Medical Assistant

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Medical Assistant graduates join the healthcare field. Medical Assistants are a vital part of the healthcare team, completing administrative and clinical tasks in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Students will practice and become proficient in various clinical skills, including patient education, phlebotomy, and administering first aid.

Program goals and objectives.

• Administer quality education and training that develops the potential of each student to become a productive, responsible, and professional member of society, as well as a skilled member of the medical assisting workforce.
• Prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
• Foster open access and a supportive environment to encourage student success in the classroom, laboratory, and externship sites.
• Encourage students to uphold professionalism, integrity, and high standards of excellence.
• Adhere to professional standards, incorporating the legal and ethical responsibilities of medical assistants.
• Train students to organize, prioritize, and delegate care by communicating effectively with medical team members.
• Develop and apply knowledge of specific disease conditions in the prevention, treatment, and well-being of the patients.
• Equip students to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA-NHA) and Certified EKG Technician (CET-NHA) national exams.

• CCMA/CET Exam Prep
• Hands-On Lab Training
• Clinical Hours Provided
• Job Placement Assistance

All applicants to Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts must meet the General Admission Requirements for all Programs, including the entrance exam where required, and the additional admission requirements for this program.

• Be at least 17 to be admitted to the program with parent or guardian consent. Applicants must be at least 18 at the beginning of the clinical externship.
• Submit an essay (no longer than one (1) page, double-spaced, typed, or handwritten) that describes the following: • Reasons for the applicant’s desire to become a Medical Assistant. • The applicant’s attributes that will support their ability to complete the MA program. • The applicant has the necessary people, routines, and resources to support their efforts throughout the program.
• Some campuses (such as those with an applicant pool larger than the number of available seats at the desired location) may require an additional step: an interview with the MA Program Supervisor, Program Coordinator, or their designee.

The program information, length, and schedule are subject to change. Read the accompanying Addendum for changes and updates, and connect with an Admission Advisor for details.

The Medical Assistant (MA) program provides a library and classrooms with audiovisual teaching aids, textbooks, and simulators. The Instructor-to-Student ratio is 1:15 in the laboratory, 1:30 during residential lectures, and 1:25 during online lectures. The program consists of 13 courses contained in three (3) modules.

Students must be available four (4) hours daily, Monday through Friday, for didactic and laboratory coursework.

While on Externship, students must be available 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, and they may be required to accommodate alternative schedules based on facility placement business hours. Students must be able to complete the specific rotations on the provided schedule.

Students receive 231 didactic hours, 345 laboratory hours, and 180 hours of clinical externships, allowing them to apply the lecture topics and hands-on lab skills in practical use when placed in a healthcare facility. 192.5 hours will be spent outside work time.

The curriculum equips students with the technical, clinical, and interpersonal skills required to excel in the medical assisting field. A certificate is awarded upon completion of the program. The expected program completion time is 30 weeks, excluding holidays and vacation times.

Class times can and may be rescheduled to ensure on-time program completion and fulfillment of required program hours.

Upcoming start date for this program: January 4, 2027.

Tuition and fees. Registration Fee (non-refundable) $100.00; Student Tuition Recovery Fund $0.00; Textbooks $150.00; Tuition $14,227.50. The addendum lists a total program cost of $14,447.50, which does not equal the sum of the listed charges; confirm the total with the campus. Total program cost excludes transportation, room and board, and personal expenses.

Total fees per period of enrollment. Period 1: $7,363.75; Period 2: $7,113.75.

Cost of Attendance, 2026–2027 (one academic year). Tuition & Fees $14,327.50; Books $150.00; Transportation $6,525.00; Food & Housing $18,911.00; Personal Expenses $683.00; Loan Fees $98.00; Laptop Fee $450.00; Total Cost of Attendance (One Academic Year) $41,144.50. Individual student costs will vary.

Financial aid. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts participates in various federal and state student financial assistance programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Direct and Direct PLUS Loans, Cal Grant, Sallie Mae® and Campus Door loans, and veteran benefits, for those who qualify. Each campus has a Financial Aid Advisor. Gurnick's FAFSA school code is 041698.

Net Price Calculator. Estimate your net price with Gurnick's Net Price Calculator.

Other fees, as applicable. ATI TEAS $120; background check $33–$75; drug testing $74–$148; CPR $55–$80; fingerprinting $81 and up; licensing board fees $200–$500 depending on the exam and license; campus parking permit $25; graduation ceremony fee $20–$50. Some of these fees may be paid by Gurnick Academy for some programs.

Career paths. Medical Assistant, Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant.

Certification and licensure. NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA); NHA Certified EKG Technician (CET).

School Performance Fact Sheet, calendar year 2024. Medical Assistant – 948.5 Clock Hours at the Concord campus reported an on-time completion rate of 26% (9 of 34 students available for graduation); a job placement rate of 65% (20 of 31 graduates available for employment employed in the field) (published March 17, 2026).