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 resumé.
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
Academic Admission Requirements:
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
Non-Academic Medical Office Practicum Requirements:
Before starting MOAD 2600 Medical Office Practicum, students in this program must satisfy the following criteria:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC) within one year of starting the program and before practicum.
- Immunizations - A current record of immunizations must be provided. Applicants must obtain all immunizations mandated by Health Authorities or Public Health orders before they are permitted to access practicum sites.
All costs/planning related to compliance with mandated requirements in preparation for (and fulfillment of) practicum are the responsibility of the Medical Office Administration (MOA) student.
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 30.00 credits
- 50% of all coursework (15.00 credits) must be completed at Douglas College
- Minimum of:
- C+ or higher in all credit courses and
- Mastery grade in all courses designated "Mastery".
- In good academic standing.
- Up to 50% (15.00 credits) of coursework used towards a previously received credential can be used to meet graduation requirements (see the Credentials Awarded Policy).
- Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 4 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.
Course Requirements (see note):
Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
Medical Office Foundations I |
3.00 |
|
Medical Office Practices I |
3.00 |
|
Medical Office Applications I |
3.00 |
|
Medical Health Conditions I |
3.00 |
|
Medical Office Clinical Procedures I |
2.00 |
|
Medical Office Foundations II |
3.00 |
|
Medical Office Practices II |
3.00 |
|
Medical Office Applications II |
3.00 |
|
Medical Health Conditions II |
3.00 |
|
Medical Office Clinical Procedures II |
2.00 |
|
Medical Office Practicum |
2.00 |
|
Total credits |
|
30.00 |
Note: This is a full-time program. Part-time program options are available in consultation with the program coordinator or advisor.
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