Michigan Accredited Medical Assistant Schools and Programs

Becoming a medical assistant in the state of Michigan is a great career move. The employment outlook for Michigan shows a 34% growth in the field, and there currently are more than 20,000 people working as medical assistants in the state. The average annual salary for a medical assistant in Michigan is just under $30,000. Choosing to go to school in Michigan for your degree is advantageous for many reasons. With both urban and rural environments, and it can be a great place to settle down, find a job, and raise a family.

Michigan Medical Assistant Certification Requirements

The state of Michigan has no law which explicitly requires those working in the medical assistant profession to hold institutionally recognized certifications in order to practice. That being said, there are two legitimate medical assistant credentials that are widely recognized. Both aspiring medical assistants (MAs) and those who are already working in the field are highly encouraged to seek out these credentials, since having one can greatly enhance one’s career prospects and lead to higher salaries. Furthermore, the vast majority of employers will give preference to candidates who hold a formal credential.

The two most commonly recognized and sought after medical assistant certifications are:

The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential offered by The American Medical Technologists (AMT) – an organization which administers certifications for entry-level healthcare professionals like medical assistants (MAs), lab assistants (CMLAs), nursing assistants (CNAs), practical nurses (LPNs), and phlebotomy techs (CPTs), among others.
The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential offered by The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) – an organization which offers various opportunities to those working in the medical assistant profession

The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

Those opting for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential will need to have met the following requirements put forward by the AAMA before they’re allowed to take the certification’s exam:

Complete a medical assistant program accredited by either The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) OR The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
The completed program must have the following attributes:
- Both theoretical and clinical components
- Coursework which covers the administrative and clinical aspects of medical assisting, and includes topics like medication administration, record keeping and accounting, human anatomy & physiology, computer competency, pharmacology, and office practices, among others.
CMA credentials remain valid for a 60 month period and can be renewed by:
- Taking relevant continuing education credits
- Passing a 200 question exam

The Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)

Those who would rather pursue the AMTs Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential can become eligible to take the certification exam by satisfying ONE of the following requirements:

Route I: Successfully complete a college-level medical assistant program which is:

Composed of at least 720 hours of in-class/online instruction and 160 hours of supervised clinical training at a doctor’s office or other healthcare setting
Accredited by an agency which has been approved by ONE of the following:
- - The US Department of Education
  - The Council for Higher Education Accreditation
  - The American Medical Technologists (AMT) Board of Directors

Route II: Have 5 years of prior administrative and clinical work experience as a medical assistant in the last 7 years

Route III: Have at least 5 years of prior work experience as a medical assistant program instructor OR have at least one year of experience as an instructor combined with three years of experience working as a medical assistant

Route IV: Successfully complete a program comparable to a college-level medical assistant program through the US Armed Forces which:

Is composed of at least 720 hours of in-class/online theoretical instruction and at least 160 hours of supervised, real-world clinical training at a physician’s office or some other healthcare office/facility

List of Michigan Medical Assisting Programs

1. Alpena Community College

Located in Alpena, MI, the Alpena Community College offers a medical assistant program resulting in an associate’s degree. The program offers administrative as well as clinical courses so that students receive preparation for all areas of medical assisting. A supervised internship at a physician’s office is required. The school does have accreditation.

2. Baker College

Baker College has several different locations throughout the state, so the student will be able to choose the campus that is closest and most convenient. You will find campuses in Allen Park, Auburn Hills, Cadillac, Clinton Township, Flint, Jackson, Muskegon, Owosso, and Port Huron. The college offers an Associate’s degree and a certificate program for medical assisting.

3. Carnegie Institute

The Carnegie Institute has a campus in Troy, MI, and the school offers a diploma program for medical assistants. The curriculum includes coursework in clinical nursing skills, venipuncture, medical law and ethics, injections, and much more. The school has accreditation and when you graduate, you will be eligible to take the CMA exam. Carnegie’s goal is to achieve a 100% job placement rate for its graduating students.

4. Davenport University

Davenport University has several campus locations throughout the state of Michigan. They have campuses located in Battle Creek, Caro, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, so students should be able to find an ideal location. The school offers a medical assistant program culminating in an associate’s degree. The school has accreditation, so students who graduate will be able to take the CMA exam.

5. Detroit Business Institute – Downriver

Detroit Business Institute – Downriver is in Riverview, and they’ve been training people in the medical assistant field for more than 15 years. Students receive training in a variety of different subjects including vital signs, billing, phlebotomy, exam room procedures, and minor surgical procedures. After completing the program, graduates will be able to sit for the RMA, or Registered Medical Assistant exam.

6. Dorsey Schools

You will find multiple locations for Dorsey Schools, including campuses in Madison Heights, Dearborn, Roseville, and more. The school offers a certificate program for medical assistants, as well as a program for medical assistant specialists. Those who graduate from the program may earn a certificate from the National Center for Competency Testing by taking an exam.

7. Glen Oaks Community College

Located in Centreville, the Glen Oaks Community College offers a medical assistant certificate program. Students will study medical terminology, medical office procedures, disease conditions, and much more during the duration of the program. The school has accreditation, and students will be able to take the CMA when they graduate.

8. Henry Ford Community College

The Henry Ford Community College, located in Dearborn Michigan, offers a medical assistant certificate of achievement, and it is possible to complete the course in a single year, as long as students meet all of the requirements. The school boasts a small student-to-teacher ratio for personalized learning, as well as exceptional retention and graduation rates. The program is CAAHEP accredited.

9. Jackson Community College

Located in Jackson, the Jackson Community College offers a medical assistant program culminating in a certificate upon completion. Students will learn all of the skills that they need to enter the working world of a medical assistant upon graduating. The school has CAAHEP accreditation as well, so students can take the CMA exam upon graduating.

10. Kalamazoo Valley Community College

The Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo has medical assistant programs with associate’s degree options as well as certificate programs that take around a year to complete. These programs give students the knowledge, skills, and behaviors to find success as medical assistants. The school has accreditation with CAAHEP.

11. Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College in Clinton Township offers students the option to complete their medical assistant training part-time or full-time, with fall or spring start times. Students attending Macomb will be able to get a one-year certificate for the medical assistant program or a two-year associate’s degree. The school has CAAHEP accreditation.

12. Mid Michigan Community College

With CAAHEP accreditation, Mid Michigan Community College offers students the training they need to earn an associate’s degree and take the CMA exam. The program boasts an 88% hire rate following the capstone course. The college is located in Harrison.

13. Montcalm Community College

Students in the area of Sidney will find the Montcalm Community College nearby. The school offers an accredited certificate program for becoming a medical assistant. The program takes 12 months to complete, and students will receive training in many different areas to give them a comprehensive grasp of the field. The school has CAAHEP accreditation.

14. Oakland Community College

Oakland Community College is in Waterford, and they offer a CAAHEP accredited certificate program for medical assistants, as well as an associate’s degree pathway. These courses teach students all they need to know to be able to take their CMA exam and to enter the work field – in fact, OCC students have a 100% success rate on the examination.

15. Schoolcraft College

With a campus in Garden City, Schoolcraft College offers a certificate medical assistant program for students, with an 85% job placement success rate upon graduation (as of 2016). The program takes a year to complete, and the school has accreditation from CAAHEP.

16. Ross Medical Education Center

Ross Medical Education Center is a for-profit medical career training institution that offers students an accredited Medical Assistant Certificate program at its campuses in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Sidney, Saginaw, and others. The school offers a daytime program that can be completed in 30 weeks and an evening program that can be completed in 36 weeks. During the program, students can expect to tackle courses like Medical Office Procedures, Medical Terminology, Basic First Aid, Hematology, and others. In addition to on-campus courses and labs, students should also be prepared to complete a six-week externship at a local healthcare facility.

17. Abcott Institute

Abcott Institute is a private for-profit medical career training institution that offers a Medical Assistant Certificate program at its campus in Southfield. The program combines theory, lab practice, and a clinical externship where students will have the chance to apply what they’ve learned in class to the real world. In total, the program consists of 40 credit hours. The daytime program can be completed in 30 weeks whereas the evening program takes 42 weeks to complete.