Quick Highlights:
- Our #1 ranking college for an associate’s in medical assisting is Liberty University, followed by Georgia Northwestern Technical College.
- Medical assistants help with patient care and administrative tasks in healthcare settings.
- Job opportunities for medical assistants are growing rapidly through 2033 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Online medical assistant programs offer flexibility and can be completed quickly.
Becoming a medical assistant offers a fulfilling career where you directly contribute to patient care alongside healthcare professionals. It provides valuable hands-on experience, a chance to make a positive impact on people’s lives, and opens doors to various opportunities in the healthcare industry.
Last updated: November 21, 2024
What are the Best Associate’s in Medical Assisting?
At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. We considered the following points when considering the best Associate’s degree in Medical Assisting:
- The school’s ability to provide expert instruction in the field of Medical Assisting,
- Displays the proper accreditation,
- Taught by experienced professors well-training in Medical Assisting,
- Often provides job placement opportunities,
- Offers various ways to earn your Associate’s degree in Medical Assisting,
- Provides financial aid through federal grants, scholarships, and loans.
Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@www.collegerank.net.
Liberty University

Based on Christian values and presented with a Christian worldview, Liberty University offers a medical office assistant associate degree. This online program is led by professors with first-hand experience and education in the field. This virtual classroom prepares you for an externship so you get the hands-on experience you need.
The program itself involves taking courses in 8-week intervals. A total of 64 required credits can be completed in just two years, the same as any other associate’s degree. If you have existing credits, there’s an opportunity to fast-track this process by transferring up to 75% of the total requirements.
Courses here shed light on some of the more administrative elements of the job, such as billing protocol, HIPAA, and risk management. You’ll also explore other skills necessary in these roles, like setting priorities, organizational skills, and some of the ethical and moral mindsets to adopt when dealing with patients.
This curriculum, combined with the 160-hour externship, makes this a Christian-based education that’s accessible and affordable. They’re our number-one pick but are also recognized as a leader of the pack by BestColleges.com and Niche.com.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College

Georgia Northwestern Technical College comes up next with its Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science degree (MA23). This program presents orientation online, giving high-school graduates flexibility and a peer-supported approach to obtaining this degree.
The goal, as outlined by the college, is to get students into a career in medical assisting by teaching the knowledge, skills, and behaviors expected of a professional. To meet these goals, the curriculum is split into two categories: pre-occupational and occupational.
Pre-occupational courses review the base knowledge you will need to build your medical assisting skills. The knowledge is taught through courses in Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, and Human Diseases, among others. You also choose courses to fill humanities and general elective requirements.
The occupational portion puts the office setting into focus. Necessary administrative skills are built through courses in Administrative Practice Management and Medical Office Procedures. A Medical Assisting Seminar and externship will help to shed further light on the expectations and realities of the role.
Barton County Community College

The Medical Assistant Associate in Applied Science degree at Barton County Community College is designed for working adults to complete a two-year degree. The program is flexible. It is offered either partially online, as a hybrid, or completely online. It requires a total of 64 credit hours to complete.
The curriculum blends general education, administrative, and clinical courses that are necessary for a well-rounded foundation in medical assisting.
The first semester and second semesters focus on general education courses, including business and psychology, and begin touching on medical assisting knowledge. Medical Administrative Aspects, Patient Care, and Medical Terminology are taken during this time.
The second year ramps up the focus on my career with courses in Records Management, Basic Pharmacology, and Emergency Preparedness. The final semester calls for an internship with ambulatory care, so you can really see how these lessons are put to the test.
The program is both accessible and affordable. The cost per credit is a fixed $150, regardless of whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state resident. The prices will vary slightly for on-campus students depending on your home state but remain exceptionally affordable price.
Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Minnesota State Community and Technical College offers a Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science. This program requires the completion of 37 credits over the course of three terms—fall, spring, and summer.
Business Communications and Medical Terminology are two of the courses you’ll take in the first fall semester. These help to prepare you to understand the inner workings of the office setting and be able to navigate it professionally. You’ll also take a course on Medical Law and Ethics, ensuring you approach every situation appropriately and gracefully.
The spring semester puts many of these concepts into play. You’ll take a course on Laboratory Skills and Clinical Procedures. You’ll also learn more about lifespan development to better understand how learning, cognition, and social behavior change over the course of someone’s life.
The first spring and fall semesters also put you into the line of duty with clinical procedure courses. In these courses, you’ll gain 180 hours of supervised experience that will help improve your skills. Your final summer semester also calls for clinical experience and will become the inspiration for your medical assisting capstone.
Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global specializes in distance learning programs. The Associate of Applied Science in Health Science Program is devised specifically so you may work through coursework online, augmented by hands-on experience, and prepare for exams.
The exams open to these certificate-holders are Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), and Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC).
The program is only available to members and veterans of the United States Military.
The online format doesn’t take away from the traditional classroom setting. The faculty is made up of professionals who hold advanced degrees. In fact, 45% of the faculty have achieved a doctorate. It’s from these seasoned learners that you’ll examine medical assisting courses covering clinical, administrative, and ethical aspects of medical assisting.
Although most of the work can be done from a distance, some aspects of medical assisting need to happen in real life. To meet this need, Purdue Global requires the completion of a 160-hour externship. This is meant to be strictly experiential and unpaid.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College

The Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science from Minnesota West Community and Technical College is offered on campus in Luverne. This program is open to high school graduates who are seeking an associate-level degree and prepares you to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants Certification Exam.
This program is designed to meet the dynamics of the field. It prepares you for a role in both large and small practices where the daily duties may differ. To be skilled in both, you’ll take core general education courses as well as a medical assisting core that builds clinical and clerical skills.
Some examples of courses to expect include Healthcare & Society, Body Structure and Function, Disease Conditions, and Pharmacology. The final summer semester is for a professional integration and medical assistant practicum. This immersive experience teaches academic content in conjunction with thinking and communication skills and human diversity.
The per-credit tuition fees at Minnesota West come just shy of $200 each, making this one of the most affordable programs on our list. Niche.com ranked the school at #5 among the best Community Colleges in Minnesota.
Herzing University-Birmingham

For those who plan to elevate their associate degree to a bachelor’s, Herzing University in Birmingham offers a strong and flexible program. In fact, the online medical assistant program was ranked #6 on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Health Care Support Jobs for 2020.
The program is flexible in its delivery and scheduling options. You can choose to study either full or part-time, depending on what your needs are.
Full-time students can finish in as little as ten months. While most of the work can be completed online, there are two elements of the program that require you to show up: the clinical labs and the externship.
In total, you’ll need to complete two clinical labs. These serve as a way to help you master the skills necessary for medical assisting roles. Additionally, the externship is an 8-week experience you complete in your final term at the facility of your choice. These experiences help to better ground you in knowledge and prepare you to hit the ground running when you graduate.
State Fair Community College

Whether you’re just looking for a certificate in medical assisting or you want to take the step to an Associate of Applied Science in medical assisting, State Fair Community College has you covered.
The full A.A.S. calls for 61.5 credits, while the certificate only requires 34.5. However, the certificate is necessary to complete if you want to obtain the degree.
In addition to the certification, you’ll also be tasked with passing the exam in medical assisting to progress through the remainder of the associate curriculum.
Program requirements include Medical Terminology, Administrative Procedures, and Pharmacology. Electives in Human Disease and Conditions and Microcomputer Applications are also part of the curriculum.
This program stresses that incoming students should have basic skills. Some of them are hard skills—oral and reading comprehension among them—and some of them are soft skills, like empathy, compassion, and integrity.
The program is offered on the State Fair Clinton campus. They’re also offered online. A clinical portion is required. If you opt to study online, the clinical portion can be completed at ambulatory sites.
Alexandria Technical & Community College

The Alexandria Technical and Community College offers a Medical Administrative Specialist program. This combines elements of administrative and technical duties and teaches general education courses. However, it’s more focused on the administrative side of the role than many of the other programs on this list.
This program doesn’t aim to tie you to the desk. It still teaches anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and pharmacology so that you are capable of rising to the occasion if it’s needed within a care facility.
Each semester, courses will explore a new avenue of the many branches of medical assistance. Anatomy & physiology are joined by word processing skills in the first semester. Over the course of two years, you’ll move through increasing levels of skill-based knowledge. This includes Interpersonal Communication, Applied Medical Terminology, and Medical Office Management.
In total, you’ll take 60 credits. Tuition is paid by credits and is dependent on your mode of learning. The program is offered both on campus and online. Regardless of which track you choose, the price of credit hovers around or below $200, making this a flexible and affordable program.
Dakota College at Bottineau

Dakota College at Bottineau presents an education that you can tailor to your needs. On one hand, there’s the Medical Assistant Certificate. This takes only one year to complete and prepares you for the Nationally Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam. The other option is the two-year Associate of Applied Science. Both are offered online.
The curriculum for both begins the same. You’ll start with basic courses in procedure and diagnostic coding, clinical procedures, and medical terminology. Courses in Ethics & Law, Diagnostic Procedures, and Intro to Pharmacology are also required.
To extend your education to an associate’s degree, you’ll complete courses in Office Management, Computer Applications in Healthcare, and Public Speaking. As with all programs, this wraps up with a clinical experience. You’ll be required to log 180 hours at a medical facility to prove your knowledge.
Its generally low tuition rates have helped it become recognized as one of the most affordable online colleges by the SR Education Group.
Century College

Minnesota residents can get their Medical Assistant Diploma from Century College. This public technical community college offers the program on both a full and part-time basis. You can start in spring or fall, depending on the delivery method that works for you. Classes are held in the daytime and evening, and some are presented online.
This program prepares its students to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) certification exam. Acing this exam means you can begin working in the field. According to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), students of this program deliver 100% employer satisfaction.
The distinct curriculum is to thank for this success. All students are required to fulfill an occupation requirement of their choosing: either Introduction to Software Applications or Introduction to Personal Computers and Information Systems. The remainder of the requirements account for the medical assistant education, including medical terminology, labs, and clinical experience.
Graduate satisfaction also receives full points. Graduates feel equipped for the workforce and empowered by their learning opportunities. Aside from flexibility, the program is also very affordable. You pay less than $186 per credit for all 51 required credits.
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale

Keiser University at Fort Lauderdale presents a true Associate of Science in medical assisting. Students can opt to take classes on campus or online. It prepares students to take the registered medical assistant exam.
The program is 60 credits in total and consists of requirements in several different categories. Most of the curriculum comes from common core classes, which include Pharmacology, Medical Law & Ethics, and Computerized Medical Office Management.
Three credits are also required in each subsequent category, including social science, communication, computer, English, humanities, and math. As for natural sciences, you’ll need six credits, and some options are in anatomy and physiology.
The program cost will change depending on how you decide to study. Plenty of financial aid is also available to students, including grants and scholarships. The program is affordable, accessible, and also considered one of the Top Performers on Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report.
Guilford Technical Community College

Guilford Technical Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in medical assisting. A total of 68 credits is required to complete the degree over the course of two years. These requirements focus on the two most important areas of medical assisting: administration and clinical duties. There’s also one elective opportunity in humanities.
Guilford emphasizes that there are standards, aside from academics, that are expected of their students. The standards they highlight specifically are communication, motor coordination, mobility, sensory, intellectual, social, and professional behavior. All of these play a role in being the practitioner’s assistant, as well as a competent team player.
The entire program can be completed in two years, including a summer semester. The first fall semester is devoted to the basics. This is the time to take courses like Intro to Computers, Orientation to Medical Assisting, and Basic Anatomy & Physiology.
During the spring semester and beyond, you’ll learn several other key skills for a role as the face of a medical facility. Public Speaking, Clinical Perspectives, Patient Education, and General Psychology are all part of this process. A Clinical Practicum takes place in the final semester, where you can showcase your knowledge and improve your practice in a real medical facility.
Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical

At Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical, you can earn an Associate of Applied Science to become a medical administrative assistant. This program highlights the more administrative side of the role but also teaches you the fundamentals of the medical field. Because of the lack of clinical, it can be completed entirely online.
The curriculum consists of 60 credits. General core accounts for 15 of these credits and covers math, history, humanity, and communication. What’s left are 45 credits, which focus on the technical aspects of the role. These courses will help to build managerial and organizational skills. Some of these courses include Business Communications, Word Processing, and Medical Office Procedures.
The clinical education will touch on pharmacology and medical terminology, but there is no true clinical experience. At the completion of the program, you’ll demonstrate critical thinking as well as ethical understanding. You’ll be able to make distinctions between professional behavior and cultural bias and make decisions accordingly.
The program is among the most cost-effective, as well. Tuition is estimated at about $13,975 once tuition and books are factored in.
Northland Community and Technical College

At Northland Community and Technical College, you can enter the medical field as an administrative assistant with an Associate of Applied Science. This program is another that focuses on the business side of the role. As such, it’s offered completely online.
The two-year program begins with an Intro to Health Information Management. This course looks at all the duties and practices of an administrator in a healthcare setting. This includes all front-desk and behind-the-scenes aspects from organization to billing and reimbursement.
Subsequent classes play along the same lines as the inaugural course. There are classes specifically on coding, billing, business communications, and computer technology. Of course, to be prepared for a role as the face of a medical office, there needs to be some clinical understanding. To meet this, there are courses on Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology.
A 3-credit course on Pathophysiology is a unique offering at Northland Community & Technical. This course explores common diseases through the scope of nature, cause, diagnosis, and treatment.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Combining administrative tasks with patient care is what medical assistants do. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College created the curriculum for their Medical Assistant Certificate around these duties and designed it so you can get into the field quickly.
The curriculum builds knowledge of clinical and administrative procedures within the first semester. Combined with medical terminology and human disease, the first semester forms the basis for the next two semesters.
In total, this program only calls for 29 credits. It is a certificate program and not a full associate degree. However, it does equip you to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam and become a practicing professional.
You’ll be prepared for a real role thanks to an externship in the third semester. This is an unpaid experience within an ambulatory setting. Thanks to Cincinnati’s location, clinical opportunities exist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Mercy Medical, UC Health, and other local facilities.
Ultimate Medical Academy

In as little as 15 months, you can have a diploma in medical assisting from Ultimate Medical Academy. Typically completed in 21 months, this Florida-based program combines general education with required courses and electives to create a full Associate of Science in health sciences.
The semesters aren’t particularly set in stone, but there are several courses that are required to achieve the degree. Whereas most programs have 3-credit courses, many of the courses at Ultimate are worth five credits. Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Terminology, for example, are normally taught as two entities but combined into one here.
A required course in laboratory procedures prepares you for a clinical externship. Like most programs, this is where you can put your knowledge both on display and to the test in a true medical setting. This fulfills the 220-hour unpaid externship requirement.
Electives are a bit more flexible here than in most programs, as well. You may opt to fulfill your three-credit elective requirement with courses like Accounting for Managers, Diversity in the Workplace, or Patient Relations, to name a few. The program as a whole prepares you to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam.
Olney Central College

Olney Central College–one of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges–offers an Associate in Applied Science to become a certified medical assistant.
The program is two years in length, includes a summer semester, and prepares you for licensure. In addition to preparation for the CCMA/CMAA exam, students will also be equipped to become Certified Phlebotomy Technicians or Certified EKG Technicians.
The curriculum is comprised of all the expected courses for medical assistants. This includes Introduction to Medical Terminology, Pharmacology, Ethics in the Medical Community, and Clinical Procedures. The internship requirement takes place during the summer semester and calls for 30 hours a week. It can be completed in medical offices, hospitals, dental offices, or other healthcare facilities.
The total credits for the program are 71. Because of the clinical nature of the program, it’s based on campus. Where you come from will decide what you’ll pay in tuition. Certain Indiana and Illinois students will benefit from in-state and local tuition. Out-of-district, out-of-state, and non-US residents will pay above $300 per credit. In-district students will pay less than $100.
Kirtland Community College

Kirtland Community College offers an Associate Medical Assistant degree at their Grayling, Michigan campus. Their program is designed so that you can confidently take the American Medical Technologist (AMT) certification, which is vital to becoming a working professional.
The program is flexible enough for working professionals to take part. However, there are 46 prerequisites for the program. This covers general education requirements, like English composition, Introduction to Psychology, and Intermediate Algebra. They also consider medical terminology and anatomy & physiology as part of general education.
The remaining 46 prerequisites are focused on the medical assisting core. This includes Medical Ethics & Law, ICD Coding, Intro to Computers, and Revenue Cycle. Having these courses established already makes it easier to succeed in the 16 core program requirements.
These requirements include upper-level lessons in business, as well as lectures, labs, internships, and phlebotomy. Through the compulsory internship, you’ll get to practice phlebotomy, working toward the total amount of “pokes” you need to become registered.
Additional study expenses, such as for books and supplies, are the same regardless of where you live. However, tuition fees will vary slightly. In-district costs total $17,850, and out-of-district students will pay $22,850.
Cox College

The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting (ASMA) from Cox College prepares you to step into the role of a medical assistant once you complete the program. The curriculum taught here prepares you for the American Medical Technologists Registered Medical Assistant exam (RMA). Complete that, and you will be a licensed professional!
This program provides flexibility in that it’s partially online. Some of the material, like clinical labs and a practicum, need to be completed in person to get the true experience. The full program calls for 60 credit hours, including 27 general education hours and 33 hours in core courses.
The general education classes are the standard English composition, computer resources, algebra, and psychology. The core courses cover all of the essentials of medical assisting. These include clinical and administrative labs, as well as anatomy & physiology, human diseases, and pharmacology.
A degree from Cox College means job security. They help to prepare you with job-seeking skills through mock interviews and resume preparation. Because of this preparation and their thorough curriculum plan, they report a 96% rate of job placement.
How to Choose the Right College for a Medical Assisting Associates
The ranking we provide in this article is meant to be your starting point for choosing the right program. Choosing the right medical assisting associates will come down to deciding which program best matches your unique needs and interests. Here are 5 of the most important considerations to help you make the best choice:
- Clinical Experience Opportunities
- Why it Matters: Hands-on clinical experience is critical for medical assistants, as it helps build real-world skills that employers look for.
- What to Look For: Programs offering robust externship opportunities, partnerships with local healthcare facilities, or on-campus simulation labs allow students to practice essential tasks such as taking vitals, administering injections, and managing patient records.
2. Certification Exam Preparation
- Why it Matters: Many employers require certification, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential. A program that aligns its coursework with certification requirements can save time and money later.
- What to Look For: Programs that integrate certification exam prep into the curriculum or offer exam fee discounts are especially helpful.
3. Specialization Options
- Why it Matters: Some students may want to focus on areas like pediatrics, geriatrics, or administrative work, which can open up niche job opportunities.
- What to Look For: Programs that offer elective courses, tracks, or additional certifications in areas of interest provide more personalized career pathways.
4. Job Placement Assistance and Alumni Success
- Why it Matters: Medical assistance is a fast-growing field, but the quality of job placement services can significantly impact how quickly and successfully a student enters the workforce.
- What to Look For: Schools with strong job placement rates, dedicated career services, and a proven record of graduates finding employment in reputable healthcare settings.
5. Flexible Scheduling and Program Length
- Why it Matters: Many students pursuing an associate’s degree in medical assistance are balancing work, family, or other obligations.
- What to Look For: Programs that offer online, evening, or part-time classes can accommodate students’ diverse schedules. Accelerated programs that reduce the typical two-year completion timeline may also appeal to those eager to start working sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Medical Assisting Degree is an educational program that prepares individuals to work as medical assistants in healthcare settings. It covers a range of subjects, including medical terminology, anatomy, and administrative tasks, providing students with the knowledge and skills needed for the role.
Graduates can pursue careers in clinics, hospitals, or other medical facilities, assisting healthcare professionals in both administrative and clinical tasks.
Roles for these professionals can span several types of settings. Medical assistants are needed in hospitals, long-term care facilities, walk-in clinics, chiropractic offices, dental offices, and so much more. Anywhere you might use your healthcare insurance, you can be sure to find medical assistants.
Although it is possible to become a medical assistant without a degree, getting your associate’s degree will put you at the top of the pile. There are many skills that you must be able to do in these roles, and the only way to ensure you have all these qualities is through a degree.
Degrees give you the education you need to take Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exams and make you a more profitable hire.
Those with these certifications can earn the most. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists median pay at $42,000 per year, but having your associate in medical assisting can push your salary into a higher bracket.
Certifications in other areas are also available. Getting additional certifications can make you a more attractive hire. A medical coding certificate, for instance, can prove you have a more refined set of skills than competitors and put you in a higher earning bracket.
A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) is a medical assistant who has passed a certification exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). In contrast, a medical assistant refers to an individual working in the healthcare field, and while some may hold a CMA certification, it’s not a requirement for all medical assistants.
The CMA designation signifies a higher level of competency and adherence to professional standards within the medical assisting profession.
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