Most important takeaways…
- Ohio's median MA wage is $38,280, topping $39,000 in major metros.
- CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation is essential for CMA exam eligibility.
- Certificate programs can get you working in under 12 months.
Top Medical Assistant Programs in Ohio: Find the Best School for You
Compare Ohio's best accredited medical assistant programs by cost, format, and outcomes—with real insights from practicing professionals to help you choose wisely.
With more than 28 accredited medical assistant programs spread across the state, Ohio gives prospective students real choices, but also real tradeoffs. Certificate programs can get you into a clinic in under a year, while associate degrees take closer to two and open slightly different doors. Tuition ranges from under $5,000 at community colleges like Sinclair and Cuyahoga to over $20,000 at private institutions, so where you enroll shapes your debt load as much as your education.
Ohio's healthcare employers are hiring. The state's aging population and expanding outpatient networks keep demand for medical assistants steady, particularly in metro areas like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati where median pay runs above the statewide figure. But earning potential and career mobility both hinge on one factor most applicants underestimate: whether your program's accreditation qualifies you for national certification.
Top 10 Medical Assistant Schools in Ohio: 2027 Rankings
These ten Ohio programs stand out for a balance of accredited training, clinical hours, and employer connections. The list includes campus, hybrid, and online options so you can find a format that fits your schedule.
How we ranked these
Factors considered
- First-year retention weighted most heavily
- Ten-year post-entry earnings weighted heavily
- Affordability and net price considered
- Program completion and clinical features
- Accreditation and certification pathways
Data sources
- Federal institutional data (NCES-IPEDS) covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- BEA Regional Price Parities (state cost of living) — bea.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) — caahep.org
- Internal program database
- Independent program research
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences
#1Canton, OH · $24,000/yr (est. net price)
Best for: Northeast Ohio learners wanting employer pipeline
Aultman College in Canton runs a two-semester Medical Assisting Certificate built around a close relationship with Aultman Health System. Students complete 160 clinical hours in hospitals, clinics, and physician offices, and many receive job offers before finishing. Classes meet just two days a week, which helps working adults balance training with other responsibilities.
- $392 per credit
- Two-semester certificate with 160 clinical hours
- Classes meet two days per week
- Prepares for CMA, RMA, or CCMA
- Practicum at Aultman Health System settings
- Many receive job offers before completion
- Fall start available
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
#2Cincinnati, OH · ~$18,000/yr (est.)
Best for: Evening learners needing paid clinical residency
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a 15-week Medical Assisting Clinical Certificate in Cincinnati. Evening classes four days a week and a paid residency within The Christ Hospital Health Network make it especially practical for working adults. The short format also creates a pathway into the college's degree programs.
- 15-week certificate, 16 credit hours
- Evening classes four days per week
- Paid residency within Christ Hospital Health Network
- Shadowing opportunities in specialty medicine
- Pathway into degree programs
Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science
#3Cincinnati, OH · $20,000/yr (est. net price)
Best for: Hybrid students wanting stackable health degree
Good Samaritan College in Cincinnati provides a hybrid Medical Assistant Certificate that is embedded into an Associate of Applied Science in Health Science. The program includes 160 clinical hours, multiple start dates, and day or evening options, with a CAAHEP-accredited curriculum that prepares students for the CMA exam.
CAAHEP accredited
- CAAHEP-accredited certificate
- Three semesters, 30 credit hours
- 160-hour clinical practicum
- Hybrid format with weekly in-person classes
- Day and evening scheduling
- Prepares for CMA (AAMA)
- Embedded in AAS in Health Science
Shawnee State University
#4Portsmouth, OH · $14,000/yr (est. net price)
Shawnee State University's Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program is fully online and self-paced, making it accessible for students in Southern and Appalachian Ohio. No prior clinical experience is required, and the university can coordinate a clinical placement when needed. The course prepares students for the NHA certification exam.
Rolling admissions
- 100% online, self-paced course
- Rolling admissions; start anytime
- Prepares for NHA CCMA exam
- No clinical experience required
- Clinical placement arranged for hands-on hours
- Instructor is licensed medical technologist
Sinclair Community College
#5Dayton, OH · $4,000 – $9,000/yr (est.)
Sinclair Community College in Dayton offers both an associate degree and a CAAHEP-accredited certificate in medical assisting. The programs include 210 clinical hours and prepare students for national credentialing exams, with strong ties to Dayton and Miami Valley healthcare employers. Limited enrollment and clear prerequisite requirements keep cohorts focused.
- Associate degree in Medical Assistant Technology
- Three semesters full-time
- 210-hour unpaid practicum
- Limited enrollment; 2.0 GPA required
- CPR and health checks required
CAAHEP accredited
- CAAHEP-accredited certificate
- 37 credit hours over three semesters
- 210 clinical hours
- Prepares for national credentialing exam
- Requires 2.0 GPA, CPR, and immunizations
Youngstown State University
#6Youngstown, OH · ~$13,000/yr (est.)
Youngstown State University offers a focused 19-credit Certificate in Medical Assistant that blends administrative and clinical training. Students complete an externship and learn skills such as vital signs, EKG, and X-ray duties. The program is designed as a fast entry point into physician offices, hospitals, and clinics.
- 19 credit-hour certificate
- Campus-based with externship
- Covers medical law, ethics, and lab procedures
- Prepares for X-ray and EKG duties
Northwest State Community College
#7Archbold, OH · ~$14,000/yr (est.)
Northwest State Community College provides a CAAHEP-accredited associate degree in Medical Assisting with campus access in Archbold and Van Wert. The program sits within the college's health sciences pathways and offers financial aid and foundation scholarships. It serves rural Northwest and West-Central Ohio students who want a local, affordable option.
CAAHEP accredited
- CAAHEP-accredited associate program
- Campus-based in Archbold with Van Wert option
- Part of healthcare pathways division
- Scholarships via NSCC Foundation
University of Northwestern Ohio
#8Lima, OH · ~$22,000/yr (est.)
University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima runs an 18-month Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assistant Technology. The CAAHEP-accredited program includes an externship, covers the CMA exam fee, and has no waiting list for admission. It has maintained an employer network in West-Central and Northwest Ohio since 1976.
CAAHEP accredited
- 18-month associate degree
- CAAHEP-accredited
- Externship included; CMA exam fee covered
- No waiting list for admission
- Covers EHR, pharmacology, and medical law
Terra State Community College
#9Fremont, OH · ~$17,000/yr (est.)
Terra State Community College in Fremont offers a CAAHEP-accredited Medical Assisting Certificate that prepares students for the CMA exam. The 33-credit program can transfer into an associate degree, giving students a clear stackable pathway. Affordable tuition and financial aid options make it a practical entry point for Northwest Ohio learners.
CAAHEP accredited
- CAAHEP-accredited certificate
- 33 credit hours
- Prepares for CMA certification
- Credits transfer into associate degree
Cuyahoga Community College District
#10Cleveland, OH · $4,000/yr (est. net price)
Cuyahoga Community College District in Cleveland offers multiple medical assisting pathways: an associate degree, a Patient Navigator concentration, and a CAAHEP-accredited Certificate of Proficiency. Programs include a 160-hour practicum, full-time or part-time scheduling, and preparation for national certification. Strong job placement and certification exam passage rates are highlighted.
- Associate of Applied Science degree
- 160-hour supervised practicum
- Full-time or part-time scheduling
- Administrative and clinical training
- Associate degree with Patient Navigator concentration
- Hands-on clinical practicum
- Eligible for national certification exam
- Embedded certificates included
CAAHEP accredited
- CAAHEP-accredited certificate
- Two-semester format
- Small cohorts of 15 students
- Requires 2.0 GPA and prerequisites
- Hands-on clinical practicum
Not every medical assistant program in Ohio carries accreditation from CAAHEP or ABHES. That distinction matters: graduating from an unaccredited program can disqualify you from sitting for the CMA exam and seriously limit your hiring prospects. Before you apply anywhere, visit the CAAHEP or ABHES website directly to confirm the program's current accreditation status. A few minutes of verification now can save you months of frustration later.
Accreditation and Certification: Your Roadmap to a Credentialed Career in Ohio
Ohio does not license medical assistants at the state level, so the only way to earn a portable, recognized credential is through national certification. Your eligibility for each exam depends heavily on the type of program you complete, making accreditation the first real fork in the road.
The Accreditation Gatekeepers
There are two agencies whose stamp of approval opens the widest certification doors: the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Only graduates of programs accredited by one of these two bodies qualify to sit for the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant exam) through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). The official directories at caahep.org and abhes.org are the single best place to see which Ohio programs currently hold accredited status. These lists are updated regularly, so check them close to your enrollment date rather than relying on a school's marketing materials alone.
Which Certification Fits Your Goals?
Three major credentials dominate the field in Ohio, and each has different eligibility rules:
- CMA (AAMA): Requires graduation from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program. Visit aama-ntl.org for the candidate handbook, application windows, and often school-level pass rate summaries.
- RMA (AMT): American Medical Technologists offers several eligibility pathways, including education from an accredited program or, in some cases, work experience. Details live at amt1.com.
- CCMA (NHA): The National Healthcareer Association's Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential accepts candidates who have completed a medical assistant training program or have one year of supervised work experience. See nhanow.com for the most current exam blueprint.
Each organization's website publishes pass rate data broken out by school in many cases, so you can get a realistic sense of how well a program prepares its students.
Verify Before You Commit
Because accreditation status can change and some schools hold it for select campuses only, it is smart to contact the program director directly and ask two questions: Is this specific program currently accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES? What was the most recent cohort's exam pass rate for the credential I plan to pursue? Reputable programs are transparent with these numbers and may already post them on their websites.
For broad career outlook and wage data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) is a solid starting point. For anything related to certification eligibility, exam content, or school-specific outcomes, stick with the certifying bodies and the accreditor directories listed above. That habit alone can save you from spending time and tuition money on a program that does not lead where you want to go.
What Ohio Medical Assistants Really Earn
Cleveland-area MAs out-earn the statewide median by more than $4,000 a year, and top earners there clear $53,000.
Related Articles
Medical Assistant Salary and Job Outlook in Ohio, by Metro Area
Ohio medical assistants earn a median annual wage of $38,280 according to Medical Assistant Salary data, but that number climbs above $39,000 in the state's largest metropolitan areas. While the statewide range stretches from $31,110 at the 10th percentile to $47,080 at the 90th, where you work makes a real difference in your paycheck.
Statewide Snapshot
Ohio employed 21,260 medical assistants as of 2023, with wages that reflect regional demand and cost-of-living differences. The middle 50% of earners take home between roughly $34,000 and $44,000, but experienced professionals in high-demand settings can push earnings closer to $48,000.
Metro Area Breakdown
Here is how the six metro areas with the most medical assistant jobs compare. Wages are 2023 annual figures unless noted.
- Cincinnati: 4,910 jobs (2020); median $39,860; 10th-90th percentile range $33,840, $48,740
- Columbus: 4,470 jobs (2020); median $39,170; range $33,760, $46,630
- Cleveland-Elyria: 4,360 jobs (2020); median $38,960; range $30,290, $48,150
- Dayton (employment not reported separately): median $38,670; range $33,710, $48,000
- Akron: 1,540 jobs (2020); median $38,040; range $31,680, $47,050
- Toledo: Employment data is thin, but median wages typically track near the state average or slightly below.
Cincinnati and Columbus lead in both job volume and median pay, while Cleveland offers a wider spread with higher top-end potential. Even within these metros, commuting to a large health system, specialty clinic, or outpatient center can bump your wage by several thousand dollars.
Growth Outlook: Beyond the Starting Salary
Nationally, medical assistant jobs are projected to grow 12% from 2024 to 20342, adding about 112,300 openings per year2. Ohio mirrors this trend, driven by an aging population and expanding outpatient care. For new graduates, this means not just a job immediately after certification, but real upward mobility as you gain experience or specialize.
If you are willing to commute or relocate within the state, target metro areas like Cincinnati or Columbus where starting pay often exceeds the Ohio median. Top earners in those cities can make $48,000 or more, and specializing in areas like podiatry, cardiology, or dermatology can push incomes even higher.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Medical Assistant in Ohio?
Your path to becoming a medical assistant in Ohio can take anywhere from a few months to two years, depending on the credential you pursue and how your school structures its program. Understanding these timelines helps you plan around work, family, and financial commitments.
Certificate and Diploma Programs: The Faster Route
Certificate programs represent the quickest entry point, typically requiring 6 to 9 months of focused coursework1 and 24 to 40 credits2. Diploma programs extend slightly longer, usually around 12 months3, and often include more comprehensive clinical training.
Some Ohio medical assistant trade schools offer accelerated options that compress the timeline even further. Stepful's medical assistant program runs 4 to 5 months, while The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers a clinical certificate in just 15 weeks. CCI Training completes its program in 30 weeks5. These accelerated tracks work well for students who can commit to intensive, full-time study.
On the other end, programs with built-in medical assistant externship hours may extend the total timeline. East Ohio College's clinical medical assistant program, for instance, runs 18 months because it incorporates substantial hands-on clinical experience alongside classroom instruction.6
Associate Degree Programs: A Broader Foundation
Associate degree programs typically take 16 to 24 months4 and require 60 to 64 credits2. The additional time covers general education courses in subjects like anatomy, psychology, and communications alongside your medical assistant training.
Herzing University illustrates this contrast clearly. Their diploma program takes 10 months and covers 24 credits4, while their associate degree takes 16 months with 60 credits4. That extra six months provides coursework that can transfer toward a bachelor's degree in nursing, healthcare administration, or a related field.
Why the Extra Time Might Pay Off
If you are considering long-term career advancement, the associate degree's general education requirements serve as building blocks. Students who eventually pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or healthcare management often find that their associate degree credits transfer, saving time and tuition costs down the road. For students focused on entering the workforce quickly, certificate programs offer a direct path to certification exams and employment within a year or less.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Can I realistically commit to a full-time, 9-month intensive, or do I need a part-time schedule?
Full-time programs move fast and often require daytime availability for labs and clinicals. If you're working or caring for family, a part-time track adds months but keeps your income steady.
Would I relocate temporarily if my campus can't secure a local externship?
Some Ohio programs place students at partner clinics an hour or more away. Knowing your commute limit upfront helps you screen schools by their placement network, not just tuition.
Do I want the fastest path to certification, or is an associate degree worth the extra year?
A certificate gets you working sooner, but an associate degree opens doors to supervisory roles, billing specialties, and bridge programs into nursing later. Match the credential to where you see yourself in five years.
Online vs. Campus Medical Assistant Programs in Ohio
In Ohio, medical assistant programs require between 80 and 180 hours of hands-on clinical experience, and no program can fully replace that training with virtual simulations1. The delivery format you choose, whether online, hybrid, or on-campus, still leads to the same reality: you will need to practice skills in a real healthcare setting. Here’s how Ohio schools handle the balance between flexibility and face-to-face learning.
Online and Hybrid Options in Ohio
Ohio has a small number of online medical assistant programs. Shawnee State University, Marion Technical College, Ross College, and Lakewood University all offer the didactic portion through online, often self-paced medical assisting courses. But even these fully online tracks require an in-person clinical externship. Shawnee State, for example, arranges the clinical placement for you after the online coursework. Marion Technical College’s CCMA preparation is entirely online, yet the certification exam requires demonstration of clinical competencies that are evaluated during hands-on practice.
Hybrid programs split the difference. Good Samaritan College, Kent State University at Ashtabula, ETI Technical College, and the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash deliver lectures online while scheduling labs and clinical hours on campus. The Akron/Youngstown Medical Assistant School packs a hybrid 18-week program into 80 clinical hours, and Stepful’s online didactic model includes an optional, school-assisted externship. Herzing University uses a hybrid design with 180 required clinical hours1, but you must find your own preceptor site. Across Ohio, true fully online programs without any in-person obligation do not exist; every pathway makes room for supervised patient contact.
How Clinical Placement Works
Placement processes vary widely:
- School-assisted: Akron/Youngstown Medical Assistant School3, Stepful (for externship), and Shawnee State coordinate sites for you. This arrangement removes a major headache and often speeds up the timeline.
- Student-managed: Herzing University1 and EHired2 ask you to locate and secure a clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital willing to host you. You take charge of outreach and scheduling, which can be challenging if you live in a rural area.
- School-assigned: Traditional campus programs like Stark State College5 and Hondros College4 assign you to an affiliated clinical site, so you know exactly where you will train.
Travel expectations depend on site availability. In metro areas you might commute 20, 30 minutes; in more spread-out regions, plan for longer drives. Schools that assist with placement usually try to match you within a reasonable distance, but flexibility helps.
Balancing Flexibility with Hands-On Practice
Online didactic work lets you study on your own schedule, a major advantage if you are juggling a job or family. You can watch lectures at night and complete modules at your own pace. However, you sacrifice the immediate feedback and muscle memory that come from practicing drawing blood, EKGs, or vitals on classmates and instructors in a lab. Campus programs at schools like Aultman College or Sinclair Community College give you that hands-on repetition every week, and many students value the camaraderie and networking.
Hybrid Models That Fit Working Adults
Several Ohio schools design schedules specifically for people who cannot attend daily classes. Good Samaritan College’s hybrid certificate offers day and evening tracks with in-person lab hours. Kent State Ashtabula’s mostly online certificate brings students to campus for clinical practicum blocks. Some hybrid programs condense labs into occasional weekends, which is ideal if you work standard business hours. Ask admissions staff directly how many on-campus days you can expect and whether those days fall on weekends or evenings, so you can plan your calendar before enrolling. That balance between at-home learning and scheduled clinicals is often the sweet spot for Ohio medical assistant students.
How to Pay for Medical Assistant School in Ohio: Tuition, Aid, and Smart Choices
Ohio’s most affordable medical assistant programs keep total costs under $5,000 after grants, making them a strong alternative to for-profit schools that often charge much more.
Sticker Price vs. What You Actually Pay
The published tuition and fees for a medical assistant certificate or degree can look intimidating, but that sticker price rarely tells the full story. What matters is the net price: what you actually pay after federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships are deducted. At Ohio community and technical colleges, the net price often runs thousands less than the advertised tuition, since many students qualify for Pell Grants and other need-based aid.
For example, Lorain County Community College lists in-district tuition at around $4,300, but after grants the typical net price drops to roughly $3,970. Cuyahoga Community College follows the same pattern: a published rate near $3,250 that lands at about $4,270 net. These figures reflect the real cost you should compare across schools, not the headline tuition.
Lowest-Cost Programs in Ohio
Among accredited programs, the most budget-friendly options cluster at public community colleges. Here are a few standouts from the latest net-price data:
- Lorain County Community College: Net price around $3,970 for the one-year certificate program.
- Cuyahoga Community College: Net price roughly $4,270 for the associate degree track.
- Cincinnati State Technical and Community College: Net price near $4,970 for its certificate program.
- Stark State College and Sinclair Community College: Both sit in the $5,990 to $6,000 range after aid.
All of these schools hold proper accreditation, so you are not trading quality for affordability. The pattern is clear: attending a public two-year college in Ohio usually gives you the smallest out-of-pocket cost for a respected credential.
Aid That Cuts Your Bill
Most students rely on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to unlock federal Pell Grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and work-study. Because many medical assistant students are eligible for maximum Pell Grants, a large portion of tuition can be covered without borrowing. Ohio also offers state need-based grants that further reduce the net price for residents attending eligible in-state schools. Workforce development grants and short-term certificate aid may apply to shorter medical assistant programs, so be sure to ask the financial aid office about all available funding sources before enrolling.
Typical Borrowing for Ohio Medical Assistant Graduates
Despite the low net prices, some students do borrow. Median federal student loan debt among medical assistant graduates at these schools ranges from about $6,800 to $16,200. Several programs report median debt under $10,000, including Cuyahoga Community College, Columbus State Community College, and Zane State College. Even at schools where graduates borrow a bit more, the debt loads stay well below the national average for associate degrees, meaning most new medical assistants in Ohio start their careers with manageable repayment obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Medical Assistant Programs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions prospective students ask about medical assistant education in Ohio. If you have a question we didn't cover, feel free to reach out for practitioner-informed guidance.
How long does it take to be a medical assistant in Ohio?
Most certificate programs in Ohio can be completed in about nine months of full-time study.1 Associate degree tracks typically take two years. Your exact timeline depends on enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time) and whether the program includes required clinical hours, which can add several weeks to the schedule.
What is the average salary for a medical assistant in Ohio?
The median annual wage for medical assistants in Ohio is approximately $40,430, according to the latest available federal data.2 Actual pay varies by metro area, employer type, and experience level. Certified medical assistants and those working in specialty practices often earn above the state median.
Are there online medical assistant programs in Ohio?
Yes. Several Ohio schools offer online or hybrid medical assistant programs that let you complete coursework remotely. However, hands-on clinical training is still required in person. Programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES typically mandate a set number of supervised clinical hours, so expect at least some on-site time regardless of format.
What certification do you need to be a medical assistant in Ohio?
Ohio does not legally require medical assistants to hold a state certification or license. That said, most employers strongly prefer candidates who earn a nationally recognized credential such as the CMA (through AAMA) or the RMA (through AMT). Graduating from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited program makes you eligible to sit for these exams.
How do I choose the best medical assistant school in Ohio?
Start by confirming the program holds CAAHEP or ABHES accreditation, which ensures curriculum quality and exam eligibility, qualities you'll find in the 5 Best Medical Assistant Schools. Then compare clinical placement support, job placement rates, total cost, and schedule flexibility. Visiting campuses or attending virtual info sessions can also help you gauge whether the program culture fits your learning style.
Do Ohio medical assistants need to be certified?
No, certification is not a state requirement in Ohio. However, earning a credential like the CMA or RMA significantly boosts your competitiveness in the job market. Many healthcare employers list certification as a preferred or required qualification, and certified MAs often command higher starting pay.
Can I work while attending a medical assistant program in Ohio?
Many students do. Certificate programs that run about nine months tend to have more intensive schedules, but some schools offer evening or weekend classes to accommodate working adults. Hybrid and online coursework options add flexibility. Just keep in mind that clinical rotations, which can require around 160 to 210 hours, are typically scheduled during regular business hours.
How much does medical assistant school cost in Ohio?
Tuition varies widely. Community college certificate programs are generally the most affordable, often ranging from a few thousand dollars to around $10,000. Private or for-profit schools may charge more. Be sure to factor in fees, textbooks, scrubs, and certification exam costs. Federal financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance can all help offset expenses.
More Ohio Medical Assistant Schools to Explore
The ten programs ranked above are only part of the picture. Ohio also has a wide network of community college certificates and associate degrees in medical assisting, plus a few online and hybrid options for students who need flexibility. The directory below groups 15 more schools by region, with program level, format, and accreditation status noted where that information is available.
Northeast Ohio
Lakeland Community College
A CAAHEP-accredited certificate built on 32 credit hours of clinical and administrative training: vital signs, blood draws, medical terminology, pharmacology, and surgical assisting. A required practicum rounds out the program, and graduates typically move into clinics, medical offices, and outpatient surgical centers.
Lorain County Community College
This one-year, CAAHEP-accredited certificate covers clinical and clerical tasks for doctors' offices, clinics, and other healthcare settings, including medical procedures, laboratory equipment, medical terminology, and healthcare business practices. Completing it qualifies graduates to sit for the AAMA exam.
Stark State College
A three-semester, CAAHEP-accredited certificate that pairs administrative training (electronic records, scheduling, insurance coding) with clinical duties such as patient histories, exam assistance, blood draws, and medication administration. Cohorts start each fall on the main campus and in Akron, with day, evening, and eight-week course options.
Kent State University at Geauga
A 24-credit certificate, in initial CAAHEP accreditation status, that delivers most coursework online with in-person labs and a clinical practicum at the Geauga or Ashtabula campus. Twelve content areas span anatomy, medical terminology, phlebotomy, ECG, coding, and reimbursement.
Kent State University at Ashtabula
The same 24-credit certificate, offered through the Ashtabula campus with mostly online coursework, in-person labs, and a supervised clinical practicum. The curriculum covers 12 content areas, including anatomy, phlebotomy, EKG fundamentals, coding, reimbursement, electronic health records, and professional communication.
Northwest Ohio
Owens Community College
Two paths: a 60-62 credit Associate of Applied Science and a three-semester, CAAHEP-accredited certificate of 34 credit hours. Coursework covers anatomy, medical terminology, clinical procedures, coding, and a directed practice, and the certificate reports a 95% licensure pass rate with 78% job placement.
Ross College-Sylvania
An online Associate of Applied Science with four concentration options (electronic medical records, patient experience, medical scribe, or general) that can be completed in 40 or 55 weeks across 12 courses. Coursework includes pharmacology, dosage calculations, medical law and ethics, and healthcare administration.
Central Ohio
Columbus State Community College
A one-plus-one structure starts with the CAAHEP-accredited certificate and continues into an Associate of Applied Science. Training spans clinical procedures, laboratory techniques, office management, computer applications, psychology, and pharmacology, and an information session is required before entry.
Marion Technical College
A 100% online, self-paced workforce certificate that prepares students for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential through the National Healthcare Career Association. The curriculum covers medical terminology, clinical procedures, phlebotomy, EKG, lab techniques, and HIPAA compliance, with no entrance exam required and rolling admissions.
Southwest Ohio
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
A three-semester, CAAHEP-accredited certificate covering clinical procedures, pharmacology, laboratory techniques, billing and coding, and medical records, plus a 160-hour externship in an ambulatory care setting. Graduates can sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam and work in physicians' offices and clinics.
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College
A full-time, intensive CAAHEP-accredited certificate with more than 160 hours of hands-on clinical practice in physician offices, plus coursework in critical thinking, communication, and information literacy. The program reports a five-year job placement rate of nearly 89%, and graduates are eligible for the CMA exam.
Clark State College
Offered at the Springfield and Xenia campuses with full-time, part-time, and evening options. The CAAHEP-accredited certificate takes about a year and 40 credit hours, while the 64-credit associate degree adds embedded certificates in clinical medical assisting and phlebotomy.
Edison State Community College
A CAAHEP-accredited technical certificate covering patient screening, vital signs, health information gathering, and medical office procedures. Small classes and hands-on labs prepare graduates for physicians' offices, hospitals, and urgent care centers, and for the Certified Medical Assistant exam.
Southeast Ohio
Zane State College
A 63-credit Associate of Applied Science that covers both sides of the role: scheduling, records, and office tasks alongside vital signs, patient care, and basic lab work. The program reports a 91.43% job placement average and a 100% certification exam passage rate, and admission may require a health occupations aptitude exam.
Hocking College
A CAAHEP-accredited Associate of Applied Science for ambulatory settings such as medical offices and clinics, with training in vital signs, exam assistance, instrument sterilization, and patient records. Tuition is bundled as all-inclusive pricing per semester, and financial aid is available.
