Medical Assistant A.S. Degree
Penn Foster

Program Details

Penn Foster College offers an online Medical Assistant A.S. Degree* to interested students. During this program students have the opportunity to learn medical coding, medical terminology, and human anatomy and physiology.

The Medical Assistant A.S. Degree* trains students in the classification of drugs and dosage calculations, inpatient coding, billing and insurance procedures, and medical transcription. When working in a profession where healthcare is being delivered, it is important to demonstrate ethics and confidentiality. The course Law and Ethics in Medicine covers issues commonly encountered in the medical profession. In Reimbursement Methodologies, students are introduced to major reimbursement systems within the United States, focusing on payment systems, prepaid health plans, and managed care.

When dealing with patients, good communication is an important skill to have. The Interpersonal Communication course teaches students techniques to improve their listening skills, tone when speaking, gestures and facial expressions. During the clinical lab course, students receive hands-on training, examining sterilization, medical documentation, screening examinations, and assessing vital signs. For the completion of this course, students will receive a clinical skills kit to perform the required tasks. The student is finished with the Medical Assistant program after the externship has been completed. Students may intern at a healthcare facility, such as a clinic or family practice. The duration of the externship must be a total of 200 hours to fulfill the requirement.

Disclaimer:
*Residents of Minnesota will receive the Associate of Applied Science upon completing this program.

% Online

100% Online

School Accreditation & Licensing

Penn Foster is accredited by:

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

Penn Foster High School, Penn Foster Career School, and Penn Foster College have all met the high standards of integrity and performance set by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 

Penn Foster Career School is regionally accredited for non-degree granting postsecondary programs, and Penn Foster High School is accredited for grades 9 through adult, by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association for Colleges and Schools.

Penn Foster Career School has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)

All Penn Foster programs are affiliated with DANTES, which qualifies U.S. military personnel for tuition reimbursement.

Program Requirements & Restrictions

Minimum Education

High School or Equivalent

Application Requirements

Official High School Transcript/GED Score

Additional Info

  • Some programs may require 15 credits of general education prior to enrollment.