Medical Assistant
Medical Assistant Program
Our Medical Assistant program trains future frontline caregivers — the first faces patients see in clinics, community centers, and primary care practices. HIGH empowers students to support physicians, engage patients, and provide equitable healthcare in underserved areas.
- Clinical and administrative training for entry-level medical roles
- Emphasis on communication, empathy, and cultural competence
- Flexible learning with real-world externship opportunities
- Focused on community impact, not just credentials
Overview
Medical Assistant Diploma
The Houston Institute of Global Health’s accelerated Medical Assistant Diploma is designed to get your career ready in just 10-12 months. You’ll dive into office and lab procedures, medical software, and pharmacology, equipping you with a solid foundation for the medical assisting field. Plus, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience through a 50-hour clinical externship in MAT280 Clinical Competencies III and 180-hour clinical externship, where you’ll practice what you’ve learned in a real medical setting. By the time you land your first job, you’ll be fully prepared to jump right in and make an impact from day one.
- 10- 12 months*
- Online + 4 Saturdays from 10:30-3:30 for MAT275 Clinical Competencies II and Externship
- 900 clock hours/42 credits
- HIGH campus, Online learning
Hands-on learning
Get real-world ready with clinical experience.
Earn your credentials
Show your future employer that you’ve met the highest standards of preparation in the field.
Flexible format
All courses are completed online, with the exception of 4 Saturdays from 10:30-3:30 for MAT275 Clinical Competencies II and the externships.
Curriculum
Graduates of the Medical Assistant Diploma will be qualified to assist in all areas of Medical Assisting, including administrative support duties, clinical procedures, insurance coding, and patient care.
For course descriptions, see our course Catalog.
MAT102
Intro to Medical Assisting | 2 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course will introduce you to the profession of medical assisting. You will become familiar with the scope of practice, typical work environments, and professional credentialing opportunities and processes for the medical assistant. The course will also provide you with detailed information regarding the medical assisting certificate plan, and preclinical and clinical requirements.
HIT135
Legal Aspects of Healthcare | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course will introduce you to the profession of medical assisting. You will become familiar with the scope of practice, typical work environments, and professional credentialing opportunities and processes for the medical assistant. The course will also provide you with detailed information regarding the medical assisting certificate plan, and preclinical and clinical requirements.
HIT215
Medical Coding and Insurance | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course provides an understanding of healthcare insurance billing and insurance concepts in practice today. It includes medical insurance billing theory and methodology, and covers specific reimbursement theories, healthcare concepts, and the practical application of third- party insurance rules.
HST111
Medical Terminology | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course provides a logical understanding of the language of medicine. Basic prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and rules for taking a singular term and making it plural are studied, along with word analysis, word building, spelling, and pronunciation. These principles are applied to the study of the following systems: integumentary, skeletal, muscle/joints, blood, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular. Each body’s system is reviewed with anatomy and physiology; diagnostic, lab, and surgical procedures; and pharmacology for interest and knowledge.
HST116
Human Structure and Function | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
In this course, you will survey the foundations of anatomy and physiology of the human body as they apply to the field of health science. Topics include the cells, tissues, organs, and functions of the various body systems. You will also be introduced to the organization and structure of the human body.
HST140
Pharmacology | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course is a systematic study of basic pharmacology principles with an emphasis on the skills and information needed to succeed in a working environment. Topics covered include drug classes, dosage calculations, and measurement conversions, drug administration routes, and proper medication documentation procedures.
HST165
Cultural Competence and Communication for Health Professionals | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course provides you with the skills necessary to communicate in a diverse society. You will gain an understanding of how obstacles to communicating with other people can be lessened through motivation, knowledge, and an appreciation of other cultures.
HST200
Diseases of the Human Body | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
Studies include principles of vaccinations and disease prevention, chronic diseases, diagnosis and treatments, and economic impact. You will also learn about infectious diseases, disease etiology, symptoms, diagnostic tests, therapeutic methods, and disease prognosis. In addition, genes, mutations, inheritance, genetic diseases, cancer, and cancer treatments will be reviewed.
MAT250
Professionalism in Healthcare | 2 credits |
Prerequisites: None
This course will focus on the aspects of professionalism that a healthcare professional needs in order to successfully work in a medical office setting, including communication skills, personal appearance, and interpersonal interactions. The course will prepare students for the clinical experience.
MAT265
Clinical Competencies I | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: MAT 250
The course introduces you to procedures commonly performed in a healthcare setting with special attention to aseptic technique, documentation, and safety. Specific competency simulations will include collecting a health history, vital signs, specialty exams, sterilization, minor surgical procedures, surgical asepsis, growth charts, and electrocardiograms.
MAT275
Clinical Competencies II | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: MAT 265
This course introduces you to procedures commonly performed in a healthcare setting with special attention to aseptic technique, documentation, and safety. Specific competency simulations will include specimen processing, methods of quality control, capillary and venipuncture, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived testing, microbiology and immunology procedures, urinalysis, and administering medications. The course has four mandatory Saturday classes, normally offered from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. (This course requirement can be satisfied through successful completion of the HIGH Phlebotomy Technician program.
MAT280
Clinical Competencies III | 4 credits |
Prerequisites: MAT 275
After completing this course, students will be able to complete EKGs in the field, describe introductory cardiovascular anatomy, relationships of other body systems to heart health, legal and ethical considerations, patient assessment techniques, and instructions on how to complete and document EKGs, and basic interpretation of EKG tracings. This course includes the performance of clinical skills in an approved medical facility or educational medical lab, as appropriate. You will complete a minimum of 50 hours and all required competency skills.
MOA210
Medical Office Management | 3 credits |
Prerequisites: None
The course explores procedural guidelines for accomplishing various administrative tasks in the healthcare setting. Topics include the management of patient information, operational functions, and general workplace competencies of healthcare employees.
MAT295
Medical Assisting Externship | 4 credits |
Prerequisites: MAT 280, and permission from the Clinical Placement Team
Successful completion of this course will require 180 unpaid hours of clinical and administrative experience in an approved healthcare setting. You will be evaluated on the performance of expected competencies, including a professional credentialing exam, at the end of the course.
Support Beyond Graduation
We don’t just train you — we walk with you.
Every HIGH student receives:
- Resume and job interview coaching
- Access to externship-to-hire opportunities
- Community job board access
- Letters of recommendation and professional references
Our goal is to see every graduate working, serving, and thriving.
