Admission Criteria

Candidates for the Medical Assistant program must fulfill EICC admission and the following program admissions requirements to be considered for the program:

1. Must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have a high school equivalency that is in conformity with the requirements of the Department of Education, State of Iowa.
   
   
2. Demonstrate college-level readiness in English, according to EICC placement assessments.
   
   If applicable must have a test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) on file. Language proficiency for non-native speakers of English must be at a score of 500 or higher OR complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.5 – no sub score below 6.0. In addition, one must have a speaking 1:1 time with an ESL/ELA coordinator.
   
   
3. Must have official college transcripts for any colleges previously attended received by an EICC Admissions Office prior to admission.
   
   
4. Able to meet the following requirements of the Medical Assistant Program:
   
   
   1. Actively participate in a very rigorous academic program
   2. Remain calm in very stressful situations on a one-to-one basis
   3. Work with groups of people in stressful situations
   4. Ability to bend, squat, reach, kneel, carry, and lift
   5. Ability to be on his/her feet for six to twelve consecutive hours in the clinical area
      
      

Accepted students to the medical assistant program must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Complete a national criminal background check and drug screening. Medical assistant courses with a clinical component may not be taken by a person who has been denied background clearance.
   
   
2. Students may only repeat each medical assistant (MAP) core course once. If a student is not successful with a second attempt of a MAP course, they will not be able to progress and will be withdrawn from the program. 
   
   
3. Must be in optimum health as evidenced by the physical examination form. To ensure the health and safety of patients, fellow students, faculty and other health care providers while enrolled, the medical assistant student will be:  required to achieve in a very rigorous academic program; involved in very stressful situations on a one to one basis; called upon to work with groups of people in stressful situations; required to use effectively all sensory organs; engage in activities which require above average manual dexterity; expected to bend, squat, reach, kneel and be able to carry and lift 50 pounds from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead, move, and turn persons who weigh at least as much as he/she does; required to be on his/her feet for six to twelve consecutive hours.
   
   
4. Note for Transfer Students: Any transfer student applying for admission, who has been enrolled in a medical assistant curriculum other than EICC, will be required to meet with the Medical Assistant Program Director to discuss placement in the curriculum. The transfer student must meet the requirements set forth in the EICC admission/progression policy. Course syllabi and clinical site information from the transferring institution will be required for review.  The student may also be asked to provide written authorization allowing contact with instructors from the transfer institution regarding class and clinical performance.  In some cases, a letter of reference regarding theory, clinical and overall student conduct may also be required from the chair of health programs at the transfer institution.  Information acquired from these contacts will be considered in acceptance and proper placement into EICC medical assistant curriculum. 

Must be completed by the end of the first semester:

• Proof of AHA Healthcare CPR
  
• Physical with current vaccinations
  
• Completion of Child and Adult Iowa Abuse certificates
  
• All course work on the Medical Assistant Factsheet