Best Online Medical Assistant Certification Programs

The Herzing Diploma in Medical Assisting is a comprehensive 10-month online program that fully prepares you to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam upon completion. It is an excellent option for those who want to get started in the medical field with the opportunity to use credits to further their education in the future. Herzing offers three different programs for medical assisting. You can choose to complete a diploma, earn an associate degree, or go on to complete your bachelor's degree in a related program. 

Herzing is a top-ranking online school that is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a well-respected certifying body. You can enroll full-time or part-time, and most students receive their diplomas in around 10 months. The coursework is entirely online, but you must complete a 180-hour externship in your last semester and a student readiness training proctorship at a healthcare facility to demonstrate competency in hands-on skills.

The program costs about $11,880 and includes the CCMA exam fee and program application fee. You also are responsible for any travel expenses and uniform costs for your final externship. Herzing offers financial aid options such as loans, scholarships, and military discounts, or you can transfer some credits from prior courses, saving time and money.

You can apply for the program online, and after meeting and interviewing with an admissions advisor, you may enroll for the next start date. The program is available to students throughout the U.S. and can be completed on your own time, making it an excellent option for those with busy schedules. Overall, Herzing is a reputable program and a great choice for becoming a certified medical assistant.

The U.S. Career Institute has more than 40 years of experience in distance education and offers a 100% online accelerated medical assistant program you can complete in as little as four months. It is the most inexpensive program on our list and costs about $1,300 when paid in full in advance. It also offers payment plans at a slightly higher rate and a military personnel discount. There is no tuition assistance, but you may be eligible for student loans or grants through your home state.

Since the program is entirely self-paced, it is up to you how quickly you want to get it done. This is a great way to study while still working or caring for children. The curriculum covers medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, working with patients, front desk skills, first aid procedures, and helps prepare you to sit for the CCMA exam. Each state has different certification requirements, so it is essential to check with your state to ensure the program meets all requirements to begin your career.

Courses are offered entirely online through video lectures, textbook readings, and virtual lab sessions. Unlike some other programs, there is no in-person training, which may be an issue if this is a requirement in your home state. Overall, the U.S. Career Institute medical assistant program is a great way to learn everything you need to prepare for the CCMA exam and begin your career as a certified medical assistant (CMA) quickly.

Penn Foster is an online school accredited through DEAC that offers three different programs to help you get your designation as a registered medical assistant (RMA). You can choose from a diploma program, associate degree, or bachelor's degree. These self-paced programs are designed to help you prepare for national exams such as the RMA exam, CCMA exam, and others.

Penn Foster offers three different tuition payment plans. The program is inexpensive compared to other programs on our list, and if you choose to pay in full in advance, the cost is roughly $4,800. Tuition includes a voucher for the CCMA exam, all learning materials, and unlimited student support. You also may be able to transfer prior post-secondary credits, which will save you some money, and if you are a veteran, you may qualify for a discount.

Programs run through the Penn Foster mobile-friendly online learning software. Materials are available 24 hours a day so you can study on the go, either on the computer or on your phone. There is no set class schedule, and you can communicate with instructors and other students through phone, text, email, or chat. It also offers live webinars, virtual simulations, and other online learning tools to help you fully understand the material and feel prepared to start your career.

There are no prerequisites to apply for the program, and you can apply online at any time. Penn Foster often runs sales throughout the year, and you can secure your enrollment for as little as $1. The website does not state how long it usually takes for students to complete the program, but you are required to complete 60 units spread over four semesters, so it should take you about a year if you are self-motivated and stay on track.

At the end of your program, you are expected to complete an externship to practice your skills and gain valuable real-world experience before sitting for the national exam.

If you’re looking for a quick way to become a clinical medical assistant, San Francisco State University (SFSU) has a great online option. It offers both in-person and online courses, and students can complete the self-paced online option in as little as four to six months.

We like that the program is entirely self-paced and covers all topics needed to prepare you for the national clinical medical assistant exam. You will learn all the necessary skills to assist physicians and work in a medical clinic and practice your skills during the 160-hour externship at the end of the program.

The clinical medical assistant program from SFSU includes access to interactive online learning modules, 24/7 mentoring, learning exercises, labs, and a student portal with career resources.

Tuition is about $2,600 and includes six months of access, clinical externship, e-books, workbooks, and related materials. Unlike other programs, it does not include a voucher to take your CCMA exam, which can cost about $160. You must have a high school diploma or GED to apply, but you can apply online and start anytime throughout the year. There is no mention of payment plans on the website, but San Francisco State is listed on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) on the CalJOBS website and is an approved provider for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds if you qualify.

The clinical medical assistant program from SFSU is an online course, so unlike other programs, you will not receive an associate degree upon completion. You potentially can use some of your credits in the future if you decide to pursue further education and want to get an associate or bachelor's degree in healthcare. SFSU is accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), both reputable regional accrediting bodies.

If you are considering certification as a medical assistant but want to focus on the electronic record side of the job, the bundled program at Texas State University is a great way to become dual-certified. The program prepares you to sit for both the CCMA exam and the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) exam and can be completed entirely online from your own home. The program is self-paced, and although you get access for 12 months, many students complete it in less time.

The program costs around $4,000 and includes all reading material, access to the online platform, a voucher to take the CCMA exam and the CEHRS exam, and 674 course hours. Some students may qualify for financial aid, but since it is a non-credit course, you will not be eligible for federal student loans. It also offers scholarships for military spouses and veterans. 

In the first course, you will learn how ethics and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules affect your work as a medical assistant and how to use scheduling systems, work with patients, and perform basic medical procedures. The second course focuses on using electronic health record (EHR) systems. This program bundle is a great way to stand out in the field and prepare to work both in an office or remotely as a medical assistant or health records specialist.

Texas State is accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a reputable regional accreditation. There is no information online on how the content is delivered, but you do get access to instructors to ask questions and get additional support.

Purdue Global is a subsidiary of the Purdue University system. It offers a variety of online diplomas and degrees and is well known in the healthcare community. Its Medical Assisting Certificate program prepares you to take the NCMA exam once you are finished. 

Purdue Global's coursework is 100% online, and although some of it is self-paced, it is less flexible than other programs on our list. Each semester is 10 weeks in length, and you must complete 58 credits to finish the course, which takes about a year and a half.

We like that courses are instructor-led and include online seminars, communication through message boards, and a 160-hour hands-on externship to practice your skills before joining the workforce. You also get access to individualized tutoring if you need extra help to ensure you understand the material before sitting for the national exam.

The program is costly, at more than $21,000, but Purdue Global offers many ways to save, including the option to transfer prior education credits. It also has a financial aid program, and you may be eligible for various scholarships or grants. Purdue Global also offers deep discounts (up to 55%) for active military and veterans and tuition reductions for employees of Purdue partner organizations.

Overall, the medical assistant certificate program at Purdue Global covers everything you need to succeed as a medical assistant and provides support, education, and hands-on experience to help you feel confident to take the NCMA exam.