Medical Assisting, A.A.S. (A45400)

Admission Information

Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Medical Assisting Program MUST meet all Gaston College admission requirements for GENERAL ADMISSION to the college. Admission to the general college does not guarantee admission to the Medical Assisting Program.

Admission Requirements to the Medical Assisting Program

• Complete and submit a Gaston College Medical Assisting Program Application. Applications are accepted January - July and can be requested through the Medical Assisting Office (704-922- 6377). Applicants are advised to apply early.
• Applicants must have a minimum composite score of 58 on the TEAS V exam to receive full acceptance into the Medical Assisting Program.    NOTE: A minimum composite score of 17 on the ACT or a minimum composite score of 830 on the SAT can be accepted in place of the TEAS V score. TEAS/ACT/SAT scores must be current within five (5) years from the date of program admission. Applicants with an Associate or higher college degree will have the TEAS V examination waived with proof of graduation from an accredited college.
• An overall GPA of at least 2.0 in college level coursework taken. 

Admission Status

Qualified applicants will be contacted for an admission interview by the Medical Assisting Department after receipt of the Medical Assisting Program application. Acceptance letters will be mailed to qualified applicants after the admission interview and verification of files being complete through Gaston College (TEAS/ACT/SAT scores, college placement test scores and transcripts). Students who have not met all of the requirements for full admission may still be considered for possible conditional acceptance as determined by the Medical Assisting Coordinator. Students accepted through conditional acceptance will be allowed to take Medical Assisting courses for one semester while working toward meeting full acceptance requirements. Individuals not accepted into the Medical Assisting Program must reapply to be considered for admission to the next class. Students reapplying for admission must submit a new application and meet the admission requirements current at the time of their application. Conditional acceptances are not granted for readmissions.

Students Admitted to the Medical Assisting Program

In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA, applicants accepted into the Medical Assisting program must meet the following requirements in order to enroll and continue in medical assisting courses:

• Earn a minimum grade of “C” in ALL medical assisting curriculum courses. In “MED” prefix courses that have a lab component, students must receive a passing grade in both theory and classroom skills procedures in order to pass the course and progress in the program. The Medical Assisting Program does not grant credit for experiential learning. Students may challenge certain classes for credit by exam, if approved by the appropriate faculty member.
• Complete the required keyboarding course for the Medical Assisting Program, OST 130 Comprehensive Keyboarding, with a minimum grade of “C” by the end of the spring semester of the freshmen year.
• Complete all related courses, those that do not have the “MED” prefix, prior to entering the fifth (last) semester of the program.
• Submit a satisfactory physical and emotional health examination documented on a “Gaston College Health and Human Services Division Student Medical Form” provided by the Medical Assisting Program by the specified date.
• Provide proof of immunizations by the specified date as required by the clinical agencies.
• Must complete a two-step PPD by the specified date as required by the clinical agencies. In addition, students must have an up-to-date TB Skin Test for each additional year of program enrollment as required by clinical agencies.
• Submit criminal background check by the specified date as required by the clinical agencies.
• Submit a drug screen by the specified date as required by the clinical agencies.
• Hold a current Adult, Infant and Child CPR certification through the American Heart Association.
• Participate in OSHA Safety Training and HIPAA Training.

NOTE: In order to comply with current Student Affiliation Agreements students accepted into the Associate Degree Medical Assisting Program will be required to submit the Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen according to Gaston College procedures prior to placement in a clinical facility. Clinical facilities reserve the right to deny a student access to the facility. If a student is denied access to any clinical facility, the student will not be allowed to continue in the medical assisting program. Completion of clinical experiences is required for the satisfactory completion of the medical assisting program. More information will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

Humanities Electives

Select 1 course from the following:

• ART 111 Art Appreciation (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 114 Art History Survey I (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 115 Art History Survey II (3 Credit Hours)
• ENG 231 American Literature I (3 Credit Hours)
• ENG 232 American Literature II (3 Credit Hours)
• MUS 110 Music Appreciation (3 Credit Hours)
• MUS 112 Introduction to Jazz (3 Credit Hours)
• PHI 215 Philosophical Issues (3 Credit Hours)
• PHI 240 Introduction to Ethics (3 Credit Hours)

Total Program Hours: 73