Best Online Associate in Medical Assistant Programs

If you want to start a career in healthcare quickly, you might consider becoming a medical assistant. While you only need a certificate or diploma to start a medical assisting career, an associate degree can help you stand out during the hiring process. The degree can also lay the foundation for better-paying medical careers and earning a bachelor’s degree.

Two-year medical assistant programs prepare you for entry-level careers as a nursing assistant, occupational therapy assistant, and health information technician. And the administrative and clinical topics covered in medical assistant programs also better prepare you for certification exams that some states require.

If you’re considering an online medical assistant degree, here’s what to do next:

With an associate in medical assistant degree, you can pursue several in-demand healthcare careers. You can either become a medical assistant or pursue other roles, such as a transcriptionist or health records technician. Some roles may require more training or certifications.

An associate in medical assistant degree can give you a competitive advantage when applying for jobs. The degree can also prepare you for a bachelor’s program in a healthcare discipline.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

An online medical assistant program is a good option if you want to get started working in a hospital or doctor’s office. Medical assistants learn under the supervision of doctors and licensed nurses.

And the credits you earn in a two-year online medical assistant program can go toward a bachelor’s degree, shortening your graduation timeline. More reasons for enrolling in an online medical assistant program and its benefits include:

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of 2020-2021, tuition for an associate degree costs $3,501 on average per year at a public two-year college. Students at public four-year colleges paid an average of $9,375 per year on tuition.

Costs vary depending on your residency status and the college. But you can save money by taking a medical assistant program at a two-year school instead of a four-year institution.

Community college is a popular route for people who want a quicker and more affordable education than a four-year degree.

Enrolling in an accredited medical assistant program online is worthwhile to get started in an in-demand healthcare position. And you can stand out with an associate degree in a field where many medical assistants hold certificates and diplomas.

Medical assisting is also a gateway to higher-paying medical careers. You can put your college credits toward a higher-level degree and gain on-the-job training to advance your career. The degree is also broad enough that you can choose from clinical or administrative positions.

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021)

While medical assistants make less than the national median for all jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that they can earn better pay at agencies, brokerages, and other insurance carriers. Medical assistants in these settings earned an average annual salary of $52,970 in May 2021. Other top-paying industries for medical assistants include:

In addition, the BLS reports that California, Washington, Massachusetts, and Alaska pay higher-than-average wages for medical assistants. Workers in these states earned an average yearly salary between $44,200-$47,320 in May 2021.

Medical Assistant Career Paths

In an online medical assistant program, you’ll learn clerical duties, such as scheduling patients and medical coding. On the clinical side, you’ll also learn to take vital signs, prepare injections under physicians’ supervision, and help patients get ready for exams.

According to the BLS, about 421,960 medical assistants work in physician offices. General medical and surgical hospitals employ the second-highest number of medical assistants.

Any associate degree takes an average of two years for full-time learners, with an exception for accelerated degrees. If you enroll in an accelerated medical assistant program, you can graduate in as quickly as 18 months. If you enroll as a part-time student, it may take you longer to finish your degree and become a medical assistant.

*Depending on your program and specialization

Medical assisting is an in-demand career that can be a good starting point for pursuing other fulfilling medical occupations. The BLS projects jobs in medical assisting will grow by 16% from 2021-2031, which is much faster than the average growth rate of 5% for all jobs.

While a medical assistant salary is below the median annual wage for all U.S. occupations, pursuing higher education and certifications can enhance your pay.

Medical assistants fall into two categories: clinical medical assistants and administrative medical assistants. Depending on the medical facility, a medical assistant may focus on clerical work or clinical duties — and some balance office and medical room responsibilities.You can also specialize in specific areas of medical care, such as ophthalmology, optometry, and podiatry. A podiatric medical assistant has more specialty duties, such as applying casts and splints.

You must pass a certification exam to earn a medical assistant credential. To qualify for a certification exam, you must complete a medical assisting program that includes a practicum. Certification exams vary by accrediting agencies.

Possible credentials include certified medical assistant, registered medical assistant, and certified clinical medical assistant. You can also get specialized certification to work in podiatry and paraoptometry.

Employers may not require you to get certified to get hired, but certain states mandate certification. Credentials help medical assistants to advance in their careers, find specialized positions, and earn a higher salary.