Following the recent surge in the demand for Medical Assistants, individuals like you are in search of the best medical assistant online programs with certificates to fast track their careers. Through Medical assistant certification programs, anyone can acquire a skill as a medical assistant.
Currently, medical assisting is one of the most sought after medical careers because of the need for more medical professionals. This is a great opportunity for anyone who seeks to start a career in the medical/healthcare industry.
If you’re interested in starting a career as a medical assistant, then, this article about some of the best medical assistant certification programs below will be of great value to you.
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Medical Assistant Online Programs with Certificate
When searching for the best medical assistant certification programs online, you should consider the following:
1. Accreditation
You should ensure that the course and school you’ve chosen for your online medical assistant program is accredited by a recognized body. This will ensure that you don’t issues when registering for the CCMA exam and other certification exams.
2. Time Duration of Program
To a large extent, the duration of Medical assistant online programs with certificate should depend on the amount of time you can invest in the program as well as your daily schedule. However, most online programs may be self paced.
3. Type of certification
There are several kinds of certifications for medical assistant programs. Medical Assistant certification programs can either be a diploma program, a certificate program or an associate degree program.
When choosing a program to enroll into, it’s important to think long term. If you’re interested in going further along the career path, then it might be wise for you to invest in an associate degree.
4. Cost
Different institutions offer their medical assistant online programs at varying fees. It all depends on what you can afford.
Nevertheless, this should not stop you from going for the institution that aligns with your needs. You can fund your study through education grants, scholarships and financial aid.
5. State Requirements
Most states have specific requirements for individuals who intend to work as certified medical assistants. Therefore, while choosing a medical assistant certification program, consider the state you’ll like to practice in.
Check the requirements to see if your school of choice is a good fit for you.
What are the Best Medical Assistant Online Programs with Certificates?
Below is a list of some of the best medical assistant online programs with certificate:
- Penn Foster
- Keiser University
- U.S. Career Institute
- Eagle Gate College
- Liberty University
- Herzing Diploma in Medical Assisting
- San Francisco State University Clinical Medical Assistant
- University Of California Los Angeles
- Purdue University Global
- Daytona College.
10 Best Medical assistant certification programs
1. Penn Foster
- Accreditation: DEAC-accredited school
- Cost: $1,099
- Certification: Associate Degree
- Duration: 16 to 12 months
Penn Foster offers an online self paced associate degree program for its medical assistant program. Students learn about basic clinical procedures and other professional duties carried out by medical assistants in different settings. Admitted Candidates will also be prepared for certification exams.
2. Keiser University
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Cost: $21,000
- Certification: Associate of Science degree
- Duration: 6 to 24 months
Students enrolled in the medical assistant science program at Keiser University are taught to perform clerical, clinical and administrative duties related to the medical assistant profession. Through this program, students will also be eligible to take the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam. To be eligible for the associate degree certification, students must earn 60 credit hours in total.
3. U.S. Career Institute
- Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
- Cost: $1,239
- Certification: U.S. Career Institute Certificate of Completion
- Duration: 4 months
Medical assistant certification program at U.S. Career Institute is a self paced online program that offers the necessary training you’ll need to become a medical assistant. The program prepares students for certification exams like Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.
4. Liberty University
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Cost: $11,700 (based on per-credit tuition rate)
- Certification: Medical office assistant certificate, medical office assistant associate degree
- Duration: 6 to 24 months
At Liberty University, you can earn a certificate in approximately 6 months and an associate degree in 2years. During the training, you’ll learn the vital aspects of the medical office assistant profession. Students acquire knowledge about the business and administrative aspects of the career and how it works in practical setting.
5. Eagle Gate College
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.(ABHES)
- Cost: $14,950
- Certification: Diploma
- Duration: 9 months
Medical assistant certification program at Eagle Gate College is offered both online and offline. The program is designed with a flexible curriculum to grant students the necessary skills they’ll need to excel as medical assistants. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for professional certification exams.
6. Herzing Diploma in Medical Assisting
- Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission
- Cost: $12,600
- Certification: Diploma or Associate Degree
- Duration: 8 to 20 months
Herzing’s Medical assistant online programs with certificate includes an externship and hands on clinical labs. The program is designed to prepare students for certification exams and further career advancement.
7. San Francisco State University
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Cost: $2,600
- Certification: Clinical medical assistant certificate
- Duration: 2 to 6 months
San Francisco State University offers a self paced online clinical medical assistant program which includes 160 hours of externship. This is considered one of the best medical assistant online programs because it offers 24/7 mentorship, interactive learning exercises, laboratory procedures and also offers students career resources.
8. University of California Los Angeles
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Cost: $23,000
- Certification: Health medical assistant certificate
- Duration: 12 months
The Medical assistant certification program at University of California Los Angeles is a combination of the theory and Practical aspects of the skills needed for the profession. Students will learn to perform vital clinical tasks, administrative tasks and learn to use medical equipment.
9. Purdue University Global
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Cost: $371 per credit
- Certification: Medical assistant certificate
- Duration: 18 weeks
Through this Medical assistant online program with certificate, students learn skills that helps them perform laboratory, clinical and medical procedures. Students also gain practical knowledge through externships and clinical experiences.
10. Daytona College
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, ACCSC
- Cost: $13,361
- Certification: Associate Degree and Diploma degree
- Duration: 70 weeks (Associate Degree) 40 weeks (diploma degree)
Daytona college offers Diploma and Associate Medical Assistant Programs online. In these certification programs, students will receive the necessary education required to work at hospitals, clinics and healthcare centres as medical assistants. The programs trains on patients scheduling, administering medication, Diagnostic test etc.
Types of Medical Assistant Programs
Below are the types of Medical Assistant Programs:
1. Certificate/Diploma
A diploma in medical assisting usually takes much less time than an associate degree. Diploma certificates could range from a few weeks to some months.
Diploma certificate programs in medical assisting are usually subject centric. A diploma is usually given by vocational or professional institutions.
2. Associate Degree
An associate’s degree in medical assisting is often described as an associate of applied science in health science or medical assisting.
Associated degrees are more comprehensive than Diploma or certificate programs in medical assisting and they also take longer time to complete. Individuals can often transfer credits from their Associate Degree program to further a bachelor’s degree.
Note: Some schools offer both associate and diploma degrees in medical assistant programs.
Types of Medical assistant certifications
Below are the types of Medical Assistant Certification:
1. The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers the CMA which is regarded as one of the most popular and recognized certifications for medical assistants.
Applicants for this certification are required to have completed one to two year medical assistant program from an accredited institution.
Candidates must sit for and pass the exam and they must also renew the certification every 5 years by earning a continuing education credit or taking a recertification exam. The exam cost ranges from $125 to $250.
2. The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers the RMA certification. Candidates must have graduated from a medical assistant program approved by the US Department of Education, AMT board of directors or the council for higher education amidst other requirements.
To renew the certification you must earn some Certification Continuation Program points. The exam cost around $120.
3. The National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
To receive this certification you are required to be a graduate from an NCCT approved medical assistant program for not more than 10 years.
The renewal of this certification is required yearly and you must pay an annual fee of $77 and submit proof of continuing education hours of 14 or more. The exam cost is $90.
4. The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
The National Health Career Association is responsible for offering this certification.
You must be a graduate of an accredited medical assistant program before you can be eligible for this certification. Renew of the certification takes place every 2 years and cost $169. The exam fee is $155.
FAQS about Medical Assistant Certification Programs
What is better: RMA or CMA?
The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) are both certification exams which medical assisting school graduates can sit for to become certified. Both of them allow you to apply for roles as certified medical assistant. They may have slightly different requirements but there is no known reason why one should be considered better than the other. However, before you choose any of them, do well to know if they align with needs of your career and state.
How long does it take to get a medical assistant certificate?
It takes approximately 6 Weeks to 12 months or more to earn a medical assistant certificate. Some medical assistant certificate programs may take a few weeks while others may take years. If you're interested in an associate degree program, it will take you a bit longer than anyone who is interested in a diploma certificate. However, an associate degree offers you more career opportunities.
What does a certified Medical Assistant do?
A certified medical assistant have a range of clinical, administrative and laboratory duties they perform. They may administer medication, check patient vital signs, record medical history and also work alongside other medical professionals in a hospital, healthcare center or clinic.
What are the qualifications to be a medical assistant?
An entry level education or post secondary nondegree award can get you started as a medical assistant. You can also train vocationally or in a doctors office to start a career as a medical assistant. There are also opportunities to acquire a diploma or associate degree qualification from medical assistant certification programs.
How Can I Earn More as a Medical Assistant?
You can earn money as a medical assistant by: •Apply for jobs and practice •Teaching medical assisting •Volunteer to work with health organizations •Update your skills
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Conclusion
With Medical assistant certification programs, you can start a career in medical assisting with the right knowledge and skills. Medical assistants are in demand, and the profession is predicted to experience a tangible growth in the next few years.
Whether you’re about to start a new career or you want to transition into another profession, starting with the right education is important.
We hope these Medical assistant online programs with certificate help you achieve your goals and desires.
