Medical Assisting Diploma Program
GRADUATES WHO FULFILL THE UPMC WORK COMMITMENT WILL RECEIVE PAYMENTS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE COST OF THE PROGRAMS IN ADDITION TO THEIR SALARIES
UPMC, UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, and Central Penn College are working together once again to develop the next generation of healthcare professionals in the region. In February, they rolled out an innovative Surgical Technician Program in which students who successfully complete the program and are hired by UPMC will receive payments equivalent to the full cost of the program in addition to their salary.
Medical assistants are one of the unsung heroes of the healthcare profession. They are talented, versatile healthcare professionals who perform both clinical and administrative duties. They are often one of the first healthcare workers patients see and interact with when they visit a physician’s office.
- The predicted surge in the number of physicians’ offices and outpatient care facilities
- Technological advancements
- A growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment
Medical Assisting Diploma courses are exclusively offered in person during the day at Central Penn College’s Summerdale campus.
Annual Job Placement Report
The diploma program’s cumulative 3-year percentage from the program’s final 2024 annual report for job placement is 70%.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants for the Medical Assisting program must have a minimum GPA of a 2.0 from the official transcripts from the last school attended to be considered for acceptance. In addition, applicants must have successfully completed two sciences (C or higher) and one math course (C or higher) in high school or college. GED scores will be accepted.
Applicants are required to submit two reference forms. Reference forms can be attained through the admissions office. If the student does not meet these criteria they are able to file an appeal for acceptance to the Program Director.
Prospective students must complete an essay and be interviewed by an admissions counselor.
How Do I Get the MA Diploma Program Paid?
Central Penn College will work with students on financial aid packages or payment plan options at the time of their enrollment. Those students hired by UPMC (contingent upon their performance during the course work and externship, and successfully passing their certification exam), will receive a payment each month of employment toward their program costs. By the third year of employment at UPMC, the tuition costs will be completely reimbursed.*
What does a Medical Assistant do?
- Rooming patients
- Checking and recording vital signs
- Taking a complete medical history of the patient
- Administering medications
- Assisting the provider with minor office procedures
- Drawing blood
- Scheduling referral appointments for patients
12-Month Certificate Program
- 12 Months
- 30 Credits
- Daytime, in-person classes in Summerdale
- High-demand, healthcare career
APPLY TODAY!
Due to the medical nature of these programs, students will receive hands-on, experiential learning as part of the required, in-person classes. The first term enrollment is limited to 20 students for each program.
Apply now!Graduate Satisfaction, Employer Satisfaction & Job Placement
Graduation Satisfaction
2021 Graduation Satisfaction: 100%
Employer Satisfaction
2021 Employer Satisfaction: 100%
Information obtained from MAERB annual report.
The medical assisting diploma program at Central Penn College has a Job Placement rate of 100% for the graduate cohort in 2021.
Click here to view the essential functions and technical standards for MA students.
Disclaimer: Central Penn College cannot guarantee clinical placements for students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Accreditation
The Central Penn College Medical Assisting 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 (MAERB).
MAERB
2339 N. California Ave.
#47138
Chicago, IL 60647
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 113th Street N #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
www.maerb.org
Disclaimer: Central Penn College cannot guarantee clinical placements for students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Program Offered
Hybrid (day classes only)
Courses
MA Clinical Education I
MA Clinical Education II
MA Clinical Education III
MA Administrative Skills I
MA Administrative Skills II
Healthcare Insurance
Structure, Function, & Disease of the Human Body I
Structure, Function, & Disease of the Human Body II
Structure, Function, & Disease of the Human Body III
Careers you can pursue
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Medical Office Assistant
- EKG Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Health Unit Clerk
- Medical Claims Examiner
You will succeed if you are...
- Empathetic
- Detail-oriented
- Customer-friendly
- Compassionate
- Collaborative
- Organized
- Versatile
- Nonjudgmental
- Enjoys working with others
88.1% of our graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation.
* Based on graduates whom we have information during a one-year period from 2022-23. It should be noted that 98.1% of graduates were employed in some capcity or continuing their education.
