South University

Medical assistants are multi-skilled allied health professionals who perform a wide range of roles in physicians’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare settings. They are proficient in a multitude of clinical and administrative tasks and are widely viewed by doctors as vital members of the healthcare delivery team. The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting program is devoted to a competency-based education with emphasis on the students’ mastery of clinical and administrative competencies. These competencies are validated through performance on tests, terminal performance objectives, and a clinical externship. Their training culminates in a required 160-hour, unpaid, supervised practicum at a local medical practice during their last term of study. Graduates are required to pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license in order to work in the field. (Exam names vary by program). Please refer to the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the University catalog for additional information. South University cannot guarantee each graduate will pass the required licensure examinations. South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.

Clinical/Medical programs have a required ground clinical, practicum, or externship requirement. South University cannot guarantee flexibility in these components of the program.

*The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting program offered at Montgomery is not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Physical therapist assistants are healthcare providers who work under the supervision of physical therapists. Their duties include assisting the physical therapist in implementing treatment programs according to a plan of care, training patients in exercises and activities of daily living, conducting treatments using special equipment, administering modalities and other treatment procedures and reporting to the physical therapist on the patient's responses. Upon completing the Associate of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree, you'll be able to translate the knowledge you gained from your courses to pursue work as a PTA.