The Best Training for
Medical Assistants in 2021
Doctors, registered nurses, and other healthcare providers will always need medical assistants in their workplaces. So, your decision to look for the best medical assistant schools and programs is the right one. You will need medical training before you can be employed in any healthcare facility.
Not every medical assistant school near you will give you the right set of skills to launch your career. This guide consists of the top 10 programs to become a medical assistant. You should choose one based on your preference, budget, and career goals. These schools offer certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees in medical assisting.
Rundown: The Top 9 Medical Assistant Programs in 2021
The best schools for medical assistants all include solid curriculums. Irrespective of the location, program times, and jurisdiction, all the medical assistant training programs listed below can give you what you need for your career.
| School | State | Programs and Cost | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia University Wisconsin | WI | Medical Assistant Certificate $335 per credit |
N/A |
| Cox College | MO | Associate of Science in Medical Assisting $405 per credit hour |
N/A |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | GA | Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting $100 per credit hour (in-state) $200 per credit hour (out-of-state) $400 per credit hour (international) |
N/A |
| Herzing University | MN | Diploma in Medical Assisting $490 per credit Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services $490 per credit |
N/A |
| Liberty University | VA | Associate of Science in Medical Office Assisting $390 per credit |
N/A |
| Madison Area Technical College | WI | Medical Assistant Technical Diploma $141 per credit (in-state) $211.50 per credit (out-of-state) |
N/A |
| Purdue Global University | IN | Medical Assistant Certificate $371 per credit |
N/A |
| Renton Technical College | WA | Medical Assistant Certificate $130.04 per credit (in-state) $145 per credit (out-of-state) $308.28 per credit (international) Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting $130.04 per credit (in-state) $145 per credit (out-of-state) $308.28 per credit (international) |
N/A |
| State Fair Community College | MO | Skills Certificate in Medical Assisting $4,450 per year (in-state) $6,100 per year (out-of-state) Professional Certificate in Medical Assisting $4,450 per year (in-state) $6,100 per year (out-of-state) Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting $4,450 per year (in-state) $6,100 per year (out-of-state) |
N/A |
How to Pick the Best Medical Assistant School for You
Find Your Bootcamp Match
- Career Karma matches you with top tech bootcamps
- Access exclusive scholarships and prep courses
By continuing you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and you consent to receive offers and opportunities from Career Karma by telephone, text message, and email.
Studying to become a medical assistant can take months, if not years. You must put all of these variables into consideration when choosing the right school for your medical assistant training.
Hands-On Experience
It’s not enough for a school to focus on theoretical coursework alone. Medical assistants need to gain hands-on experience through practicums and internships. If it is a public university, your training might take place in a federal teaching hospital. Find out the school’s policies on hands-on training before you apply.
Accreditation
Schools that aren’t accredited can’t officially award degrees in the United States. Apart from the regional accreditation, the school needs clearance from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Job Placement
The best schools provide career assistance and job placement services. Look for information about the job placement rate on the official website or from a credible third-party source. The higher the percentage, the better.
The Best Medical Assistant Schools of 2021
For more details about the best schools for becoming a medical assistant, read the list below.
Concordia University Wisconsin
Programs
Medical Assistant Certificate
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
Online Options
Hybrid
Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) offers the Medical Assistant Certificate to prospective medical assistants. As long as you’re above 18 and hold a high school diploma or GED, you will be allowed to enroll. The school has an impressive job placement rate of 99 percent, so getting a job after graduation is almost certain.
Medical Assistant Certificate Curriculum
Computing for healthcare professionals
Interpersonal communication
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Medical law and ethics
Cox College
Programs
Associate of Science in Medical Assisting
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
Online Options
Hybrid
This school offers an Associate of Science in Medical Assisting. Students get the training they need to pass certification exams right after graduation. Cox College has a 100 percent first-time exam pass rate and a 96 percent job placement rate. It is a hybrid learning format that combines online coursework with hands-on training.
Associate Degree of Science in Medical Assisting
Administrative medical assisting
Anatomy and physiology
Clinical medical assisting
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Programs
Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Options
Yes
At this school, 100 percent of the coursework takes place online. Students complete 63 credits divided into pre-occupational and occupational curriculums. This means that you will receive a well-rounded education for your medical assisting career. The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting is a great option.
Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting Curriculum
Legal and ethical medicine
Medical insurance management
Pharmacology
Herzing University
Programs
Diploma in Medical Assisting, Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
Online Options
Yes
This university offers two online options for prospective medical assistants, and both options are designed to prepare you for certification. One is the diploma program, which runs for eight months. The other is an associate degree program, which runs for 16 to 20 months. Both programs are a combination of online general education and hands-on training.
Medical Assisting Online Associate Degree Curriculum
Healthcare administration
Direct patient care
Clinical medical assisting
Liberty University
Programs
Associate of Science in Medical Office Assisting
Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Online Options
Yes
The associate degree program at Liberty University is great because it doesn’t just focus on one specialization. You will learn how to support nurses, physicians, dentists, and many other medical experts in different environments. You will learn everything there is to know about the administrative aspects of medical assisting.
Associate of Science in Medical Office Assisting Curriculum
Medical office bookkeeping and billing
Healthcare fundamentals
Medical office procedures and systems
Madison Area Technical College
Programs
Medical Assistant Technical Diploma
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
Online Options
Hybrid
Like many other schools, the medical assistant program at Madison Area Technical College is online but requires some in-person attendance. Students who prefer in-person classes can apply for those too. During your last semester, you will be placed in a local clinic for hands-on training.
Medical Assistant Technical Diploma Curriculum
Pharmacology for allied health
Digital literacy
Administrative Procedures
Purdue Global University
Programs
Medical Assistant Certificate
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
Online Options
Medical Assistant Certificate Program Hybrid
Purdue Global University is one of the best schools for online degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The medical assistant certificate program runs for 10 weeks. Apart from the regular administrative medical assistant work, you will learn the fundamentals of human diseases and common medical terms.
Medical Assistant Certificate Curriculum
Diseases of the human body
Medical law and bioethics
Professionalism in healthcare
Renton Technical College
Programs
Medical Assistant Certificate, Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
Accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Online Options
Hybrid
The coursework in this program is divided into two parts: one online and one in person. Those who opt for the certificate program will need to complete 70 quarter credits while those who opt for the associate degree program need 90 quarter credits. The option you choose should depend on how much time you have and your overall career goals.
Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting Curriculum
Medical law and ethics
Medical coding and insurance
Administrative medical procedures
State Fair Community College
Programs
Skills Certificate in Medical Assisting, Professional Certificate in Medical Assisting, Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
Online Options
Hybrid
This school is commonly called SFCC, and it offers three strong medical assisting programs. The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting is the most extensive, but it is also the most useful. Apart from the degree, you can apply for the skills certificate or professional certificate. Each one comes with a different credit and graduation requirement.
Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting Curriculum
Administrative procedures
Laboratory procedures
Introduction to pharmacology
How Much Can You Earn as a Medical Assistant?
In the United States, medical assistants earn an average salary of $31,278, according to ZipRecruiter. Depending on your location, years of experience, and qualifications, the salary could shoot as high as $42,500 or as low as $20,500. Supervisors and those in managerial roles tend to earn more than others.
Below is a list of some of the highest-paying jobs for medical assistants.
The Highest-Paying Medical Assistant Roles
Why You Should Be a Medical Assistant in 2021
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 19 percent rise in job opportunities for medical assistants between 2019 and 2029. This is five percent above the national average for other healthcare jobs and 15 percent above all occupations. This means that medical assisting is a growing field with many opportunities.
While some hospitals might ask for an associate degree from prospective medical assistants, this isn’t always the case. With a high school diploma and a certificate, you can get an excellent position as a medical assistant. It is one of the few medical careers that doesn’t need years of training.
