5 Best Medical Assistant Schools
When you decide to enter a medical assisting program, you’re investing great amount of time and money into your future. Going to college is a big commitment. Choosing the right school and the right medical assisting program is important for the best return on your investment.
Medical assisting programs are usually offered at technical or junior colleges. Luckily, many schools with medical assistant programs have locations throughout the United States. When you begin researching medical assisting schools, keep these questions in mind:
- What type of medical assisting program is offered; a diploma, certificate or associate degree?
- Is the school accredited? Without accreditation, you may not be able to obtain federal student loans or sit for the medical assistant certification exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
- Will the school accept any college credits you may have earned at another college?
- What is the total cost of the medical assisting program?
- What is the percentage of enrolled students that graduate from the program?
- Does the school have a career placement program? If so, what percentages of graduates become employed after graduation?
These questions will help you determine the overall cost of time and money you’ll need to spend to complete your degree. Knowing the percentages of graduates and successful career placements will help you determine if the school has a good track record for helping students be successful.
It’s a good idea to research several schools and compare them before making a decision. Here are a few schools with well-established medical assisting programs to help you get started:
1. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a leading technical college in Wisconsin that offers medical assisting in New Richmond, Rice Lake and Superior, Wisconsin. The medical assisting program consists of 33 credits in a mixture of clinical and general education courses. Students will also complete clinical and administrative externships as part of program completion. WITC requires that prospective students have valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification and a clear criminal background check before applying to the program. Students with a dedicated class load can complete this fully accredited medical assisting program in one year. You can find more information about the WITC medical assisting program here: http://www.witc.edu
2. Bryant & Stratton College
Bryant & Stratton College offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in medical assisting. This two year program combines liberal arts courses along with medical and clinical coursework. Students have the opportunity to complete externships before completing the program. Bryant & Stratton is fully accredited and helps students sit for the AAMA certification exam and with career placement.
Bryant and Stratton College has locations in Ohio, Virginia, New York and Wisconsin. Find out more about Bryant & Stratton here: http://www.bryantstratton.edu
3. Kaplan College
Kaplan College is a well-known name in allied health learning. Kaplan offers a diploma of medical assisting which can usually be completed in one year. Programs are offered in 40 campuses across Texas, North Carolina and Florida. Kaplan College is accredited and graduates may be able to sit for the AAMA medical assisting certification exam after graduation.
4. Globe University
Globe University offers a 21 month associate of applied science degree in medical assisting. Globe is fully accredited and graduates are able to sit for the AAMA certifying exam. This program is a combination of liberal arts courses and clinical and medical coursework. Students are able to complete externships during the program. You may be able to transfer any college credits taken at another university; inquire before applying to the program to find out. Globe University offers medical assisting at locations in South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Visit Globe University here: http://www.globeuniversity.edu
5. Pima Medical Institute
Pima Medical Institute offers a nine month diploma in medical assisting. This program combines focused courses in health, clinical practices, administration and general education. Pima Medical Institute is accredited and students may sit for the AAMA certification exam after graduation. Students receive assistance in finding employment after graduation, and night classes are offered at some locations for flexibility. Pima Medical Institute has locations in New Mexico, California, Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Washington. You can learn more about this medical assisting program here: https://pmi.edu/
