Gaston College

The diploma can be completed in approximately one year and includes 46 total credit hours distributed across three semesters. Students take courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, exam room and lab procedures, administrative tasks, and drug therapy. A supervised clinical externship ensures real-world experience before graduation. The program follows a structured daytime class format on Gaston’s Dallas and Lincoln campuses. Students in the diploma program who wish to pursue the A.A.S. degree will continue with general education coursework, including psychology, biology, English, and humanities, rounding out their professional development and enabling smoother transfer or advancement opportunities.

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Admission to the Medical Assisting program at Gaston College requires general college admission as well as selective program-specific criteria. Prospective students must demonstrate college readiness in English and math through placement testing, waivers, or completed prerequisite coursework. Since the program is competitive, students must meet with an admissions advisor to review qualifications and submit a complete application before the deadline. Gaston College provides clear advising and application resources to help applicants stay on track.

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The Gaston College Medical Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) based on recommendations from the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). This accreditation ensures that the curriculum meets national standards and prepares students for certification. Graduates are eligible to take the AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, and the program boasts a 100% five-year average pass rate, with a strong job placement rate of 92.5%.

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In-state tuition for the full three-semester diploma program is approximately $6,429. This estimate includes registration fees, lab fees, uniforms, textbooks, malpractice insurance, CPR training, and certification exam costs. While the program does not advertise scholarships directly, Gaston College participates in federal financial aid programs, and students may be eligible for grants, loans, or scholarships through FAFSA and institutional aid.

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A significant strength of the program is its clinical component. Students complete a five-credit-hour clinical externship during their final semester, where they apply both administrative and patient care skills in a supervised setting. This hands-on training solidifies learning and prepares students for the daily responsibilities of a medical assistant. In addition, students complete a medical assisting overview course that reviews all learned material and prepares them for the national certification exam.

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Gaston College supports students throughout their journey with academic advising, tutoring, and career services. Graduates of the program are equipped with strong technical knowledge, patient care skills, and administrative competencies. Career options include working in physicians’ offices, health departments, hospitals, and outpatient care settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong job growth for medical assistants, and Gaston’s placement rates suggest excellent employability upon graduation.

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Students are expected to meet physical and emotional health standards to ensure they can safely and effectively perform medical assisting duties. These include mobility, fine motor skills, visual and auditory acuity, cognitive abilities, and professional behavior under stress. The program enforces dress codes, technical standards, and safety procedures to maintain a high-quality, respectful learning environment.

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