Wisconsin is home to over five million people and provides residents and visitors with everything from excellent skiing to lakeside getaways. With Madison and Milwaukee as the state’s two largest urban areas, the state offers a slice of perfection to almost anyone. Students who wish to get medical assisting training in Wisconsin have a large number of accredited schools from which to choose. These schools offer training at all levels from certificate to associate’s degree. Students who need financial assistance may be able to get help through such programs as the Wisconsin General Medical Education Scholarships and the Wisconsin Health Professionals Loan Assistance Program.
Employment Environment
According to United States Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Wisconsin ranks in the lower-middle range for both employment and salaries of medical assistants. The average annual salary of a medical assistant in Wisconsin is $30,470, which is a little higher than the nationwide average. In addition, medical assistants who become certified through the AAMA are likely to earn even more than the average. That is why it is a good idea for all new graduates to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant examination before applying for positions.
The Future of Medical Assisting in Wisconsin
Medical assisting, as with all other healthcare professions, is expected to grow by as much as 30% over the next decade. As the field grows, there will be an increased demand for talented medical assistants, making this the ideal time to enter the field. If you have been thinking about entering the medical assisting field, this is the perfect time to start your training at one of the state’s excellent schools.
List of Medical Assistant Programs in Wisconsin
Anthem College
- Program Link: Medical Assisting diploma program; Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
- Description: Located in Milwaukee, Anthem College offers students an excellent medical assisting education through its diploma and associate’s degree programs. Both programs include clinical and administrative assisting and prepare students to perform every aspect of the job in a wide variety of healthcare facilities. Students will learn through a combination of classroom and laboratory instruction and will get the chance to practice their skills through an externship in a real-world healthcare facility. Students who graduate from Anthem are eligible to take the AAMA’s certification examination.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: diploma; A.A.S.
- Average Program Length: diploma – 14 months; degree – two years
- Tuition: diploma – $14,759; A.A.S. – $26,118
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: diploma – 79%; A.A.S. – 79%
- Fun Fact: Anthem offers free skills updates, refresher courses, and job placement to graduates as long as they remain in their field of major.
Lakeshore Technical College
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: Located in Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College has a medical assisting diploma program that can have students ready to go to work in less than one year. Students who choose Lakeshore will receive a full training program that teaches students to work in both administrative and clinical capacities in a wide range of healthcare positions. Students at Lakeshore will receive unparalleled student support services and will be qualified to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination after graduation.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: diploma
- Average Program Length: 11 months
- Tuition: $4,297
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 61%
- Fun Fact: Lakeshore Technical College helps students with everything from financial aid to carpooling and locating childcare.
Milwaukee Career College
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: Milwaukee Career College offers a medical assistant certificate program that can be completed in less than a year during day or evening hours. Students who choose to attend MCC receive personalized career advising and job placement services as well as the opportunity to learn on the same machines and equipment that they will use in real healthcare facilities. This program is ABHES accredited, meaning that graduates are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination that is offered through the American Association of Medical Assistants.
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: 30 weeks (day); 38 weeks (evening)
- Tuition: $12,960
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 73%
- Fun Fact: Milwaukee Career College was started in 2002.
Blackhawk Technical College
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: Blackhawk Technical College has campuses at Beloit, Janesville, and Monroe, making it easily accessible to many Wisconsin students. Students at BTC are required to take the Student Success Course, which gives students the tools and knowledge they need to be able to succeed as college students. The medical assistant program at BTC includes both clinical and administrative training as well as hands-on experience through laboratory simulations and externship assignments. Students who get medical assistant training at BTC are eligible to sit for the AAMA’s certification examination and receive excellent job placement assistance.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: one year
- Tuition: $4,714
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 86%
- Fun Fact: Blackhawk Technical College offers up to six credits of continuing education to eligible graduates at no charge.
Concordia University
- Program Link: Medical Assistant program
- Description: Concordia University was founded in 1880 and is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The school provides a certificate in medical assisting program that can be completed in 13 months of full-time study. Students at Concordia can get their training during day or evening classes, allowing busy students to get an education while working a full-time job and taking care of other responsibilities. Upon graduation from this program, students are eligible to take the examination to become Certified Medical Assistants.
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Programs: certificate
- Average Program Length: 13 months
- Tuition: $11,700
- Clinical Experience: Externship
- Job Placement Rate: 76%
- Fun Fact: Students at Concordia University can complete medical assisting training during days or evenings in just over a year as full-time students.