Revolutionary New Medical Assistant Degree Launches in 48 Weeks at CHCP

A New Era in Healthcare Education: 48-Week Medical Assistant Degree

The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) is transforming the educational landscape for future healthcare professionals with its groundbreaking launch of an accelerated Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program. Enabling students to complete their studies in an astonishing 48 weeks, this initiative aims to address the critical shortage of skilled Medical Assistants in the healthcare sector.

Traditionally, an associate degree takes about two years to complete; however, CHCP’s innovative program compresses that timeframe significantly. The new degree offers a full 61.5 credits and 1,216 clock hours of training while still meeting all the comprehensive educational requirements of a conventional AAS. This includes three semesters of clinical coursework and a 160-hour supervised externship, ensuring that students gain practical, hands-on experience.

Eric Bing, Chancellor and CEO of CHCP, emphasized the unique approach of this program, stating, "Most accelerated programs cut down on credit hours or essential clinical time. We designed this degree to prove that we can offer the full scope of training within a compressed timeline, with a focus on the needs of our students and the healthcare workforce."

The pressing demand for Medical Assistants, crucial players in today’s healthcare teams, is underscored by a projected shortfall of 4.6 million workers in the med-tech sector. CHCP's program recognizes that working adults aspire to progress in their careers without sacrificing the quality of their education. By maintaining the complete credit load typically associated with an associate degree, CHCP sets itself apart from institutions that opt for shorter, less comprehensive programs.

Molly Huynh, Human Resources Coordinator at Hope Clinic, commended CHCP's role in preparing healthcare workers: "Medical assistants are the hearts and hands of our clinic. They help our patients along their journey towards living healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives. CHCP has been a wonderful resource in cultivating future healthcare professionals."

This degree will be offered at both CHCP's McAllen and Houston Southwest campuses starting this fall. The program’s structure, which combines online and in-class learning with practical instruction, is tailored to fit the demanding schedules of adult learners. This allows students to obtain a highly valuable degree while keeping up with job and family obligations.

The new program also includes an embedded certification-preparation course. This ensures that graduates are ready to take national or state certification examinations immediately upon finishing their degree. The integrated externship component provides students with direct exposure to employer networks and invaluable experience even before they graduate.

Dr. Joanitt Montano, Provost and Vice President of Academics at CHCP, stated, "While many institutions speak of meeting learners where they are, few are willing to re-engineer the entire academic structure to fulfill this promise. This program is a genuine commitment to removing barriers for our students. It maximizes their time and potential without compromising on the substance of the education they receive."

Graduating students from this accelerated program are poised to meet the demands of healthcare employers, equipped with strong foundations in both clinical and administrative skills, professionalism, and readiness for the workplace. As CHCP continues to innovate and adapt to the needs of both its students and the healthcare industry, the 48-week Medical Assistant AAS program stands as a testament to the college’s commitment to excellence in healthcare education.

For more information about the program and other offerings, visit CHCP's website.