Best Online Medical Assistant Programs – 2026

September 4, 2025

best online medical assistant programs

If you’re searching for online medical assistant programs, look no further. We’ve compiled the best online medical assistant programs for you here at College Transitions. Medical assisting is a growing career with the potential to give you a solid salary, a regular schedule, and a sense of purpose as you help others in a healthcare context. What’s not to love? 

As you consider programs, you’ll see that many programs are offered in a hybrid format. That means that coursework will be offered online, but you’ll need to go to a physical location to gain laboratory skills, like learning how to take blood. Because of the nature of the work that medical assistants do, it might make you a more competitive candidate if you complete a program that gives you those hands-on skills. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the convenience of online classes. Our list has the best of both worlds. 

And, unlike other lists with potentially shady-looking programs, we’ve only included programs that have been accredited by the two official accrediting agencies for medical assistant training: CAAHEP and ABHES. 

Why is accreditation important for online medical assistant programs?

Accreditation is important because it ensures that your program meets the standards for the information you need to learn to pass your medical assistant certification exam. (More on that below.) 

You want to find a program accredited by one of two accrediting organizations:  

  • The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or
  • The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

These two accrediting bodies are recognized by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) as the two organizations that create standards high enough for students to pass the exams that will certify you as a medical assistant. 

After my degree, do I need to get certified?

Some 89% of employers encourage or require their employees to be certified, according to the National Healthcareer Association. 

In order to certify your skills as a medical assistant, you will want to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, which is proctored through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcareer Association.  These organizations set the standard for what medical assistants need to know and how they should provide care. 

Why does that matter? 

Well, as a medical assistant, you’re literally holding someone’s health in your hands. Having agreed-upon, rigorous standards for that type of work ensures that you’re able to provide a high level of care to the people you treat. 

What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning?

Two words you need to know when you’re pursuing online education are “synchronous” and “asynchronous.” 

Synchronous learning means that you’re “in sync” with time. That means you’ll attend at least some classes or programming at scheduled dates and times, whether that’s live Zoom lectures or another form of programming. If a program is “synchronous” in some way, you will need to make space in your schedule for those meeting times. 

Asynchronous learning means that you’re “out of sync” with time. That means you’ll be fully responsible for planning when you’ll listen to recorded lectures, when you’ll post to discussion boards, and when you’ll check in with your professors and instructors. This can be really helpful for folks who are trying to juggle full-time work, family obligations, and studying. It can also be very taxing on your organizational skills, so be sure you set yourself up for success if you choose an asynchronous program. 

You’ll also see the words “100% online” to mean “asynchronous” in writing about these programs. 

Many programs contain a combination of synchronous and asynchronous elements. That blend is the most common form of distance education delivery. 

What type of online medical assistant program should I choose?

In our list, you’ll see a range of degree types, including associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Typically, the associate degree will require the most work—and you’ll have a verifiable degree. The diplomas and certificates will still teach you what you need to know to pass the CCMA exam, typically with less time in classes and for less money. The level of education you decide to pursue is up to you and should be in line with your goals for this profession. 

Ask yourself: 

  • Where do I see myself going with this career? 
  • How much time and money do I have to invest at this point in my education? 
  • Do I see myself pursuing further education in the future? 
  • What kind of organization do I want to work for? 
  • Does the job I’m hoping to get have specific degree requirements? If so, what are they? 

It follows that jobs that require a higher degree level (like an associate degree instead of a certificate) might also pay more. However, that is highly dependent on the organization and location. It’s worth doing a bit of research into local hospitals and healthcare providers to see what kind of qualifications they’re looking for before you sign up for a program. Never hesitate to reach out to someone and ask! 

Best Online Medical Assistant Programs

* = An asterisk indicates that this is a hybrid program. That means that courses are offered online with some in-person elements required. We’ve listed campus locations where applicable. 

1) Mercy College of Health Sciences *

Mercy’s program is almost entirely online. The coursework all happens remotely, but you are required to complete just two, six-hour skills labs and then a 160-hour clinical practicum with a local facility in one of the following Iowa cities: Carroll, Des Moines, Mason City, Sioux City, or Waterloo. Or in another location nationwide: Lexington, Kentucky; Omaha, Nebraska; Seattle, Washington; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This program has a 94% job placement rate. 

2) Dakota County Technical College *

  • Accreditation: CAAHEP
  • Degree Type: Diploma and Associate
  • Cost: $11,505 or $16,330, depending on degree type

Dakota County Technical College offers its diploma and associate degree programs in a hybrid format that involves online classes and in-person lab and skills work. This program has a 100% employer satisfaction rate and 85% certificate passage rate. Most students take the AAMA exam. There are more than $200,000 in scholarship opportunities available, making this program potentially more affordable than other options. 

3) American Institute of Medical Sciences and Education (AIMS) *

This is a hybrid program, with online classes and some in-person labs. It’s best for someone located in or around Piscataway, New Jersey. You’ll also be required to complete a mandatory 195-hour clinical internship, and you’ll be placed by AIMS. You’ll be certified to take exams and become credentialed as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the AAMA, American Medical Technologists (AMT), and National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Graduates have an 86% job placement rate. 

4) American National University

  • Accreditation: CAAHEP
  • Degree Type: Associate Degree
  • Cost: $28,032.

This 100% online program is available in English and Spanish. You’ll participate in synchronous classes with an “at-home kit” for medical assisting to help you get hands-on experience without leaving home. You can also attend this program in-person at the ANU campus in Salem, Virginia. 

5) Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology *

Get your medical assistant certification in as few as 36 weeks. This is a hybrid program, so you’ll complete a portion of coursework online and attend campus 1–2 times per week to complete the hands-on component. You can attend these in-person sessions in Orlando, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; or Miami Gardens, Florida. 

6) Casa Loma College *

Complete this hybrid program in just 32 weeks. The in-person classes give you practical experience through lab work and a variety of experiences through externships. You’ll need to be able to attend in-person classes in Sherman Oaks, California; Nashville, Tennessee; or Aurora, Colorado. 

7) Charter College *

This program is available in a hybrid format with online classes and some in-person elements at the following campuses: 

  • Anchorage, Alaska; 
  • Canyon Country, California; 
  • Oxnard, California; 
  • Billings, Montana; 
  • Farmington, New Mexico; 
  • Salt Lake City, Utah; 
  • East Wenatchee, Washington; 
  • Lacey, Washington; 
  • Pasco, Washington; 
  • Vancouver, Washington; and
  • Yakima, Washington. 

You’ll also complete a 180-hour externship and be prepared to take the certification exam of your choice. 

8) The National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA)

  • Accreditation: ABHES
  • Degree Type: Certification
  • Cost: $7,558, Fall 2025

All of the NIMAA coursework happens online. You will then be placed in one of the program’s connected, nationwide externships. You should verify the possibility of an externship close to your home before enrolling in this program. 

NIMAA students have a credentialing exam pass rate of 84% in 2021–22 and 71% in 2022–23.  

9) Pima Medical Institute (PMI) *

Hybrid: 

This hybrid certificate program can be completed in just nine months. You’ll take structured, online classes, then pop into a campus location for hands-on lab work. You can complete the in-person component at the following campuses: East Valley, AZ; Mesa, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; Chula Vista, CA; San Marcos, CA; Aurora, CO; Colorado Springs, CO; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Albuquerque, NM; El Paso, TX; Houston, TX; San Antonio, TX; Renton, WA; Seattle, WA.  

PMI also offers a number of fully online programs for those who prefer a 100% online course, which include: 

  • Health Care Administration Associate Degree
  • B.S. Health Care Administration 
  • B.S. Nursing (RN to BSN) 
  • B.S. Physical Therapist Assistant 
  • B.S. Radiologic Sciences
  • B.S. Respiratory Therapy 

10) Sentara College of Health Sciences *

  • Accreditation: ABHES and State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
  • Degree Type: Certificate
  • Cost: $10,691

This is a hybrid certificate program that includes 450 hours of hands-on experience in real medical settings, with real healthcare providers and patients. Graduates can go on to work in Sentara facilities. The program lasts for one year, and you need to attend skills labs at the Chesapeake campus and clinical components in Hampton Roads, both located in Virginia. 

11) The College of Health Care Professions *

CHCP offers a majority-online program with some required, in-person meetings for lab sessions and hands-on clinical experience. Those will happen at one of their Texas campuses in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and McAllen. This program lasts 48 weeks. The course will prepare you to sit for the Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant Exam. 

12) ATA College *

Graduates of this hybrid program will be prepared to take the Certified Medical Assistant Certification (CMA) through the AAMA. You’ll also be eligible for certification as a Phlebotomy Technician through the National Health Career Association (NHA). 

The majority of learning will happen online, and then you’ll need to attend some portion of in-person skill work on one of their campuses in Louisville, Kentucky; Fort Meyers, Florida; Spring Hill, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; or Cincinnati, Ohio. 

13) Bryan University

The 50-week, 5-quarter, 100%-online diploma program is taught by a respiratory therapist and a Certified Allied Health Instructor in Allied Health Management. The program is affiliated with the American Medical Technologists (AMT). 

The 70-week, 7-quarter, 100%-online associate degree program will have you studying pathophysiology and pharmacology, and completing an externship. 

14) Northwest Career College

  • Accreditation: ABHES
  • Degree Type: Diploma
  • Cost: $15,499 for three terms.

This online program has an 80% job placement rate for graduates. You can graduate in as few as 9 months, and financial aid is available for people who qualify. The program also provides a laptop for every student, and you have access to a committed career service team. 

15) St. Louis College of Health Careers *

This hybrid program runs for 36 weeks and requires 32 credits and 730 hours of course time. Upon completion, you’ll be prepared to sit for your CMA certification through the AAMA. This program isn’t asynchronous; you’ll attend some courses online and some at the campuses, either in St. Louis or Fenton, Missouri. 

16) Arizona College *

This medical assistant program includes a phlebotomy certification, which means you’ll learn how to draw blood and handle blood samples. That could give you a competitive edge in the job market. You’ll take courses for 3 academic quarters. Then, you’ll complete an off-campus, 5-week clinical externship. The entire program takes about 31 weeks. The program prepares you to take your CNA exam and/or to pursue a phlebotomist certification.  

17) East Ohio College *

East Ohio College offers online classes with on-campus clinical days in which you’ll receive hands-on instruction. You’ll take part in an integrated training plan that will give you the skills necessary to become a CNA in two years or fewer. You’ll be prepared to take the National Healthcareer (NHA) certification exam as a part of your training, and you’ll be ready to take the CCMA, the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam, and the Certified EKG/ECG Technician (CET) exam. 

18) United Career Institute *

The United Career Institute provides students with the flexibility of online classes with the real-world experience of hands-on learning on the UCI campus in Irwin, Pennsylvania. You’ll learn phlebotomy, EKGs, and medical lab tests—all in fewer than 2 years. You’ll be prepared to take the NHA or CCMA certification exams, depending on what you choose. 

19) Ultimate Medical Academy

UMA has two options for those seeking to become Medical Administrative Assistants: a diploma and an associate degree program. Both are 100% online. You can complete the diploma program in 11 months and the associate degree program in 18 months. You’ll be prepared to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam. This administrative certification involves coding systems, medical records management, medical transcription, and more. 

20) Ross College

Ross College offers a 100% online medical assistant professional development program for people who have already completed a Medical Assistant certification program. You can choose from the following concentrations: 

  • Electronic Medical Records
  • Patient Experience
  • Medical Scribe 

You can attend one of their other fully online medical programs, including: Health Care Administration, Medical Office Administration, Medical Billing Administrative Specialist, Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration, and Pharmacy Technician. 

Ross also offers in-person medical assistant certificate programs. 

Looking for More Resources? – Best Online Medical Assistant Programs

As you continue your research on diploma programs and career options, check out our other lists: 

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Brittany Borghi

After earning a BA in Journalism and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Iowa, Brittany spent five years as a full-time lecturer in the Rhetoric Department at the University of Iowa. Additionally, she’s held previous roles as a researcher, full-time daily journalist, and book editor. Brittany’s work has been featured in The Iowa Review, The Hopkins Review, and the Pittsburgh City Paper, among others, and she was also a 2021 Pushcart Prize nominee.

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