Course Catalog
  1. Home
  2. Course Catalog
  1. Home
  2. Catalogs
  3. Wiregrass Student Handbook and Catalog 2024-2025
  4. Programs
  5. Medical Assisting, Diploma

Medical Assisting, Diploma (MA22)  Diploma

Campus Locations: Valdosta

Curriculum Update

The program curriculum has been updated for students beginning MAST classes Fall 2025. Students actively enrolled in MAST classes during the 2024-2025 or prior academic year, without a break in enrollment, will complete the Fall 2024 Entry curriculum. Students beginning the program in Fall 2025, or returning to the program after a break in enrollment, will complete the Fall 2025 Entry curriculum.

Required Prerequisites

To enroll in courses with the Medical Assisting prefix (MAST), you must first complete the required prerequisite courses successfully.

The Medical Assisting Diploma program prepares students for employment in a variety of positions in today's medical offices. The Medical Assisting program provides learning opportunities which introduce, develop, and reinforce academic and occupational knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to upgrade present knowledge and skills or to retrain in the area of medical assisting.

This program qualifies for the HOPE Career Grant.

Program Outcomes: This program will equip students with essential administrative and clinical medical office skills. Graduates will attain the knowledge needed to become competent members of the healthcare team, prepared for various roles in medical office environments.

Careers: Medical Assistant

Start Terms:

  • This program begins each Fall semester on the Valdosta campus.

Length of Program: 3 Terms

Admission Requirements:

Program-Specific Admission Requirements:

  • While the Medical Assisting Diploma program offers open enrollment, students must first successfully complete ENGL 1010, MATH 1012, and ALHS 1090 with a grade of 'C' or better before they can register for courses with the Medical Assisting prefix (MAST).
    • PSYC 1010 and COMP 1000 can be taken in any semester but must be completed before graduation.
  • To enroll in MAST classes, students must maintain good academic standing at Wiregrass; those on academic warning, probation, or suspension are ineligible. Additionally, all registration holds must be cleared for registration eligibility.

Program Information

  • The Medical Assisting Diploma program operates on a cohort basis, requiring students to take MAST classes as prescribed by the program.
  • Health Science students must meet additional requirements. See the Health Science Program Advising Packet for more information.
  • Clinical experience is required to complete the program, and students must meet all clinical requirements defined by the clinical facility. No student will be denied admissions to a program due to these requirements; however, the clinical partner requirement may prevent a student from completing the program. Clinical requirements may include, but not limited to, some or all of the following: American Heart Association Provider CPR certification, physical examination or proof of ability to perform required duties, Tuberculin skin test, up-to-date immunizations, mandatory vaccinations, and/or titers. A criminal background check and drug screen are required prior to performing the clinical rotation. Students unable to meet clinical requirements may not be able to graduate from the program. Alternate clinical locations may not be offered or available if a student is unable to meet clinical requirements.
  • Due to the potential for occupational risks, the medical assisting program strictly adheres to CDC, ADA, and OSHA regulations regarding bloodborne pathogens and infection control. Some of the occupational hazards within medical assisting field include:
    • Exposure to infection diseases
    • Sharps injuries
    • Bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards
    • Chemical and drug exposure
    • Ergonomic hazards from lifting, sitting, and repetitive tasks
    • Latex allergies
    • Stress

The Medical Assisting Program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Review Board (MAERB).

According to the 2023 Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) Annual Report, the Medical Assisting program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has an average job placement rate of 80.56%, retention rate of 68.29%, and an average exam passage rate of 91.67% for the five years 2019-2023.

Gainful Employment Information
Curriculum Outline (72 hours)
General Core Courses 9
ENGL 1010

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills. Approved Course Substitution: ENGL 1101

3
MATH 1012

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.

3
PSYC 1010

Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social psychology.

3
Occupational Courses 63
ALHS 1090

Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

2
MAST 1030

Introduces medication therapy with emphasis on safety; classification of medications; their actions; side effects; medication and food interactions and adverse reactions. Also introduces basic methods of arithmetic used in the administration of medications. Topics include: introductory pharmacology; dosage calculation; sources and forms of medications; medication classification; and medication effects on the body systems.

4
MAST 1080

Pre-requisite(s): ENGL 1010 and MATH 1012 and ALHS 1090 Introduces the skills necessary for assisting the physician with a complete history and physical in all types of medical practices. The course includes skills necessary for sterilizing instruments and equipment and setting up sterile trays. The student also explores the theory and practice of electrocardiography. Topics include: infection control and related OSHA guidelines; prepare patients/assist physician with age and gender-specific examinations and diagnostic procedures; vital signs/mensuration; medical office surgical procedures and electrocardiography.

4
MAST 1090

Furthers student knowledge of the more complex activities in a physician's office. Topics include: collection/examination of specimens and CLIA regulations/risk management; urinalysis; venipuncture; hematology and chemistry evaluations; advanced reagent testing (Strep Test, HcG etc); administration of medications; medical office emergency procedures and emergency preparedness; respiratory evaluations; principles of IV administration; rehabilitative therapy procedures; principles of radiology safety and maintenance of medication and immunization records.

4
MAST 1120

Provides fundamental information concerning common diseases and disorders of each body system. For each system, the disease or disorder is highlighted inlcuding: description, etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, management, prognosis, and prevention. Topics include: introduction to disease and diseases of body systems.

3
COMP 1000

This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications. Please note that this course may not transfer to a 4-year institution. Students should check with their transferring institution for transferability of courses. COMP 2000 may be taken in place of COMP 1000 if it is required by a transferring institution.

3
Fall 2024 Entry Curriculum: Total program hours will be 53 24
ALHS 1011

Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.

5
MAST 1010

Introduces the basic concept of medical assisting and its relationship to the other health fields. Emphasizes medical ethics, legal aspects of medicine, and the medical assistant's role as an agent of the physician. Provides the student with knowledge of medical jurisprudence and the essentials of professional behavior. Topics include: introduction to medical assisting; introduction to medical law; physician/patient/assistant relationship; medical office in litigation; as well as ethics, bioethical issues and HIPAA.

2
MAST 1060

Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice. Topics include: office protocol, time management, appointment scheduling, medical office equipment, medical references, mail services, medical records, and professional communication.

4
MAST 1100

Emphasizes essential skills required for the medical practice. Topics include managed care, reimbursement, and coding.

2
MAST 1110

Emphasizes essential skills required for medical practice in the areas of computers and medical transcription. Topics include medical transcription/electronic health records; application of computer skills; integration of medical terminology; accounting procedures; and application of the software.

3
MAST 1170

Provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of principles and techniques in a medical office job setting. This clinical practicum allows the student to become involved in a work setting at a professional level of technical application and requires concentration, practice, and follow-through. Topics include the application of classroom knowledge and skills and functioning in the work environment.

4
MAST 1180

Seminar focuses on job preparation and maintenance skills and reviews for the certification examination. Topics include letters of application, resumes, completing a job application, job interviews, follow-up letter/call, letters of resignation, and review of program competencies for employment and certification.

4
Fall 2025 Entry Curriculum: Total program hours will be 48 19
MAST 1061

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of medical assisting and its role within the broader healthcare field, emphasizing the importance of medical ethics, legal aspects of medicine, and the medical assistant's function as an agent of the physician. Students will gain knowledge of medical jurisprudence, professional behavior, and essential skills required for medical practice. Topics include an introduction to medical assisting, medical law, the physician/patient/assistant relationship, medical office litigation, ethics, bioethical issues, HIPAA, office protocol, time management, appointment scheduling, medical records, electronic records, medical office equipment, medical references, mail services, and professional communicat

6
MAST 1112

Pre-requisite(s): MAST 1061 This course emphasizes the essential skills required for managing insurance claims and administrative tasks within a medical practice. It provides comprehensive information on filing insurance claims, understanding types of third-party plans, managed care policies and procedures, insurance coding conventions, and the application of computer skills in medical settings. Topics include managed care, reimbursement, coding, accounting procedures, electronic health records, and practice management software.

5
MAST 1130Medical Assisting Externship & Seminar 8
Faculty
Sonja Williams
Program Chair

Medical Assisting Program Coordinator
Valdosta Campus

(229) 333-2100 Ext. 5007 | sonja.williams@wiregrass.edu
Mark Hall, Room 8135
Up one level
Programs of Study