Mississippi is home to almost three million people, many concentrated around metropolitan areas like Jackson. With a population this large, it is no surprise that this state has a high need for medical assistants. This need is expected to grow, too, as medical assistant jobs are expected to grow by about 27% over the next few years. For those interested in entering this field, Mississippi offers some great schools as well as scholarship opportunities. While there are few scholarships solely for medical assisting, students can receive help from several general scholarships throughout the state.
Mississippi’s Medical Assisting Employment Environment
Medical assistants in Mississippi enjoy a wide variety of career opportunities and earn an average yearly salary of $25,950, plus benefits. Although jobs are plentiful, simply getting your education may not be enough to land the best jobs. Competition can be fierce, so it is a good idea to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination to make yourself more attractive to potential employers.
The Future of Medical Assisting in Mississippi
If you are considering getting your medical assistant training so you can enter this field, this is a prime time to do so. Mississippi’s promising employment environment is expected to grow dramatically over the next several years. This growth will offer a wider range of job options and may lead to an increase in pay as employers must compete to lure the most talented medical assistants.
List of Medical Assistant Schools in Mississippi
Keiser University Online
- Program Link: Online Medical Assisting associate’s degree
- Description: Keiser University offers an Associate’s degree in medical assisting completely online. The program’s accreditation allows graduates to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination and prepares students for all aspects of the medical assisting profession. All classes can be completed online, allowing students to study from anywhere and at any time that fits their needs. The program culminates with an externship assignment in a healthcare facility near students’ homes. This program is ideal for students who are self-motivated and who need the ultimate flexibility in scheduling.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: Associate of Science in Medical Assisting
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $7,092/semester
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: This program allows students to complete all classes online from the comfort of home.
Blue Cliff College
- Program Link: Clinical Medical Assisting diploma program
- Description: Blue Cliff College in Gulfport offers medical assistant training that students can complete during day or night classes in as little as nine months. Students who complete this program earn a diploma in medical assisting and are prepared to work in both administrative and clinical capacities at physicians’ offices, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Blue Cliff offers full students support, including complete career services to ensure student success both during and after school.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: nine months
- Tuition: $12,985
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 70%
- Fun Fact: Blue Cliff College offers medical assistant training during both day and evening classes.
Hinds Community College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting Technology Program
- Description: Hinds Community College started in 1917 as an agricultural high school that transformed over the years into a full-service community college. Today, the school hosts over 32,000 students in a variety of programs, including the medical assistant associate’s degree program. Students in this program are fully prepared to perform all duties of a medical assisting job and are qualified to sit for certification examinations. The school offers affordable tuition, career services, financial aid assistance, and much more.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: Associate of Applied Science
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $980/semester
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: Hinds is the fourth largest institution of higher learning in Mississippi.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Northeast Community College offers either a certificate or an associate of applied science in medical assisting. Students in this program learn the administrative and clinical aspects of medical assisting in state-of-the-art facilities and by knowledgeable instructors. Students also gain valuable hands-on experience through externship opportunities and will graduate fully prepared to go to work as medical assistants.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Programs: certificate; A.A.S.
- Average Program Length: certificate – 11 months; A.A.S. – two years
- Tuition: $1,125/semester
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: Northeast Mississippi Community College was founded in 1948.