Medical Assistant

Online Medical Assistant Program

If you have an interest in medicine and a passion for helping others, Penn Foster's Medical Assistant Associate Degree Program can help you gain the fundamental skills and credentials needed to prepare to work in the healthcare industry. You will also be able to explore a career in healthcare from home, at your own pace.

  • Learn the basics of clinical procedures, including anatomy, physiology, and psychology.
  • Our online Medical Assistant Program helps prepare students for careers in a variety of healthcare settings, including doctors' offices, outpatient and urgent care clinics, and hospitals.
  • Curriculum can prepare learners to earn industry certifications including:
    • The Registered Medical Assistant certification (RMA)
    • The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certificate (CCMA)
    • The National Certified Medical Assistant certificate (NCMA)
    • The Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC)
    • The Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) certification
  • Healthcare careers are in high demand, with medical assistant careers expected to grow 14% over the next decade.
  • Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.
Accredited
Online
Self Paced

Save up to $300 Ends 11/26/2024

First Semester

$1,199

$1,499 Save $300

or

$59/month, Start for as low as $20

1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

What You Will Learn

  1. General body structures, functions, and processes as well as body systems such as the skeletal, muscular, and central nervous systems.
  2. How to administer injectable medications and how to help doctors with minor surgical procedures.
  3. How to identify processes, symptoms, and treatments for common diseases.
  4. How to perform administrative duties in both medical office and laboratory settings, like coding procedures for billing and medical records.
Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Medical Assistant Career Outcomes

Medical Assistant

AVG SALARY*

$38,270/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS*

764,400

JOB GROWTH*

14%


Our accredited, affordable and online Medical Assistant Program can help you learn the basics of healthcare and prepare for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification exam. Our externship program helps you earn hands-on experience working under the supervision of a medical professional, so you can develop the necessary skills to support your career.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in this field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered in the Penn Foster College Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this program. Please click here for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information. Please review your state board requirements that are applicable to your field of study. State boards may impose a variety of different requirements, which vary from state to state.

The American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for many Penn Foster College courses. Students who plan to continue their education with another school after completing coursework at Penn Foster College should check with that school regarding credit transfer policies. No form of accreditation guarantees that any learning institution will accept credits from any school as transfer credits.

Graduates of this program will receive NHA certification prep materials and a voucher to cover the cost of the CCMA exam. These valuable certification prep materials can help you prepare and sit for your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification. The total value of these materials is $235 and are available to graduates for no additional costs!

As mentioned above, licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in this field are not the same in every state. Prior to requesting any of the NHA CCMA-related materials provided to graduates of this program, students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine the certifications recognized in their state.

Online Medical Assistant Program Curriculum

  • 4 semesters
  • 22 courses
  • 60 credits
  • 1 externship


Estimated completion time per semester:

  • Fast track = 6 months
  • Average time = 11 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times per semester are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from November 2020 - October 2021, excluding withdrawals.

Penn Foster's in-depth Medical Assistant Program curriculum aims to help students develop the skills needed to perform essential administrative and clinical job skills in various settings. You will study medical terminology, various systems of the body, and procedures, as well as the clerical duties necessary to run an efficient medical practice. Your courses include:


  • Medical terminology
  • Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Procedure Theory
  • Medical Surgical Procedures
  • Medical Coding

Show Full Curriculum
female medical assistant holding a clipboard and smiling.

Medical Assistant Externship Experience

Penn Foster's online Medical Assistant Associate Degree Program features a medical assistant externship as a standard part of the curriculum. This externship provides practical, in-person training under the supervision of a certified medical assistant, nurse, physician assistant, or medical doctor. Consisting of 160 hours of clinical experience, you can gain first-hand knowledge of the daily responsibilities you'll face as a medical assistant, in addition to building professional connections. Our externship coordinator will work with you directly to secure a site to complete your skills.

Medical Assistant Program Success Stories

Penn Foster can help prepare you for a career in the healthcare industry on your terms. Graduates have been able to pursue new jobs and promotions. Learn more about how Penn Foster helped them reach their goals.
View Student Success Stories
quote icon

Jennifer J.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“The information in this program is amazing. The ability to finish my studies on my time and at my own pace was great.”

Looking for healthcare training for your workers?

Penn Foster currently works with hundreds of leading employers to meet their unique organizational needs.
Learn More

Online Medical Assistant Degree Tuition

Take the first steps toward a new career with our online Medical Assistant Degree. Simply choose from one of our low-cost customized payment plans below and get started today!

Option 1: Pay semester in full

Save up to $300 Ends 11/26/2024

First Semester1

$1,199

$1,499 Save $300

  • Best price. Best value.
  • Pay the full cost today
  • No monthly payments
Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

First Semester1

$1,499

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $20 down
  • All major credit and debit cards accepted
Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

First semester1

$1,499

  • Pay $59 per month
  • Start for $39 down
  • Mail your payments
Enroll Now

California residents please click here for Required California Disclosures.

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Healthcare Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

  • Self-paced schedule
  • Start anytime
  • Payment Plans 

Interactive

  • Expert Instructors
  • Live support
  • Digital textbooks

Connected

  • Online student community
  • Career Services
  • Credentialed Instructor Assistance

Supportive

  • Academic Advisors
  • Student Services
  • Peer Support 

Related Programs

Online Medical Assistant Program FAQs

What is the salary for a medical assistant role?

Medical assistants have a median salary of $38,270 per year,* and job growth is projected to increase much faster than average in the next several years.

What can I do with a Medical Assistant Associate Degree?

The largest employers of medical assistants are state, local, and private hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient care centers, and chiropractic offices. Medical assistants can also find employment in places such as drug and rehab facilities, assisted living centers, and nursing homes.

How much does a Medical Assistant Associate Degree cost?

Tuition costs up to $99 per credit, with the semester fee adjusting slightly based on our current offer. Visit our tuition page for the most current tuition information.

Is the medical assistant degree accredited?

Penn Foster College has been nationally accredited for over 40 years, and has met the high standards of integrity and performance set by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in Washington, D.C.. We also participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

What medical assistant skills will I learn in this degree program?

Skills covered in the Medical Assistant Associate Degree Program include fundamentals like psychology, pharmacology, medical coding, reimbursement methodologies, law, ethics, and confidentiality, medical terminology, medical surgical procedures, clinical procedure theory, and other allied health basics. College level courses also build a well-rounded skill set in areas such as computer and information literacy, written and interpersonal skills, humanities, liberal arts, math, and sciences.

What certification will I receive from the medical assistant program?

Upon successful completion of the Medical Assistant Associate Degree Program, graduates will earn a degree in the field. Certification is offered through independent third parties and cannot be awarded by a school. However, the Penn Foster Medical Assistant Degree prepares you to sit for industry exams and includes prep materials for the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification, as well as a voucher to cover the cost of the exam.

Where can I work as a medical assistant?

If a fast-paced career in healthcare interests you, look no further than the medical assistant field. While the majority of medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, those with a medical assistant degree may also work in state, local, and private hospitals, as well as outpatient care centers and even chiropractors’ offices. Most medical assistants are often required to keep flexible work schedules around evenings, weekends, and holidays.