule of thumb is two hours of study for each hour of class.