10 Best Online Certified Medical Assistant Programs

6 Min Read Published November 5, 2024
10 Best Online Certified Medical Assistant Programs

Becoming a medical assistant is an excellent way to get your start in healthcare. Discover the top 10 online certified medical assistant programs for 2025.

We Found The Following Schools with Online Medical Assistant Programs

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Top 10 Online Medical Assistant Programs

To bring you the top medical assistant programs online, we curated this list using the Nurse.org ranking methodology, which uses the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Scorecard

Tuition
Resident: $193 per credit
Non-Resident: $225 per credit
Program Length
10 months
Accreditation
Online Options Available?
Yes

Jackson College offers a comprehensive program to students who want to earn their medical assistant certification online. The 10-month program boasts a 100% certification test pass rate and job placement rate in recent years and includes an unpaid externship. After graduating from the program, students can sit for the American Medical Technologists (AMT) Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam.

  • Application Deadline: Rolling
  • Contact Info: (517) 437-3343
Tuition
$1,278 total
Program Length
10 months
Accreditation
HLC
Online Options Available?
Yes

The University of Providence enrolls students in its online CMA program twice a year, in August and January. Students in this program complete their course requirements by attending medical assistant online classes and in-person skill labs. They must attend five weekend skills labs and earn a 75% or higher grade to pass the program and sit for the certification exam.

Tuition
$500 per credit
Program Length
10 months
Accreditation
Online Options Available?
Yes

PIT is one of the best medical assistant schools online, offering several unique opportunities to its CMA students. Notably, the school provides program graduates with personalized job placement services, including coaching, resume building, and cover letter assistance. Despite the low cost, 96% of students receive financial aid at PIT.

  • Application Deadline: Rolling
  • Contact Info: (610) 892-1500

We Found The Following Schools with Online Medical Assistant Programs

Tuition
$6,100  total
Program Length
4 semesters
Accreditation
Online Options Available?
Yes 

The medical assistant online certification program at Penn Foster teaches students the fundamental skills necessary to work in healthcare. Classes will provide a foundation in anatomy, physiology, psychology, and basic clinical procedures. Additionally, the program is self-paced, allowing students to attend online courses according to their own schedules.

Upon graduation, students can sit for several certification exams, including the RMA, The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certificate (CCMA), and The National Certified Medical Assistant certificate (NCMA).

  • Application Deadline: Rolling
  • Contact Info: (800) 471-3232
Tuition
$18,650 total
Program Length
2 years
Accreditation
Online Options Available?
Yes

In addition to its CMA certification program, BU offers a certified medical assistant degree. Graduates of either CMA program can continue to the Healthcare Administration Bachelor's program to advance their education and skills.

The 100% online CMA program has a flat fee for all students, which includes several services and tools. Besides tuition, the fee covers a medical kit, courseware and software, books, and two national certification exams.

  • Application Deadline: Rolling
  • Contact Info: (888) 768-6861
Tuition
$2,599 total
Program Length
4-6 months
Accreditation
MSCHE
Online Options Available?
Yes

Students at CCP learn the basics of medical assisting, phlebotomy, performing an EKG, obtaining laboratory specimens, medication administration, and minor procedures. Applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED to apply. The program is mobile-friendly, and students can access 24/7 learner support and participate in a clinical externship.

  • Application Deadline: Rolling
  • Contact Info: (215) 496-6158
Tuition
$22,050 total
Program Length
2 years
Accreditation
Online Options Available?
Yes

Keiser is another online college for medical assistance that offers a degree. After completing the 60-credit-hour program, students earn an associate degree and sit for the RMA certification exam. Although Keiser University offers this program online, it's also available in person at several Florida campuses.

Tuition
$650 total
Program Length
6 weeks to 6 months
Accreditation
None
Online Options Available?
 Yes

Students can complete this 100% online training program in just six weeks, but they must complete all modules in up to six months. The medical assistant course includes 996 hours of course instruction and the required 204 hours of clinical internship experience. Students can attend the course modules on their mobile devices 24/7, making this program extremely convenient and accessible.

Tuition

Diploma: $13,995 total
Associate: $33,080 total

Program Length
10-20 months
Accreditation
HLC
Online Options Available?
Yes

Only Pennsylvania residents can attend Herzing University's online medical assistant program. While didactic courses are entirely online, students must participate in in-person clinical labs and externships. Herzing maintains numerous partnerships with clinical sites, streamlining the placement process. Students can choose between a 10-month diploma program or a 20-month associate degree program.

  • Application Deadline: Rolling
  • Contact Info: (800) 596-0724
Tuition
$2,599 total
Program Length
Self-paced
Accreditation
HLC
Online Options Available?
Yes

SFSU's online program includes interactive learning modules, 24/7 mentoring, learning exercises, labs, and a student portal with career resources. Students have six months of access to courses, and the self-paced program includes 160 hours of clinical externship.

  • Application Deadline: Rolling
  • Contact Info: 

What to Expect in an Online Certified Medical Assistant Program

Online CMA programs work with students to teach them basic medical and nursing skills that they can apply in various healthcare settings. Most programs do require some in-person time, whether through simulations or clinical experiences. 

Admission Requirements

Specific admission requirements vary depending on the program. However, basic requirements include:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Complete medical forms
  • Criminal background check
  • Immunizations
  • Official application
  • Application fee

Classes & Coursework

CMA programs are short but offer students significant knowledge within the classes. Typical classes include:

  • Basic anatomy and physiology
  • Medical terminology
  • Medical Coding and Billing
  • Infection control
  • Patient care through in-person clinicals
  • Phlebotomy

How to Choose an Online Certified Medical Assistant Program

Selecting an online medical assistant program can be overwhelming because there are so many great options. To find a medical assistant school that suits your needs, consider the following:

  • Program length
  • Cost
  • In-person externship opportunities
  • Accreditation
  • CMA certification exam pass rate
  • Student-to-faculty ratio
  • Program location

We Found The Following Schools with Online Medical Assistant Programs

FAQs

  • How much do medical assistants make?

  • How long does it take to become a medical assistant?

    • CMA program length varies from six weeks to two years, depending on the school, accreditation, and whether students earn a degree.
  • What is the fastest medical assistant program?

    • The University of Houston Downtown offers a 4-month CMA program, making it the fastest accredited medical assistant program nationwide.
  • Can you take the CMA exam without doing a program?

Kathleen Gaines
MSN, RN, BA, CBC
Kathleen Gaines
News and Education Editor

Kathleen Gaines (nee Colduvell) is a nationally published writer turned Pediatric ICU nurse from Philadelphia with over 13 years of ICU experience. She has an extensive ICU background having formerly worked in the CICU and NICU at several major hospitals in the Philadelphia region. After earning her MSN in Education from Loyola University of New Orleans, she currently also teaches for several prominent Universities making sure the next generation is ready for the bedside. As a certified breastfeeding counselor and trauma certified nurse, she is always ready for the next nursing challenge.

Education:
MSN Nursing Education - Loyola University New Orleans
BSN - Villanova University
BA- University  of Mary Washington

Expertise:
Pediatric Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Nursing Education, Women’s Health, Intensive Care, Nurse Journalism, Cardiac Nursing 

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