Stepful vs. MedCerts: Medical Assistant Programs

Choosing a medical assistant training program is not just about how fast you can finish. It is also about finding a program that fits your schedule, your learning style, and the level of support you need while preparing for a new career in healthcare.

Both Stepful and MedCerts offer affordable, online paths to becoming certified medical assistants, but they use different approaches.

Understanding those differences can help you choose the program that will get you over the finish line and have you feeling confident on day one of your new job.

This guide compares Stepful and MedCerts so you can decide which one is the best for you.

The Key Difference Between Stepful’s and MedCerts’ Medical Assistant Programs

The main difference between Stepful and MedCerts is how the programs are structured.

Stepful’s medical assistant program offers online, live, instructor-led classes with a set schedule and helps you find an in-person externship. This enables students to have real-life practice and become more competive when looking for full time jobs.

MedCerts’ program uses a self-paced, online model with virtual labs, giving students more flexibility but little-to-no instructor or peer interaction. They encourage students to do externships, but it’s not a built-in part of the program.

At a high level, the biggest differences come down to structure, hands-on clinical experience, and how much guidance you want during training.

The sections below break those differences down in more detail.

Stepful vs. MedCerts: The Details

Stepful’s medical assistant program is an online program with twice-weekly live classes led by expert instructors. There are morning or night class options to provide flexibility in scheduling.

Students practice skills using an at-home clinical kit and complete supervised externship hours in a real healthcare setting. The program prepares students for the national Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam and includes ongoing career support during their job search and into their career.

Students at Steful can also opt-in for a dual certification option that prepares you for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam, giving you both clinical and administrative skills to broaden your job prospects.

MedCerts program is built around self-paced coursework. Students move through virtual lessons independently and use virtual labs to practice skills.

The program prepares students for the same certification exam as Stepful’s program and provides career development resources once you have passed.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two programs:

Still not sure? Here’s a quick breakdown of how to decide whether Stepful or MedCerts is right for you:

• ‍Choose Stepful if you want live instruction, externship experience, and a structured learning environment. This style of program works well for students who learn best with personal interaction and clear weekly expectations.‍
• Choose MedCerts if you want maximum flexibility and the ability to move through coursework at your own pace. This approach is a good fit for students who need control over when and how they study due to work, family, or other commitments.

Let’s flesh out each of these categories to give you a more in-depth understanding of what each program will be like.

Program Length

The length of a medical assistant program can affect how easy it is to stay on track and how quickly you enter the workforce.

Stepful’s medical assistant program is designed to take about five months. Students follow a consistent weekly schedule with live classes, which helps maintain momentum and provides accountability.

MedCerts program uses a self-paced format. Some students finish quickly, while others take longer, depending on work, family responsibilities, or available study time.

If you prefer a clear timeline and defined end date, a structured program may work better for you. If flexibility matters more, a self-paced program may be a better fit.

Type of Classes and Class Schedule

The type of classes you take, whether self-paced or live, can shape your entire learning experience as a medical assistant student.

Stepful uses live, online instruction. Students attend Zoom classes twice a week at set times and complete assignments between sessions. Morning and evening options help accommodate different schedules.

MedCerts delivers coursework online without live sessions. Students log in when it is convenient and progress independently, with access to instructor support if questions come up.

Students who value interaction and real-time feedback may prefer live classes. Students who are comfortable learning on their own may prefer a self-paced format.

Certification You Will Test For and Certification Pass Rate

Medical assistant certification is an important step for employment and career advancement. The content of your program’s curriculum will prepare you to take a certification exam.

Both Stepful and MedCerts prepare students for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam from the National Healthcareer Association. The CCMA credential is widely recognized by employers across healthcare settings.

However, Stepful offers a dual certification option also prepares you for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam, equipping you with both clinical and administrative skills to expand your career opportunities.

Stepful reports a 78% certification pass rate, which is similar to the national average. MedCerts does not publicly report certification pass rates for its medical assistant program.

Hands-On Experience

Hands-on training is one of the most meaningful differences between these programs.

Stepful includes an at-home clinical kit so students can practice skills like taking vital signs, collecting samples, and giving injections. After coursework, students receive support in securing an externship that provides 80 to 160 hours of supervised, in-person clinical experience. This experience helps students gain confidence in the skills they have learned by practicing them with real patients.

MedCerts provides virtual labs and simulated training rather than in-person clinical hours. While an externship is not a part of the program, MedCerts supports students who decide to pursue an externship.

If gaining real-world clinical experience before graduation is important to you, a program with externship hours may be the better option.

Career Support

Career support can make a difference when transitioning from training into your first medical assistant role. Both programs help students prepare for their job search, but the level of support varies.

Stepful provides career support from training through the externship, to job search, and even into your first job. Students receive resume reviews, mock interviews, job leads, and one-on-one coaching. The program reports an 80% job placement rate for graduates who complete certification and participate in career services.

MedCerts offers career development resources, including job search guidance and resume support. Their job placement rate is not readily available, but students report feeling very supported by MedCerts staff overall.

Student Reviews

Student reviews can provide helpful insight into the learning experience. When reading reviews, consider which strengths align best with how you learn.

Stepful has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Many students highlight instructor support, live classes, and the value of externship experience.

MedCerts has an average rating of about 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Reviews often mention the convenience of self-paced learning and the responsiveness of staff.

Stepful vs. MedCerts Verdict: Making Your Decision

Both Stepful and MedCerts can help you become a certified medical assistant. The right choice depends on how much structure, hands-on experience, and support you want during training.

You may prefer Stepful’s medical assistant program if:

• You want live instruction with real-time interaction.
• You want hands-on clinical experience through 80 to 160 in person clinical hours.
• You prefer a set schedule that helps you stay on track.
• You want structured career coaching and job placement support.
• You learn best with accountability and guided instruction.

You may prefer MedCerts’ medical assistant program if:

• You want a self-paced program with maximum flexibility.
• You are comfortable learning independently.
• You need a program that fits around unpredictable schedules.
• You prefer virtual labs over in-person training.
• You feel confident preparing for certification with self-guided materials.

Both paths can lead to a rewarding career as a medical assistant. Taking time to consider your learning style and priorities can help you choose the program that fits you best.