Medical Assistant Certificate Program

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Program at a Glance
  • Develop skills in performing laboratory, clinical, and medical office procedures.
  • Prepare for industry certification exams.
  • Gain real-world experience through an on-ground clinical experience and externship.
  • Learn from professors who are experienced health care professionals.
COURSE EFFORT 15 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 10 Weeks
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 57
COST PER CREDIT $371
Ways to Save
How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

May 15
June 5
July 3
July 31

Medical Assistant Certificate Overview

Medical assistants work directly with patients and assist in their care and well-being. If you’re interested in pursuing opportunities in this rewarding profession, the medical assistant program can help you develop relevant skills and gain real-world experience.

To help you gain the skills for the medical field, Purdue Global's certificate program combines online medical assistant classes with hands-on experience in onsite clinicals and an externship.

Hands-on medical assistant training in:

  • Administering injections
  • Taking vital signs
  • Recording EKGs
  • Assisting in minor surgical procedures
  • Obtaining specimens and laboratory testing
  • Performing phlebotomy

Online medical assistant coursework in:

  • Carrying out basic accounting procedures
  • Completing reception duties
  • Performing medical billing and coding tasks
  • Coordinating patient referrals

See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Practical Experience

Gain real-world experience and build a valuable professional network during a 160-hour externship at a local physician’s office or clinic.

Des Moines Program Accredited by CAAHEP

The Medical Assistant Certificate program offered at the Des Moines, Iowa, location is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).


Note: The program offered online and at other Purdue Global locations is not accredited.

View additional CAAHEP information

Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Certificate program, you could pursue positions in settings such as:

  • Doctor's offices
  • Clinics
  • Other medical facilities

Career titles associated with this program include*:

  • Medical assistant
  • Administrative medical assistant

Prepare for Medical Assistant Certification

Upon completion of the program, you may be eligible to sit for the following exams†:

  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
  • National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
  • Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC)

Graduates of the Des Moines, Iowa, program may also be eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination.

Learn from experienced professionals who have attained high levels of achievement in the field. Stay connected with online seminars, discussion boards, and a hands-on clinical experience.

Sample Courses
  • Medical Law and Bioethics
  • Medical Terminology
  • Diseases of the Human Body
  • Medical Office Management
  • Professionalism in Health Care
See All Medical Assisting Courses
Credit Breakdown
  • Major Credits57
  • Total Credits57

Ways to Save

Program Cost Estimator

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Maine residents will pay $420.00 per credit for all graduate programs, with the exception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Health Sciences Faculty Directory
97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
218 Faculty publications in 2017–2018
Nearly 87,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2017–2018

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis and Center for Teaching and Learning. 2017–2018 academic year. Note: all figures include data prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global.

Gainful Employment Disclosures

Access gainful employment information, including program length, tuition costs, financing options, and success rates.‡

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Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our Medical Assistant Certificate and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment or career advancement. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields.

†Certification and licensing boards in Washington and South Dakota have specific educational requirements for a program to lead to certification as a medical assistant, which is a precondition for employment in those states. This program meets the educational requirements to obtain certification in Washington and South Dakota. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information. Residents of all states are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

‡Purdue University acquired Kaplan University in March 2018 and created Purdue University Global, which is following the same curriculum format and instructional delivery methods as developed and used by Kaplan University. These disclosures are based on Kaplan University data reported prior to the acquisition.