Program Strengths
EKU’s Medical Assisting Program was first accredited in 1970 and has remained accredited since that time.
The program was reaccredited for 10 years in 2002 and received no citations or recommendations.
During the past five years, two of the three faculty in this program have received extramurally funded grants. All three faculty have been active in the only professional organization for medical assistants, the American Association of Medical Assistants. All three faculty are involved in service and scholarly activities.
The demand for formally educated medical assistants is great. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical Assisting is projected to be one of the ten fastest growing professions through the year 2014.
There is great need in the community for formally educated medical assistants. We enjoy outstanding support for our program from physicians in the community and surrounding areas.
Ninety-eight percent of EKU Medical Assisting graduates who completed a recent survey stated that they felt well prepared for the national certification examination.
Ninety-eight percent of graduates stated that they would “recommend the program to others.”
EKU Medical Assisting graduates perform exceptionally high on the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination. In the last six years, we have had an overall 94% pass rate which far exceeds the national average pass rates which is usually between 65% and 73%.
Nearly 100% of EKU Medical Assisting graduates are employed upon graduation.
Comments from employers of our graduates:
“I have been in practice for over 18 years, and have used multiple LPNs and RNS in my office as office assistants and can truly say that the EKU Medical Assisting graduate that I hired has been the best prepared and best trained assistant that I have had. She has been an excellent worker and has been just what I needed in an office setting.”
“I am writing this letter in support of the outstanding Medical Assisting Program at Eastern Kentucky University. I would like to comment on the excellent reputation for turning out well-prepared graduates…Without a doubt, Eastern graduates are the most sought after in the medical assisting job market.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend Eastern for their excellent Medical Assisting Technology Program. We have been quite pleased with the quality of students who are now enrolled and others who have been students in the program…. I am still impressed by their dedication, professionalism, and abilities in performing their jobs.”
