Why This Matters
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COLLEGE EDUCATION IS TYPICALLY REQUIRED
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most medical assistant jobs require applicants to have at least a postsecondary certificate or associate degree.
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105,900 MORE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS NEEDED BY 2032
As advances in medicine increase the average lifespan, the demands on healthcare services are set to increase steadily. Medical assistant jobs are expected to grow by 14% in the coming decade.
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POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $50,000 PER YEAR
Medical assistants earn a median wage of $38,270 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $51,710. Completing an associate degree program may help you access higher-paid roles.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in medical assisting degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education. Many of the programs on our list have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which assess the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of healthcare-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in medical assisting degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 54 hours to write this article
- 84 universities and colleges we assessed
- 93 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Associate in Medical Assisting Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
Most of the degrees on this list award an Associate of Science (A.S.) in medical assisting. Students will learn vital clinical skills under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional, including taking vital signs, assisting during surgery, and performing diagnostic tests. Many courses also teach administrative skills such as record keeping and medical billing, and you can choose to take a course focused on medical administration if you prefer.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
There are no mandatory certification requirements for medical assistants, but most complete some postsecondary education. Potential employers are likely to prefer candidates who have completed a medical assisting program or associate degree.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in medical assisting programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? These courses require a high school diploma or GED. Some may require you to meet threshold ACT or SAT scores or take tests to prove your ability in English and mathematics. You should check that you meet the college’s admissions requirements before applying.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? Many online medical assisting degree programs offer synchronous learning, where students attend lessons at a scheduled time but follow courses remotely. Others follow an asynchronous format that allows you to access teaching materials and complete your coursework on your own timetable. Check which delivery option your chosen program offers to ensure it fits with your schedule.
When you’re choosing your online associate in medical assisting program, take note of the application deadline and what documents you have to submit during the admissions process. Most colleges state their requirements on their websites, but you can contact the admissions department if you’re unsure.
You must also figure out how to finance your studies. Check the deadlines for financial aid applications and explore your options for scholarships, grants, and subsidized loans.
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Related Degrees
- Medical Office Administration
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