PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Associate of Applied Science degree program in Medical Administration (MA) is a program of study that covers an area of health care and medicine that requires personnel with a wide range of skills. The program's curriculum offers the advantage of diversified studies in such areas as management, administration, personnel, medical records, medical transcription, coding and insurance billing, computer applications, medical and health biostatistics, written and oral communication, medical terminology and anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. To assure that courses meet academically rigorous criteria, each course has measurable learning outcomes at each level of the program to evaluate mastery of subject material and critical thinking development.


LEARNING OUTCOMES
The learning outcomes of the MA program are based on the following criteria:

• Critical thinking ? the ability to analyze problems, conceptualize theses, develop arguments, weigh evidence and derive conclusions.
• Communication ? the ability to articulate the critical thinking outcomes in writing and/or speaking or by other modes of communication.
• Self-awareness ? the ability to analyze one's actions, to see the perspective of other persons and to work with others in groups.
• Personal actions ? the ability to take responsibility for one's actions and make ethical decisions in complex situations.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
The objective of the MA program is to prepare students with the necessary theoretical foundation and practical experience, as graduates of the program, to be qualified to work as medical administrators in major medical facilities such as hospitals ? inpatient and outpatient ? facilities, medical clinics, insurance companies, state and federal government medical facilities such as veterans' hospitals, in medicare, medical, and medicade programs, in private doctors' cooperatives, clinics, private practice physicians' offices and in hospices.

Upon completion of the MA program, the student will possess the knowledge and skills required to function successfully in an entry level position as a medical administrator. Duties may include serving as a healthcare financial administrator where the student will apply administrative, financial and accounting techniques in healthcare decision making involving accounts receivable and payable, special journals, banking procedures and the preparation of worksheets and financial statements. Other duties may involve medical records management or quality assessment, utilization review and risk management. Insurance duties may include insurance coding, determining benefits and coverage, handling claims and settlements. The training in medical transcription prepares the student for either a staff position or self-employment in a hospital, clinic, physician's office, or other facility requiring transcription of medical information. The training that MA students receive prepares them for a broad spectrum of positions in the healthcare field with opportunities to assume greater responsibilities and career advancement.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To apply for admission to the MA program, request an application by mail, telephone, fax or e-mail; complete the application and return the completed application form with a non-refundable application fee of $50.00 for U.S. residents or $100.00 for international students to Stanton University 's office of Admissions and Records.

Students may contact the Office of Admissions and Records at SU to request forms or information:
By Mail: Stanton University Office of Admissions and Records
               12666 Brookhurst St . Garden Grove , CA 92840
By Tel: (714) 539-6561 Fax: (714) 539-6542 E-mail: su@stantonuniversity.com

Admission is open to applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Persons who possess a high school diploma, or California high school proficiency exam certification, or General Education Development (GED) certificate with an average score of 45 or higher.
• Possess a Home Study Certificate, or transcript from a home study program that is equivalent to high school level that is recognized by the state of California .
• If the person is beyond the age of compulsory high school attendance (18), but does not possess a high school diploma or equivalent, he/she may be admitted by the University under provisional admission status.
• Applicants who have completed high school, but are under 18 years old, may be admitted provided they will be 18 years old by the commencement of the fourth quarter of the program. A parent, legal guardian or spouse of legal age is required to cosign the Enrollment Agreement.
• Applicants must type 40 wpm to enter the program and 65 wpm to exit or graduate from the program. Applicants who meet all the entrance requirements except the typing requirement may meet the requirement by taking CA 105, Basic Computer Keyboarding and receiving a “C” or better grade.
• All applicants must complete and sign an Enrollment Agreement, which must be signed by a parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age.
• All applicants must complete an informal interview with the chairperson of the Department of Medical Administration or his/her designee before being admitted to the MA program. If distance is a problem, a telephone interview may be arranged.
• All applicants are required to take a tour of the campus prior to attending classes.
• All applicants are required to complete financial arrangements prior to registration and attending classes.
• The state, employers, and various other agencies may require criminal background checks before a student can be placed in a practicum or take professional licensing, certification, or registration exams. Students who have prior felony convictions or serious misdemeanors may be denied the opportunity to take professional licensing, certification, or registration exams, or may be denied a license or certification to practice in some states, even if the exam is taken and successfully completed. Students are responsible for inquiring with the appropriate agencies about current requirements prior to enrolling in the MA program.
• International students must meet the university's international students' entrance requirements. (See catalog section International Students ? F-1 Visa Students)

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE
Before enrollment in MA program classes, each applicant must complete the requirements given under Admission Requirements that are applicable to the applicant. On completion of the Admission Requirements, the student may register and take MA courses.

GRNERAL AND ACADEMIC POLICIES
General and academic policies, procedures, rules, regulations and standards applicable to all SU students are given earlier in this catalog.

TRANSFER OF CREDITS TO OTHER
COLLEGES AND OR UNIVERSITIES
Graduating or students who are considering transferring from SU to another institution are advised that the MA program is a speciality tailored program. Courses that make up the program are not generally transferable to other institutions, particularly in programs that emphasize general or liberal arts education.

However, courses may be transferable to other Bureau approved institutions that offer similar programs.

It should be noted that in any transfer situation, regardless of the institution involved, the acceptance of credits is the sole discretion of the accepting institution; SU makes no representation whatsoever concerning the transferability of any credits for courses in the MA program to any other institution.

The MA department may accept up to five (5) courses or a maximum of 20 quarter units for transfer credit earned at previously attended institutions approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) and institutions accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, if the student received a “C” or better grade in the course(s), and if the course(s) are evaluated to be equal to a course(s) offered in the MA program. Coursework from other institutions, national and/or international, will requires through documentation evidencing equivalency to the standard set by the BPPVE for courses in Bureau approved programs. Each request for transfer credit must be received by the Office of Admission and Records no later than the commencement of classes for new students, and by the last quarter of the program for continuing students who have taken one (1) or more courses at another institution while working toward their MA AAS degree at SU.

THE PRACTICUM
At the conclusion of classroom training, each student will be placed in a medical administrative setting for 160 hours. This is a cooperative arrangement between SU and the practicum facility.

Practicums may be without or with compensation. If compensation is prohibited at the practicum site by accreditation requirements, the practicum will be non-compensated. Although students are supervised by professionals at their practicum site, they must continue to maintain contact with SU's MA program office on a regular basis. When SU is unable to schedule students into the required practicum there may be a delay between the end of the MA program's classes and the beginning of the practicum. In this case the MA department chairperson may grant a limited leave of absence during the interim. At the discretion of the University, the practicum may be secured outside the general residential area at a site that is mutually acceptable to SU and the student.

Protocols for participation in a MA practicum are:

• Students must have any required health examinations, pathology tests and immunizations completed prior to beginning their practicum.
• During practicum training, students are expected to perform in an ethical, safe, professional manner and to assist in all matters appropriate to the scope of practice. Failure to do so may result in course failure and dismissal from the program.
• All practicum sites are carefully selected based on an evaluation of site personnel, facilities, geographic location, availability and type of learning experience provided. The University maintains affiliation agreements with a variety of facilities. Students should be aware that some facilities may have special requirements that must be met. Students are encouraged to seek out practicum sites under the guidance of the Program Director. If a student has a particular interest in a facility with which the University is not affiliated, the student may bring this to the attention of the Program Director so the site may be evaluated.
• Students may arrange the days or times of practicum training only with written permission from the University. If a student is absent from practicum training, both the site and the University must be informed by the student.
• The practicum facility will submit evaluations of the student's performance based on the standards set by the University. Students must satisfactorily complete the practicum assignment and submit an approved verification of time completed in order to graduate. To complete the practicum in the time allowed, students may have to increase the number of hours spent on the practicum beyond those normally required during classroom training. Night students are expected to make arrangements to complete their practicum during daytime work hours. A request for a reassignment of the practicum training will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and may result in additional charges.
• Stanton University recommends that prospective students who have any criminal charge(s) pending or a prior criminal conviction(s) seriously investigate employment possibilities/barriers applicable to the nature of the pending charge(s) or conviction(s) prior to enrollment. Stanton University may be required to perform a criminal background check prior to a student being assigned for training to certain practicum facilities. Refusal to submit to a background check, or failure to meet clearance criteria established by the healthcare facility, may prevent placement in an practicum facility and, thus, it may not be possible to successfully complete the program. If a student cannot be assigned for practicum training due to a prior criminal charge(s) or conviction(s), the student will be unable to successfully complete the program of study and will be disenrolled from SU. The refund policy in the catalog and Enrollment Agreement will be applicable to any monies due to disenrollment.

THE ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE
DEGREE PROGRAM
IN MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION
The Medical Administration program awards the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Medical Administration, a Certificate of Achievement (CA) in Medical Transcription, Coding and Insurance Billing and a Certificate of Completion (CC) in Medical Office Supervision. The number of units of coursework that must be completed, respectively, is given below.

The MA program awards the Associate of Applied Science degree, upon approval of the faculty, in recognition of the completion of a minimum of 98 quarter units of coursework and specified program requirements.

The MA is six (6) quarters in length for full-time students. Students are granted four (4) years or 12 quarters to complete the program, and must obtain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point, CGPA, average (a “C”) in all courses completed upon which the degree is based.