Career Training

Santa Clara Adult Education offers career training programs in Medical Assisting and Child Development that provide students with the skills they need for 21st-century labor market demands.

Our classes are taught by industry professionals. The classes can be taken individually to meet personal goals; some can be taken in sequence towards a program certificate or permit.

Medical Assistant

Join our Medical Assistant Training Program, one of the fastest growing career fields in the United States, and become proficient in Front and Back Office skills! The program includes 375 hours of classroom instruction and a placement at a clinic or doctor's office for 160 hours of externship. National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Certified Medical Assistant exam is available at the conclusion of class for an additional cost.
Class Days/Times: 
Morning Program: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM-2:00 PM, 18 weeks 
Evening Program: Tuesday to Thursday, 5:30 PM-9:00, 36 weeks
Prerequisite: 
Attend Orientation
ESL Level 4 or higher 
Fees: 
$1999

Medical Assitant Orientation

  • All students must attend an Orientation before enrolling in a class.
  • Orientations are Wednesday mornings from 9:00-11:30am in Room D3.
  • Classes are open to adults 18 years of age or older.

Register for Orientation here

Child Development Class

Class is currently full - Check back in August 2026

Child, Family and Community CHD 002 is offered through a collaboration between Mission College and Santa Clara Adult Education. This free course addresses processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. The course examines the influence of multiple societal contexts and explores the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children’s development, birth through adolescence.
Prerequisite: 
EL Level 4 or higher 

English Classes for Careers

English for Child Development - Class is currently full - Check back in August 2026.

This free course is a collaboration between Mission College and Santa Clara Adult Education. This high-intermediate course develops oral and written English language skills to identify, describe, and support children's cognitive and language development. (Noncredit course – not degree applicable). Books will be provided to borrow. Please note that you will need to register in Mission College and Santa Clara Adult Education.

English for Health Careers - Class is full, check back in August 2026.

This is the second of a two-course sequence designed for intermediate or higher ESL learners who are seeking a career in the healthcare field. This free course gives students the opportunity to develop the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills needed within the healthcare field. Emphasis is on medical terminology and preparation for careers in the medical field. Topics include medical terms for body systems and pathologies, pharmacology, medical emergencies, safety, first aid, and careers.

English for Food Preparation - Class if full, check back in August 2026.

This free noncredit low-intermediate level ESL course is a collaboration between Mission College and Santa Clara Adult Education. Students develop oral and written communication skills in English within the context of the food service industry. Students study and practice vocabulary for communicating about ordering and serving food. Students learn about American customer service culture and explore opportunities in food-related fields.

Have a Question?

  • 408-423-3500
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