Medical Assisting - Undergraduate Certificate

The Medical Assisting undergraduate certificate prepares graduates to be eligible for the Certified Medical Assistant exam given by the American Association of Medical Assistants. Medical assistants work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. They perform administrative and clinical duties in addition to serving as a patient liaison and a member of the Patient-Centered Medical Home team.

The certificate's curriculum follows the standards and guidelines set forth by the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) and covers 12 content areas: anatomy and physiology; applied mathematics; infection control; nutrition; communication; administrative functions; basic practices finances; third-party reimbursement; procedural and diagnostic coding; legal implications; and ethical considerations; and protective practices.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify, administer and document medications safely utilizing the six rights.
2. Collect and process and diagnostic specimens with appropriate documentation and follow up.
3. Apply current up-to-date quality control and safety principles in the workplace.
4. Skillfully perform and document routine clinical procedures.
5. Perform and document routine administrative procedures.
6. Effectively utilize verbal, nonverbal and written communication principles and skills in the workplace.
7. Maintain ethical and legal standards and maintain confidentiality and patient privacy.
8. Communicate with professionalism in the medical assistant role and function as a valued member of the health care team.
9. Effectively utilize the electronic health record for documentation and insurance purposes.
10. Identify medical law and regulatory guidelines as it pertains to the ambulatory setting.

Admission to the program requires applicants to be 18 years old or older. Transfer students or current Kent State students declaring the program must have a minimum 2.000 GPA for admission.

Prior to acceptance into the program, each applicant must meet with the program director to review program prerequisites and requirements.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Kent State campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, and the Twinsburg Academic Center, have open enrollment admission for students who hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify, administer and document medications safely utilizing the six rights.
2. Collect and process and diagnostic specimens with appropriate documentation and follow up.
3. Apply current up-to-date quality control and safety principles in the workplace.
4. Skillfully perform and document routine clinical procedures.
5. Perform and document routine administrative procedures.
6. Effectively utilize verbal, nonverbal and written communication principles and skills in the workplace.
7. Maintain ethical and legal standards and maintain confidentiality and patient privacy.
8. Communicate with professionalism in the medical assistant role and function as a valued member of the health care team.
9. Effectively utilize the electronic health record for documentation and insurance purposes.
10. Identify medical law and regulatory guidelines as it pertains to the ambulatory setting.

Submitting your English test score

When applying as an undergraduate or graduate student to Kent State, there are a variety of ways to submit your score depending on which type of test you took.

• Students should request that ETS send official TOEFL scores directly to Kent (institution code: 1367).
• An IELTS or PTE report needs to be uploaded as a scanned PDF into our online application system..

All English scores will be verified for authenticity. Students with fraudulent documents will result in denial of admission or immediate dismissal.

Proficiency Waivers

Depending on your educational background, you may be eligible for an English language proficiency waiver, meaning you do not need to take a language exam. See our country list and related requirements.

¹ Based on one academic year, two semesters for a full-time international student. Program and special course fees are additional.

² Based on a standard double room and basic board plan. Other room types and board plans at different prices are available.

³ Based on the Student Health Insurance premium for one year. The United States does not have universal health care. For this reason, the university requires all international students to purchase the sponsored student health insurance plan. Under certain criteria, a student may request a waiver of this charge.  Total is based on an estimated cost of the required books/supplies for each term and is subject to change each fall.

All international students are required to pay the $20 per semester International Student Activity Fee.  The fee is assessed each semester to support the delivery of the various programs ISSS provides to its students.

Follow the steps below to become part of the Kent State community. If you have any questions, please reach out to us any time.

Submit an Online Application and Fee

Prepare Application Documents to Upload as You Apply

• Passport biographical page.
• English Language Proficiency official results report for IELTS, PTE or MELAB. TOEFL score should be submitted officially through ETS (Institution Code 1367).
• College transcript/detailed marksheets (Certified English translation and original language). 
• College Graduation Certificate/Diploma if already issued (Certified English translation and original language). 
• GRE/GMAT or other standardized tests if required (submit official test report through test center).
• Graduate assistantship application (if applicable).
  • Assistantship application.
  • Graduate assistantship applicants may need to meet earlier deadlines. Please check with department for deadlines. 
• Additional documents if required. *Review requirements from individual department or school.
• Financial guarantee (bank statements) that show sufficient funds to cover educational expenses.*
• Kent State University Financial Information Worksheet.*
  • *Financial documents are only required after acceptance. 

Upload All Required Documents to the Online Application System

For faster processing, all the documents should be uploaded in the online application system to complete the application.

Check Your Application Status

Apply for Immigration Documents (I-20)

Transfer Your SEVIS record (If Applicable)

If you are an F-1 student transferring from a school in the United States, please review the Transfer In Guide regarding your SEVIS record transfer. F-1 students must transfer their SEVIS record in order to maintain their F-1 status.

Provide Final and Official Documents After Arrival

For admissions purposes, we accept scanned documents of international credentials and scanned copies of official U.S. transcripts. When an applicant is admitted, his/her final and official transcripts and diploma should be brought to the International Admissions Office for verification. This should be done within the first semester (or the first module for ESL students). Otherwise, the student's account will be put on HOLD.