CMA Certified Medical Assistant- Consortium
Bay College has partnered with Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) to offer a new and improved version of the program. This partnership allows us to still host this degree in partnership with students across Michigan. To see view your course sequence see SMC's college catalog by following the CMA Certificate and scroll down to suggested course sequencing.
Because of this partnership, there are a few extra steps to take before you can begin the MA program. We’ll walk you through everything below so you know exactly what to do.
Students can choose to take non MA classes ahead of starting in the program. When a student completes the degree the primary exam to complete is the AMT or CMA exam.
📌 What’s New?
The Medical Assistant program is now a joint program between Bay and Southwestern Michigan Community College: you will be taking classes at both colleges. Don’t worry—it’s manageable, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
1st at Bay: You must be double majored in Health Careers certificate and Medical Assistant certificate.
The classes seen on our Bay College Catalog are not what students follow.
CMA Certified Medical Assistant is not competitive entry but is a program where you start MA classes with a CoHort of students.
The program runs over three semesters and includes both Bay and SMC courses: The program begins each Fall semester. FALL 2026 could be subject to change of sequencing of classes.
📚 What Classes Will I Take?
Fall Semester 2025
- BIOL 104 – Bay College*can be taken ahead of starting MEDA classes or with MEDA classes
- COMM 103 – Bay College*can be taken ahead of starting MEDA Classes or with MEDA classes
- HLTH 146 – Bay College*can be taken ahead of starting MEDA Classes or with MEDA classes
- HLTH 118 at Bay or HEED 101 with SMC (or HLTH 118 if already completed) **can be taken ahead of starting MEDA Classes or with MEDA classes
- MEDA 210 – SMC (must attend 2 in-person lab days – required! Lab is based on the cohort numbers, so if more students are from Escanaba the Lab would be in Escanaba, if a Majority are from Iron Mountain then we would have the only lab in Iron Mountain(so either Escanaba or Iron Mountain))
- MEDA 220- SMC
Winter/Spring Semester 2026
- HEED 175 – SMC
- HEED 137 – SMC
- MEDA 211 – SMC
- MEDA 212 – SMC-(Students meet mid March on campus for a 8 hour a day lab at Bay College for Eight Hours/MANDATORY).
- MEDA 221 – SMC
Summer Semester 2026
- MEDA 251 – SMC-Students are prepared to complete Boards for AAMA's - AMT license.
- MEDA 245 – SMC This is your Externship: 160 hours of hands-on work in a medical setting over 6 weeks. Students are in clinical experiences in this class SMC/MCO course (can only register with assistance from Deanna Robinette)Background check, drug testing and Immunization requirements for clinics are collected by the Program Director. In preparation there will be a fee of close to $100 for student to pay in the second Fall semester.
- This is a program where you must be successful in each semester with a "C" or better to continue on to the next semester.
✅ Steps to Get Started:
Step 1: Meet with a Bay Advisor
Most students would be assigned our co-advisor Ruth Bradway, but, there are other co-advsisor who could help as well. Any co-advisor can assist
👉 Schedule an Advising Appointment with Ruth Bradway or if assigned a different co-advisor they can help too.
Step 2: If you met with Ruth and this is your pathway she will guide you to Appling to Southwestern Michigan College, for Fall of 2026.
You’ll need to apply to SMC as a Medical Assisting student.
👉 Visit SMC’s website to apply
(Be sure to select Medical Assisting as your major.)
Step 3: Connect with the SMC Advisor
Once you’ve applied and are accepted at Southwestern for Fall 2026, Kwajalein Dodd, the MA advisor at SMC, will reach out to help you register for their classes via an their system
Step 4: Paying for Classes- this is a bit different.
- Your financial aid will be packaged at Bay College.
- You will have a Bill at Bay if enrolled in Bay classes like BIOL 104. AND You will have a bill at SMC.
- At SMC you will need to set up a payment plan with SMC to hold your spot in their classes. The payment plan is set up with SMC while you wait for your disbursement from your Bay Financial Aid. It also shows SMC you are committed to taking the classes in this system.
- Once your Bay Financial aid is processed, you’ll receive a refund, where you then must pay in full Southwestern’s Tuition.
💬 Questions?
Costs in Consortium
Cost is $210.00 per Credit hour in SMC/MCO courses with a $206.00 Additional tuition fee, see the Tuition and fees noted below per MEDA or HEED class.
Tuition and Fees Cost for MEDA and HEED classes with Southwestern: books and supplies not included.
Other Supplies students will need:
Books
Stethescope
Scrubs
We know this is a lot of information, but you’re not alone! Start by scheduling your advising meeting.
We're excited for you to be part of this new opportunity and can’t wait to see you succeed in the Medical Assistant program!
If you would like more information about his degree contact Ruth Bradway at 906.217.4071 or email ruth.bradway@baycollege.edu
Registration for Winter/Spring Semester and Summer 2026:
Spring 2026 (January - May) registration season on Wednesday, October 29th. The MCO (micollegesonline.org) may not be ready. Students will receive a notification when available.
Summer 2026 (June - August) will begin on March 18, 2026. The MCO (micollegesonline.org) may not be ready until Mid April. Students will receive a notification when available.