Best Online Medical Assistant Programs of 2025

Are you considering enrolling in an online medical assistant program to earn a certificate or an associate degree? This guide explores online medical assistant programs, how to choose a program, and potential post-graduation earnings.

While individual schools may vary, this section covers what students can typically expect to learn in their online medical assistant programs, including coursework, hands-on clinical experience, and key skills.

Online medical assistant programs award a certificate, associate of science (AS), or associate of applied science (AAS). Community colleges, technical colleges, and universities offer these programs, which take between six months and two years to finish.

Certificate programs generally consist of core courses in basic healthcare topics, clinical and office procedures, and professional exam preparation. Associate degree curriculums also include this content, plus additional courses in general education topics, such as communications, English, math, and psychology.

Core coursework in medical assisting typically includes:

While distance learners complete their coursework online, medical assistant programs also require in-person experiential learning through campus-based practical skills labs and clinical internships, externships, and practicums. Student-faculty labs allow skills practice in preparation for supervised, on-site positions at program-approved clinics and practitioners’ offices.

Experiential learning provides hands-on training in simulated and professional environments. Internships, externships, and practicums also offer opportunities to explore worksites and make industry connections.

When choosing between a certificate and an associate degree, consider several factors, such as program length and cost.

Both associate degrees and certificate programs in medical assisting include core courses in clinical, medical, and office administration topics, along with labs and internships, externships, or practicums. Associate degrees also require general education topics in communications, liberal arts, mathematics, and sciences.

An AS or AAS usually comprises 60 credits, while certificate programs may require anywhere from 20 to 50 credits.

Associate degrees are two-year programs with a combined core medical assisting and general education curriculum. Certificate programs can take 2-3 semesters to complete. Some online programs may allow for self-paced or accelerated course options.

Consider whether you need an associate degree to achieve your academic and career goals or if a certificate will suffice.

Many programs charge per credit, regardless of whether they offer certificates, associate degrees, or both. Per-credit tuition rates can span from under $200 to over $900.

How much you pay for your program is influenced by many factors, including the type of school you attend (community college or university), state/district residency (in-state or out-of-state tuition), required credits, and whether you receive any grant or scholarship aid.

Other costs to consider include books and materials; lab and technology fees; background checks and immunizations; and commuting and supplies expenses for internships.

Now that you know you want to be a medical assistant, follow these three steps to find the best online medical assistant program for you.

Before looking at online medical assistant programs, evaluate and define your academic and professional goals.

Some questions to answer include:

These considerations can help you narrow down your choices of online medical assistant programs to geographical areas, programs that offer certificates or degrees, and affordability.

Now that you’ve defined your goals, it’s time to research and compare prospective online medical assistant programs.

Some considerations to keep in mind include:

Finally, when you select the programs that meet your criteria, be sure to confirm that the schools hold institutional accreditation. Attending an accredited school provides important benefits, including eligibility for federal financial aid and transferability of credits to other institutions.

Additionally, some states require that you graduate from a medical assistant program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Before enrolling in any medical assistant program, be sure to confirm that it aligns with your state’s requirements. Some employers may also prefer or require programmatic accreditation.

The BLS lists a median annual salary of $42,000 for medical assistants, with the highest 10% of earners paid more than $56,480. Medical assistant wages can vary by experience, credentials, geographical location, and work setting.

For example, the BLS lists an average annual wage of $50,250 for medical assistants employed at outpatient care centers. Top-paying states for this profession include Washington, Alaska, and California.

Medical assistants can advance their careers by gaining new skills and specialty focuses and earning certifications. Payscale reports salary increases for medical assistants who advance into leadership, management, and supervision, along with those who focus on bariatrics, emergency medical assisting, and oncology.

Payscale also breaks down average annual wages based on level of education, as detailed below. Interestingly, certificate-holders earn $4,000 more per year than AAS-holders do on average, according to Payscale data as of January 2025.

Most states do not require medical assistants to be licensed. National certification, such as from the American Association of Medical Assistants or the American Medical Certification Association, is usually optional but can lead to higher pay and increased job opportunities. Employers may also prefer or require Basic Life Support certification.

Both medical and nursing assistants assist physicians and other healthcare staff with clinical tasks, such as administering injections and collecting samples for lab work. But medical assistants perform more office administration and clerical duties than nursing assistants. Nursing assistants work under supervision by registered nurses and may provide more direct patient care than medical assistants.

The fastest route to becoming a medical assistant entails earning a certificate, which takes 2-3 semesters to finish. Online programs with self-paced or accelerated coursework may allow you to graduate sooner, but you still need to complete in-person, supervised clinical hours at a healthcare facility.

Medical assistant programs can be relatively inexpensive, especially if you pursue a certificate rather than an associate degree. The median salary for medical assistants is $42,000 per year, which likely exceeds the total cost of a medical assistant program. With a 15% projected job growth rate over the next 10 years, becoming a medical assistant can be worth the investment.