South Dakota is home to over 800,000 people and provides some of the greatest opportunities for outdoor recreation of any state. Students in the state have a choice of several quality medical assistant training programs, many accredited, and can choose to get education from the certificate level to an associate’s degree. If you wish to become a medical assistant in South Dakota, you may be able to get financial assistance through the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarships, the ACMPE Scholarship Fund, and similar programs.
South Dakota’s Employment Environment
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Dakota is ranked in the low range for both employment and salary of medical assistants. Currently, the average medical assistant salary in South Dakota is around $25,130 per year, a bit lower than many other states. Although South Dakota is one of the lowest states for employment, qualified medical assistants should have no difficulty finding a job, especially as the healthcare industry grows. For the best employment opportunities, however, it is important to take the examination to become a Certified Medical Assistant.
The Future of Medical Assisting in South Dakota
As is true in most states, South Dakota’s healthcare industry is expected to grow by as much as 30% over the next decade. This growth is sure to bring many new medical assisting positions, offering new graduates a good selection of job choices. The best positions and highest salaries will go to those with the best training and proper credentials.
List of Medical Assistant Schools in South Dakota
Globe University
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Located in Sioux Falls, Globe University offers an ABHES-accredited associate’s degree in medical assisting. Globe’s medical assisting program includes both clinical and administrative training and allows students to work in an externship that offers hands-on experience in the field. Students who choose Globe benefit from tutoring and other support services and are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: Associate of Applied Science
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $35,880 – $42,320
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 70%
- Fun Fact: Student at Globe may be able to get credit for life and work experience.
National American University
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: National American University has campuses in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Watertown, and Ellsworth AFB for student convenience. Students who choose to attend National American University can earn an associate’s degree in medical assisting in around two years. This program prepares general medical assistants who can work in both the front office area and in direct patient care. The program culminates in an externship assignment that provides real-world training. Finally, students who graduate from this program are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination offered through the AAMA.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $32,371
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: National American University started in 1941 as a business school.
Lake Area Technical Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Located in Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute offers a diploma and an associate’s degree in medical assisting. These programs include clinical and administrative training, preparing students to work as general medical assistants in a variety of healthcare facilities. Students who get their training at LATI can complete the program in as little as one year and are eligible to sit for the AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant examination.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: diploma; Associate of Applied Science
- Average Program Length: diploma – 12 months; degree – 16 months
- Tuition: $9445.00
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 99%
- Fun Fact: Graduates of this program are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination.
Mitchell Technical Institute
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Mitchell Technical Institute is located in Mitchell and offers an associate’s degree program in medical assisting that provides both administrative and clinical assisting. The program provides classroom and laboratory training in modern, cutting-edge facilities. Students who choose this program will receive externship experience, outstanding student support services, and reasonable class sizes. Because the program is accredited by the CAAHEP, students who graduate from this program are eligible to sit for the certification examination offered by the AAMA.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $12,272
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 100%
- Fun Fact: Mitchell Technical Institute was ranked in the top 10% of America’s two-year colleges by the Aspen Institute two years in a row.
Presentation College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting program
- Description: Presentation College offers a medical assisting associate’s degree at its campuses in Aberdeen, Fairmont, and Lakota. Founded in 1951, the school has grown over the years to offer a quality education in many fields. The medical assisting program at PC trains students to work in a medical front office and to work alongside physicians and other healthcare providers in giving patient care. Students who choose this program benefit from a full complement of student services and can sit for the CMA examination upon graduation.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: Associate of Applied Science
- Average Program Length: two years
- Tuition: $16,664/academic year
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: not available
- Fun Fact: Presentation College is a Catholic institution.