Medical Assistant Certificate Program

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13
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
1.5 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Medical Assistant Certificate Overview

Come back and move your career forward. Earn an in-demand credential in a high-growth field.

  • Develop clinical, patient management, accounting, medical billing and coding, and administrative skills through flexible online coursework.
  • Sit for a national credentialing exam as part of the program for the opportunity to graduate with an industry-recognized certification.
  • Gain real-world experience through an onsite clinical experience and an externship, where you can build a valuable professional network.
  • Get hands-on training in the following: administering injections, taking vital signs, recording EKGs, assisting in minor surgical procedures, obtaining specimens, laboratory testing, and performing phlebotomy.
See Program Degree Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

CAAHEP Accredited Logo

The Medical Assistant Certificate is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.CAAHEP.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

What Courses Will I Take?

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

Program Requirements

58
Major Credits
58
Total Credits

Upcoming Start Dates

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

Prepare for Medical Assistant Certification

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

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

Pass Rates

donut chart with 87% in the middle

The exam pass rate for 2020 medical assisting graduates was 87.22%.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information. Note: Pass rates are for the 2020 outcome year. Calculated rates are from data submitted to the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB) annual report.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

International Tuition Reduction

International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% international student tuition reduction.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Calculate Your Time and Cost

Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.

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Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Certificate program, you could pursue positions in settings such as doctor's offices, clinics, and other medical facilities.

Average Salary

Low

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Lightcast average salary ranges can be explored further using Lightcast’s SkillsMatch tool. Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.

That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

Program Brochure

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

Prepare yourself for success with a certificate for medical assisting.

As a patient advocate, medical assistants provide the skills needed to assist physicians with treatment plans. A medical assistant becomes the heart of health care and the extra hands of the health care provider.

 

Christine Hollander

MED, ABD, CMA (AAMA), Faculty

See Notes and Conditions below for important 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.

98%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

51%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

395

Faculty publications in 2021–2022

More Than 38,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Job Growth — Medical Assistants: Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Assistants, www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Medical-assistants.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

Medical Assistant Certification: 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 Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific licensure 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.

Testimonial: Testimonials obtained by Purdue Global. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual; student experiences may vary.