Best Online Medical Assistant Programs

Located in Renton, Washington, RTC offers a hybrid medical assistant program. Students conduct up to half of the coursework online while still receiving some face-to-face instruction for critical skills.

Students may choose to pursue a certificate (70 quarter credits) or an associate of applied science (90 quarter credits), depending on career goals. Required courses include medical terminology and the human body, introduction to medical insurance and coding, administrative medical procedures, and medical law and ethics. Associate degree seekers move on to general education requirements to prepare them for subsequent bachelor's programs elsewhere. Students must also engage in practicums and a course to prepare for the national exam.

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and submit a background check to enter the program. RTC is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The school also boasts programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Based in Springfield, Missouri, Cox College offers an online associate of science in medical assisting. Students complete 60 credits online and become eligible to transfer to a bachelor's granting institution. Students may pursue most coursework online, with hands-on administrative and clinical labs and practicums also required to impart critical skills.

Required courses include an introduction to medical assisting, an introduction to anatomy and physiology, clinical medical assisting, and administrative medical assisting. Students finish credits in general education courses; they also complete at least 17 credits of electives to receive their associate degree. A capstone experience allows students to demonstrate skills mastery and collaborate with peers.

Applicants need a high school diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or a GED equivalent. The school requires a minimum SAT score of 860 or a minimum ACT score of 18. Transfer students need at least 12 transfer credits and a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Cox College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Based in Mequon, CUW offers a medical assistant certificate in a blended learning format. Students complete most of the 42 credits online with some required face-to-face coursework.

Students take required courses such as medical terminology, computing for healthcare professionals, medical law and ethics, and administrative procedures. Students also take courses for specific systems of the body, including the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and the lymphatic and digestive systems. Participants must also complete a 200-hour externship for vital hands-on skills and mentoring in order to complete the certification.

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent to apply for the program. The school requires an admissions counselor interview and a placement exam for certificate students.

CUW is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The school also boasts programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Located in Madison, Wisconsin, MATC offers a medical assistant certificate through a convenient hybrid format. Students complete 33 credits, with some online and some in-person coursework delivery. Students can complete the program in about two semesters.

Students begin the curriculum with required courses such as medical assistant administration procedures, the human body in health and disease, digital literacy for healthcare, and pharmacology for healthcare procedures. Students finish with a course in written communication and a practicum to receive hands-on hours and mentoring from professionals within a live medical setting.

Students apply to the school with a high school diploma or GED and then petition for the chance to enter into program courses. Applicants must demonstrate the completion of all prerequisites to begin the required courses.

MATC is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The school also boasts programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Keiser offers an associate of science in medical assisting. Students complete 60.5 credits online with two externships. Graduates qualify to sit for the registered medical assistant exam.

Students take general education courses and electives before beginning required medical assisting courses. Course topics include medical office management, anatomy and physiology, laboratory procedures, and clinical procedures. Students must also participate in two externships designed to expose learners to hands-on procedures and allow for mentoring to unfold over two semesters.

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and must complete an interview with an admissions counselor to apply for the program. Keiser is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school also boasts programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs.