Best For Registered Medical Assistant: Penn Foster Medical Assistant Associate Degree
Penn Foster Medical Assistant Associate Degree
- Duration: 60 credits, spread over 4 semesters
- Accreditation: DEAC-accredited school
This online self-paced program will help you earn an associates degree and be eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant exam upon completion.
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Interactive mobile friendly online learning software
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Prepares you to sit one of five national medical assistant exams
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Must complete proctored exams each semester
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Need to complete externship to gain valuable hands on experience
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Program is entirely self paced, so may take longer for those who fall off track easily
Penn Foster is an online school accredited through DEAC that offers three different programs to help you get your designation as a registered medical assistant . You can choose from the diploma program, associates degree, or decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree in healthcare. These self-paced programs are designed to help you prepare for national exams such as the RMA exam, CCMA exam, and others.
Penn Foster offers three different tuition payment plans. The program is inexpensive compared to other programs on our list, and if you choose to pay in full, the cost is roughly $3,600. Tuition includes a voucher for the CCMA exam, all learning materials, and unlimited student support. You also may be able to transfer prior post-secondary credits, which will save you some money, and if you are a veteran, you may qualify for a discount.
Best Accelerated Program: Us Career Institute Online Medical Assistant Program
US Career Institute Online Medical Assistant Program
- Cost: Roughly $1,200 to $1,500
- Duration: Self-pacedcan complete in as little as 4 months
- Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission
This low-cost program will help you receive your certification in as little as four months.
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Self-paced most students complete the program in 4 to 7 months
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Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission
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Inexpensive, at about $1,200 when paid in full
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Less extensive curriculum than other programs
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100% online, no hands-on skills portion
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Unclear if you can transfer credits to future programs
The U.S. Career Institute has more than 40 years of experience in distance education and offers a 100% online accelerated medical assistant program you can complete in as little as four months. The program is the most inexpensive program on our list and costs about $1,200 when paid in full. It also offers payment plans at a slightly higher rate if you prefer. There is no tuition assistance, but you may be eligible for student loans or grants through your home state.
About Our Medical Assisting Training Program In Irwin Pa
Are you wondering how Uniteds curriculum compares with other medical assistant programs in Irwin, PA, and the surrounding Greater Pittsburgh area? In our medical assistant training classes, you will gain various skills that will allow you to better treat and care for your future patients.
Some of the clinical skills you will learn include:
- Checking Vital Signs
- Assisting Doctors and Nurses with Exams
- Conducting Point of Care Testing
- Collecting and Processing Medical Specimens
- Performing Lab Tests
Request Information now to learn more about the employment possibilities available to medical assistants!
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What Does A Medical Assistant Do
Medical assistants do a variety of tasks that fall in the administrative as well as the clinical area. During a regular day at work, a medical assistant can, for example, measure a patients blood pressure and give patients injections, but also record patient history, update medical records, and schedule patient appointments.
In larger practices and in hospitals, medical assistants can specialize in one type of duty. For example, they can execute administrative work and perform administrative only duties, or specialize in clinical work and perform clinical duties. There are several other possible specializations for medical assistants, including ophthalmic and pediatric specializations.
Is Us Career Institute Medical Billing And Coding

We offer an affordable Medical Coding and Billing course that will prepare you for a career as a Medical Coding and Billing Specialist. In addition to earning your certificate through U.S. Career Institute, we will prepare you to sit for nationally recognized Medical Coding and Billing certification exams.
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Become A Medical Assistant
The Medical Assisting program at United Career Institute is an exciting path to choose for a rewarding healthcare career in the Pittsburgh, Irwin, Greensburg, Monroeville, or Murrysville areas. As the medical field grows in Allegheny County and Westmoreland County, our medical assistant training program can help you take advantage of job opportunities by preparing you for your dream career in healthcare.
The hands-on training youll receive in our medical assisting classes will help make you uniquely qualified for numerous positions in hospitals, doctors offices, and clinics. In addition, your knowledge of patient care, clinical lab, and front office procedures will give you a versatile skill set that potential employers are looking for.
Students earning their Medical Assisting Specialized Associate Degree will benefit from an accelerated program that prepares them to sit for and pass national certification exams. As a certified clinical medical assistant, you will be a valuable asset to employers. Combined with a diploma in medical assisting, youll be ready to start your career in months.
UCI is a great school with awesome instructors. They are all very helpful in helping you succeed.
Jessica Harrison, United Student
Externships And Professional Certifications
Every aspect of your experience with United Career Institute is part of an academic plan designed to help you achieve your certified clinical medical assistant goals. Your externship is a real-world training experience under the supervision of trained medical professionals. You will get the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to real-life medical situations. This experience also allows you to begin the networking process that could lead to future employment.
The professional certifications exams you are trained to sit for are designed to show potential employers that you have the necessary skills to gain employment in the medical field. Our medical assisting program prepares you to take multiple certification exams from the National Healthcareer Association . These certification exams include:
- National Certified Clinical Medical Assistant*
- Certified EKG Technician**
You can earn these certifications and complete your externship in months!
*Certification is contingent on passing the corresponding certification exam. Required/ Included in Tuition/Fees.**Certification is contingent on passing the corresponding certification exam. Optional at own expense.
The staff is amazing. They have amazing teachers. I have learned so much within my time here. They are very happy to help you if you need it. It is like everyone there is family. Monica Fraley, United Student
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Best For Nationally Certified Medical Assistant: Purdue Medical Assisting Certificate
Purdue Medical Assisting Certificate
- Cost: Around $21,000 at $371.00 per credit
- Duration: 58 credits, can complete in less than 1.5 years
- Accreditation: HLC and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Purdue’s comprehensive program helps prepare you to take the National Certified Medical Assistant exam upon completion.
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Option to take program full- or part-time
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Coursework is 100% online clinical and externship experiences are onsite
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Option to transfer prior credits to save time and tuition
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Not an associates or bachelors degree program
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Not self-paced
Purdue Global is a subsidiary of the Purdue University system, which was ranked in the top 10 best public universities in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education. It offers a variety of online diplomas and degrees, is well known in the healthcare community, and prepares you to take the NCMA exam once you are finished.
Purdue Global’s coursework is 100% online, and although some of it is self-paced, it is less flexible than other programs on our list. Each semester is 10 weeks in length, and you must complete 58 credits to finish the course, which takes about a year and a half.
Overall, the medical assistant certificate program at Purdue Global covers everything you need to succeed as a medical assistant and provides support, education, and hands-on experience to help you feel confident to take the NCMA exam.
Best Medical Assistant Certification Programs Of 2022
- Best Fast-Track Program: Phlebotomy Career Training
With affordable tuition, transfer credit opportunities, online learning, and a straightforward but comprehensive four-semester program, Penn Fosters medical assisting associate degree sets students up for a lifetime of success.
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Students earn an associate degree
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All coursework is online
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Prepares students to sit for five certification exams
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Takes two years to complete
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More expensive than certificate programs
Penn Foster is a hybrid online school that offers high school completion and diploma programs, certificate programs, and degree programs. Its medical assistant program is an associate of science degree, which means you can earn your certification and later transfer your credits to a bachelors degree program if you want to advance your career.
In addition to career advancement opportunities, Penn Foster is our pick for the best overall medical assistant certification course because it prepares students to sit for five certification exams:
- The Registered Medical Assistant certification offered by American Medical Technologists
- The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certificate offered by National Healthcareer Association
- The National Certified Medical Assistant certificate offered by National Center for Competency Testing
- The Clinical Medical Assistant Certification offered by American Medical Certification Association
- The Certified Phlebotomy Technician certification offered by the NHA
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Medical Assistant Program In New Jersey
Medical assistants have the opportunity to work in several clinical settings and support medical teams in a variety of ways including phlebotomy, medical coding, and more. If this in-demand career path interests you, consider enrolling in the medical assistant training program at Prism Career Institute in Cherry Hill, NJ or Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Find out what our medical assistant program entails and how we help students prepare for a future in the healthcare industry.
Medical Assistant Program Offered AtCherry Hill, NJ& Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Us Career Institute Medical Assistant Program: Is It Worth It
Hi everybody, I am a current Pre-PA student and I have a couple of questions about online medical assistant courses. The course I am talking about in particular is U.S. Career Institutes Medical Assistant program. I came across this course and I was wondering if anybody has had any experience wi
Due to the competitiveness when it comes to admissions in to PA programs, I have been attempting to prepare to become the best possible applicant for when I apply to PA programs next summer . It is stressful and beyond overwhelming especially being that I am the first member of my family to be attending college, let alone grad school. Ive had to figure out everything related to college on my own from scheduling courses to managing everything that comes along with being a college student whom has to finically support themselves simultaneously. Thus far, I feel like I have been keeping up with the punches that this new journey has thrown my way. Now, I am on a new journey to become a PA which is terrifying but also exciting. Being that I have been working along my education journey on my own, all I know is from research that I have done myself and contacting facility at my university. But I would like to receive more input and advise that could help me and I am sure many others on this journey of becoming a PA.
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Medical Assistant Program Curriculum In New Jersey
As one of the shortest training programs in the area, students can complete our training program in as little as six months. Our training program is 720 hours in length and spans 24 instructional weeks. This includes 425 lecture hours and 135 lab hours. Our well-rounded curriculum is designed to help students perform direct patient care with courses such as:
- Medical law and ethics
- Patient history/vital signs/CPR
- Clinical procedures
Our students also benefit from training courses focused on basic administrative tasks and skills that are transferrable throughout a variety of healthcare settings. These courses include:
- Patient hygiene/infection control
- Professional communication
- Career development
At Prism Career Institute, students benefit from positive, individualized attention in small classroom environments. To best serve our students, courses are delivered on-campus and remotely. This blended format supports the hands-on learning thats vital to the nature of our program as well as students who need flexible learning opportunities.
Top Healthcare And Medical Institutes In The Usa

1. American Health Institute, New Jersey
2. ASA College, Brooklyn, New York
3. US Career Institute, Washington DC
4. GulfCoast Ultrasound Institute, Florida
5. AAPC, Salt Lake City
6. LaGuardia Community College, New York
7. National Healthcare Institute, Florida
8. Infusion institute, Illinois
9. Healthcare Training Academy, New Jersey
10. New York Medical College, New York
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Can I Advance My Career With Online Medical Assistant Certification Programs
Medical assisting is a great way to advance your career and gain valuable experience in a healthcare setting. While certification requirements vary by location, earning a certification such as the CCMA will help you get hired and start working right away. Certified MAs also can pursue other career paths such as health coach, patient navigator, or patient care coordinator. You also can take different specialty certifications to help you stand out and give you a competitive edge when applying to other roles.
How Fast Can You Become A Ma
You can complete your study as a Medical assistant in a matter of weeks or months but this doesn’t automatically make you a Medical Assistant. To become a medical assistant, you must do the following: Successfully Complete an accredited Medical Assistant Program- Pass the CMA Certification Examination Apply for entry level jobs or internships. Renew the CMA CREDENTIAL .
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Medical Assistant General Career Outlook
An aging population and an increased dependence on physicians for preventive medical services are usually cited as the leading drivers of the increased demand for medical assistants. As of 2016, the median pay in the profession was slightly over $15 per hour, or more than $31,000 a year.
Our Mission Statement
We understand there is an overwhelming number of options available to help you become certified and find medical assisting employment. However, not all medical assistant courses and certification programs are created equally. Our mission and promise to you is to find legitimate online medical assistant schools, study and review them, and then publish our findings right here on our web-site.
Note: We are continually adding and subtracting schools and programs based on new information that our staff receives. This ensures that you are getting the most up-to-date information so you can make the an informed decision for you and your career. If you are a school and would like to add your program, or simply a reader that would like to ask a question or make a comment, please do not hesitate to ask using our provided contact form. Good luck!
Your Success In A New Career Is Our #1 Goal
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- U.S. Career Institute’s Career Coach Program
- After completing your certificate course, our Career Coach Program is an included benefit that will give you one-on-one access to a Career Coach Specialist. Our course and Career Coach Program can prepare you with the skills needed to help you start your new career.
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Medical Specialties Degree Details: What Will You Learn
An online medical specialties associate degree program gives you the skills needed to succeed in the healthcare industry. You’ll learn about medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical diagnostic coding, medical insurance billing, pharmacy technician duties, taking patient vital signs, electronic medical records, business communications, and law and ethics for healthcare business professionals.
Get The Skills To Begin A Career As A Medical Assistant In As Few As 20 Months
Do you have a passion for helping others? Medical Assistants continue to be one of the most employed and essential healthcare professionals today.
Depending on the office size and specialty, a Medical Assistant could be handling both administrative and clinical duties. For some, front office work like, greeting patients, scheduling appointments, completing medical records and billing, can be a preferred aspect of the job. Others may choose to focus more on the hands-on aspect of patient care like recording vital signs, preparing patients for examination and basic lab procedures.
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. Our team of Educational Funding Specialists will work with you to determine what youre eligible for and how to pay for school.
There are federal, institutional and private programs that can make your career training more affordable, as well as grant and scholarship opportunities that may be available to you.
While employment is not guaranteed, our Career Service Advisors are dedicated to helping you find the right job for you! We’ll help you with your job search, and also with resume and cover letter writing, and interviewing skills.
InstructorsAt YTI, you’re taught by instructors who have actually worked in the field – so you benefit from their real-world knowledge.
ExternshipA ten week externship in actual medical facilities will prepare you with the on-the-job skills you’ll need as an important part of any medical team.
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Prepare For Your Medical Assistant Associate Degree Industry Certifications
Graduation from U.S. Career Institutes Medical Assistant associate degree online program qualifies you to sit for nationally recognized certification exams. Three of the certification exams you will be eligible to sit forand we recommend upon graduatinginclude the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam, the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam and the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist exam, all offered by the National Healthcareer Association . Certification exams are administered by independent third parties. You are not required to take a certification exam, however, taking this additional step can help you market yourself to potential employers and validate your medical assisting knowledge. U.S. Career Institute will reimburse graduates for the cost of these exams, and/or study guides and practice tests, up to $389.
Your CCMA, CMAA, CBCS exam fees are included in your tuition- up to a $389 value.
In addition to the above exams, our Medical Assistant associate degree online program also qualifies graduates to take the following nationally recognized certification exams: