Medical assisting is only one of many professions benefiting from the explosive growth in the American healthcare industry today. But there’s a key difference between medical assisting and many other health professions – becoming an MA is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to get into a stable job with a comfortable income in an industry known for expensive degree programs and long residencies.
As part of an industry being propelled ever onward by technical advances, an aging patient demographic, and higher expectations for quality services, medical assistants are enjoying all the benefits of high employment rates and strong salaries, but without the big front-end investment of time and money for career training.
The healthcare industry is a $12 trillion global juggernaut, and accounts for around 18% of the total Gross Domestic Product here is the U.S. according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And it’s not going to do anything but go up from here. Even in the immediate-term, consulting firm Deloitte expects another 5% growth between 2019 and 2023… that’s a lot of money circulating, and a lot of new jobs coming online.
But that proliferation of people coming into the healthcare industry can mean stiff competition for the top medical assistant jobs. If you want to be the applicant with the full gambit of administrative and clinical skills doctor’s offices and hospitals look for so your resume and cover letter ends up on top of the pile, it means getting an education at a top school that employers recognize for providing the right kind of training.
It only makes sense to go with one of the best programs available to you, and that’s exactly what you’ll find here.
A Wide Range of Options For Online Medical Assistant Studies
Programs that are eligible for accreditation – and that will make you eligible for professional certification – fall into one of three categories. They have different strengths and requirements, however, so it’s important to consider each type carefully to make sure you go with the option that lines up with your career plan.
- Diploma
- Certificate
- Associate’s Degree
Associate’s programs offer a genuine college degree in the field, giving you both a solid general and specialty education that, in some cases, can even be leveraged into a four-year degree program later on. As a rule, associate of science (AS) programs allow credits to be easily transferred into a bachelor’s degree, while associate of applied science (AAS) programs are designed specifically for career preparation and aren’t as well-suited to be a steppingstone to a bachelor’s. In all cases, the associate’s degree represents the longest and most expensive option, but it’s also the one that provides the broadest skills and that gets the most respect from prospective employers.
The difference between diploma and certificate programs is less clear-cut. In fact, there really is no official difference between the two that is recognized industry-wide. Schools set their own rules when it comes to the number of credits and exact curriculum for these shorter programs, and though these things can be quite different from state-to-state, they tend to be pretty consistent for all schools within a given state.
Both programs are far shorter than a full two-year degree, generally taking several months, but less than a year to complete. Certificate programs generally have fewer credits, but not always. The parameters of a diploma or certificate program can vary quite a bit depending on the school offering them, so despite being similar, you can’t really make a true apples-to-apples comparison between the two.
Instead, it may be best to think of diploma and certificate programs as both being a viable option if you’re looking for a shorter, less costly alternative to an associate’s degree, giving you a faster, less expensive, but less comprehensive path to becoming a medical assistant.
Though there are as many similarities as differences between certificate and diploma programs, the general tendency for certificate programs to be the shorter, more abridged, and less expensive of the two led us to categorize them separately here on this list. If you’ve made up your mind that a two-year associate degree is more than you want to get into, the question of whether to go with a certificate or diploma usually boils down to nothing more than which of the two is available in your area.
Any of these three types of programs can provide the training you need to be job-ready, and all of them can meet the requirements for professional certification.
Editor’s Pick for the Best Online Medical Assistant Certificate Programs
Editor’s Pick for the Best Online Medical Assistant Diploma Programs
Editor’s Pick for the Best Online Medical Assistant Associate Degree Programs
Even in a Hands-On Profession Like Medical Assisting, Online Courses Can Be a Part of Top-Quality Programs
Of course, attending a top school means you are going to have some steep academic hills to climb, and that’s going to pull you away from your other commitments for a year or two, whether that’s work, family, or both.
That’s why it often makes sense to choose a program with at least some online courses. Although the academics will be just as rigorous as a fully on-campus program, the actual course schedule and attendance options save hours in your day that you would otherwise spend sitting in traffic before doing even more sitting in a classroom. And because most online offerings are asynchronous, you can tackle your coursework at the time of day that works for you. Online courses simply give you more options and a greater level of freedom, and that makes for better focus on your coursework and better results from the program overall.
Of course, in any kind of program designed to prepare you for a patient-facing position that involves a lot of hands-on work, you can’t get 100% of your training online. Real-world, face-to-face experience in delivering patient care is critical, which is why even medical assistant programs that are promoted as being “online” are typically hybrid, blending online courses with on-campus meet-ups with instructors and classmates for skills training and lab days.
You’ll take courses online in administrative and knowledge-based subjects like:
- Medical billing
- Medical records systems
- Office organization and management
But when it comes to key medical care skills, you’ll typically be expected to learn and practice them on-site, in-person. That includes hands-on clinical task like:
- Blood draws
- Patient examination
- Performing injections
The Importance of Certification for Medical Assistants, and Getting Your Training Through an Accredited Program
Most roles with extensive patient contact are moving toward a model requiring professional certification, and medical assistants are no exception. Although it’s not a legal requirement to become certified, more and more jobs in the field are making it a hiring requirement.
You can earn certification as a medical assistant from one of three different organizations:
- American Association of Medical Assistants
- American Medical Technologists
- National Association for Health Professionals
Of course, not just any program will qualify you for those certifications, which is why it’s important to be picky. The good news is that any program with the right accreditation will meet the qualifications for any of them, so that’s where we started looking in our search for the very best programs available:
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
That gave us a pool of about 1,100 total programs to consider, offered through nearly as many schools.
Both of these accreditors look at a wide range of important elements in each program, including:
- Curriculum and instructor standards
- Truth in advertising and financial lending practices
- Admissions requirements and processes
- Grading and administrative procedures
- Laboratory and school resources for teaching
- Instructor hiring and evaluation
What We Looked for When Picking the Top Online Medical Assistant Programs
Accreditation isn’t the end of the story, though. For the purposes of selecting the online programs worthy of being called the best, it was just the beginning, in fact. When you are looking for the very best programs in the country, a specialty accreditation just opens the door. After comparing all accredited programs in each of the three categories, we built a list of the top programs by looking at the key characteristics we know mean the most to students:
Flexibility in the Way Courses are Delivered
If you are looking at online programs, then you’re interested in flexibility. But there’s more to flexibility and convenience than just remote classes—we looked for programs that had multiple, flexible start dates throughout the year to allow you to begin when it’s most convenient for you.
But that’s not the end of the flexibility and convenience story either. Since even these online programs are going to have some on-campus requirements, a truly flexible program is one that considers student work schedules by offering choices between day, evening, and weekend attendance. Some programs even extend this consideration to any synchronous online courses that may be included in the program. Programs that also offer a part-time option really go above and beyond to make their programs convenient and accessible.
Comprehensive Curriculum
Medical assisting can cover a wide range of skillsets and expertise, so programs that give you an education on every possible angle of the profession always got a second look. Programs that include everything from extensive administrative coursework to in-depth clinical and direct patient skills open up your employment options and make you the go-to person in the office for anything your employer might need help with.
Some programs have a specific focus on either the administrative or clinical side of medical assisting, and that by itself was not a disqualifier. We were glad to include these more narrowly focused programs, but held them to a similar standard. If it was a medical office-focused program, we looked for courses that cover some specialized skills like billing and coding… if it was a clinically focused program, training in skills like phlebotomy caught our attention.
Reputation
Chances are, programs that have been around for a long time have earned their spurs in the profession, so we favored those that have a solid history behind them and favorable ratings from major third-party ranking agencies like U.S. News & World Report.
Student Outcomes
We know that having a long history of preparing medical assistants for the workforce only carries weight when there’s a strong track record of producing graduates that are successful at every phase of their career perpetration. A strong track record of getting students through the curriculum and certified is the true sign of a top program.
That’s why for any school that made the information available, we also looked at retention rates, graduation rates, pass rates for the CMA and RMA certification exams, and job placement rates, seeing how each school stacked up against the competition and giving strong preference to the ones with the best student outcome data.
Additional Student Support and Services
Top programs like these are noted for academic rigor; you’re not going to skate through them. But any good student-centered program also recognizes that every student is an individual, so it takes individualized support through instruction and career counseling to see students through a program so they can come out on the other side with the best results.
Whether it’s additional resources available for tutoring or extensive job placement assistance, all these schools give you the help you need to succeed.
Editor’s Pick for the Best Online Medical Assistant Certificate Programs
Anchorage/Wasilla, AK
Website
Medical Assistant Certificate (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $23,100
- Blended course delivery ensures the best in flexibility and convenience
- Program can be completed in as little as 10 months
- Education includes training in front office computer technology and word processing
Charter College’s medical assistant certificate program brings the convenience and flexibility of online coursework to create a truly exceptional experience that’ll take you from student to trusted member of the healthcare team in as little as ten months! This comprehensive program includes all aspects of the medical assisting job, including front office computer technology and word processing, while the 180-hour externship provides students with the hands-on training they need to effortlessly enter the field upon graduation. Classes start every five weeks, so there’s no better time than now to get started on your path to an exciting career in medical assisting!
Peoria, IL
Website
Medical Assistant Certificate (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $15,000
- Online and evening courses for the best in flexibility and convenience
- Program can be completed on a part- or full-time basis
- Program serves as a convenient pathway to many of the college’s bachelor’s degrees in healthcare, including the BS in Nursing and the BS in Healthcare Management
For more than 100 years, Methodist College has been providing top-notch programs for tomorrow’s healthcare professionals, and its medical assistant certificate program is no exception. Offering a flexible hybrid course format, this certificate program can serve as a convenient pathway to many of the college’s other healthcare programs, including the BS in Nursing and BS in Healthcare Management. Other perks of this program include the option of full- or part-time study…evening and online courses…and access to valuable academic advising, tutoring, and counseling services.
Pittsfield, MA
Website
Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $16,425
- Flexible scheduling options include your choice of day, evening, weekend, and online classes
- Vocation-focused school offers job placement assistance
Mildred Elley’s clinical medical assistant certificate is career preparation at its finest! Mildred Elley, a career-focused school that features no less than 20 vocational school programs, knows what it takes to produce the next generation of medical assistants who are capable of serving as valuable members of the healthcare team. In addition to a comprehensive course of study that includes courses in both administrative and clinical topics, Mildred Elley’s medical assistant program comes complete with job placement assistance and flexible scheduling options that include your choice of day, evening, weekend, and online classes.
Ross Medical Education Center, MI
- Ann Arbor
- Battle Creek
- Brighton
- Canton
- Davison
- Flint
- Grand Rapids
- Kalamazoo
- Kentwood
- Lansing
- Madison Heights
- Midland
- New Baltimore
- Port Huron
Medical Assistant Certificate (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $15,150
Only private program in Michigan offering an online option
- Program offered at 14 campuses throughout Michigan
- Flexible course design features both online and on-campus courses organized in six modules
Offered at no less than 14 campuses throughout Michigan, the Ross Medical Education Center medical assistant certificate delivers the career-focused program you’ll need to kickstart your career in medical assisting. Choose Ross and you’ll enjoy both on-campus and online courses that are divided into six, convenient modules. Choose a daytime program and you’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a trusted and valued member of the healthcare team in just 30 weeks. Or choose an evening program and you’ll be done in just 36 weeks. You’ll round out this comprehensive course of study with a six-week externship – your opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in a clinical setting.
St. Louis, MO
Website
Medical Assistant Certificate (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $14,680
- Program offered at both the Fenton and Earth City campuses
- Program offered in on-campus, accelerated, and hybrid formats for the best in flexibility and convenience
If your busy lifestyle demands flexible options for completing your medical assisting education, then look no further than the Midwest Institute’s medical assistant certification program! This program is offered at both of the school’s St. Louis campuses – Fenton and Earth City. It’s also offered as in an accelerated format, which would allow you to complete the classroom and practical learning needed to become a trusted medical assistant in just 32 weeks!
Knoxville, TN
Website
Medical Assisting Certificate (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $16,500
- Outstanding flexibility and convenience—all but three courses can be completed entirely online
- Part of the college’s 1+1 program, which allows graduates to earn the associate degree in medical assisting by completing an additional three to four quarters of coursework
The South College medical assisting certificate is designed with your success in mind! The program’s hybrid delivery makes getting the training you need for the career you want easier than you might think (all but three courses can be completed entirely online!), while the focused and streamlined course of study allows you to become a trusted member of the healthcare team in just nine months. This top-notch medical assisting certificate is also part of the college’s 1+1 program, which allows graduates of the certificate program to earn an associate degree in medical assisting by completing an additional three to four quarters of coursework.
Austin/Dallas/Fort Worth/Houston (Northwest, Southwest, Houston Med Center)/McAllen/San Antonio (Northwest, South), TX
Website
Limited Medical Radiologic Technology with MA Skills Certificate (hybrid)
Program Length: 58 Weeks (Blended)
Offered ONLY at: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston NW, Houston SW, McAllen, NW San Antonio
Medical Assisting Certificate (hybrid)
Program Length: 36 Weeks (Blended), 12 Months (Online)
Offered at ALL Campuses
Estimated program cost: $25,900 (Limited Medical Radiologic Technology with MA Skills Certificate), $16,500 (Medical Assisting Certificate)
- Career-focused education that includes professional development coaching, career services, and job placement assistance
- Medical assisting certificate program offered as an online program that includes clinical study at your choice of nine campus locations
In just 36 weeks (blended) or 12 months (online), the College of Health Professions can take you from student to trusted member of the healthcare team through its medical assisting certificate program, thanks to a convenient blend of online study and on-campus clinical training. And because the program is offered at all of the college’s nine campus locations, it’s easy to complete the on-campus requirements at a site close to home. Interested in adding radiologic technology to your medical assisting education? Then the college’s 58-week limited medical radiologic technology with MA skills certificate program is right for you! This blended program, offered at both the Dallas and McAllen campuses, provides a comprehensive course of study in both medical assisting and x-ray training (offered only at the following locations: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston NW, Houston SW, McAllen, NW San Antonio). Whichever program you choose, you’ll feel good about choosing a school that values both student support and success in the workplace. Their medical assisting certificate program boasts a career-focused education that includes professional development coaching, career services, and job placement assistance.
Renton, WA
Website
Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion (online, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $7,609
- Outstanding record of success: average retention rate of 92% and an average exam pass rate of 96% over the past five years
- National accolades include an Aspen Top 10 finalist in 2017 and 2019…an Achieving the Dream Leader College award…and an eighth-place ranking among Washington Monthly’s Best Two-Year Colleges in the Country in 2017
Renton Technical College doesn’t just say it offers excellence in medical assisting education and training—it has the stats to back it up. In fact, this program enjoys an average retention rate of 92% and an average exam pass rate of 96% over the past five years. Delivered through a hybrid format that includes evening and weekend on-campus courses combined with convenient, online study, this program can be completed in just four quarters. And if you’re interested in continuing your education, Renton Tech also offers the program as an AAS degree, which requires just two more quarters of study. Renton Tech is where success in education is paramount!
Milwaukee, WI
Website
Medical Assistant Certificate (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $13,356
- Program boasts online courses with a once-weekly day of on-campus study
- Part- and full-time study available
- All students assigned an online student success advisor
If you’re ready to break into the field of medical assisting in Wisconsin, there’s no better program to get you where you want to be than Concordia University’s medical assistant certificate program! In just fifteen months, you’ll learn the ins and outs of working as a medical assistant through a hybrid course of study that includes online classes blended with a once-weekly day of on-campus study. To make your certificate program a success, Concordia will assign you an online student success advisor who will be there to guide you throughout the course of the program.
Editor’s Pick for the Best Online Medical Assistant Diploma Programs
Statesboro, GA
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $6,100
- Expert faculty with years of real-world experience
- Small class sizes and outstanding hands-on experiences ensure a personalized learning experience
The Ogeechee Technical College medical assisting diploma is everything you’ll need to start your career in the exciting and fast paced healthcare industry. You’ll receive the theoretical and practical education necessary to sit for the CMA exam and assume an entry-level medical assisting position while benefiting from the program’s small class sizes, exceptional hands-on learning experiences, experienced faculty, and flexible hybrid course delivery. Ogeechee Technical College has been producing the next generation of professionals in Georgia since 1986!
White Bear Lake, MN
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $8,435
- Outstanding record of success: 100% graduate satisfaction rate and 97% employer satisfaction rate
- Flexible curriculum includes a spring or fall semester start, full- or part-time study, and your choice of day, evening or online classes
Here’s what flexibility in learning looks like! Choose the Century College medical assistant diploma program as your path into the exciting healthcare field and you’ll enjoy outstanding convenience and accessibility with your choice of daytime, evening, or online classes, a fall or spring start, and the option of completing the program on a full- or part-time basis. Add to that the program’s comprehensive curriculum – which earned it an Excellence in Curriculum Planning award by the Minnesota State system – and it’s easy to see why Century College earned a spot on our best of the best list!
Rosemount, MN
Website
Medical Assistant Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $8,000
- Flexible program options include full- and part-time study…day, evening, and online classes…and spring and fall semester starts
- Exceptional program stats include a 97% job placement rate and 100% CMA exam pass rate in 2018
- Options to continue your education and earn the AAS Medical Assistant degree
The Dakota County Technical College medical assistant diploma program is where aspiring medical assistants head for success! Daytime, evening, and online classes, full- and part-time study options, and the opportunity to continue your education with their AAS Medical Assistant degree are just some of the ways Dakota County TC makes flexibility and convenience paramount. The program also comes with some very impressive stats, including a 97% job placement rate and 100% CMA exam pass rate in 2018. And if pursuing a bachelor’s or even master’s degree is part of your future plans, then you’ll appreciate the many articulation agreements between DCTC and four-year colleges and universities.
Charlotte, NC
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $3,572
- Outstanding record of student success: 100% pass rate on the CMA exam for the past 15 years
- Option to continue your education through the school’s AAS in Medical Assisting
The Central Piedmont Community College Levine campus is home to one of North Carolina’s most successful medical assisting diploma program. With a convenient hybrid course and comprehensive curriculum that includes education and practical training in the clinical and administrative duties of today’s trusted medical assistants, the exact skills you need are more accessible than you might think. For more than 50 years, Central Piedmont has been training the next generation of competent and well-prepared medical assistants, so it’s no surprise that this program has enjoyed a 100% pass rate on the CMA exam for the past 15 years!
Durham, NC
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $3,344
- Partnership agreements with UNC System colleges make advancing your education stress-free
- Outstanding student support through the school’s Career Services department
Durham Technical Community College’s medical assisting diploma prepares aspiring MAs to become competent, multi-skilled healthcare professionals with expertise in administrative, clinical, and laboratory domains. The convenient, hybrid delivery of this program also includes on-campus evening courses for the best in flexibility. In just four semesters, Durham Technical will prepare you to sit for the CMA exam and enter the exciting, fast-paced healthcare industry. As a student of Durham Tech, you’ll have access to their extensive Career Services department, which includes everything from personalized career development services to career fairs and more. And thanks to the school’s partnership agreements with UNC System colleges, advancing your education at any time in the future will be a stress-free endeavor.
Erie/Pittsburgh, PA
Website
Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $28,150
- Convenient six week courses delivered through a blend of online and on-campus study offer the best in flexibility
- Graduates of the program have the opportunity to become certified as both a medical assistant and a phlebotomy technician
Convenient, six-week courses, and a program that can be completed in just a little over a year are just a couple of the perks of pursuing your medical assistant training through the Institute of Medical and Business Careers medical assisting and phlebotomy diploma program. As a graduate of this comprehensive program, you’ll have the opportunity to sit for both the NRCMA exam to become a certified medical assistant and the NRCPT to become a certified phlebotomy technician, thereby increasing your marketability and your earning power! Choose IMBC and you’ll enjoy access to outstanding clinical experiences, thanks to the school’s relationships with many esteemed healthcare facilities such as UPMC, Allegheny Health Network, Central Blood Bank, Pittsburgh Mercy, St. Clair Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital, and more!
Charleston, SC
Website
Medical Clinical Assistant Diploma (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $20,880
- Outstanding instruction and guidance from industry-experienced instructors
- Exceptional career services are available to both students and alumni
The Miller-Motte Technical College medical clinical assistant diploma is designed with your success in mind! In addition to the program’s comprehensive design, which includes a convenient hybrid design and preparation in both the clinical and administrative aspects of the medical assisting profession, Miller-Motte’s medical assisting diploma comes complete with outstanding support from industry-experienced instructors and a dedicated career services team who are there to ensure you’ll have everything you need to become a trusted and valued medical assistant upon graduation. And the support here doesn’t end at graduation; as an alumnus, you’ll enjoy continued support throughout your career, thanks to a host of comprehensive career services that include resume updates, career fairs, job leads, and opportunities to take refresher courses to stay on top of changes in the industry.
Falls Church/Woodbridge, VA
Website
Medical Assisting Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $23,310
- Hybrid courses boast asynchronous learning for the best in convenience and flexibility
- Outstanding career service include resume and interview preparation, career fairs, and more
Theoretical and hands-on learning in topics covering everything from clinical skills and laboratory procedures, to administrative skills like scheduling, records management, coding, and more – these are just some of the things you’ll cover in Stratford University’s high-value medical assisting diploma program. This program features convenient, asynchronous hybrid courses, an experienced faculty that’s committed to your success, and career services that include everything from resume review to interview preparation to career fairs and more.
Janesville, WI
Website
Medical Assistant Technical Diploma (online, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $4,505
- Program boasts an outstanding record of success, including a graduate satisfaction rate of 96% and an employer satisfaction rate of 100% over the last five years
- Program includes FlexLab Hybrid, a combination of online instructional content combined with flexible on-campus lab times
The Blackhawk Technical College medical assistant technical diploma is what flexibility in instruction looks like! As a student of this program, you’ll enjoy the option of completing classes on-campus or through a blended format that allows you to take most of your classes online. You’ll also have the opportunity to complete the program’s clinical lab requirements through the school’s FlexLab Hybrid format, a combination of online instructional content combined with flexible on-campus lab times. You’ll also feel great knowing you’re earning your medical assisting education and training through a program that enjoys a graduate satisfaction rate of 96% and an employer satisfaction rate of 100% over the last five years. And if you have aspirations of continuing your education at any point, transferring your classes to another university or college will be effortless, thanks to Blackhawk’s transfer agreements with more than 70 colleges and universities.
Green Bay/Marinette, WI
Website
Medical Assistant Technical Diploma (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $4,505
- Flexible program options include a part-time online track, weekend track, and by 2021 they’ll have a convenient eight-week course option too
- Outstanding record of success: as of 2016, the program enjoys a 100% graduate satisfaction rate, a 96% average exam pass rate, a 100% employer satisfaction rate, and a 92% employment rate within six months of graduation
Flexibility and convenience are synonymous with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s medial assistant technical diploma, which offers plenty of options for busy students like you! In addition to their traditional, on-campus program, you’ll also have the option of completing your medical assisting education through a part-time online track or weekend track. And by 2021, they’ll begin offering eight-week courses, which allow students to enjoy a more personalized learning experience. Whatever your needs, Northeast Wisconsin Technical’s medical assistant technical diploma will prepare you for success in the exciting and fast-paced healthcare field! It’s no wonder this program has an excellent record of success – As of 2016, the program enjoys a 100% graduate satisfaction rate, a 96% average exam pass rate, a 100% employer satisfaction rate, and a 92% employment rate within six months of graduation.
Editor’s Pick for the Best Online Medical Assistant Associate Degree Programs
Birmingham, AL
Website
AS/AAS Medical Assisting Services (online)
Estimated program cost: $34,800
- Program features full- and part-time learning options
- Option to continue your education with Herzing’s bachelor’s degree in healthcare management
Online classes, hands-on clinical labs, and a transformative externship designed to take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it in a real-world setting are all part of Herzing’s AS/AAS medical assisting services program. In addition to boasting an attractive private school tuition, Herzing comes complete with your choice of part- or full-time learning, options to continue your education with their bachelor’s degree in healthcare management, and a clinical coordinator who will ensure your externship is a truly worthwhile endeavor.
East Hartford, CT
Website
AS in Medical Assisting (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $39,976
- Outstanding program flexibility includes your choice of online, on-campus, or hybrid classes and a traditional or accelerated format
- Six start dates per year for maximum convenience
The Goodwin University AS in Medical Assisting is all about creating a flexible and effective learning experience for aspiring medical assistants like you! All students of this program are simultaneously enrolled in both the certificate and associate-level medical assistant programs. Upon completing the certificate program, you’ll continue on to complete the associate’s-level curriculum, but you’ll be eligible to sit for the CMA or RMA exam after the certificate component. Just some of the outstanding features of this program include your choice of on-campus, online, and hybrid courses…an accelerated (7 ½-week) or standard (15-week) format…and with six annual start dates, you’ll also have the ability to get started any time of the year.
Fort Lauderdale/Fort Myers/Lakeland/Naples, FL
Website
AS in Medical Assisting Science (online, on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $39,616
- Keiser ranked among the nation’s Best Colleges by S. News & World Report in 2019
- Unique design features one, four-week class at a time for the best in focused, personalized learning
Keiser University has a long history of student success, and its AS in Medical Assisting Science builds on that reputation. The program is completed by taking one, four-week class at a time. This focused, streamlined approach eliminates the hassle of juggling multiple classes at once and ensures a personalized learning experience. You’ll also feel good about choosing a university that’s been consistently ranked among the nation’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report!
Asheboro, NC
Website
AAS in Medical Assisting (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $5,396
- Outstanding record of success: 89% average job placement rate in the past five years
- All general education classes can be completed online for the best in flexibility and convenience
The Randolph Community College AAS in Medical Assisting program is where excellence meets convenience! You’ll complete all MED classes at the college’s Archdale Center, although all general education classes can be taken online for the ultimate in convenience and flexibility. As a student of Randolph, you’ll also enjoy exceptional support and resources through the school’s Career Services department. It’s no wonder this school boasts an 89% average job placement rate in the last five years!
Rockford, IL
Website
AAS Medical Assistant—X-ray Technician (limited scope) (on-campus, online)
Program is designed specifically for graduates of medical assisting certificate or diploma programs.
Estimated program cost: $36,750
- New program was developed in response to the hiring needs of local employers
- X-ray technician courses are incorporated into the program
The Rockford Career College brand new AAS Medical Assistant program comes with a convenient blend of on-campus and online courses, along with x-ray training to take your career to the next level! Rockford’s AAS in Medical Assistant X-Ray Technician program is designed specifically for graduates of medical assistant certificate or diploma programs who want to advance their education and increase their marketability in the fast-paced and exciting healthcare industry. In addition to online general education courses, students of this program will complete on-campus courses in Radiology and Imaging and Radiographic Imaging Protocols and Positioning, among other courses in radiology.
Asheville, NC
Website
AAS in Medical Assisting (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $33,000
- Program designed as a 1+1 program that involves first completing the Certificate in Medical Assisting, which qualifies you to sit for the CMA exam
- Program is also open to currently certified (CMA or RMA) medical assistants
- Comprehensive program includes an IV prep course
The South College AAS in Medical Assisting, offered at the Asheville Learning Site, comes complete with on-campus skills training and assigned practicum experiences. It’s designed as a 1+1 program, which includes first completing the Certificate in Medical Assisting so you can qualify to take the CMA exam. You’ll then continue your education for another three quarters and earn your AAS in Medical Assisting, developing all the skills you need to become a competent and trusted member of the healthcare team. Currently certified medical assistants (CMA or RMA) with their sights set on expanding their career options and earning potential may also complete the AAS portion of the program only. Plus, South College has partnered with the Mountain Area Health Education Center to offer students of this program the opportunity to participate in a IV prep course.
Bloomington, MN
Website
AAS in Medical Assisting (hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $24,960
- Flexible scheduling includes your choice of online, on-campus, or hybrid courses
- Outstanding, hands-on learning delivered through the program’s integrated laboratory
If you’re based in Minnesota and looking for a private school education that’s designed with convenience in mind, look no further than the Northwestern Health Sciences University AAS in Medical Assisting. This program’s flexible hybrid design perfectly blends online and on-campus courses, allowing you to easily fit earning your degree into your busy lifestyle. But at Northwestern, convenience doesn’t ever mean compromising on the experience you need to make it in this field. With the integrated, hands-on laboratory skills training you’ll receive on-campus, you know you’re getting the finest in experiential learning here too.
Ogden, UT
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Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Assisting (hybrid, Stevens Henager)
Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Assisting (online, Independence University)
Estimated program cost: $42,940
- Classes start every month for outstanding convenience and flexibility
- Streamlined program can be completed in as few as 19 months
Career-focused degrees…industry-experienced instructors…and support services designed with your success in mind are all part of Stevens Henager College. Choose their Associate of Occupational Studies in Medical Assisting program and you’ll enjoy individualized attention, personalized student services, a new laptop (preloaded with all the software you’ll need for the program). It all adds up to make online learning easy and convenient, and the dedicated Career Services department will ensure you’re well-prepared to transition from student to trusted member of the healthcare team. Part of Stevens Henager’s success lies with their flexible, convenient, and streamlined curriculum, which features your choice of online courses (through Independence University) or hybrid courses that combine two on-campus days with two online days. You’ll finish your degree in as few as 19 months!
Roanoke Valley, VA
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AAS Medical Assisting (on-campus, hybrid)
Estimated program cost: $41,952
- Unique Global eUniversity allows students to connect with fellow classmates in real time and attend live classes anywhere, anytime
- Streamlined program can be completed in just 20 months
American National University’s AAS in Medical Assisting streamlines the online learning process for busy students like you, thanks to its unique online learning platform that features live, interactive classes available anytime, anywhere. In just 20 months, you’ll go from student to trusted member of the healthcare team through this associate’s degree program, which boasts an exceptional learning platform known as Global eUniversity. This innovative online curriculum delivery system includes a Global Teach initiative that comes complete with experienced instructors and outstanding electronic learning resources like virtual labs and research libraries.