20 Best Medical Assistant Certification Programs for 2023

1. Century College

Founded: 1967
Location: White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Century College is a two-year community and technical college located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It is one of the largest and most affordable colleges in Minnesota, serving over 16,500 credit and non-credit students each year.

The institution is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and offers a variety of healthcare-related training programs, including nursing assistants, medical assistants, emergency medical technicians, mental and behavioral health workers, and medical billing and coding certification programs.

Century College also provides degrees and certifications in other fields of study. The college offers over 169 degrees, diplomas, and certificates in a wide variety of high-demand program areas, including applied design, arts and humanities, business, health sciences, human services, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), social and behavioral sciences, trade and industry, and non-credit workforce training.

Century College has one of the lowest tuition rates in the state, and with financial aid, scholarships, and payment options, students can avoid student loan debt.

The college also offers non-credit courses for entry-level careers, professional development, and customized training.

2. Carrington University

Founded: 1967
Location: Sacramento, California, United States

Carrington College is a for-profit college network with its headquarters in Sacramento, California, and 17 locations throughout the Western United States.

The institution is licensed by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Carrington College offers certificate programs that can be completed in 36 weeks and associate degree programs that can be completed in 66 weeks.

The college provides hands-on training in various medical, dental, veterinary, criminal justice, and industrial trade fields. The institution trains students for jobs as support staff in the criminal justice, veterinary, medical, and dental industries.

Carrington College’s Sacramento campus provides hands-on training in several medical programs in California including Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, Dental Hygiene, Medical Billing and Coding, LVN to ADN, and more.

3. Ivy Tech Community College

Founded: 1963
Location: Indiana, United States

Ivy Tech Community College is a community college system with over 40 locations throughout Indiana, making it the largest community college system in the United States.

Ivy Tech Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The college offers associate’s and certificate programs in various fields, including medical assisting.

Ivy Tech Community College has an average of 22 students per class, and the college makes an effort to maintain small class sizes so that students can gain from one-on-one interactions with professors.

Ivy Tech Community College offers two medical assistant tracks: a three-semester, 33-credit program that results in a technical certificate and a four-semester, 60-credit one that results in an Associate of Applied Science degree.

4. Davenport University

Founded: 1866
Location: Michigan, Grand Rapids, and Lansing

Davenport University is a higher education institution that takes pride in its ability to adapt its curriculum to new knowledge, technology, and trends.

The university has its primary campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and maintains branch campuses in Holland, Lansing, Midlands, Warren, Flint, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, and Detroit.

Davenport University offers a 61-credit associate Medical Assistant certification program that provides students with a foundation in patient care, fundamental laboratory techniques, and medical office processes.

Students can also opt for an additional six credits of venipuncture-focused training, which will certify them to take the Phlebotomy Technician Certification exam.

The university is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

5. Pasadena City College

Founded: 1924
Location: Pasadena, California.

Pasadena City College is a highly regarded two-year post-secondary institution in California and is ranked as the third-largest community college system in the country.

The college’s main campus is located in the heart of Pasadena, while its Health Sciences Division is based at Foothill College, a satellite campus situated at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains.

The Health Sciences Division offers a variety of certificates and degree programs in nursing, dentistry, anesthesia, and other healthcare fields. The division is known for graduating professional and competent health care and oral health care professionals.

The Health Sciences Division trains students for jobs as medical assistants, dental assistants, vocational nurses, radiology technicians, emergency medical technicians, and anesthesia technicians. The college offers three Medical Assistant (MA) programs: Clinical Medical Assisting, Medical Office Administration, and Medical Office Insurance Billing.

6. Ecpi University

Founded: 1966
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

ECPI University is a technical institution that was founded with a focus on computer science and programming. It has since expanded to include Medical Assistant certification programs and other related fields like nursing.

The university has 19 campuses across Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The campuses are located in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville in South Carolina; Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh in North Carolina; Newport News, Richmond, Northern Virginia, and Roanoke in Virginia; and San Antonio in Texas.

All of these campuses offer accredited Medical Assistant certification programs. ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees.

It also offers credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. The university is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, the Florida Department of Education, and the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina to award degrees.

7. Pima Medical Center

Founded: 1972
Location: Tucson, Arizona

Pima Medical Institute is a for-profit institution that offers allied health professional training. It has 17 campuses in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington.

The Institute offers certificate-, associate-, and bachelor’s degree-level training for prospective Medical Assistants.

Additionally, it offers certificate-level training for aspiring dental assistants, nursing assistants, pharmacy technicians, paramedics, and surgery techs.

The Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

8. Keiser University

Founded: 1977
Location: Florida’s Daytona Beach

Keiser University is a Florida-based institution that has 18 campuses spread out over the state, with its administrative center located in Fort Lauderdale.

The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctorate degrees and certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

Keiser University is rated second in the country by “Community College Week” for universities that grant associate degrees in the Medical Assistant certification programs.

The university offers an Associate of Science degree in Medical Assisting, which prepares students to work in administrative roles and provide patient care under the direction of medical professionals.

9. Renton Technical College

Founded: 1942
Location: Washington’s Renton

Renton Technical College is a vocational training institution that has been providing specialized services to businesses and industries since World War II.

The college is located in Renton, Washington, a suburb close to Seattle, and is highly regarded on various lists of the best community colleges.

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges oversees its administration. Renton Technical College offers certificate and associate programs, including a 95-credit medical assistant associate degree program and a 75-credit medical assistant certification program, which requires an additional 20 general education credits.

The college is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

10. Western Technical College

Founded: 1912
Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Western Technical College is a CAAHEP-accredited institution that offers a Medical Assistant Technical Diploma program.

The program is designed to prepare students for an active role in providing care by assisting with examinations, carrying out select medical and diagnostic procedures, collecting specimens, and performing routine laboratory tests.

The program focuses on laboratory and clinical procedures, insurance and finance, medical terminology, and skills to keep a medical office running smoothly.

The Medical Assistant Technical Diploma program at Western Technical College is a 30-week program that can be completed in as short as 30 weeks.

11. Herzing University

Founded: 1965
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana; and Akron, Ohio

Herzing University is a licensed institution by ABHES and CAAHEP and offers a range of Medical Assisting Services programs.

These include an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting Services, which can be completed in 16-20 months, an Online and On-Campus Diploma in Medical Assisting, which takes 12 months to complete, and a 100% Online Diploma, which takes 10 months to complete.

The University was established in 1965 and initially focused on computer instruction.

12. Chabot College

Founded: 1961
Location: Hayward, California.

Chabot College is a higher education institution located in Hayward, California.

It offers over 100 associate degrees and certificates in various fields such as Applied Technology and Business, Language Arts, Math and Sciences, Physical Education and Health, the College of the Arts, and Social Sciences.

The College’s Medical Assistant certification program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and offers both a degree and certificate program.

The program is designed to prepare students for administrative and clinical responsibilities in doctors’ offices.

Upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant Exam (CMA-AAMA) sponsored by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The program has a retention rate of 90% for the admission cohort that entered in 2019.

13. Clackamas Community College

Founded: 1966
Location: Oregon City, Oregon

Clackamas Community College is a community school in Oregon that offers a Medical Assistant certification program at its New Harmony campus in Wilsonville. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

The program is designed to be completed in approximately one year and is a certificate program.

Before being accepted into the program, applicants must pass a course in medical terminology with a grade of C or above. Medical assistants work in ambulatory care (clinics) and perform a wide range of administrative and clinical duties.

14. Everett Community College

Founded: 1941
Location: Everett, Washington

Everett Community College’s Medical Assistant certification program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

The College offers a Certificate in Medical Assisting (85 credits), an Associate in Technical Arts (90 credits), or an associate in Applied Science-Transfer (105 credits) to MA students. The associate degrees require basic education classes in addition to a specific MA-focused curriculum.

Everett Community College is located in the Seattle, Washington, metro region and provides certificates of completion in more than 30 technical and career sectors, along with associate degrees in close to 100 distinct majors.

After graduation, 80 percent of the students at Everett Community College choose to continue their careers locally.

15. Highline College

Founded: 1961
Location: Des Moines, Washington.

Highline College, located in Des Moines, Washington, offers one of the best Medical Assistant certification programs. The College was established in 1961 and is one of the earliest community colleges in Washington State.

Highline College provides training for ancillary healthcare workers such as nurses, respiratory therapists, and medical assistants.

The Medical Assistant program at Highline College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and offers both a certificate and associate degree program.

The certificate program is CAAHEP-accredited and can be completed in six quarters, while the associate degree program can be completed in eight quarters, including summer quarters.

The program prepares students to work with physicians to increase productivity in medical offices by performing administrative and clinical tasks.

16. College Technical of Dakota County

Founded: 1969
Location: Rosemount, Minnesota

Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minnesota, offers both an associate degree and a Diploma program in Medical Assisting.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). To be accepted into either track, candidates must score well on the ACCUPLACER test in reading and math.

The Associate’s degree option requires completion of 18 general education credits in addition to the clinical externship and capstone paper requirements shared by both tracks of study.

Dakota County Technical College is known for its educational options in nanoscience technology and works closely with regional businesses to create innovative Customized Training programs that are frequently supported by regional corporations.

17. Daytona State College

Founded: 1957
Location: Florida’s Daytona Beach

Daytona State College is a CAAHEP-accredited institution that offers a Certificate program in Medical Assisting.

The program is designed to train students in the multi-skilled field of medical assisting and provides training in Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and physiology, Pharmacology, Coding, and Billing, as well as Clerical/Administrative skills for the clinical setting.

The program is 36 weeks long and requires 43 credits to complete. The program accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis until the class quota is reached. Daytona State College was established in 1957 and is a pioneer in Florida’s extensive junior college system.

The College has added workforce baccalaureate degrees, such as bachelor’s degrees in nursing, to its associate degree program since becoming a four-year institution in 2006.

18. Fortis Institute

Founded: 2008
Location: Garden City Dr, North Englewood, MD 20785, USA

Fortis Institute is a technical training institution that offers a variety of certificate and degree paths with a focus on career training for ancillary healthcare professionals. The Institute has ABHES accreditation and offers Associate’s and diploma programs.

Fortis Institute has 42 campuses throughout 42 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

Fortis Institute provides training for a variety of healthcare professions, including nursing, dental assisting, medical assisting, medical technology, and more.

The Institute’s medical assistant certification program is one of the best in the country, providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the field.

The program is designed to prepare students for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam, which is administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

19. Fox Valley Technical College

Founded: 1912
Location: WISCONSIN, Appleton, Waupaca, and Oshkosh

Fox Valley Technical College offers a one-year medical assisting diploma program that is accredited by the CAAHEP.

The program is designed to provide students with the necessary skills to become an essential part of the healthcare team. The curriculum includes courses in business and administrative duties as well as clinical laboratory functions.

Students learn how to take vital signs, assist physicians with examinations and minor office procedures, and administer medications.

The program also includes a supervised practicum experience, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world environment. Before being accepted into the program, applicants must complete an exam.

20. Ross College

Founded: 1976

Ross College is a for-profit network of 40 institutions spread across seven states, affiliated with Ross College, an online institution for career training.

The College offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

The Medical Assistant certification program is accredited by ABHES and has different tracks for day and evening students. Day students can complete the curriculum in 30 weeks, while afternoon and evening students will need to devote 36 weeks to it.

Ross College’s Medical Assistant program also includes an externship experience, which is crucial to the learning experience for every Ross student.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Best Medical Assistant Certification Programs

Why is certification important for medical assistants?

Certification is crucial for medical assistants as it validates their competency and proficiency in both clinical and administrative tasks. Employers often prefer certified individuals, as it demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and ensures that the medical assistant has received proper training.

What accreditation should I look for in a medical assistant certification program?

Look for programs accredited by reputable bodies such as the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Accreditation ensures that the program meets industry standards and provides quality education.

Can I pursue medical assistant certification online?

Yes, many certification programs offer online options to accommodate diverse learning preferences and busy schedules. When choosing an online program, ensure it provides a comprehensive curriculum, interactive components, and support services for remote learners.

Can I pursue a medical assistant certification if I already work in healthcare but lack formal education?

Yes, many programs are designed for individuals with varying levels of experience in healthcare. Some may even offer credit for prior work experience or provide options for individuals seeking to enhance their skills and credentials.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining a medical assistant certification is a great way to expand your knowledge, gain valuable work experience, and perhaps start a new career in the medical field.

With the right certification program, you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful medical assistant and make a positive impact on the lives of patients.

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