UCLA Health Medical Assistant Program

• The four-quarter program includes 68 units of course work and 200 hours of clinical internship hours.
• Course of study prepares students for the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) National Certified Medical Assistants (NCMA) exam.
• Curriculum is reviewed and approved by an advisory board comprised of practitioners in the field, industry leaders and UCLA physicians, nurses and administrators from UCLA academic departments.
• A college degree is not required to enter the program.

The UCLA Medical Assistant Program is an integral part of UCLA Health. The Program shares the mission, vision, and values of the Health System, which are:

• Mission is to deliver leading-edge patient care, research, and education.
• Vision is to heal humankind, one patient at a time, by improving health, alleviating suffering and delivering acts of kindness.
• Values ensure Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence and Discovery on the work we do daily.

In alignment with the UCLA Health Mission, Vision, and Values, the Medical Assistant Program overarching goal is to provide premiere academic and technical training to develop the most highly competent medical assistants who can contribute to healing humankind, one patient at a time, by improving health, alleviating suffering, and delivering acts of kindness to meet the needs of the health care community.

In alignment with UCLA’s mission, the MA Program’s leaders established the vision to be the leading-edge educational program for Medical Assistants while providing an opportunity to persons who share UCLA values regardless of financial means.

The Medical Assistant Program at UCLA is pleased to report the following outcomes.

2018 to 2022 Outcome Averages

• MA Certification: The five-year average exam passage rate for 2018 to 2022 is 100%.
• Retention: The five-year average program retention rate from 2018 to 2022 is 87%.
• Job Placement: The five-year average job placement rate from 2018 to 2022 is 92.55%.  

Who can apply?

Applicants are required to:

• Be able to work in the United States
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be competent in reading comprehension
• Have basic arithmetic and math skills
• Take the HESI admission exam

Selection Process/Admission is based on:

1. Submission of a complete application including references and transcripts
2. Satisfactory performance on the HESI entrance exam
3. MAP Admission Committee decision to invite selected candidates to an interview
4. Final application decisions are completed after the interview

Learn more about the HESI Exam and instructions for applicants

Application Requirements:

Applicants must provide the following at the time of application:

1. Complete a student profile
2. High school transcripts or GED certificate (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application)
3. College transcripts – if applicable (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for initial application)
4. Comprehensive resumé
5. Three (3) references who can recommend you for the program, must be completed on the reference form (PDF). One letter must be from your current supervisor (if employed). Please have each of your three (3) references email completed reference forms to MAProgram@mednet.ucla.edu
6. Emergency contact information
7. Submission of an essay including a personal statement describing the candidates objectives for applying to the Program, including educational and professional goals, as well as professional or personal qualities that will help the candidate succeed in the Program and in the profession.
8. Math, Reading, Writing Proficiency as determined by a standardized nationally recognized examination (HESI). A copy of the email sent by Prometric, confirming your HESI exam appointment date and HESI exam scores
9. $183 (this includes the nonrefundable $75 application fee and HESI exam fees)

Download reference form (PDF)

Admission or progression in the UCLA Health Medical Assistant Program will be denied if a student is unable to demonstrate the technical standards.

Technical Standards are nonacademic criteria essential for program participation. These core competencies are the minimum skills necessary for successful completion of the Medical Assistant Program.

Students must be able to:

Motor:

• Apply general care & emergency treatment to patients.
• Help lift patients who may be unable to move themselves to and from the examination table.
• Lift equipment up to 50 pounds and manipulate mechanical and patient care equipment.
• Work standing on his/her feet 75% of the time.
• Have adequate physical mobility, fine and gross motor skills, sensation, balance and equilibrium.

Cognitive:

• Read and comprehend written instructions, patients’ charts, and other written material.
• Perform basic mathematical equations and dosage calculations.
• Demonstrate sufficient critical thinking skills to provide quality patient care within the scope of practice of the Medical Assistant.
• Provide care safely, responsibly and efficiently during medical emergencies and other stressful situations.

Communication:

• Communicate effectively (verbal, non-verbal and written) with patients, their families, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Be able to hear and observe clinical staff and patients in order to accurately assess vital signs, elicit information, perceive nonverbal communications, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and recognize and respond to an emergency.
• Possess appropriate interpersonal communication skills to interact positively with all persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.
• Apply the principles of confidentiality, respect, and discretion.

Behavioral/Social Attributes:

• Display flexibility to adjust to changing environments
• Demonstrate professionalism and a positive work ethic.
• Accept responsibility and accountability for actions in the classroom, lab, or clinic setting.

Disclosure of a Disability

Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations should make an appointment with the UCLA Extension Disabilities Services Office. Individuals will be asked to provide documentation of the disability in order to assist with the provision of appropriate reasonable accommodations. Accommodations that fundamentally alter the nature of the academic program, could jeopardize the health and safety of others, or cause an undue burden to the program are not considered reasonable accommodations.

Functional Ability

Individuals must possess a functional level of ability to perform the duties required of a Medical Assistant with or without reasonable accommodations. If an individual experiences a change during the program, so that the technical standards cannot be met, with or without reasonable accommodations, the student will be withdrawn from the Medical Assistant Program. In order to assist with the evaluation of the student’s ability to perform the technical standards of the program, the Medical Assisting team reserves the right to require an assessment by a qualified healthcare provider, for cause, at the student’s expense.

If an applicant is selected and does not complete the registration process, the applicant must reapply and is not guaranteed acceptance in any subsequent selection process.

The provisional acceptance notice will include:

1. Registration information
2. Mandatory health screening and vaccination information
3. Details of mandatory orientation

All students are considered conditionally accepted until completion of all the above items. Further information will be provided when the individual’s admission into the Medical Assistant Program is confirmed. Failure to provide required documentation will result in termination of the application process.