MyCR PortalWebAdvisorHelp DeskApply
main content

Medical Assisting

Home Breadcrumb Link / Academics / Adult and Community Education / Classes / Medical Assisting

FALL 2025 Program Information

Online Informational Meeting (not required, but highly recommended):

       Thursday, May 1st, 10am - Click ZOOM to attend 

       Meeting ID:    810 6410 4197                Password:  56049259

Documents being reviewed at this meeting will be posted at the bottom of this page. Application will be posted after the Zoom meeting

PROGRAM INFORMATION: You must be age 18 or older to enroll in the program, and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

College of the Redwoods Adult & Community Education offers training to become a Certified Medical Assistant. This is an intensive non-credit program that meets online and in-person, and also includes a 144 hour, unpaid clinical externship at a local healthcare provider’s office. 

The College of the Redwoods Medical Assisting program includes:

  • CPR (BLS) Certification
  • Clinical Experience at a Local Healthcare Facility
  • First Aid
  • Front and Back Office Procedures
  • Principles of Pharmacology
  • Job Preparation Skills
  • Medical Terminology
  • Performing finger-stick lab tests and urinalysis
  • Injections and venipuncture certification
  • Textbooks, 2 uniforms, stethoscope, lab supplies
  • National Certified Medical Assistant Exam

Program & Externship Dates: August 25 - December 15, 2025

168 hours lecture, 84 hours lab and 144 hours clinical externship required.

  • Lecture: online, via Zoom; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9a-10a
  • Labs: in person, Mondays and Wednesdays from 9a-5p. Includes some lecture hours
  • CPR Training date is TBA, but will be on a Tuesday or Thursday

*Although minimal, the class requirements and schedule are subject to change

Next Steps after Zoom meeting  (Application packet process) 

Application period is May 1st , 2025 - June 2nd, 2025 at 3pm:

  1. Apply to be a College of the Redwoods student (Admissions > Apply (redwoods.edu) If you are currently taking classes, this step is not applicable.
  2. Read / Review Medical Assisting Program Handb0ok (available below)
  3. Complete Medical Assisting Program application.  ***Application will be posted at the bottom of this page after the Zoom meeting. **
  4. Purchase background check thru CastleBranch (instructions below under “documents to download”)
  5. A copy of your high school diploma, transcripts or GED/HiSET. Graduation/Completion date must be listed.
  6. Gather your immunization records! These are strict requirements for this program, the clinical externship and for employment in the healthcare field. We can go over your records with you at any time; This way, you will know what is still needed.  The list of required immunizations is available below.
  7. After application period closes:
    • All potential program participants that have submitted completed application packets will be entered into the random lottery drawing, to be held on Tuesday, June 3rd at 1:00pm. You do not need to present for the drawing, but are welcome to attend.
    • Acceptance information will be emailed to the first 16 names drawn.
    • Waitlisted information will be emailed to everyone else. You will be assigned a waitlist # in your letter (2 of 25, 6 of 25, etc.)

Application packet:

All 3 items must be submitted at the same time. Incomplete packets will be rejected.

1. Completed application

2. Background check (completed/pass) - "processed" or proof of purchase, is not acceptable

3. Copy of high school diploma, transcripts (must show graduation date) GED/HiSET or equivalent

Documents for download