Best Online Medical Assistant Programs of 2025
Medical assistants play a vital role in hospitals and other healthcare settings. On a typical day, they may:
- Record patients’ medical histories.
- Help patients schedule appointments.
- Update patient records.
- Give patients prescribed medications.
Qualifying for this career requires a college certificate or associate degree. Medical assistant programs can train you for an entry-level job and prepare you for the extra education, such as a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Learn about the best online medical assistant programs to take the first step in your educational and professional journey.
Why Complete Your Medical Assistant Program Online
- Take courses at home and on your own schedule
- Gain valuable skills and knowledge in anatomy, medical terminology, first aid, and pharmacology
- Enter the workforce quickly by finishing your program within just 6-21 months
- Enjoy long-term job security in an in-demand healthcare role
- Pursue advanced study in a higher-paying healthcare field, such as nursing
5 Best Online Medical Assistant Programs
Davenport University
- Grand Rapids, MI
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Program
Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Davenport University offers an online certificate in medical assisting that students can complete in one year. Graduates can stack this certificate into an associate degree or a bachelor's in nursing or a health and human services field.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 33
- Cost per Credit: $974 (residents) or $658 (nonresidents)
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Associate Degree Option: Yes
Program Highlights
- Become eligible to sit for the certified medical assistant and the registered medical assistant exams.
- Take classes in clinical patient care and healthcare law and ethics.
- Join 92% of Davenport students who receive financial aid.
Know Before You Apply
- Davenport calls for 560 in-person contact hours to meet licensure requirements.
- You must complete an additional 180 in-person hours of practicum experience.
79%
$21,240
74%
$21,240
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,073
- Institution Type
- Private
Barton County Community College
- Great Bend, KS
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Program
Barton Community College, located in Great Bend, Kansas, offers an online medical assistant certificate. This three-term program includes general education, administrative, and clinical courses, as well as an internship in an ambulatory healthcare environment.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 44
- Cost per Credit: $160
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Associate Degree Option: Yes
Program Highlights
- Take courses in phlebotomy, basic lab techniques, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Qualify to sit for the certified clinical medical assistant exam from the National Healthcareer Association during your last class.
- Complete all your courses online, or blend some on-campus courses with online learning.
Know Before You Apply
- You must pass a drug screen and background check and provide proof of immunizations.
- You have to complete your internship in an in-person setting.
59%
$2,880
50%
$3,528
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Students Enrolled
- 4,269
- Institution Type
- Public
Dakota College at Bottineau
- Bottineau, ND
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Program
Located in Bottineau, North Dakota, Dakota College at Bottineau offers a one-year online certificate in medical assisting. Graduates can sit for the nationally certified medical assistant exam through the National Center for Competency Testing or the certified clinical medical assistant exam through the National Healthcareer Association.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 38
- Cost per Semester: $5,551-$6,457
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Associate Degree Option: Yes
Program Highlights
- Take courses in lab and diagnostic procedures and ECG/EKG interpretation.
- Meet the requirements for medical assistant licensure in North Dakota.
- Transfer your courses into Dakota College's medical assistant pre-nursing track associate program.
Know Before You Apply
- You must complete a 180-hour cooperative education experience in a medical facility.
- You do not need a minimum GPA or ACT score for admission.
76%
$5,663
59%
$6,344
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 1,080
- Institution Type
- Public
Mercy College of Health Sciences
- Des Moines, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Program
Situated on an eight-acre campus in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa, Mercy College of Health Sciences provides an online medical assisting certificate that takes one year to complete. Students take didactic courses online or in a cohort and participate in two in-person lab experiences.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 25
- Cost per Credit: $437
- Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP
- Associate Degree Option: Yes
Program Highlights
- Begin your program in the fall, spring, or summer semester.
- Join a successful program that boasts a 93% exam pass rate.
- Start your career confidently with a 94% job placement rate for program graduates.
Know Before You Apply
- Mercy College of Health Sciences is the only private Catholic college in Iowa.
- Courses are offered in seven- or- eight-week blocks.
79%
$19,087
67%
$19,087
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Students Enrolled
- 911
- Institution Type
- Private
Herzing University-Madison
- Madison, WI
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Program
Herzing University, a school of more than 6,000 students across multiple campuses, offers many healthcare degrees, including an online diploma in medical assisting. Graduates qualify to sit for the certified clinical medical assistant exam from the National Healthcareer Association.
- Credits Needed to Graduate: 24
- Cost per Credit: $515
- Programmatic Accreditation: None
- Associate Degree Option: Yes
Program Highlights
- Apply anytime — Herzing offers rolling admissions deadlines.
- Finish your certificate in as few as 10 months.
- Take courses like administrative skills for the medical office and insurance claims, processing, and adjudication.
Know Before You Apply
- You must complete two clinical courses that require you to meet with a proctor in a medical facility.
- Herzing requires a 180-hour externship in a doctor's office or medical clinic.
99%
$11,820
51%
$11,820
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,473
- Institution Type
- Private
Why Accreditation Matters for Medical Assisting
Before enrolling in a medical assisting program, you should confirm that the school holds institutional accreditation. Attending an accredited school provides important benefits, including eligibility for federal financial aid and transferability of credits to other institutions.
Additionally, some states require that you graduate from a medical assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
Be sure to check your state’s licensure requirements prior to committing to a program.
What Do You Learn in Online Medical Assistant School?
Community and junior colleges offer medical assistant certificates and associate degrees. Certificates emphasize career-aligned courses:
- Medical terminology
- Clinical skills
- Medical coding
Associate programs take longer to complete because they require extra courses in math, English, and the humanities. Whether they award a certificate or a degree, the best online medical assistant programs require an in-person practicum at a local hospital or clinic. This experience helps you:
- Network with potential employers.
- Explore specializations and opportunities for advancement.
- Decide whether medical assisting aligns with your personality and goals.
Is Medical Assistant School Worth It?
$44,200
Median salary for medical assistants
+12%
Projected job growth (2024-2034)
The BLS projects that the need for medical assistants may grow four times faster than the average growth rate for all jobs from 2024-2034. The BLS bases this strong projection on the rising number of older Americans needing medical services and the increasing number of retiring professionals within the field. Keep in mind that unexpected economic events, such as recessions, can significantly impact demand for medical assistants and other healthcare professionals.
Although recent graduates may enter a strong job market, they earn less than the typical American. Fortunately, you can increase your salary potential by:
- Earning an associate degree rather than a college certificate.
- Working in an outpatient care center or hospital.
- Furthering your education to become a registered nurse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Online medical assistant programs are legitimate as long as the school and program hold proper accreditation. The best online medical assistant programs go further by:
- Helping learners achieve positive career and education outcomes
- Employing instructors with many years of healthcare experience
- Helping students find good practicum placements
