St. Johns River State College Medical Assistant Program

The Medical Assisting program spans 1,300 contact hours and is typically completed within one academic year. The curriculum is divided into practical modules that cover a wide range of competencies, including front office operations, clinical support, pharmacology, phlebotomy, laboratory skills, and EKG procedures. Courses such as “Pharmacology for Medical Assisting,” “Clinical Assisting,” and “Electrocardiograph Aide” ensure students are well-versed in the technical aspects of direct patient care.

Instructional hours are structured in a classroom and lab setting before students progress into a 200-hour supervised practicum. Practicum placements are organized within SJR State’s tri-county service area, giving students real-world exposure to outpatient centers, clinics, and physician offices. This rotation helps bridge the gap between theoretical learning and professional application.

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SJR State’s program is a limited-access option, meaning admission is competitive. Applicants must first be accepted to the college and then submit a separate application for the Medical Assisting program. A high school diploma or GED and a minimum GPA of 2.0 are required. All application components, including transcripts, must be submitted before the internal deadline.

Once admitted, students are subject to several post-acceptance conditions. These include a physical examination, drug screening, criminal background check, and demonstration of academic readiness through the TABE placement test (unless waived). Students must also attend a program orientation and hold liability insurance, which is included in lab fees.

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The Medical Assisting program at SJR State is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) based on recommendations from the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). This accreditation ensures that students graduate from a program that meets national education and competency standards, making them eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

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The total cost of the program is approximately $2,830, offering tremendous value for a comprehensive, accredited healthcare training path. Financial aid and scholarships are available, and students are encouraged to apply early to maximize their eligibility. The college provides a financial aid office and scholarship application windows throughout the year to support students with demonstrated financial need.

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Students in this program benefit from instruction by experienced faculty with direct backgrounds in medical assisting and healthcare delivery. The program is structured to emphasize professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team—skills that are actively modeled and reinforced by instructors throughout the year.

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The program follows a traditional in-person format at the Orange Park campus. While no online or hybrid options are currently available, this structure supports immersive, hands-on learning and skill practice in fully equipped labs. Core courses rotate between the Orange Park and Palatka campuses depending on the academic year, and students are expected to follow the assigned campus rotation.

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Graduates of SJR State’s Medical Assisting program have historically seen strong job placement outcomes, with the most recent year reporting 100% job placement. While the college does not guarantee job placement, students have access to career advising and employer partnerships through SJR State’s career services. Graduates leave the program prepared to apply for jobs in physician offices, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, and hospital-affiliated settings.

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Upon completing the program and passing the CMA exam, graduates are qualified for a range of roles across the healthcare system. They can work in administrative positions such as billing and scheduling or in clinical roles involving direct patient care, testing, and treatment support. This versatility makes them highly valuable in today’s healthcare workforce.

The program also positions graduates for further study in nursing and allied health programs, giving them a strong foundation if they choose to pursue higher degrees or specialized certifications.

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