Application Procedures
- Applications for Fall 2012 are accepted Feb. 1 through May 25.
- Applications for Spring 2013 are accepted May 1 through Aug. 1.
Students must apply and be formally accepted into the Medical Assistant program prior to enrolling in any Medical Assistant program courses. View Application Procedures.
Planning Guide
Entrance into the MA program is highly competitive.
Increase your chances of being accepted:
More Information
Review the menu on the right for a career overview, program overview and additional information or, for other questions about the application process, see Contacts.
The Southwestern Illinois College Medical Assistant (MA) program prepares graduates to provide both administrative and clinical services in a medical office.
Medical Assistants provide administrative services such as:
- Managing the flow of patients in and out of the office
- Updating and filing medical records
- Filling out insurance information
- Arranging for hospital admission or laboratory services
- Handling billing and/or transcription
Under supervision, they also provide clinical services such as:
- Direct (hands-on) patient care procedures
- Monitoring vital signs
- Explaining treatment procedures
- Preparing patients for examinations
- Sterilizing instruments
- Performing routine laboratory procedures
- Performing electrocardiograms
Career Resources:
The SWIC Career Activities and Employment Center offers a Career Mentor program, including job shadowing.
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) website provides valuable career and certification information.
The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook provides additional information regarding the MA field.
Medical Assistant vs. Physician's Assistant
Medical Assistant should not be confused with Physician's Assistant. SWIC does not offer a PA program.
For more information about Physician's Assistants, see the American Academy of Physician Assistants website.
Medical Assistants work in a wide range of medical facilities including:
- Ambulatory care centers
- Urgent care facilities
- Physician's offices
- Hospitals
- Inpatient/outpatient facilities
Cross-Training
The cross-training of the Medical Assistant in administrative and clinical duties frequently makes the MA more marketable than individuals specializing in office management only.
Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Department of Labor 2010-11 Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 34 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Average Starting Salary
The average starting salary is $25,320 depending on the facility and the training and skills of the medical assistant.
Certification
Certified medical assistants earn approximately 5 to 10 percent more than non-certified medical assistants.
Students must apply and be formally accepted into the Medical Assistant program before beginning program courses.
Applicants must submit the following to the Enrollment Services Office:
1. Medical Assistant application
- Applications are available between Feb. 1 and May 25 each year for fall start.
- Applications are available between May 1 and Aug. 1 each year for spring start.
Students must select semester and campus preference when applying. Supporting documentation (transcripts, test scores, etc) must be on file by identified deadlines.
Proof of completion of prerequisite courses:
- Grades earned in college courses must be at least a C, although higher grades earn more application points.
- The most recent grade in courses meeting these requirements will be used.
2. Official transcripts
- Official high school transcripts or proof of GED
- Official transcripts from all colleges, universities or accredited schools of Medical Assistant attended
- SWIC transcript evaluation form, a requirement for the transfer of credits from another institution
3. Test Scores
- Complete the COMPASS test: The COMPASS placement test identifies skill levels in math, reading and writing. Students must score high enough to be eligible to enroll in ENG 101 and MATH 94. If COMPASS results are too low, students must complete required developmental courses prior to enrolling in ENG 101, BIOL 105, PSYC 151, SPCH 151 and MGMT 214.
Questions?
For an individual review of your application, contact the Health Sciences coordinators' assistant.
Complete Prerequisite Requirements
A computer literacy requirement must be completed to apply for the Medical Assistant program.
Fill out the Planning Guide
Entrance into the MA program is highly competitive. The MA Planning Guide explains application requirements and offers suggestions on how to maximize points in each section to increase chances of being accepted to the program.
Understand the Application Point System
Applications are rated by a point system, with points based on:
Meet with a Counselor
Call or visit a SWIC Counseling Office for more information on entrance requirements for the MA program.
Questions?
For an individual review of your planning guide, contact the Health Sciences coordinators' assistant.
Choose a Program
Southwestern Illinois College offers both a 10-month Medical Assistant Certificate program and a two-year Associate in Applied Science Medical Assistant degree. Acceptance to these programs is required before an applicant will be permitted to register for MA courses.
Medical Assistant Certificate
Medical Assistant Certificate (021A) Course Sequence
This is a 38.5-credit-hour, accredited certificate program that can be completed in 10 months.
The curriculum includes Medical Assistant technical courses and assigned clinical experiences.
Medical Assistant Degree
Medical Assistant Associate in Applied Science Degree (0021) Course Sequence
This is a 68.5-credit-hour degree program that can be completed in two years and one summer and includes:
A 38.5-credit-hour medical assistant certificate program (first 10 months)
30 credit hours of general education courses
The curriculum includes financing, management, communication and interpersonal relations, as well as MA technical courses and assigned clinical experiences.
Course Information
General Education Courses
General education courses can be completed prior to admission. These courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City or Red Bud campuses. If general education courses are not completed prior to admission, they must be completed during the semesters indicated.
Medical Assistant Courses
The Medical Assistant program courses begin each fall and spring for those applicants accepted into the program. MA courses are offered at the Belleville and Sam Wolf Granite City campus during the day.
Clinical Education Experiences
Clinical experience courses are completed off campus in various MA employment settings. Student may be required to travel outside the college district for clinical experience courses and must have background checks and drug testing prior. Clinical practice courses begin in the third semester after the completion of all MA coursework. Specific clinical placement cannot be guaranteed.
Belleville Campus
In both the fall and spring semesters, the Medical Assistant program generally accepts 28 students at the Belleville Campus.
Sam Wolf Granite City Campus
In both the fall and spring semesters, the Medical Assistant program generally accepts 24 students at the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus.
Application Point System
Applications for the MA program will be rated on a point system, with points based on:
Notification of Acceptance:
Applicants will be notified of their status regarding admission as quickly as possible given the number of applications received.
Fewer Candidates than Seats Available:
In the event that there are fewer qualified candidates than there are spaces available, applications will continue to be accepted until the program's maximum capacity has been reached at each of the campuses or until the first week of classes during the fall or spring semesters.
The college reserves the right to fill the program in those years when there are fewer applicants than spaces available by whatever means it deems necessary to assure both academic integrity and fairness in the selection process.
More Candidates than Seats Available:
In the event that there are more qualified applicants than spaces available at a campus of preference, students will be offered a seat at the alternate campus for the same semester or the opportunity to have a seat in the subsequent semester at the campus of their preference.
Applicants residing outside the SWIC district or in a district that does not have a joint agreement with SWIC for this program will not be eligible for consideration or admission if there are more applicants than positions to be filled. Search the college catalog for Interdistrict Cooperative Agreements. Residency status is determined by address on file with the Enrollment Services Office by June 15 for fall admission and Sept. 1 for spring admission.
The admission procedures for the MA program are in accordance with Illinois law. The law requires that programs with insufficient space and resources to accommodate all applicants will accept the best qualified applicants using rank, ability and achievement scores as guides, with preference given to students residing in the district.
The Medical Assistant certificate program consists of courses beginning with the prefix MA only, while the degree program includes general education courses as well as MA courses. Both programs include clinical education experiences. Specific locations depend on the course type.
General Education Courses
The required general education courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City or Red Bud campuses.
Medical Assistant Courses
The MA program courses are offered only at the Belleville and Sam Wolf Granite City campuses during the day.
Clinical Education Experiences
Clinical experiences are completed off campus in various MA employment settings during the day. Students may be required to travel outside of the college district for clinical experience courses. Background checks and drug testing are required prior to clinical experiences. Specific clinical placement cannot be guaranteed.
Medical Assistant Certificate program
For details, see the MA Certificate cost sheet.
Medical Assistant Degree program
For details, see the MA Degree cost sheet.
Financial assistance is available!
SWIC Financial Aid Office
Financial aid is available subject to financial need and satisfactory academic progress requirements set by the college.
The student work program does not require financial aid eligibility.
SWIC Foundation
The SWIC Foundation offers over 200 scholarships based on residency, enrollment and GPA criteria.
Medical Assistant courses and clinical experience are only offered during the day.
Full-Time Students
Students who enroll as full-time students will attend school four to five days per week throughout the 10-month program.
Part-Time Students
Students planning to attend part time must meet with the program coordinator to develop a schedule for program completion. Although students may take up to six years to complete the program, it is STRONGLY discouraged as many students have difficulty retaining knowledge of material taught in earlier semesters.
The following criteria are required of accepted applicants, and all information will be explained in detail at program orientation meetings.
Orientation & Performance:
Applicants accepted to the Medical Assistant program must attend all required orientation sessions and be able to perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. Applicants and enrolled students are encouraged to meet with the Disability & Access Center to discuss potential issues associated with meeting these requirements.
Health Insurance:
Health insurance is required during clinical education courses. Students are personally responsible for any costs incurred for injuries occurring during their clinical experience.
Medical Requirements:
These requirements do not have to be fulfilled until they are explained at the orientation meeting. MA students will be required to show proof of current CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider level, immunizations, TB test and physical examination before beginning any clinical experience.
Background Checks and Drug Testing:
Background checks and drug testing are required.
- A list of disqualifying convictions is available from the Illinois Department of Public Health website. Students with convictions must possess a waiver from the IDPH to participate in the program.
- Drug testing will identify illegal and prescription drugs. If results are positive, the student must provide proof of prescription in his or her own name in order to pass the drug test.
Graduation Requirements:
Applicants admitted to the program must follow the requirements for graduation at the time they are admitted and must meet all course, program, degree and sequencing requirements specified. Students are responsible for program policies as listed in each year's MA Student Handbook. Students who fail to meet program specific requirements will be dropped from the program and may be required to re-apply and compete for admission in the succeeding semester.
On recommendation of the Medical Assistant Education Review Board, SWIC's Medical Assistant program is accredited by:
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
1361 Park St.
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-210-2350
The program's curriculum is guided by the standards developed by the commission. Our accreditation status means SWIC has met the standards required of the profession and helps to assure the public that our curriculum will graduate competent clinicians. It also qualifies the college's Medical Assistant graduates to sit for the certification examination.
Verification of accreditation can be viewed at the CAAHEP website.
Upon successful completion of the 10-month MA curriculum and 200 hours of clinical experience, graduates are awarded a Medical Assistant certificate and are required to take the National Certification examination. Successful completion of this exam will earn graduates the title of Certified Medical Assistant.
Certified medical assistants earn approximately 5 to 10 percent more than non-certified medical assistants.
The SWIC Medical Assistant graduate certification pass rate averaged over three years is 76 percent.