Medical Assisting is an Associate Degree program offered by Keiser University in New Port Richey, FL. The program takes 2 Years to complete, with a total tuition of $49,632.
Program Overview
Keiser University's Associate of Science in Medical Assisting prepares students for a versatile role at the front line of patient care, blending clinical competencies with the administrative skills that keep a medical practice running. Graduates are trained to work directly alongside physicians and healthcare teams, supporting both the exam room and the front office of physician offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and specialty practices.
On the clinical side, the program develops hands-on proficiency in taking vital signs and blood pressure, assisting with minor surgical procedures, administering injections, performing venipuncture and drawing blood, and running waived laboratory tests such as urinalysis, pregnancy testing, and blood-sugar screening. Students also learn to take x-rays and administer electrocardiograms, always under the direct supervision of a physician or licensed professional.
On the administrative side, the curriculum covers patient communication, medical records management, appointment scheduling, insurance claims, billing, and supply ordering. This dual clinical-and-administrative foundation, reinforced by two supervised externships, positions graduates to step directly into the medical assisting workforce and to sit for national credentialing exams.
What sets this Program apart
- Hands-on experience: Master both clinical procedures and administrative tasks through practical laboratory sessions and real-world externships.
- Experienced faculty: Study under faculty members who bring real-world medical office experience to the classroom.
- Flexible formats: Available online, on campus, and in a hybrid format at select Florida campuses.
- Fast track to the workforce: Prepare for national credentialing exams and enter the field quickly, with the associate degree completable in about 16 months full-time.
- One class at a time: Focus on a single course during each four-week term, with new classes starting every month.
Admission Requirements and Process
Admission includes Keiser University's general requirements plus any program-specific requirements listed below, followed by the university's monthly-start application process.
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED equivalent (foreign credentials must be evaluated by a NACES-member agency)
- Meet with an admissions counselor and complete the enrollment/application process
- Submit proof of prior education
- Complete the FAFSA to determine financial aid eligibility
- Meet the Medical Assisting Technical Standards required for clinical and externship participation
- Successfully complete the program assessment examination before beginning Externship II
- Compliance with health/immunization records and any background-check requirements of externship facilities (health-care program requirement)
School Information
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited institution means your education has met rigorous, independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
This program: Keiser University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); this program is additionally accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Recognized by employers nationwide
- Credits earned toward a respected credential
Application Process
- 1Submit ApplicationComplete the online application form with your personal information and educational background.Apply Now
- 2Submit TranscriptsProvide official high school transcripts or GED certificate. Some programs may require additional documentation.
- 3Financial AidComplete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. Meet with a financial aid advisor to review your options.FAFSA Code for New Port Richey: 015159Complete FAFSA Application
- 4EnrollmentOnce accepted, complete enrollment paperwork, register for classes, and attend orientation.
Program Schedule
The program follows Keiser University's one-class-at-a-time model, with each course delivered over a four-week term and new classes starting every month. Full-time students typically complete the 60.5 credit hours in approximately 16 months.
Classes are offered in day, evening, and online formats at select campuses, along with a hybrid option that combines online coursework with face-to-face instruction. Coursework combines classroom study with supervised laboratory sessions where students practice clinical skills before applying them in the field.
Two required externship courses (Externship I and II, 7.0 credits combined) place students at affiliated health-care facilities — physician offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, medical clinics, nursing homes, and specialty practices — where they gain practical experience under the supervision of licensed medical professionals. Students must pass a program assessment examination before beginning Externship II.
- September 28th, 2026
- October 26th, 2026
- November 23rd, 2026
- January 11th, 2027
- February 08th, 2027
- March 08th, 2027
- April 05th, 2027
- May 10th, 2027
- June 07th, 2027
- July 05th, 2027
- August 02nd, 2027
Curriculum
The curriculum pairs a medical assisting major core (about 36.5 credits, including clinical procedures, anatomy and physiology, radiography, laboratory procedures, medical office management, and two externships) with general education coursework (about 24 credits). Course titles and credit values are listed below.
Required Courses
| Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Medical Assisting Major Courses (36.5 credit hours) | |
| Clinical Procedures | 3.5 |
| Medical Terminology | 1.5 |
| Anatomy and Physiology | 6.0 |
| Radiography | 6.0 |
| Laboratory Procedures I | 4.0 |
| Medical Office Management | 4.5 |
| Laboratory Procedures II | 4.0 |
| Externship I | 3.5 |
| Externship II | 3.5 |
| General Education Courses (24.0 credit hours) | |
| Strategies for Success | 3.0 |
| American History Pre 1876 | 3.0 |
| American History Since 1876 | 3.0 |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3.0 |
| Sociology | 3.0 |
| Communications (3.0 credit hours) | |
| Speech Communications | 3.0 |
| Computers (3.0 credit hours) | |
| Introduction to Computers | 3.0 |
| English (3.0 Credit Hours) | |
| English Composition I | 3.0 |
| English Composition II | 3.0 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts (3.0 credit hours) | |
| American Literature | 3.0 |
| English Literature | 3.0 |
| Mathematics (3.0 credit hours) | |
| Intermediate Algebra | 3.0 |
| Natural Science (6.0 credit hours) | |
| General Biology | 3.0 |
| General Biology Laboratory | 1.0 |
| Environmental Science | 3.0 |
| Advanced Biology | 3.0 |
| Advanced Biology Laboratory | 1.0 |
| General Marine Biology | 3.0 |
| General Chemistry | 3.0 |
| General Chemistry Laboratory | 1.0 |
| Advanced Chemistry | 3.0 |
| Advanced Chemistry Laboratory | 1.0 |
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition is charged per 16-week semester based on scheduled credit hours. At the full-time rate (12–17.99 credits) of approximately $12,408 per semester, a full-time student completing the 60.5-credit program across roughly four semesters can expect estimated tuition of about $49,600. A one-time $55 application fee and one-time $145 registration fee apply at enrollment. Certain courses in this program (such as laboratory and radiography courses) may carry additional per-course resource or lab fees; students should confirm current fees with financial services, as all figures are subject to annual review.
To help cover costs, eligible students may draw on federal aid including the Pell Grant, FSEOG, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Federal Work-Study, as well as Florida programs (FSAG and EASE), institutional scholarships, and veterans and military education benefits. Filing the FAFSA (Keiser's School Code is 015159) each year is the first step. Use the Net Price Calculator at https://www.keiseruniversity.edu/NPC-index.html for a personalized estimate.
Estimated total program tuition of about $49,632 (full-time semesters at ~$12,408/semester); actual cost varies with pace and transfer credit.
Career Outcomes
Graduates are prepared for entry-level roles across clinical and administrative health-care settings, including physician offices, hospitals, outpatient and specialty clinics, and nursing homes. Common job titles include:
- Clinical Medical Assistant / Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Registered Medical Assistant
- Medical Office Specialist
- Healthcare Administrative Assistant
- Patient Care Coordinator
- Medical Records Specialist
- Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Phlebotomy Technician
The curriculum prepares students to sit for national medical assisting certification exams offered by organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), American Medical Technologists (AMT), and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) — including the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential from AMT. Graduates may also continue their education toward a bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration, Health Science, or a related field.
What to expect as a Keiser University student
Expect a fast-paced, hands-on program that moves you through one course at a time in four-week terms. You'll spend time in supervised campus labs practicing real clinical skills — drawing blood, taking vital signs, running waived lab tests, performing EKGs, and taking x-rays — before applying them with patients.
Because this is a health-care program with direct patient contact, you'll need to meet the Medical Assisting Technical Standards and comply with immunization and background-check requirements at your externship sites. Two externships put you in real medical facilities under professional supervision, and you'll pass a program assessment exam before your final externship. By graduation you'll be ready to sit for a national credentialing exam and step into a medical office.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
School Information
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited institution means your education has met rigorous, independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
This program: Keiser University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); this program is additionally accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Recognized by employers nationwide
- Credits earned toward a respected credential