Virginia Accredited Medical Assistant Schools and Programs
Virginia combines the peaceful beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay with the fast-paced urban environment of cities like Fairfax, Richmond, and Norfolk. If you’re looking for an economically stable yet culturally stimulating location to start your career in medical assisting, Virginia may be the ideal choice. Known as a hub of education in the South Atlantic region, Virginia consistently receives recognition for the quality of its academic institutions.
When you’re ready to start your job search, look to Northern Virginia for the highest-paying career options. The major cities and counties in this region, which is part of the Washington Metropolitan area, include the following:
- Alexandria
- Arlington
- Fairfax
- Fredericksburg
- Manassas
Medical assistant schools in Virginia offer associate degrees, diplomas, or certificates that will help you launch your career. Focus on schools that are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). In order to take the national exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), you must graduate from a program that’s accredited by one of these organizations.
List of Virginia Medical Assisting Programs
1. Bryant & Stratton College
Locations: Hampton, Richmond, Virginia Beach
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, the Medical Assisting Program at Bryant & Stratton gives its   students the skills and knowledge they need to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam. The program leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Assisting, and most students graduate within two years. The curriculum covers essential professional skills like medication administration, diagnostic procedures, professional communication, computer technology, and medical office administration.
2. ECPI University
Locations: Newport News, Virginia Beach
ECPI University offers an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting. Graduates can enter the workforce as medical assistants, phlebotomy technicians, or EKG technicians. The degree program prepares students to perform clinical duties, communicate effectively with other medical personnel, and assume administrative responsibilities in a medical setting. Medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and the legal aspects of medical assisting are covered as part of this 15-month degree program, which is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The school provides discount vouchers to help students cover the cost of national certification exams.
3. Stratford University
Locations: Alexandria, Falls Church, Woodbridge
Stratford University is a for-profit, post-secondary education institution that offers an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting (A.A.S.) as well as a certificate program. In total, the program is made up of 20 courses or 90 semester credit-hours. Generally, it takes students 16 months to complete the A.A.S. degree. Course instruction is delivered in an in-class setting as well as an online one. Students who graduate from the program will have mastered core competencies like performing lab/diagnostic procedures, taking patient histories, and administering medication, as well as administrative skills like processing insurance claims and diagnostic coding.
3. American National University
Location: Roanoke Valley
American National University, previously known as National Business College, is a private, for-profit postsecondary educational institution that equips students with the skills required to carry out the clinical and administrative tasks of a medical assistant. The program combines in-class lecture, hands-on lab practice, and a clinical externship to train students both theoretically and practically. Students who sign up to take the certificate program can expect to complete the program in just 10 months, while those who would prefer to go after an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting can expect to finish in 20 months.
Rachel Dennis works as both a professional writer and health care provider. She has been a licensed health care provider since 1998, with work experience as a medical assistant, certified nursing assistant and emergency medical technician. She has been writing since 1994 and has been published both on-line and in print.