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Medical assistants are in high demand all over the country, and that demand continues to increase every year.
Medical assistants can start looking for jobs right after earning a high school diploma or GED, but they typically have more success if they get certified first. You can become a certified medical assistants by completing a training program and passing one of the certification exams.
Medical assisting programs last between 2 months and 2 years, and costs vary widely based on program type, location, and more.
The cheapest medical assistant programs typically cost between $900 and $3,000, though cheaper isn't always better.
This guide goes over the cheapest medical assistant programs currently available, including cost, what type of classes they offer, what certification they prepare you for, how long they take, and more.
Cheapest Medical Assistant Programs
There are many options to choose from for medical assistant training. You can choose from online programs, community college certificate programs, associate degree programs, or pursue a role with on-the-job training.
As mentioned, the cost of medical assistant programs varies greatly based on the type of program, location, and more.
Here are some of the most affordable medical assistant programs currently available:
Stepful’s Medical Assistant Program
Here at Stepful, we offer an Online Medical Assistant Program that can be completed in just 5 months. We cover everything you need to know to pass your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam and succeed as a medical assistant.
One unique benefit of our program is that we help you find an in-person externship to help you get real-life experience, making you a more attractive candidate to employers. We also help you find a job by flagging job opportunities in your area, reviewing your resume, and working through mock interviews with you.
New students paying out of pocket are eligible for scholarships. During the 2-minute application process, you'll automatically see if you're eligible for the scholarship.
- Cost: Varies by student. Large grants are available, and some students are eligible for free training.
- Location: Online
- Type of program: Certificate
- Time to complete: 5 months
- Resulting certificate: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Notes: Stepful’s program includes externship and job support. Also, a full clinical kit is sent to students to work on real-life skills.
Phlebotomy Career Training
Phlebotomy Career Training's online medical assistant course is self-paced, low cost, and can be completed in as little as six weeks. The school also offers an in-person program that costs a bit more and takes three months to complete. Both options prepare students for the CCMA exam and include course materials and access to the certification exam.
- Cost: $710 for online program, $985 for in-person
- Location: Online
- Type of program: Certificate
- Time to complete: Online program can be done in six weeks; in-person program takes three months
- Resulting certificate: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Notes: This program includes an externship
Clinical Skills Institute
Clinical Skills Institute is an online, self-paced medical assistant program. The program is one of the most affordable nationally recognized options available, with the certification exam fee included in the tuition cost.
- Cost: $900
- Location: Online
- Type of program: Certificate
- Time to complete: 8-12 weeks (12 months of access)
- Resulting certificate: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Notes: Clinical Skills Institute includes resume guidance and job support, as well as resources to help students find local externship opportunities independently.
US Career Institute
The US Career Institute offers a self-paced medical assistant course. It can be completed in 4 months, but most people finish in 6 to 10 months. They have a 95% exam pass rate and cover topics ranging from basic pharmacology to common front-office procedures.
- Cost: $1439 (pay in full) or $1739 (pay $79 a month)
- Location: Online
- Type of program: Certificate
- Time to complete: 4-10 months
- Resulting certificate: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) or Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Notes: US Career Institute includes a career coach program after you graduate, which helps you with things like resume building and interview skills. No clinical kit included.
Davidson-Davie Community College
Davidson-Davie Community College offers in-person medical assistant training through their diploma and certificate programs. They have a job placement rate of 86% within one year of program completion.
- Cost: AAS Degree Program is 67 credits = $5092 (in-state), $17,956 (out-of-state). Diploma Program is 43 credits = $3,268 (in-state), $11,524 (out-of-state).
- Location: North Carolina
- Type of program: Diploma and associate degree programs
- Time to complete: 1-2 years
- Resulting certificate: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Notes: This program has an administrative medical assistant program for high school students who want to get a head start on their medical assisting education.
Community College of Philadelphia
The Community College of Philadelphia offers a medical assisting program that accepts new students at any time throughout the year. They offer video lectures, quizzes, and lessons that can be completed at any time.
- Cost: $2,599
- Location: Online
- Type of program: Certificate
- Time to complete: Must be completed within 6 months of enrollment
- Resulting certificate: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Notes: This program offers an optional externship opportunity. Workforce scholarships are available.
Craven Community College
Craven Community College offers two programs for MAs who want to be nationally certified. One is an associate's degree (AAS) that takes two years, and the other is a Diploma program that takes around half the time. These programs accept students once per year with a Fall start date. Craven also has a childcare program for parents who want to complete their education.
- Cost: AAS Degree Program is 72 credits = $5,472 (in-state), $19,296 (out-of-state). Diploma program is 44 credits, $3,344 (in-state), $11,792 (out-of-state).
- Location: North Carolina
- Type of program: Diploma or associate degree
- Time to complete: 12 months to 2 years
- Resulting certificate: Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Notes: They have a 72% exam passing rate and 76% job placement rate.
San Francisco State University Clinical Medical Assistant
San Francisco State University prepares you with the knowledge and skills to assist physicians with basic assessments and responsibilities related to a medical office. Courses include phlebotomy and EKG recordings.
- Cost: $2,599
- Location: Online or hybrid with classes in San Francisco
- Type of program: Certificate
- Time to complete: Hybrid 2.5-3 months, Online 6-9 months
- Resulting certificate: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Notes: Both the online and hybrid programs include an optional externship.
Penn Foster Medical Assistant Associate Degree
Penn Foster offers a medical assisting program where you will earn your associate degree and medical assisting certification when you complete the coursework and exams. Courses include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and clinical procedures.
- Cost: $6,100-6600
- Location: Online
- Type of program: Associate degree
- Time to complete: 2 years
- Resulting certificate: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), or Clinical Medical Assistant Certifition (CMAC)
- Notes: The Penn Foster program includes an externship and prep materials for the CCMA exam.
MedCerts Medical Assist Program
MedCerts offers online training for many healthcare careers, including medical assistants. Their courses include interactive learning, video lectures, and game-based learning.
- Cost: $4,000, payment plans available
- Location: Online
- Type of program: Certificate
- Time to complete: 28 weeks
- Resulting certificate: Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Notes: MedCerts does not include an externship during its program. They have no cost options for active duty military and their spouses, and the exam fee is included in tuition.
How Stepful Can Help You Become a Medical Assistant Without Breaking the Bank
Stepful’s Medical Assistant Training Program is a 5-month program. When you complete the program, you’ll be eligible to take the CCMA exam and become a certified medical assistant.
The program includes help finding an externship for you to get some real-life experience in addition to the educational courses.
Stepful’s course content includes anatomy and physiology, healthcare systems, infection control, phlebotomy, medical law and ethics, and customer service. We help you feel confident as you enter into the workforce.
Taking our medical assistant certification program allows for flexibility for people with busy schedules. You can choose daytime or evening courses and complete most of your work during times that work well for you. Even though it is online, you’ll work with attentive teachers and a supportive community of people who want to see you succeed.
After graduation, Stepful assigns you a career coach to help you find a job.
How to Choose a Medical Assistant Program
When looking over program options, it is important to consider what your priorities are and what type of learning style you have. Choosing a program is a big decision, and there are many different factors you should consider, including:
1) Cost
Make sure you know the total costs of a program before you enroll. Some programs may have hidden fees or expensive books, or require you to buy supplies to complete the program.
Find out if a program has scholarships available or if you can use a federal Pell Grant to pay for your education. Some programs may offer payment plans, but make sure you ask about interest or other fees.
>> Read More: Medical Assistant Scholarships
2) Time to Complete
The goal of medical assistant certification is to get you working and earning money in your chosen field. Shorter programs allow you to get into the workforce faster.
Keep in mind that there is a lot of information to cover, and short programs almost always require full-time studying until the end of your training.
If you have a family or are working while in school, you may want to consider a longer part-time program to make sure you are able to continue working and caring for your family.
3) Certification Exam Pass Rate
Check your program's certification exam passing rate. The national average passing rate for the CMA, for example, is around 65%.
If a school has a lower passing rate than the national average, you should consider a different program.
4) Resulting Certificate
There are many different types of medical assisting certificates. While most employers are satisfied with any of the nationally recognized certificates, you want to choose the one that works best for you.
For example, Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMA) may focus more on the clinical tasks of medical assistants, while Certified Medical Administrative Assistants (CMAA) will do more office tasks.
5) Accreditation or National Partnership
Accreditation means that the school or program has been reviewed by experts and that it meets certain educational standards. Alternatively, some online programs have partnerships with national organizations like the National Healthcareer Association, who put their stamp of appproval on the program.
6) Online vs In-Person
There are benefits and drawbacks to both online and in-person courses.
Online classes offer more flexibility but require more self-motivation and independent study.
In-person courses do not have scheduling flexibility, but have more opportunities for practicing skills and asking questions.
7) Location (If In Person)
Choose a program that is close to where you want to live while you complete your training if you’re opting for an in-person program. Also, keep in mind that out-of-state tuition is generally much more expensive than in-state tuition.
8) Externship Opportunities
Medical assistant externships are learning experiences where a student gets to shadow an experienced medical assistant during their workday. They offer great opportunities for hands-on learning and practicing skills with supervision.
Not only will it help you decide if a medical assisting career is right for you, but it also looks good to potential employers.
9) Job Search Support
Many programs offer career counseling after graduation and will provide one-on-one coaching to help you find a job.
Choose a program, like Stepful’s program, that is committed to helping you find a job after you finish your training.
Medical Assistant Program FAQs
Are cheap medical assistant programs a good idea?
Finding a low-cost medical assisting program is a great option for people who want to become certified. As long as the program is accredited and has a good certification exam passing rate, a cheap medical assisting program is a good idea.
What is the average cost of a medical assistant certificate program?
Medical assistant certificate programs usually cost between $900 to $5,000.
What is the average cost of a medical assistant degree program?
Associate degree programs can cost between $1,500 and $10,000 depending on the school, and whether you are paying in-state or out-of-state tuition.
Is a medical assistant degree or certificate program better?
Choosing whether a degree vs certificate medical assistant program is better depends on your needs and goals. Usually, employers care more about whether their medical assistants are certified than whether or not they have an associate degree.
What is the shortest medical assistant program?
The shortest medical assisting program is offered through Phlebotomy Career Training and can be completed in 6 weeks. It is a self-paced course and could take up to 6 months or longer to complete if you do not study full-time. Learn more about 6-week medical assistant programs here.
Are medical assistant programs hard?
Medical assisting programs are not too difficult. However, they do require commitment and study time. You should not expect to complete a program successfully without putting in some effort.
What is the shortest possible time to become a medical assistant?
If you have a high school diploma, you can become a medical assistant right away. Since certification is not required, becoming a medical assistant without experience only takes as long as it takes for you to get hired.
Are online or in-person medical assistant programs better?
Online programs and in-person programs each have benefits and drawbacks. Consider your learning style when choosing between the two. If you choose virtual, try to find a program that includes an externship so you can get some real-life experience.
What courses will I take in a medical assistant program?
Common medical assistant courses include anatomy, physiology, medical coding and billing, medical terminology, clinical patient care, and more.
What is the best medical assistant certification?
No medical assistant certification is considered better than another. They all have slightly different eligibility requirements, so you should choose whichever eligibility fits the best for your experience and goals. You can compare CMA vs. RMA vs. CCMA certifications here.
How much do medical assistants make?
Medical assistants make about $44,000 per year. This can change based on location, experience, education, and the type of clinic you choose to work in.
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