Programs of Study

This course introduces the college's physical, academic, and social environment and promotes the personal development essential for success. Topics include campus facilities and resources; policies, procedures, and programs; study skills; and life management issues such as health, self-esteem, motivation, goal-setting, diversity, and communication. Upon completion, students should be able to function effectively within the college environment to meet their educational objectives.

This course provides a basic study of the structure and function of the human body. Topics include a basic study of the body systems as well as an introduction to homeostasis, cells, tissues, nutrition, acid-base balance, and electrolytes. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of anatomy and physiology and their interrelationships.

This course covers the history of medicine and the role of the medical assistant in the health care setting. Emphasis is placed on professionalism, communication, attitude, behaviors, and duties in the medical environment. Upon completion, students should be able to project a positive attitude and promote the profession of medical assisting.

This course provides instruction in clinical examining room procedures. Topics include asepsis, infection control, assisting with exams and treatment, patient education, preparation and administration of medications, EKG, vital signs, and medical emergencies. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate competence in exam room procedures.

This course introduces medical office administrative procedures. Topics include appointment processing, written and oral communications, medical records, patient orientation, and safety. Upon completion, students should be able to perform basic administrative skills within the medical environment.

This course focuses on major drug groups including their side effects, interactions, methods of administration, and proper documentation. Emphasis is placed on the theory of drug administration. Upon completion, students should be able to identify, spell, recognize side effects of, and document the most commonly used medications in a physician's office.

This course covers legal relationships of physicians and patients, contractual agreements, professional liability, malpractice, medical practice acts, informed consent, and bioethical issues. Emphasis is placed on legal terms, professional attitudes, and the principles and basic concepts of ethics and laws involved in providing medical services. Upon completion, students should be able to meet the legal and ethical responsibilities of a multi-skilled health professional.

This course is the second in a series of medical terminology courses. Topics include medical vocabulary and the terms that relate to the anatomy, physiology, pathological conditions, and treatment of selected systems. Upon completion, students should be able to pronounce, spell, and define medical terms as related to selected body systems and their pathological disorders.

This course is designed to develop the ability to produce clear writing in a variety of genres and formats using a recursive process. Emphasis includes inquiry, analysis, effective use of rhetorical strategies, thesis development, audience awareness, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English.

This course is designed to explore personal and occupational responsibilities of the practicing medical assistant. Emphasis is placed on problems encountered during externships and development of problem-solving skills. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate courteous and diplomatic behavior when solving problems in the medical facility.

This course, the second in a series of two, introduces research techniques, documentation, styles, and writing strategies. Emphasis is placed on analyzing information and ideas and incorporating research findings into documented writing and research projects. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using documentation appropriate to various disciplines.

This course introduces computer concepts including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems.

This course covers the biochemistry of foods and nutrients with consideration of the physiological effects of specialized diets for specific biological needs. Topics include cultural, religious, and economic factors that influence a person's acceptance of food, as well as nutrient requirements of the various life stages. Upon completion, students should be able to identify the functions and sources of nutrients, the mechanisms of digestion, and the nutritional requirements of all age groups.

This course focuses on the use of electronic health records in medical documentation and patient management. Emphasis is placed on creating and maintaining patient medical information, scheduling patient appointments, documenting patient encounters, and billing/insurance claim processing. Upon completion, students should be able to perform the required software tasks following a patient visit from start to finish.

This course is designed to develop coding skills. Emphasis is placed on advanced diagnostic and procedural coding in the outpatient facility. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in coding for reimbursement.

This course is designed to provide communication skills, basic education principles, and knowledge of available community resources and to apply this knowledge to the clinical setting. Emphasis is placed on identifying appropriate community resources, developing patient education materials, and perfecting written and oral communication skills. Upon completion, students should be able to instruct, communicate effectively, and act as a liaison between the patient and community agencies.

This course introduces the origins and historical development of art. Emphasis is placed on the relationship of design principles to various art forms including but not limited to sculpture, painting, and architecture. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and analyze a variety of artistic styles, periods, and media.

This course covers the development of art forms from the Renaissance to the present. Emphasis is placed on content, terminology, design, and style. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an historical understanding of art as a product reflective of human social development.

This course covers selected works in American literature from 1865 to the present. Emphasis is placed on historical background, cultural, context, and literary analysis of selected prose, poetry, and drama. Upon completion, students should be able to analyze and interpret literary works in their historical and cultural contexts.

This course considers technological change from historical, artistic, and philosophical perspectives and its effect on human needs and concerns. Emphasis is placed on the causes and consequences of technological change. Upon completion, students should be able to critically evaluate the implications of technology.

This course introduces the humanities as record in literature, music, art, history, religion, and philosophy of humankind's answers to the fundamental questions of existence. Emphasis is placed on the interconnectedness of various aspects of cultures from ancient through early modern times. Upon completion, students should be able to identify significant figures and cultural contributions of the periods studied.

This course is a basic survey of the music of the Western world. Emphasis is placed on the elements of music, terminology, composers, form, and style within a historical perspective. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate skills in basic listening and understanding of the art of music.

This course introduces various musical styles, influences, and composers of the United States from pre-Colonial times to the present. Emphasis is placed on the broad variety of music particular to American culture. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate skills in basic listening and understanding of American music.

This course introduces theories about the nature and foundations of moral judgments and applications to contemporary moral issues. Emphasis is placed on moral theories such as consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Upon completion, students should be able to apply various ethical theories to moral issues such as abortion, capital punishment, poverty, war, terrorism, the treatment of animals, and issues arising from new technologies.