One great way to start a career as a medical assistant fast and effectively is through enrolling into good accredited online medical assistant programs. This article contains some of the best online medical assistant programs available for you to benefit from.
Medical Assisting is one of the fastest growing healthcare jobs at the moment. When you’re in search of a medical profession to go into, it is advisable to find a career that is in demand and is also growing.
Aligning your passion with a fast growing career ensures that you have a higher chance of job security and employment. Most of these programs can be found in community colleges and other online institutions.
Below, you’ll find some of the best accredited medical assistant programs online that will help you start a career in the medical assisting profession; but before that, let us take a quick look at why you should choose to take these accredited online programs.Â
Table of Contents
Why Should I Choose Accredited Online Medical Assistant Programs?
1. Program Duration:
Most of these accredited online Medical Assistant programs are accelerated to help students graduate fast and proceed to the job market.
2. Cost:
Students who study at accredited online medical assistant programs don’t have to pay for certain on campus expenses like accommodation, transportation etc.
3. Flexibility:
Accredited medical programs online allow students to learn at their own pace under flexible schedules.
4. Recognised Certification:
Studying in the best online medical assistant programs allows you to graduate with recognised certificates. This will also make you eligible for other professional certifications and opportunities.
How do I find the Best Medical Assistant Training near me?
When you’re in search of the best medical assistant training online in your locality, you should consider these vital factors:
1. Accreditation
Ensure that the institution and online medical assistant program is accredited by a recognised accrediting body.
Some of the popular ones includes:
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
2. Alumni Employment Rate
The institution’s Alumni Employment Rate is also important. This helps you to know if recruiters consider the students of that institution as a good fit for employment.
3. Retention and Graduation rate
Also consider the retention and graduation rates of any institution you have chosen to enroll in.
- Retention rates mean the number of students who continued that program with the same institution the following year after enrolling for the first time.
- Graduation rate tells you the number of students that successfully complete their program in the institution.
4. Available Opportunities
While finding accredited online medical assistant programs also consider the opportunities that are available to students in the institution. Opportunities like; financial aids, scholarships, internships, job placement assistance, certifications etc.
5. Class Size and Student Support
Consider the class size, teacher student relationship and students support of the institution as well.
15 best accredited online medical assistant programs
1. Stratford University
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)Â
- Tuition fee: $14,490
- Degree Type: Associate in Applied Science (AAS) program.
You can choose to register for the offline or online medical assistant program at Stratford University. It takes students about 15 months to earn an associate in applied science degree. The medical assistant program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
2. Cabrillo College
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
- Tuition fee: $353 total per unit fee.
- Degree Type: Associate and Certificate Degrees.
Applications are accepted all year round at Cabrillo College’s accelerated medical assistant program. However, for you to be eligible for this program, you must have completed some prerequisites like medical terminology and English composition with a C grade or more.
Upon graduation, you can sit for California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants or American Medical Technologists.
3. Blackhawk Technical College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition fee: $5,464.
- Degree Type: Technical DiplomaÂ
You can attend the program classes at Blackhawk either online or in person.
The program gives students the leverage to choose what format works best for them and it consists of a total of 32 credits.
4. Durham Technical Community College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education ProgramsÂ
- Tuition fee: $5320.00
- Degree Type: Associate in Applied Science (AAS).
Durham Technical Community College has one of the best online medical assistant programs available. It has a curriculum that covers the administrative, laboratory and clinical aspects of medical assisting.
Graduates of this accredited medical assistant program online are eligible for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ Certification Exam which makes them Certified Medical Assistants.
5. Barton Community College
- Accreditation: Higher Learning CommissionÂ
- Tuition fee: $155 per semester credit hour.
- Degree Type: Associate in Applied Science (AAS) program or Certificate program.
At Barton Community College,you can opt for the 64 credit hour medical assistant program or the 43 credit hour certificate program with courses in general education, administration and clinicals.
Students are can write the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. The classes at Barton Community College are flexible and designed with both a hybrid and online model. Admitted Students will also undergo internship during their final year of study.
6. Dakota College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition fee: Associate: $14,213 Certificate: $8,621.
- Degree Type: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Certificate
Dakota enables students to become medical assistants in a year or less. Students learn about the administrative and clinical duties of a medical assistant and also undergo 180 hours of medical facility cooperative education experience.
7. Western Technical College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition fee: $5,400.
- Degree Type: Technical Diploma.
Western Technical College offers a technical diploma with 33 credits required. Prospective students are required to have a high school diploma or it’s equivalent and they must pass the background check.
8. Madison Area Technical College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Tuition fee: $5,799.35
- Degree Type: Technical Diploma.
If you wish to learn to do the work of a physician assistant then you may want to consider this program at Madison Area Technical College.
You’ll learn some elementary medical laboratory procedures and techniques as well as general office administrative tasks. Students can opt for full or part-time study as well.
9. Penn Foster College
- Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
- Tuition fee: $59 monthly
- Degree Type: Associate degree.
Earning an associate degree from Penn Foster College in Medical Assisting will take students approximately 16 to 20 months.
This program prepares you for healthcare work as a medical assistant through practical clinical procedures and administrative training. The curriculum is designed to also prepare students for professional certifications.
10. National American University
- Accreditation: Higher Learning CommissionÂ
- Tuition fee: Based on number of applicable units completed.
- Degree Type: Associate degree.
For the online medical administrative assistant program at National American University, students have 3 class credit requirements Which includes: 38.5 major core credits, 9 support core credits and 42.5 general education core credits. Whether you’re an entry-level job seeker or healthcare professional, this course may be a good fit for you.
11. North Idaho College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education ProgramsÂ
- Tuition fee: Based on number of credits and Location.
- Degree Type: Associate degree and Technical Certificate.
North Idaho offers an associate degree as well as a technical certificate in medical assisting. The theoretical aspects of these programs are taught online while the practicals and labs are taught on campus. Students who successfully complete the technical Certificate program become eligible for the national certification exam.
12. Capital Community College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education ProgramsÂ
- Tuition fee: $9,960
- Degree Type: Associate degree and Technical Certificate.
The curriculum of this program is designed to include practical career courses and general education courses. The program covers the cognitive, skill and behavioural aspects of the medical assistant profession.Â
13. Wallace State Community College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education ProgramsÂ
- Tuition fee: $11,032
- Degree Type: Associate degree and Certificate.
Students will learn the clinical and administrative duties and skills carried out by medical assistants. The program offers both a certificate degree and an associate degree in medical assisting. Both programs are hybrid in nature with 61 semester hours for the associate degree and 41 credit hours for the certificate program.
14. Phoenix College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education ProgramsÂ
- Tuition fee: $5,185
- Degree Type: Associate degree.
An associate in applied science is offered to students on successful completion of the online medical assistant program in Phoenix College. The total required credit is 64 to 74. Students must successfully complete MAS101 to progress in the program.
15. State Fair Community College
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education ProgramsÂ
- Tuition fee: Associate: $10,270 & Certificate: $5,845
- Degree Type: Associate degree and certificate degree.
If you choose to study at the state fair community college you’ll have to complete at least 160 clinical hours. The associate program has about 61.5 total credit hours while the certificate program has 34.5 total credit hours.
FAQS about Accredited Online Medical Assistant Programs
What are some certifications for medical assistants?
Below are some of the top medical assistant certifications: •The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) •The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) •The National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) •The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) •Podiatric Medical Assistant (PMAC) Certification •The Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) Certification
What is the quickest medical assistant program?
You can find accelerated medical assistant programs ranging from 6 weeks and above. Some of these programs offer certificate degrees while those that take longer may offer associate degrees.
What is the next career step for a medical assistant?
Medical assistants can either further to other related career paths or specialise in a healthcare field related to medical assisting. With advanced education, medical assistants can become healthcare managers, nurses, healthcare administrators.etc.
How long is the medical assistant program?
Medical Assisting programs usually last from nine to 12 months. However, programs with larger course works may take longer. While those institutions which offer students Associate degrees on completion may take about 2years.
What education is required to become a medical assistant?
To become a medical assistant what you usually need is a post secondary non degree award or entry level education. Nevertheless, associate degrees and other types of education are available.
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Conclusion
Accredited and affordable online colleges can be a great opportunity for individuals to start their education and complete it in the shortest possible time with little resources. The accredited medical assistant programs online mentioned in this article can help you to begin your medical assistant education and career.
We wish you success!