Red Rocks Community College offers a unique Medical Assisting program that provides students with exclusive interprofessional education (IPE) opportunities alongside Physician Assistant students, building confidence and advanced skills in healthcare. This hybrid, scenario-based program includes hands-on training in a state-of-the-art clinical space at the Arvada campus and requires a 225-hour internship for real-world experience under expert supervision. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), RRCC ensures the highest educational standards. Additionally, the Stacked Certificate Option allows students to earn multiple certifications by substituting coursework or completing an extra internship.
Program Highlights
- Unique Learning Experience: Red Rocks Community College is the only community college in the state to offer a master’s degree in Physician Assistant studies, RRCC provides Medical Assistant students with exclusive opportunities for interprofessional education (IPE). Students practice and learn alongside PA students gaining confidence and skills that set them apart in healthcare.
- Hands-On Experience: In this hybrid scenario-based learning program, students get to practice skills in our state-of-the-art clinical space at the beautiful Arvada campus. The program includes a 225-hour internship (MAP 1083), which must be completed no less than four days per week until completion. This internship provides students with real-world training under the supervision of experienced healthcare professionals.
- Accreditation Excellence: The Medical Assisting Program at RRCC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), ensuring the highest educational standards. For more details, visit www.caahep.org.
“Upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board, (MAERB) the Red Rocks Medical Assisting Certificate Program meets the accreditation standards of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education. For more information visit www.caahep.org ”
9355 - 113th St.N. #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
This allows our graduates to sit for national certification through the AAMA to become a CMA (Certified Medical Assistant)
The Medical Assisting Certificate program at Red Rocks Community College is one of the few programs that allows students to be credentialed by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) Students who enroll in this rigorous program are required to complete 39 semester hours of credit for the certificate program which is accredited by CAAHEP upon recommendation of MAERB and 60 credits for the AAS in which students receive the certificate accredited by CAAHEP and the AAS that is received through Red Rocks Community College.
Our Medical Assisting AAS Degree meets all Colorado state accreditation requirements. Medical Assisting students pay a fee, that upon completion of their internship, will be used to register them to sit for their AAMA certification exam. As a result of the high standards and qualified instructors, Red Rocks Medical Assisting program students pass at a rate above the national average.
- Internship Requirements: Students must have a current BLS Professional Certification valid throughout the internship. Students seeking to arrange their own internship site must secure approval from the Program Director by Week 10 of the semester preceding the internship.
- Eligibility: Students must be at least 18 years old, provide proof of updated immunizations and signed health forms, and pass a background check and drug screenings (at the student's expense). Students must also provide black scrubs, a watch with a second hand, a Stethoscope, and a blood pressure cuff.
The Medical Assisting pathway allows students to advance their careers, gain multiple certifications, and seamlessly transition into advanced healthcare programs. With its comprehensive curriculum, interprofessional education opportunities, and strategic pathway alignment, this program prepares graduates for long-term success in the dynamic healthcare field.
For more information, please meet with a Healthcare Pathway Advisor
- Background Check & Health/Drug Screen: All students must complete and pass a criminal background check and health/drug screen at their expense through the current approved RRCC background check and drug screen program. This must be completed early in the semester that precedes the internship.
- Immunizations & Health Forms: Students must provide proof of all required immunizations and submit a physician-signed approval/health form. Proof of Hepatitis B immunization is required on day one of MAP 2038/2040 courses. (Further details on the requirements above will be given during the MAP 2038/2040 course).
- Required Supplies: Students must have a watch (not a smartwatch), a personal blood pressure cuff/stethoscope, and black scrubs for the program.
The Stacked Certificate Option allows students to earn multiple certifications within the Medical Assisting program. By substituting specific coursework or completing an additional internship, students can achieve the following certifications:
- Medical Assisting Certificate
- Phlebotomy Certificate (requires an additional 135-hour internship)
- Medical Office Administration Certificate
Graduates who complete the Phlebotomy Certificate can sit for the Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) National Certification Exam through the American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Students interested in this option should meet with a Healthcare Pathway Advisor to ensure proper course planning. For more details about the Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) certification, visit AMT
- Prerequisite requirements may vary between the Medical Assisting Pathway (MAP) Certificate and AAS programs. Students must review the specific requirements for their chosen pathway before registering for MAP courses to ensure they have completed the necessary prerequisites and are on track for timely completion.
- It is required that all Medical Assistant students meet with a designated Healthcare Pathway Advisor before registering for any MAP courses to avoid delays.
- The Medical Assistant program follows a sequential, cohort-based structure to meet accreditation requirements. All courses within the program must be taken in the designated order and completed consecutively. Students should plan accordingly to meet these requirements.
The Program Director must approve the sequencing of MAP classes outside of the set cohort schedule.
The Medical Assistant Certificate Program at Red Rocks Community College offers an advanced pathway for students seeking to become Certified Medical Assistants (CMA). It integrates additional general education and healthcare fundamentals coursework, equipping graduates with a broader skill set for leadership roles or advanced educational opportunities.
- Accreditation Excellence: The Medical Assisting Program at RRCC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), ensuring the highest educational standards. For more details, visit www.caahep.org. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs https://www.caahep.org. 9355 - 113th St. N. #7709 Seminole, FL 33775 Phone: (727) 210-2350.
- National Credentialing: Upon completion, students will be eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) National Exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), earning a nationally recognized credential. For more information about the CMA credential, visit www.aama-ntl.org.
- Certificate Courses (28 credits):
- BIO 1006: Basic Anatomy and Physiology (4 credits)
- HPR 1040: Comprehensive Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- MAP 1010: Medical Office Administration (4 credits)
- MAP 2038: Medical Assisting Laboratory (4 credits)
- MAP 2040: Medical Assisting Clinical Skills (4 credits)
- MAP 1050: Pharmacology for Medical Assistants (3 credits)
- MAP 2069: Review for Medical Assistant National Exam (1 credit)
- MAP 1083: Medical Assistant Internship (5 credits)
Total Credit Hours: 28
- Background Check & Health/Drug Screen: All program students must complete and pass a criminal background check and health/drug screen at their expense through the current approved RRCC background check and drug screen program. This must be completed early in the semester that precedes the internship.
- Immunizations & Health Forms: Students must provide proof of all required immunizations and submit a physician-signed approval/health form in their final semester. Proof of Hepatitis B immunization is required on day one of MAP 2038/2040 courses. (Further details on the requirements above will be given during the MAP 2038/2040 course).
- Required Supplies: Students must have a watch (not a smartwatch), a personal blood pressure cuff/stethoscope, and black scrubs for the program.
The Stacked Certificate Option allows students to earn multiple certifications within the Medical Assisting program. By substituting specific coursework and completing an additional internship, students can achieve the following certifications:
- Medical Assisting Certificate
- Phlebotomy Certificate (requires an additional 135-hour internship)
- Medical Office Administration Certificate
Graduates who complete the Phlebotomy Certificate can sit for the Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) National Certification Exam through the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Students interested in this option should meet with a Healthcare Pathway Advisor to ensure proper course planning. For more details about the Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) certification, visit AMT
- It is required that all Medical Assistant students meet with a designated Healthcare Pathway Advisor before registering for any MAP courses to avoid delays.
- The Medical Assistant program follows a sequential, cohort-based structure to meet accreditation requirements. All courses within the program must be taken in the designated order and completed consecutively. Students should plan accordingly to meet these requirements.
The Program Director must approve the sequencing of MAP classes outside of the set cohort schedule.
The Medical Assisting Certificate program allows students to advance their careers, gain multiple certifications, and seamlessly transition into advanced healthcare programs. With its comprehensive curriculum, interprofessional education opportunities, and strategic pathway alignment, this program prepares graduates for long-term success in the dynamic healthcare field.
For more information, please meet with a Healthcare Pathway Advisor
The Medical Assisting Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree at Red Rocks Community College offers an advanced pathway for students seeking to become Certified Medical Assistants (CMA) and prepare for further specialization in healthcare programs such as Radiologic Technology (Rad Tech) and Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS). The AAS degree builds on the Medical Assisting Certificate by integrating additional general education and healthcare fundamentals coursework, equipping graduates with a broader skill set for leadership roles or advanced educational opportunities.
- Pathway Alignment: The AAS degree is intentionally designed to create a seamless transition for students aiming to specialize further in healthcare. This is the most popular pathway for students pursuing continued education in Radiologic Technology (Rad Tech) or Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS).
- Accreditation Excellence: The Medical Assisting Program at RRCC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB), ensuring the highest educational standards. For more details, visit www.caahep.org. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs https://www.caahep.org. 9355 - 113th St. N. #7709 Seminole, FL 33775 Phone: (727) 210-2350.
- National Credentialing: Upon completion, students can sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) National Exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), earning a nationally recognized credential. For more information about the CMA credential, visit www.aama-ntl.org.
- Core Medical Assisting Courses (32 credits):
- COM 1260: Communication in Healthcare (3 credits)
- HPR 1008: Law and Ethics for Health Professionals (2 credits)
- HPR 1040: Comprehensive Medical Terminology (3 credits)
- MAP 1010: Medical Office Administration (4 credits)
- MAP 2038: Medical Assisting Laboratory (4 credits)
- MAP 2040: Medical Assisting Clinical Skills (4 credits)
- MAP 1050: Pharmacology for Medical Assistants (3 credits)
- MAP 2069: Review for Medical Assistant National Exam (1 credit)
- MAP 1083: Medical Assistant Internship (5 credits)
- HWE 1050: Human Nutrition (3 credits)
- General Education Courses (29 credits):
- ENG 1021: English Composition I (3 credits)
- MAT 1240: Math for Liberal Arts (4 credits)
- BIO 1111: General College Biology I with Lab (5 credits)
- BIO 2101: Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (4 credits)
- BIO 2102: Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (4 credits)
- Nine credits from Arts & Humanities, Physical and Life Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences electives.
Total Credit Hours: 61
- Background Check & Health/Drug Screen: All program students must complete and pass a criminal background check and health/drug screen at their expense through the current approved RRCC background check and drug screen program. This must be completed early in the semester that precedes the internship.
- Immunizations & Health Forms: Students must provide proof of all required immunizations and submit a physician-signed approval/health form in their final semester. Proof of Hepatitis B immunization is required on day one of MAP 2038\2040 courses. (Further details on the requirements above will be given during the MAP 2038/2040 course).
- Required Supplies: Students must have a watch (not a smartwatch), a personal blood pressure cuff/stethoscope, and black scrubs for the program.
The Stacked Certificate Option allows students to earn multiple certifications within the Medical Assisting program. By substituting specific coursework and completing an additional internship, students can achieve the following certifications:
- Medical Assisting Certificate
- Phlebotomy Certificate (requires an additional 135-hour internship)
- Medical Office Administration Certificate
Graduates who complete the Phlebotomy Certificate are eligible to sit for the Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) National Certification Exam through the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Students interested in this option should meet with a Healthcare Pathway Advisor to ensure proper course planning. For more details about the Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT) certification, visit AMT
- It is required that all Medical Assistant students meet with a designated Healthcare Pathway Advisor PRIOR to registering for any MAP courses to avoid delays.
- The Medical Assistant program follows a sequential, cohort-based structure to meet accreditation requirements. All courses within the program must be taken in the designated order and completed consecutively. Students should plan accordingly to meet these requirements.
The Program Director must approve the sequencing of MAP classes outside of the set cohort schedule.
The Medical Assisting AAS degree allows students to advance their careers, gain multiple certifications, and seamlessly transition into advanced healthcare programs. With its comprehensive curriculum, interprofessional education opportunities, and strategic pathway alignment, this program prepares graduates for long-term success in the dynamic healthcare field.
For more information, please meet with a Healthcare Pathway Advisor
At RRCC, we take pride in the success of our students, the impact of our graduates, and the meaningful partnerships we’ve built with healthcare professionals and organizations.
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Becoming a student at RRCC prepares you for transfer to a four-year university, prepares you for an exciting new career or can enhance your current skills.
Red Rocks Community College offers courses in Arvada, Lakewood and online as well as hybrid courses.
In collaboration with Colorado 4-year schools, Colorado has developed a statewide guaranteed transfer program to create a seamless transfer.
Becoming a student at RRCC prepares you for transfer to a four-year university, prepares you for an exciting new career or can enhance your current skills.