2025-26 Medical Assistant Requirements & Application

From submitting your application to admission to registration, Northwood Tech is available to help guide you through the admissions process. To help you successfully complete this program, Northwood Tech has developed a set of program requirements and technical standards. For students with a disability, reasonable accommodations are available to help you be successful in the program of your choice.

Admission Requirements

The first step to get admitted is to fill out a Northwood Tech application, and Northwood Tech will guide you from there. If you're not quite ready to become a student, visit a campus to get the full Northwood Tech experience. A campus tour will give you the opportunity to meet staff, instructors and students, tour the campus and get a real feel for the campus culture.

Complete Online application form
Submit an official high school (or HSED/GED) transcript with graduation date.
- If you are a current high school student, you can be admitted with an unofficial, or official, current transcript. Your final official transcript with graduation date must be submitted prior to the program starting or you will be withdrawn from the program.
Review and sign Background Check Disclosure
Complete admissions meeting with a Northwood Tech counselor (academic admission requirements apply)

2025-26 Medical Assistant Additional Program Information

2025-26 Medical Assistant Additional Program Information-Transfer Track

Program-Specific Requirements

Submit Background Check fee
Have an acceptable Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check, National Criminal Background Check, Minnesota Caregiver Background Check (if applicable), and other states, if applicable (required at program start and prior to practicum)
Complete physical exam and health requirements, including immunizations
Possess current certification of First Aid and “BLS Basic Life Support”
Review and sign Health Sciences Confidentiality Statement
Participate in a mandatory program orientation session

Medical Assistant Student Handbook

2025-26 Health Sciences & Medical Assistant Student Policies will be available August 2025.

Medical Assistant Orientation- Fall 2025

2025-26 Academic Calendar

Required Courses
- Required Courses are to be used as a guide. Although your academic advisor can provide guidance, you are ultimately responsible for selecting courses that meet a program's graduation requirements.
- 2025-26 MA Required Courses
- MA Program Progression Option 2 Year Completion Plan
Background Checks
- To understand more about the requirements for background checks and how the results may affect you, please review the MA Background Check Disclosure under Admission Requirements at the top of this page.
- Medical Assistant (MA) students are required to complete the following background checks:
  1. WI Caregiver Background Check
  2. National Criminal Background Check
  3. Students who will complete a clinical rotation in Minnesota ONLY—MN Department of Human Services (DHS) Background Study
- To complete the WI Caregiver background check:
  - Fill out these forms:
    - WI Background Identification Disclosure (BID)
    - Northwood Tech Student Identification (ID) form
  - Submit the completed forms to the staff member listed for your campus:
    - Ashland- Cassie Vesey cassie.vesey@northwoodtech.edu
    - New Richmond- Joanna Brenna joanna.brenna@northwoodtech.edu
    - Rice Lake- Ashley Smith ashley.smith@northwoodtech.edu
    - Superior- Nikki Kruger nikki.kruger@northwoodtech.edu
- To complete the National Criminal Background Check:
  - Open the Verified Credentials, LLC link and click GET STARTED NOW.
  - Follow the instructions to complete your purchase.
- To complete the MN Department of Human Services (DHS) Background Study
  - If required ONLY--The instructor or program director will provide more information.
  - Review the MN DHS Background Study Notice of Privacy Practices
  - Check your email for updates about your background study.
  - Information about completing the fingerprinting and photo requirement will be emailed to you. The fee for fingerprints and photos is $10.50.
  - See more information on the MN DHS Background Studies website https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/background-studies/
- To update a background check
  - After initial background checks are completed, you may need to update your checks. For details about this requirement or to report changes, use this form:
    - Self-Report form for background checks
Health Form and Directions
- 1. Complete the HS Health Form and save it.
- 2. Follow instructions on the form for submission.
Uniforms
- Uniforms
  - This link provides a list of websites and local uniform shops that sell uniforms. The uniform dress code is identified in the Medical Assistant Student Handbook under Health Sciences Policies: Professional Expectations and Dress Code (HS-24).
Complete and Give to your Instructor
- Health Sciences Confidentiality Statement
BLS Course Offerings
- Fall 2025 BLS course offerings will be available soon.
Additional Information
- 2025-26 MA Program Cost Sheet
- 2025-26 MA Textlist
- Insurance Information
- MA Program Technology Needs
- Find the Health Sciences Professional Expectations and Dress Code in the Health Sciences Policies (HS-24)
- Student Biographical Change Request Please print and use this form if you change your name, address or phone number(s). You should submit it to your local Student Services to be certain that the changes are entered in the main computer system.

Medical Assistant Withdrawal

Instructions for Withdrawal from MA Core Courses
- If you are at this webpage, it means your MA Academic Advisor has been notified that you dropped your MA course (509-xxx) courses.
  - If you are withdrawing from your MA core (509-xxx) courses, the MA program would like to gather data regarding your decision to withdraw. This data is useful in the MA planning process. Thank you for providing this information.
  - Please carefully review the Withdrawal from the MA Program form. You may complete the form electronically and email to janel.ouimette@NorthwoodTech.edu or print and mail this form within one month of your exiting the program to the following address:
    - Janel Ouimette
    - Northwood Technical College
    - 1900 College Dr
    - Rice Lake WI 54868
  - If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Janel Ouimette, MA Program Director, at janel.ouimette@NorthwoodTech.edu or 715.788.7057.

Technology Requirements

If using Macintosh or Linux based computers, coursework must be submitted using your Office365 tools provided with your Northwood Tech email account. It is important to verify with your Program Faculty if non-Windows based computers are acceptable in the program.

View All Technology Requirements