Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC), a public community college in east Alabama, offers two CAAHEP-accredited medical assisting programs, based at its Valley campus:
- Medical Assistant Technology Certificate (57 credits)
- Medical Assistant Technology Associate in Applied Science (63 credits)
Program Tracks Overview
| Program | Est. Cost | Est. Duration | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant Technology Certificate | ~$14,400 (est.) | ~4 semesters | 57 |
| Medical Assistant Technology AAS | ~$15,500 (est.) | ~5 semesters | 63 |
SUSCC does not publish program totals. The estimates apply its 2025-26 rate of $182 per credit hour (tuition and fees) for Alabama residents and add about $4,000 for books, supplies, uniforms, and screenings, based on the itemized costs published by Wallace Community College. Credit totals use the handbook’s standard course choices. Durations come from a third-party program listing.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| School type | Public community college (Alabama Community College System) |
| Campus | Valley Campus |
| Format | On campus, with skills labs, a simulation center, and online course support |
| Programmatic accreditation | CAAHEP, on MAERB recommendation |
| Institutional accreditation | SACSCOC |
| Built-in credentials | EKG technician and phlebotomy preceptorship |
| Practicum | At least 160 hours (MAT 230), plus a phlebotomy preceptorship |
| CCMA pass rate | 96.55%, 2020 to 2023 (third-party listing) |
Medical Assistant Technology Certificate
The certificate costs an estimated $14,400 for Alabama residents and takes about four semesters. See the official catalog page.
Certificate Curriculum
Structure. The certificate combines 22 credits of general education with 35 credits of program courses. Many MAT courses run in half-semester mini-terms, two per semester.
- General education: ENG 101, speech, math, human biology, a humanities elective, HED 231 First Aid, and HPS 105 Medical Terminology
- MAT 111 Clinical Procedures I and MAT 205 Clinical Specialties for Medical Assistants
- MAT 125 and 215 Laboratory Procedures I and II
- MAT 216 Pharmacology for the Medical Office: 4 credits
- MAT 218 EKG Technician: 3 credits
- OAD 214 Medical Office Procedures, OAD 215 and 216 Health Information Management
- MAT 239 Phlebotomy Preceptorship: 3 credits
- MAT 228 Review Course and MAT 230 Medical Assisting Preceptorship
Distinctive elements. EKG and phlebotomy are required, and the office courses use health information management rather than separate MAT administrative courses. SUSCC also offers short certificates in phlebotomy (9 credits) and administrative medical assisting (23 credits).
You Should Know
- The catalog lists 54 to 64 credits because students can substitute anatomy and physiology for human biology and MAT administrative courses for the OAD courses.
- SUSCC notes that the curriculum may change under statewide standardization of Alabama medical assistant programs.
Certificate Practicum
- MAT 230 requires at least 160 contact hours, the CAAHEP minimum
- MAT 239 adds a separate phlebotomy preceptorship
- Students pay for background checks and drug screens and must carry health insurance
Certificate Admissions
- Unconditional admission to SUSCC, with a 2.0 GPA for current, former, or transfer students
- Official high school and college transcripts on file before applying
- Eligibility for ENG 101 and MTH 100, plus the college reading requirement
- An ACT composite of 18 or higher, or a silver level on ACT WorkKeys
- A completed MAT application by the deadline
You Should Know
- Two unsuccessful attempts (D, F, or W) in program courses lead to dismissal.
Medical Assistant Technology AAS
The AAS costs an estimated $15,500 for Alabama residents and takes about five semesters. See the official catalog page.
AAS Curriculum
Structure. The AAS includes every certificate course and adds:
- PSY 200 General Psychology: 3 credits
- One elective, such as CIS 146 Microcomputer Applications or OAD 101 Keyboarding: 3 to 4 credits
Distinctive elements. For about $1,100 more than the certificate, graduates earn an associate degree.
AAS Practicum
- Same practicum and phlebotomy preceptorship as the certificate
AAS Admissions
- Same requirements as the certificate
Tuition
SUSCC charges $131 per credit hour in tuition plus $51 in fees, or $182 per credit hour, for Alabama residents in 2025-26.
| Program | Tuition and Fees (in-state) | All-in Estimate (in-state) | All-in Estimate (out-of-state) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate (57 credits) | $10,374 | ~$14,400 | ~$21,800 |
| AAS (63 credits) | $11,466 | ~$15,500 | ~$23,700 |
- Financial aid is available to eligible students. Malpractice insurance is included in student fees.
Be aware that:
- Out-of-state students pay double tuition, $313 per credit hour including fees.
- The 2026-27 rate may be higher. Other Alabama community colleges raised tuition to $133 per credit hour for 2026-27.
- Exposure incidents during the preceptorship can cost up to $1,000 in lab tests and medication, which students pay.
Outcomes
| Measure | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CCMA (NHA) exam pass rate | 96.55% | Third-party listing, 2020 to 2023 |
| Job placement | 82.76% | Third-party listing, 2020 to 2023 |
| Retention | Not published | SUSCC handbook |
SUSCC’s handbook does not report outcomes, so these figures come from a third-party listing. A 96.55% pass rate would be the highest among Alabama programs profiled here. Confirm with SUSCC’s MAERB annual report.
Why Choose This Medical Assistant Program?
SUSCC fits an east Alabama resident, around Valley, Lanett, or Auburn-Opelika, who wants an accredited program with a certificate or degree option.
Choice of credential. The certificate and the AAS differ by only two courses, so students can decide late which to finish.
Built-in EKG and phlebotomy. Both are required, which prepares graduates for multi-skill clinic roles.
Cost. The certificate costs less than the AAS programs at Wallace Community College ($19,564) and Trenholm State (about $17,500).
Drawbacks. An ACT score of 18 or WorkKeys silver is required, SUSCC publishes no outcomes itself, and the curriculum may change under statewide standardization.
Accreditation
Southern Union State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Its medical assistant technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB). SUSCC does not publish its accreditation dates. Graduates of the CAAHEP-accredited program are eligible for the CMA (AAMA) exam, and the program also prepares students for the CCMA (NHA).