Medical Assistant
| Quarter I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| FSS-100 | Freshman Student Success | 0 |
| MED-102 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| CMA-105 | Introduction to Clinical Procedures | 4.5 |
| ALH-100 | The Human Body & Functions | 4.5 |
Credits Quarter I: 12
| Quarter II | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MED-110 | Ethical & Legal Aspects of Patient Care | 3 |
| MED-110 | Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant | 4 |
| ALH-101 | Assisting with Phlebotomy, Urinalysis & Point-of-Care Testing | 5 |
Credits Quarter II: 12
| Quarter III | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMA-110 | Medical Office Procedures I | 3 |
| CMA-211 | Electronic Health Records | 3 |
| MED-105 | Medical Emergencies & Disaster Response | 2 |
| ALH-102 | Assisting with Medical Specialties, Nutrition & EKG | 4 |
Credits Quarter III: 12
| Quarter IV | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| PCD-201 | Professional Career Development | 2 |
| CMA-233 | Comprehensive Applications | 4 |
| CMA-298 | Medical Assisting Practicum | 6.5 |
Credits Quarter IV: 12.5
| Quarter I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-101 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4.5 |
| CMA-105 | Introduction to Clinical Procedures | 4.5 |
| FSS-100 | Freshman Student Success | 0 |
| MED-102 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
Credits Quarter I: 12
| Quarter II | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-102 | Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.5 |
| CMA-110 | Medical Office Procedures I | 3 |
| CMA-106 | Medical Techniques and Procedures I | 5 |
Credits Quarter II: 12.5
| Quarter III | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMA-107 | Phlebotomy/Lab Procedures I | 5 |
| ENG-102 | Business and Technical Writing | 4.5 |
| CMA-112 | Billing & Insurance | 3 |
Credits Quarter III: 12.5
| Quarter IV | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMA-206 | Medical Techniques & Procedures II | 4 |
| INF-101 | Information Literacy | 2 |
| PSY-101 | Principles of Psychology | 4.5 |
| MED-105 | Medical Emergencies & Disaster Response | 2 |
Credits Quarter IV: 12.5
| Quarter V | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-201 | Physiology of Disease | 4.5 |
| MED-110 | Ethical and Legal Aspects of Patient Care | 3 |
| CMA-210 | Medical Office Procedures II | 3 |
| CMA-207 | Phlebotomy/Lab Procedures II | 4 |
Credits Quarter V: 14.5
| Quarter VI | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMA-208 | Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant | 4 |
| PCD-201 | Professional Career Development | 2 |
| PSY-205 | Health Psychology | 4.5 |
| CMA-211 | Electronic Health Records | 3 |
Credits Quarter VI: 13.5
| Quarter VII | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMA-233 | Comprehensive Applications | 4 |
| CMA-299 | Medical Assisting Practicum | 6.5 |
| CMA-213 | Medical Coding | 2 |
Credits Quarter VII: 12.5
| Quarter I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-101 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4.5 |
| CMA-105 | Introduction to Clinical Procedures | 4.5 |
| FSS-100 | Freshman Student Success | 0 |
| MED-102 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
Credits Quarter I: 12
| Quarter II | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-102 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4.5 |
| CMA-112 | Billing and Insurance | 3 |
| ENG-102 | Business and Technical Writing | 4.5 |
Credits Quarter II: 12
| Quarter III | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMA-110 | Medical Office Procedures I | 3 |
| CMA-211 | Electronic Health Records | 3 |
| CMA-106 | Medical Techniques and Procedures I | 5 |
| CMA-213 | Medical Coding | 2 |
Credits Quarter III: 13
| Quarter IV | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMA-210 | Medical Office Procedures II | 3 |
| INF-101 | Information Literacy | 2 |
| CMA-107 | Phlebotomy/Laboratory Procedures I | 5 |
| MED-110 | Ethical & Legal Aspects of Patient Care | 3 |
| MED-105 | Medical Emergencies & Disaster Responses | 2 |
Credits Quarter IV: 15
| Quarter V | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| BIO-201 | Physiology of Disease | 4.5 |
| CMA-206 | Medical Techniques & Procedures II | 4 |
| PSY-101 | Principles of Psychology | 4.5 |
Credits Quarter V: 13
| Quarter VI | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMA-208 | Pharmacology for the Medical Assistant | 4 |
| CMA-207 | Phlebotomy/Laboratory Procedures II | 4 |
| PSY-205 | Health Psychology | 4.5 |
Credits Quarter VI: 12.5
| Quarter VII | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CMA-233 | Comprehensive Applications | 4 |
| CMA-299 | Medical Assisting Practicum | 6.5 |
| PCD-201 | Professional Career Development | 2 |
Credits Quarter VII: 12.5
What to Expect in the Clinical Medical Assistant Program
Swedish Institute’s Medical Assistant Program provides practical training for aspiring medical assistants. Medical Assisting is a coveted profession. Our program teaches students the skills to provide basic patient care in doctor’s offices and medical facilities.
Our training programs teach you to perform clinical and day-to-day tasks like taking patients’ vitals. Swedish Institute offers a 12-month Medical Assistant Certificate program and a 21-month Medical Assistant Degree program. No matter which program you choose, our world-class training will prepare you for various career opportunities. You will be able to enter the workforce with confidence.
The Certificate Program
Our Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate program is a 48.5 quarter-credit program available in a four-quarter (12-month) course sequence. The certificate program is available in day and evening class schedules. You will learn to perform routine duties like recording patient intake information and supporting physicians during exams.
Program graduates receive a certificate authorized by the New York State Board of Regents. Swedish Institute’s Clinical Medical Assistant Graduates who decide to further their education are eligible to enroll in our Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant degree program.
The Degree Program
Our Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant Degree program is a 90 quarter-credit program. We offer the program in six- and seven-quarter (21-month) sequences. Day and evening classes are available, though scheduling varies each quarter. Students learn to perform clinical and office tasks, like taking vital signs, reading lab results, phlebotomy/hematology techniques, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG), basic pharmacology, patient care, and medical recordkeeping.
Graduates of the Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant degree program receive an Associate in Occupational Studies degree (AOS) authorized by the New York State Board of Regents. Swedish Institute’s Clinical and Administrative Medical Assistant graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Certification examination (RMA) provided by the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Develop Your Practical Skills with Hands-On Training
Program students, whether pursuing a certificate or a degree, will gain valuable real-world experience during their final quarter with a 200-hour offsite externship in an outpatient or ambulatory setting.
Education on Your Time
Our program is available in a variety of schedule options. We offer day and evening schedules for our 21-month CAMA associate degree program. Our 12-month Medical Assistant Certificate program is offered during the day and evening. We also use a hybrid learning approach that offers both in-classroom and online learning. With Swedish Institute’s iPad program, every student receives an iPad that assists with virtual education, provides communication with classmates and instructors, and provides access to course materials no matter where you are.
What Does a Medical Assistant Do?
Medical Assistants play a vital role in any healthcare team. They work alongside and support doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, and are often the first people to see the patients. Their demeanor, attitude, and professionalism help set the tone for the patient experience.
Job duties of a Medical Assistant often include, but are not limited to:
- Recording patient history and personal information
- Taking and measuring vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, weight and pulse
- Performing EKG and other point-of-care testing (POCT) such as blood sugar finger sticks
- Supporting physicians during exams
- Helping explain physician instructions
- Following up with patients
Medical Assistants in the 2026 US News and World Report Jobs Rankings§
#5 in Best Health Care Support Jobs
#22 in Best Jobs Without A [4-yr] Degree
#95 in 100 Best Jobs
Career Opportunities for Medical Assistants
With training from Swedish Institute’s Medical Assistant Program, you will be prepared to pursue entry-level jobs with titles such as:
Medical
assistant
Clinical medical assistant
Clinical
Laboratory Aid
Blood Bank donor
unit assistant
Front office
assistant
Back Office
Laboratory Assistant
Salary Opportunities for Medical Assistants
According to the May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual average wage for Medical Assistants in the State of New York is $48,750 per year.* Salary will vary based on experience, location of employment, and the specific job title and duties being performed.
testimonials
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“They were just really compassionate and they really seemed to care about the education and helping us further our education in medical assistant. And they helped me to truly understand certain things when it came to EKG or phlebotomy. So, I just really appreciate them for that.”
J. Sandiford,
Clinical Medical Assistant
Class of 2025
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“Without Swedish, I wouldn’t have any of the knowledge that I have now to be able to help the people that I want to help in today’s society, and that really is it.”
S. Ortiz,
Clinical Medical Assistant
Class of 2026
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“The school prepared me really well to be working in the hospital because I feel like I’m able to take on anything. I’m able to be a leader, able to take steps and just provide the care that’s needed for the patient or whoever.”
T. Gonzalez,
Clinical & Adminstrative Medical Assistant
Class of 2025
†Applies to full-time students only.
* Salary Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System. Information is for Medical Assistants in New York State and Nationally. Data from May 2025. https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/home. Site visited 6.8.2026.
^ Growth Projection Source: The Occupational Outlook Handbook on Medical Assistants from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data from May 2024. Site visited 6.8.2026.
§ Information from the US News and World Report Rankings from 2025. Information subject to change. Find the full lists on the US News and World Report website. Site visited 3.31.26
National long-term projections and salary averages may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual growth or any particular salary. Swedish Institute does not guarantee employment. Swedish Institute cannot guarantee a student’s eligibility either to take any exam or become certified, registered, or licensed.
Swedish Institute was founded in 1916 and is the country’s oldest continuously operating massage therapy institution. Its programs are registered by the New York State Education Department. Accredited by ACCSC. For important information on program costs, completion and placement rates, median debt incurred, etc., please visit student consumer information. Learn more about our Personal Protection Policy.