Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA) Diploma Program
The Clinical Medical Assisting diploma program at Blue Cliff College teaches students the skills necessary to provide medical and administrative services in healthcare settings.
The medical services that a CMA is trained to provide could include taking vitals, getting medical histories, giving injections, and taking specimen samples for analysis in a lab. Admin work may include contacting patients with appointment reminders and checking them in and out when they visit.
Clinical Medical Assisting Diploma Program Length
The Clinical Medical Assisting program at Blue Cliff College can be completed in 9 to 15 months. The 9-month option requires daytime classes, while the 15-month path is for a part-time evening class schedule.
Regardless of which route you take, the program covers 53 quarter credit (780 clock) hours.
Clinical Medical Assisting Program Coursework
In your coursework, expect to learn how to work with patients, complete office tasks, perform lab work, take vitals, and more.
This is a wide-ranging training program, with instruction in everything from pharmacology and lab procedures to taking vitals and getting medical histories to office admin work.
Course topics include:
- Introduction to the Healthcare Workplace: Overview of what it’s like to work in a variety of medical facilities, including instruction in the goals of such facilities, types of jobs, introductory patient care, and more
- Anatomy and Physiology: Overview of the body’s internal and external structures, including at the cellular level, and how they’re supposed to work; additional focus on nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems
- Medical Office Procedures and Computer Fundamentals: Office tasks, patient communication, and basic computer skills, particularly focusing on Microsoft products commonly in use in medical offices
- Medical Coding and Insurance: Intro to health insurance systems and relevant coding (i.e., codes allowing insurance companies to easily read records)
- Medical Terminology: Relevant vocabulary and how it’s used in practice
- CPR/First Aid: Leads toward CPR and first aid certifications
- Introduction to Clinical Procedures: Working with patients and physicians, obtaining medical histories, taking vitals, and ensuring a sanitary environment
- Phlebotomy / Laboratory Procedures: Guidelines for medical labs and collecting, processing, and analyzing urine and blood samples
- Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant: Details about medications and how they work, plus relevant laws
- Medical Training and Procedures: Minor surgery prep, teaching patients to use at-home medical equipment, ECGs, nutrition, and diagnostic imaging
- Phlebotomy / Laboratory: How to conduct blood, urine, sputum (mucus from lungs), semen, and microbiological tests
- Professional Development: Externship prep, job and job hunting skills, resume creation, workers’ rights, professional behavior, and the importance of certification, continuing education, and professional associations
- Medical Assistant Externship: Implementing skills learned in the program in an actual professional development while supervised
Explore Related Programs
Blue Cliff College CMA Program Locations
You can enroll in our CMA diploma program at the following Blue Cliff campuses:
Hybrid CMA Course Delivery
Our Clinical Medical Assisting program is taught in a hybrid format at our Alexandria, Gulfport, and Metairie campuses, where a handful of your theory coursework is conducted online, with the rest of the instruction taking place in person.
In Blue Cliff College’s hybrid CMA diploma program, you’ll encounter online and on-campus learning experiences based on the nature of the subject studied. Online classes are likely to be those involving a lot of independent work—though your instructor will still be easy to reach! Meanwhile, the in-person CMA classes cover more hands-on and collaborative work.
CMA Program Admissions and Enrollment
You need to meet certain requirements before applying to or enrolling in the CMA program at Blue Cliff College.
Applicants must:
- Have completed high school (or equivalent)
- Be at least 17
- Submit a completed health survey regarding health and fitness related to CMA training
- Verify they have up-to-date immunizations or signed form indicating you will get immunized before specific classes or activities
- Achieve a minimum score of 12 on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam
- Disclose felony convictions or professional licensure loss or suspension (if relevant)
Those entering the hybrid program also need access to specific types of technology—including a laptop or desktop—and complete a student success course.
CMA Diploma Program Cost
As of 2024, our CMA program typically costs $16,683 in total. This breaks down into $14,742 in tuition, $1,891 in fees, and a $50 graduation fee. Medical Assisting students receive a kit that includes a stethoscope, a uniform, and other items. Additional supplies and required textbooks will be listed in your classes’ syllabi.
Financial Aid at Blue Cliff College
Blue Cliff College is a Title IV school, so students may be eligible for federal aid after completing the FAFSA. If you’re in Louisiana, you could be able to apply for the TOPS scholarship program. Eligible military veterans can speak with a Financial Representative to go through the certification process.
Why Should I Choose the CMA Diploma Program at Blue Cliff College?
At Blue Cliff College, we’re proud of our 25-year history of health and beauty education! We keep CMA classes small, maxing out at 35 students for theory and lecture courses and 25 for hands-on sessions. Outside of the classroom, clinical medical assisting students can take advantage of advisors who strive to help with both academic and non-academic challenges, career services, tutoring, and more.
Post-Graduation Paths
Upon graduation, you may take a Clinical Medical Assistant exam and find entry-level work under a variety of titles, such as Medical Assistant, Medical Receptionist, Medical Technician, Cardiac Technician, and more.
CMA vs. CAMA (Clinical Administrative and Medical Assistant) Program
CMAs and clinical administrative and medical assistants (CAMA) aren’t the same. In fact, you need to complete your CMA program before you can begin the CAMA Associate of Occupational Studies degree program at Blue Cliff College.
In our CAMA associate program, you’d perfect your medical assisting skills and learn advanced versions of them. Because our CAMA program is a degree program, it also includes other general education courses.
Licensing and Accreditation
Blue Cliff College maintains current certification and accreditation so you know you’re learning skills that are valued in your field. We are:
- Licensed by the Mississippi Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration. Certificate No. C-736
- Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)‡
‡The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, (ACCSC) is a recognized accrediting agency by the US Department of Education.
Get Started Today!
