Compare accredited programs, costs, and schedules at Scranton-area schools so you can train close to home.
A medical assistant, or clinical medical assistant, is the clinical and administrative backbone of a doctor's office, drawing blood, taking vitals, and managing patient records for roughly $17 to $19 an hour across northeastern Pennsylvania. Regional health systems in Scranton, along with clinics and specialty practices stretching toward Wilkes-Barre and the Poconos, are steadily adding entry level medical assistant roles as primary care visits climb.
Students here aren't limited to one training format. A campus program in Scranton sits alongside hybrid and fully online options from schools within commuting distance, so scheduling around a job or family doesn't have to derail certification plans.
The real tension is matching program length, cost, and accreditation type to your timeline and budget without overpaying for a credential that doesn't move the needle on hiring.
Chasing a bigger posted salary in Philadelphia or New York City can look tempting on paper, but building a medical assistant career in Scranton after choosing one of the best medical assistant schools in Pennsylvania often means keeping more of what you earn after rent, commuting, and everyday costs.
Demand for medical assistants in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton metro is spread across large health systems and a growing network of outpatient clinics. Geisinger is a major local employer, including Geisinger Commonwealth and the Regional Hospital of Scranton, which is now part of its system, along with numerous primary care and specialty practices across the region. Moses Taylor Hospital, Allied Services, Commonwealth Health facilities, The Wright Center for Community Health, Lehigh Valley Health Network sites, and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital also hire medical assistants for both front-office and clinical roles.
Many Scranton-trained medical assistants also find work in nearby communities without relocating. Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Carbondale, Dunmore, and the Poconos corridor toward East Stroudsburg all add commute-friendly options in physician groups, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics.
Pennsylvania does not require a state license, so you can legally work as a medical assistant without certification. Certification is voluntary from a legal standpoint, but many Scranton-area employers treat it as a strong preference, and some job postings effectively expect it. Earning the CMA or CCMA can help new graduates stand out, especially at larger systems where hiring teams screen for nationally recognized credentials before interviews.
The most recent published metro-level federal data for Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton reports 1,190 employed medical assistants.1 The wage picture is modest at the median, but the range shows room to grow with experience and specialty training:
For perspective, the national median medical assistant salary was $44,200 in 20242, but Scranton's lower housing and day-to-day costs mean a local salary can stretch further than the raw number suggests. For many students, the more useful comparison is not Philadelphia or New York on paper; it is how much of the paycheck stays in pocket after the cost of living.
Both certificate and associate degree pathways in the Scranton area prepare you for CMA or CCMA certification. The right choice usually comes down to how quickly you want to start working and whether you plan to continue toward a bachelor's degree later.
Medical assistant training in the Scranton area is becoming more flexible, but students still need to confirm exact meeting times before enrolling. For most certificate or diploma paths near Scranton, plan on a medical assistant program length of about nine to twelve months. Associate degree programs are longer, typically closer to two years, because they include general education coursework alongside the clinical and administrative medical assisting curriculum.
Fortis Institute Scranton offers a Medical Assisting diploma that runs 36 instructional weeks.1 The program totals 46 quarter credits, 780 contact hours, and 950 total clock hours including homework. That is a compact, career-focused timeline. If you are deciding between a diploma and an associate degree, think about the medical assistant certificate vs degree tradeoffs: do you want to enter the workforce sooner, or do you want the broader credits that an associate degree can provide over roughly two years?
Hybrid delivery is one confirmed option at Fortis Institute Scranton1, meaning some of the work is designed to be completed online while other components are on campus. For students who need evening medical assistant classes or weekend sections, the published catalog does not break out separate day, evening, or weekend cohorts, so call the admissions office to ask about your specific availability. The same applies to Lackawanna College and Johnson College. Their 2026-2027 schedule formats and start dates were not available in the current published materials, so direct contact is the safest way to avoid assumptions.
Fortis Institute Scranton lists multiple start dates throughout the year, which is helpful if you do not want to wait for a traditional fall or spring semester. Published dates for 2026 are January 12, February 23, April 6, May 18, June 29, and August 10.1 Published 2027 dates are January 25, March 8, April 19, June 7, July 19, and August 30.1 The school notes that these dates are subject to change and that not all programs have a start in every term. No single enrollment deadline was provided, so contact Fortis directly to confirm the next available cohort and any application cutoff. For Lackawanna College and Johnson College, check each school's current academic calendar for updated start terms before you apply.
Published tuition is the sticker price. Net price is the estimate after grants and scholarships are subtracted. A low published tuition does not always mean a low out-of-pocket cost, and a higher sticker price can become manageable after aid. Use the averages below as affordability benchmarks, not personal quotes, because your actual award depends on the FAFSA, residency, household income, and the year you enroll.
From the programs in this guide: - Sussex County Community College (Newton, NJ): published tuition $5,544 in-state and $9,024 out-of-state; average net price after aid about $7,859. - SUNY Sullivan (Loch Sheldrake, NY): published tuition $6,468 in-state and $12,132 out-of-state; average net price after aid about $8,482. - Lehigh Carbon Community College (Schnecksville, PA): published tuition $5,280 in-state and $13,270 out-of-state; average net price after aid about $9,203. - Luzerne County Community College (Nanticoke, PA): published tuition $6,600 in-state and $16,260 out-of-state; average net price after aid about $9,433. - Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (Bloomsburg, PA): the Clinical Medical Assistant certificate is advertised at $2,699 total; the university's average net price after aid is about $15,699. The two numbers show why a short certificate should not be compared directly with a college-wide net price. - Penn State Hazleton (Hazleton, PA): published tuition $15,208 in-state and $25,392 out-of-state; average net price after aid about $17,597. - Johnson College (Scranton, PA): the Medical Assistant program lists $6,000 total including the certification fee; the college's average net price after aid is about $19,954.
In Lackawanna County, PA CareerLink is the local intake point for WIOA training funds. WIOA can cover part or all of an approved medical assistant program, but only for programs on Pennsylvania's Eligible Training Provider List, or ETPL. Eligibility generally requires Lackawanna County residency plus a qualifying situation such as unemployment compensation within the last six months, displaced homemaker status, SNAP benefits, or meeting income guidelines. Medical assistant appears as a common approved healthcare category in 2026 state workforce guides, but that does not automatically make every Scranton-area program WIOA-approved. Confirm the exact program at the school you are considering is on the state-approved list and confirm your own eligibility through PA CareerLink Lackawanna County before assuming the funding will apply.
Pell Grant recipient shares at these campuses range from roughly 47% at the two four-year campuses to about 86% at SUNY Sullivan, with most community college and technical programs above 65%. That is a useful affordability signal for lower-income applicants: if you qualify for a Pell Grant, the net price may be much lower than the published tuition. Start with the FAFSA, then ask the school about state grant programs, institutional scholarships, and tuition payment plans. Beyond WIOA, PA CareerLink Lackawanna County maintains a Grant & Special Projects page, but no named medical assistant-specific scholarship for the Scranton area was identified in this review. Treat workforce funding as something to verify through the funding agency, not as an automatic discount.
Medical assistant training around Scranton has largely settled on the NHA's CCMA exam as its finish line. We couldn't confirm any CAAHEP-accredited medical assistant program within about 60 miles of the city, so verify medical assistant program accreditation through the CAAHEP and ABHES directories yourself before enrolling.
When comparing medical assistant certification exams, the CMA from AAMA requires graduating from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program. The national first-time CMA pass rate was 69% for July 2024 to April 2025, which isn't directly comparable to any single school's results. The CCMA from NHA has broader eligibility and can include graduates of non-accredited programs, depending on the pathway. The RMA from AMT follows its own rules, and no local program is confirmed to prepare for it.
The National Phlebotomy Certification Examination is a blood-collection credential, not a full MA certification. Eligibility requires a high school diploma or equivalent plus phlebotomy training completed within the last five years, including 80 classroom hours, 40 clinical hours in an accredited lab, and at least 200 successful draws. Routine phlebotomy practice inside an MA program isn't established to meet that bar.
NPCE also offers a separate online national MA certification earned through training records or work experience, sometimes with no exam. It has no reciprocal recognition with the CMA, CCMA, or RMA, and no Scranton program is confirmed to prepare for it. We also found no local data on how area employers view NPCE, so treat it as a possible phlebotomy add-on and ask hiring clinics directly.
Clinical externships are where Scranton medical assistant externship training turns into real patient care experience. At Fortis Institute's Scranton campus, the medical assisting program requires an externship1, and students must complete the full schedule outlined by the program before finishing. Externship days often run four to eight hours, five days a week, matching the host site's business hours.1 Across medical assistant programs in the Scranton area, clinical blocks commonly fall in the 160 to 240 hour range, but exact totals vary by school and site, so ask each program about its current requirement.
Before students rotate into a clinic, campus labs usually cover the hands-on skills employers expect, including medical assistant phlebotomy training on training arms, EKG lead placement, injection technique, and vital sign measurement. These simulations build muscle memory and reduce errors before students work with actual patients. At Fortis, students also need current BLS for Healthcare Providers certification2 and may need immunizations or TB screening before placement, a common expectation for clinical sites in the region.
Externship sites in the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre area typically include hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices, and urgent care centers. Specific site assignments depend on each school's current affiliation agreements and preceptor availability, so a program's externship coordinator is the best source for an up-to-date list. For Lackawanna College and Johnson College, current externship hour minimums and named clinical partners are not published in the materials we reviewed, so contact those programs directly for their latest placement details.
Because the region has a mix of large health systems, private practices, and walk-in clinics, students can often be placed close to home or work, which makes commuting more manageable.
Local externships do more than satisfy a graduation requirement. They let supervisors see your work ethic, clinical competence, and patient communication before anyone has to make a hiring decision. Many Scranton-area medical assistant graduates receive job leads or even direct offers from the practices where they train. While no school can promise employment, completing an externship at a local clinic gives you a clear practical advantage over candidates with no clinical references in the area.
Admissions requirements for medical assistant programs in the Scranton area are not one-size-fits-all. Some schools publish detailed checklists, while others keep the process more flexible or require you to contact an admissions advisor directly. Here is what you can expect when applying to medical assistant training near Scranton.
Fortis Institute Scranton offers the most detailed public admissions path among the programs reviewed, and its requirements point to a structured, selective process rather than open enrollment. To apply, you will need:
Fortis does not list a required drug screening or prerequisite coursework in the available materials. Medical assistant students may be required to obtain immunizations, so plan for that step early.
For Lackawanna College and Johnson College, standard admissions requirements such as diploma or GED status, GPA, entrance testing, background checks, drug screening, and immunization policies could not be confirmed from publicly available information as of August 2026. That does not mean those schools have no requirements, only that the details are not published in a simple checklist. If you are considering either program, call or email the admissions office and ask for a current application requirements sheet. This is especially important if you are on a tight application timeline.
Even when the initial application is simple, clinical rotations often bring additional requirements. Fortis requires a background check before starting, and immunization records may be requested. Some clinical sites ask for up-to-date vaccines, a negative tuberculosis test, or CPR certification, but these specifics vary by site and are not always listed in the school catalog. Ask the program coordinator which health and safety documents you will need before your first externship. Gathering these records early can prevent a last-minute delay.
Overall, the best move for Scranton applicants is to confirm three things up front: your entrance exam requirement, any health or background screening, and whether the program uses open enrollment or selective admissions. For Fortis, the application checklist is straightforward. For other area schools, a direct phone call is the fastest way to get a complete answer.
If you're holding down a job or caring for family, a program with only daytime lectures can force an impossible choice. Confirm the schedule format before you apply, since some Scranton-area programs run strictly 8-to-4.
The CMA (AAMA) exam requires graduating from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program. If any Pennsylvania employer on your list prefers CMA, accreditation type matters. If CCMA works for your goals, your program options open up significantly.
A 9-month certificate gets you into a clinic quickly but caps at entry-level roles. A 2-year associate costs more upfront and delays your paycheck, but the transferable credits make nursing or healthcare administration a realistic next step.
Classroom location is only half the picture. Externships get assigned to partner clinics that may be 20 or 30 miles from campus, so ask each program where recent students were placed before you commit.
Below are the top medical assistant programs serving Scranton students, ranked for local accessibility, hands-on training, and certification readiness. The list includes nearby campuses within commuting distance of Scranton as well as a few regional options for students willing to travel for accredited training.
Scranton, PA · ~$20,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Scranton residents seeking fast evening certificate
Johnson College brings medical assistant training directly to Scranton with a campus-based certificate that emphasizes clinical skills such as phlebotomy, venipuncture, and medication administration. The program is designed for quick entry, with evening classes and a completion timeline of about 18 weeks for students who qualify. Graduates prepare for the NHA CCMA exam, and the total program cost is both low and transparent.
Hazleton, PA · $18,000/yr (est. net price)
Best for: Working adults needing evening clinical training
Penn State Hazleton offers a clinical medical assisting certificate at its Hazleton campus, a practical option for Scranton-area students who can commute to the nearby Penn State location. The continuing education program includes 140 hours of classroom instruction and an optional 160-hour clinical component, with evening classes built around working adults. Graduates are eligible for the NHA CCMA exam and can use the program as a stepping stone toward CMA, LPN, or RN pathways.
Nanticoke, PA · ~$9,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Scranton commuters wanting associate degree pathway
Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke is one of the closest community college options for Scranton students, offering an associate-level medical assistant program. Admission is selective because of limited clinical placements, and accepted students complete background checks, immunizations, and in-person science labs. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical preparation for health sciences careers in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Newton, NJ · $6,000 – $9,000/yr (est.)
Sussex County Community College operates a CAAHEP-accredited medical assistant certificate in Newton, New Jersey, making it a viable option for Scranton students willing to cross the state line for a nationally recognized program. The 36-credit curriculum combines clinical and administrative training, and the program reports a 100% CMA exam pass rate over five years. Graduates can pursue CMA, RMA, or CCMA credentials, which adds flexibility when applying to employers in the Scranton region.
Schnecksville, PA · $9,000/yr (est. net price)
Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville offers a medical assistant certificate that prepares students for entry-level physician office roles. The program uses a Health Care Patient Simulation Center for hands-on practice and includes coursework in medical terminology, clinical procedures, and CPT coding. For Scranton-area learners willing to commute, LCCC provides a low-cost community college pathway with academic advising and career support.
Loch Sheldrake, NY · ~$8,000/yr (est.)
SUNY Sullivan in Loch Sheldrake, New York, offers two medical assistant paths: a 62-64 credit associate degree and a shorter certificate option. Both programs include clinical externships and cover electronic health records, phlebotomy, and EKG skills. The campus is within commuting reach of the Scranton area for students who value a SUNY pathway with transfer options to four-year colleges.
Bloomsburg, PA · ~$16,000/yr (est.)
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania offers a non-credit clinical medical assistant certificate through its workforce development arm, with a hybrid format and multiple campus locations in the state. The 150-hour program prepares students for the NHA CCMA exam and includes an optional 160-hour clinical externship. Evening and Saturday scheduling makes it a practical option for working adults who can attend at a participating campus.
Choosing a medical assistant program in Scranton comes with practical questions about timelines, accreditation, scheduling, and certification. Here are straightforward answers to the questions local students ask most often.
In the Scranton area, medical assistant training typically takes about 18 weeks to 12 months depending on the program and credential track. Johnson College has an 18-week certificate at its Scranton campus.1 Nearby options range from 7 months at Bidwell Training Center2 to 12 months at Northampton Community College3 and Schuylkill Technology Center.4 Lincoln Tech's Allentown campus, one of the medical assistant schools in Allentown, PA, runs about 37 weeks.5
As of this guide, no medical assistant program within about 60 miles of Scranton is confirmed as CAAHEP-accredited. That does not mean local programs are not reputable, but students who specifically need CAAHEP accreditation should contact programs directly to ask about current status. Lackawanna College, for example, prepares students for the NHA CCMA exam rather than offering confirmed CAAHEP accreditation.7
Some programs serving the Scranton area offer flexible scheduling. Northampton Community College provides part-time options3, and Lincoln Tech's Allentown campus has day, afternoon, and evening sessions5. Weekend classes are not confirmed for most programs near Scranton, so ask about the current schedule before enrolling.
No. Pennsylvania does not require state licensure or a specific certification to work as a medical assistant.6 However, many Scranton-area employers prefer or require medical assistant certification such as CCMA or CMA, so completing a training program and passing a national exam can improve your job prospects in the Scranton area.
The CMA credential is issued by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), while the CCMA is issued by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Both are national certifications, but they have different exams and eligibility paths. Lackawanna College, for example, prepares students for the NHA CCMA7, so local students may encounter that pathway more often.
