Best Online Medical Assistant Programs of 2025
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Are you considering enrolling in an online medical assistant program to earn a certificate or an associate degree? This guide explores online medical assistant programs, how to choose a program, and potential post-graduation earnings.
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 six months to two years.
- Enjoy long-term job security in an in-demand healthcare role.
- Pursue advanced study in a higher-paying healthcare field, such as nursing.
Did You Know…
Medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing fields in the United States, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting jobs to increase by 15% between 2023 and 2033.Top 5 Online Medical Assistant Programs
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI- 4 year
- Online
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.
- In-State$21,240
- Out-of-state$21,240
- In-State$17,262
- Out-of-state$17,262
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate99%
- Students Enrolled5,073
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment79%
- AccreditationYes
Barton County Community College
- Great Bend, KS
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$2,880
- Out-of-state$3,528
- In-StateNot provided
- Out-of-stateNot provided
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance Rate100%
- Students Enrolled4,269
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Dakota College at Bottineau
- Bottineau, ND
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$5,663
- Out-of-state$6,344
- In-StateNot provided
- Out-of-stateNot provided
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance RateNot provided
- Students Enrolled1,080
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
Mercy College of Health Sciences
- Des Moines, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$19,087
- Out-of-state$19,087
- In-State$12,224
- Out-of-state$12,224
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled911
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment79%
- AccreditationYes
Herzing University-Madison
- Madison, WI
- 4 year
- Online
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.
- In-State$11,820
- Out-of-state$11,820
- In-State$9,520
- Out-of-state$9,520
- Retention Rate51%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled3,473
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Learning Outcomes of Online Medical Assistant Programs
While individual schools may vary, this section covers what students can typically expect to learn in their online medical assistant programs, including coursework, hands-on clinical experience, and key skills.
Courses You Take
Online medical assistant programs award a certificate, associate of science (AS), or associate of applied science (AAS). Community colleges, technical colleges, and universities offer these programs, which take between six months and two years to finish.
Certificate programs generally consist of core courses in basic healthcare topics, clinical and office procedures, and professional exam preparation. Associate degree curriculums also include this content, plus additional courses in general education topics, such as communications, English, math, and psychology.
Core coursework in medical assisting typically includes:
- Anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology
- Clinical procedures
- Computerized medical office management
- Medical law and bioethics
- Medical terminology
While distance learners complete their coursework online, medical assistant programs also require in-person experiential learning through campus-based practical skills labs and clinical internships, externships, and practicums. Student-faculty labs allow skills practice in preparation for supervised, on-site positions at program-approved clinics and practitioners’ offices.
Experiential learning provides hands-on training in simulated and professional environments. Internships, externships, and practicums also offer opportunities to explore worksites and make industry connections.
Skills You Learn
- Advising patients about their medications and treatments
- Assisting physicians with examinations
- Billing and coding
- Collecting and preparing samples for lab tests
- Entering information in electronic health records
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation
- Ordering and restocking office and medical supplies
- Recording patient’s histories
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Taking patients’ vital signs, such as height, weight, and blood pressure
Certificate vs. Associate Degree in Medical Assisting
When choosing between a certificate and an associate degree, consider several factors, such as program length and cost.
Curriculum
Both associate degrees and certificate programs in medical assisting include core courses in clinical, medical, and office administration topics, along with labs and internships, externships, or practicums. Associate degrees also require general education topics in communications, liberal arts, mathematics, and sciences.
An AS or AAS usually comprises 60 credits, while certificate programs may require anywhere from 20 to 50 credits.
Time to Completion
Associate degrees are two-year programs with a combined core medical assisting and general education curriculum. Certificate programs can take 2-3 semesters to complete. Some online programs may allow for self-paced or accelerated course options.
Consider whether you need an associate degree to achieve your academic and career goals or if a certificate will suffice.
Cost of Education
Many programs charge per credit, regardless of whether they offer certificates, associate degrees, or both. Per-credit tuition rates can span from under $200 to over $900.
How much you pay for your program is influenced by many factors, including the type of school you attend (community college or university), state/district residency (in-state or out-of-state tuition), required credits, and whether you receive any grant or scholarship aid.
Other costs to consider include books and materials; lab and technology fees; background checks and immunizations; and commuting and supplies expenses for internships.
How to Choose an Online Medical Assistant Program
Now that you know you want to be a medical assistant, follow these three steps to find the best online medical assistant program for you.
Step 1: Define your goals.
Before looking at online medical assistant programs, evaluate and define your academic and professional goals.
Some questions to answer include:
- Where do you want to live and work?
- Where can you afford to attend school and start your career?
- Do you want to earn an associate degree or a certificate?
- Are you interested in pursuing certification?
- Do you plan on eventually becoming a registered nurse or working in administration?
These considerations can help you narrow down your choices of online medical assistant programs to geographical areas, programs that offer certificates or degrees, and affordability.
Step 2: Compare programs.
Now that you’ve defined your goals, it’s time to research and compare prospective online medical assistant programs.
Some considerations to keep in mind include:
- How long will the program take to complete?
- Can you afford the tuition or apply for financial aid?
- Where will you complete your clinical internships, externships, or practicums?
- How often will you have to travel to campus?
- Is the course delivery synchronous or asynchronous?
- Are you suited to online learning?
- What are the programs’ graduation outcomes and pass rates on medical assistant certification exams?
Step 3: Confirm accreditation.
Finally, when you select the programs that meet your criteria, be sure to confirm that the schools hold 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).
Before enrolling in any medical assistant program, be sure to confirm that it aligns with your state’s requirements. Some employers may also prefer or require programmatic accreditation.
Medical Assistant Programs Near You
How Much Do Medical Assistants Make?
The BLS lists a median annual salary of $44,200 for medical assistants, with the highest 10% of earners paid more than $57,830. Medical assistant wages can vary by experience, credentials, geographical location, and work setting.
For example, the BLS lists a median annual wage of $47,560 for medical assistants employed at outpatient care centers. Top-paying states for this profession include Washington, Alaska, and Oregon.
Medical assistants can advance their careers by gaining new skills and specialty focuses and earning certifications. Payscale reports salary increases for medical assistants who advance into leadership, management, and supervision, along with those who focus on bariatrics, emergency medical assisting, and oncology.
Payscale also breaks down average annual wages based on level of education, as detailed below. Interestingly, certificate-holders earn $4,000 more per year than AAS-holders do on average, according to Payscale data as of January 2025.
$52,000
Certificate in Medical Assisting
Source: Payscale
$48,000
Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting
Source: Payscale
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Assisting
Do medical assistants need a license or certification?
Most states do not require medical assistants to be licensed. National certification, such as from the American Association of Medical Assistants or the American Medical Certification Association, is usually optional but can lead to higher pay and increased job opportunities. Employers may also prefer or require Basic Life Support certification.
What’s the difference between a medical assistant and a nursing assistant?
Both medical and nursing assistants assist physicians and other healthcare staff with clinical tasks, such as administering injections and collecting samples for lab work. But medical assistants perform more office administration and clerical duties than nursing assistants. Nursing assistants work under supervision by registered nurses and may provide more direct patient care than medical assistants.
What is the fastest you can become a medical assistant?
The fastest route to becoming a medical assistant entails earning a certificate, which takes 2-3 semesters to finish. Online programs with self-paced or accelerated coursework may allow you to graduate sooner, but you still need to complete in-person, supervised clinical hours at a healthcare facility.
Is it worth it to become a medical assistant?
Medical assistant programs can be relatively inexpensive, especially if you pursue a certificate rather than an associate degree. The median salary for medical assistants is $44,200 per year, which likely exceeds the total cost of a medical assistant program. With a 15% projected job growth rate over the next 10 years, becoming a medical assistant can be worth the investment.
