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 ATI TEAS 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 ATI TEAS 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 ATI TEAS examination waived with proof of graduation from an accredited college.
• Applicants must first complete any identified developmental courses in the areas of Math, English and/or Reading in order to receive acceptance into the Medical Assisting Program.
• In order to enroll in MED 110, students must be fully accepted into the Medical Assisting Program.
• 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.
• A completed Gaston College Health and Human Services Student Medical form documenting satisfactory emotional and physical health. This is required by the due date stated in the applicant’s admission letter.
• Hold a current Adult, Infant and Child CPR Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers certification through the American Heart Association.
• Students will be required to submit documentation of additional non-academic criteria such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks, urine drug testing, and proof of immunizations. If the clinical facility refuses to allow the student to do clinical at the facility based on said findings, the student would not be allowed to continue in the program.
• Professional liability insurance (malpractice insurance). This insurance is arranged through the Gaston College Business Office.

Clinical agencies reserve the right to deny a student access to the facility based on failure to meet the above requirements. If a student is denied access to any clinical agency, the student will be not be allowed to continue in the Medical Assisting program.

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

Humanities Electives

Select one (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

Note(s):

Students participating in MED 260 Clinical Externship may not receive compensation/payment for their work in a medical facility while functioning as a student extern.  This includes, but is not limited to:  travel allowance, meal allowance or any other perk, such as gifts, gift cards that involves the exchange of funds.

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