Medical Office Administration (Certificate)
Program revisions
The program requirements have changed effective September 2025 (Fall). Please see the updated Program Guideline September 2025 to see the new requirements.
Domestic applications
Fall 2025: Apply Now!
Winter 2026: Apply Now!
Overview
Gain the in-demand skills needed to work in a medical facility in as few as nine months with the Certificate in Medical Office Administration. You’ll develop both medical and administrative insight on a wide range of topics, including medical terminology, clinical and administrative procedures, records management, medical billing, requisitions, referrals, confidentiality, conflict resolution and more. With this desirable expertise, you’ll be ready to anticipate health care providers’ needs and offer the quality support that doctors’ offices, hospitals and other medical facilities are looking for.
Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to write the Health Information-Certified Associate exam through the Canadian College of Health Information Management. That way, you can enter the health care field with added reliability and professionalism.
Real-world experience
Build your skills and confidence working with patients and using health care equipment in our Health Sciences experiential learning labs. A three-week practicum built into the program lets you apply what you’ve learned and gives practical experience you can add to your resume.
Flexible ways to study
Designed to be flexible, the Certificate in Medical Office Administration offers full-time and part-time studies through a combination of in-person and online classes. This flexibility ensures that you can balance work and other commitments while you study.
Excellent job prospects
According to British Columbia (B.C.) Labour Market Outlook, medical office administration will be an increasingly high-opportunity profession between 2021 and 2031. Due to growth in B.C.’s economy and aging population, jobs in the field will increase, offering close to 2,000 job opportunities.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
- General College Admission Requirements (excluding Language Proficiency Requirement)
- English 11 with a grade of "C" or better or the following exemptions:
- EN 12 "P"
- EN LIT 12 "P"
- TPC 12 "P"
- COMM 12 "C+"
Notes:
- Strong English skills are required. Students who are weak in English skills should consider upgrading through either ENGU or ELLA courses.
Cost
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements:
- Successful completion of 30 credits
- 50% of all coursework (15 credits) must be completed at Douglas College
- All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or higher except Mastery graded course(s).
- Require a minimum program GPA of 2.00
- Time Limit for Completion: 4 years from acceptance into the program.
Course Requirements:
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
Required courses: | ||
Keyboarding |
3.00 |
|
Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology I |
3.00 |
|
Business Communications and Procedures |
3.00 |
|
General Office Skills |
3.00 |
|
Computer Applications I |
3.00 |
|
Medical Administrative Procedures |
3.00 |
|
Anatomy, Physiology and Medical Terminology II |
3.00 |
|
Electronic Medical Records and Medical Billing Procedures |
3.00 |
|
Clinical Office Procedures |
3.00 |
|
Career Development |
2.00 |
|
Office Practicum |
1.00 |
|
Total credits |
|
30.00 |
** Career Development must be taken during your final semester in the program.
Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
More Information
TUITION DEPOSIT
When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.
Career Pathways
Career opportunities include:
- Administrative Clerk
- Applications Assistant
- Chiropractor Office Assistant
- Clerical Assistant Clerk (Nursing Unit Assistant)
- Clinic Office Assistant
- Dental Office Assistant
- Junior Medical Office Assistant
- Lead, Patient Medical Home
- Massage Therapy Office Assistant
- Medical Office Receptionist
- Medical Secretary