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Associate Degree

Medical Assisting
Online Associate Degree Program

Calendar

CLASSES START
May 6th

20 Mo.

Program Length

60

Credits

Online

Format

$464

Cost Per Credit

Associate Degree

Medical Assisting
Online Associate Degree Program

Earn a degree and become a medical assistant

AccreditationAccredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Transfer creditUp to 45 approved credits
FormatOnline classes + hands-on clinical labs & externship
CertificationPrepare for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam – we pay for your first attempt!
QuickPathsAdvance your education in allied health with many options at the bachelor’s degree level, including health sciences or healthcare administration
Medical Assistant Holding Clipboard Smiling in Hallway

Over 90%

Satisfaction rate

Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.

Over 90%

Satisfaction rate

Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2023 Herzing Graduate Survey.

Associate Degree in Medical Assisting Services

Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services

The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services degree is a 60-hour undergraduate program which prepares you for a career as a medical assistant.

The online degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in medical terminology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, insurance claims, patient privacy, billing and coding, and much more.

SVG
Career-focused curriculum

Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

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Flexible schedule

You can take classes during the day or in the evening. We strive to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

SVG
Virtual services

Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

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Lifelong support

We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

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Rolling admissions

No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Classes Start May 6th

Learn More Today

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Curriculum

Medical Assisting associate degree classes & curriculum details

Our associate degree program builds upon our diploma in medical assisting, introducing students to the overall operation of a physician’s office. You’ll be trained in basic clinical and administrative tasks including exam room assistance, routine lab procedures, handling financial records, insurance forms and more. You will prepare for and sit for the Medical Assisting Certification Exam as part of the program.

All classes are delivered online. The curriculum also includes hands-on clinical experience and an externship.

ProgramsMonthsiCredits
Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services2060

i. Average number of months for students to complete the program attending full-time

Required Courses

All courses, 24.00 semester credit hours, are required.

Required Clinical Courses

All courses, 13.00 semester credit hours, are required.

 

* Enrollment and successful completion in a student readiness training course is required two terms prior to MS 263 and MS 268. 

Healthcare Elective Courses

A minimum of 2.00 semester credit hours is required from a combination of healthcare electives and/or credits transferred from the core (non-general education) courses of a healthcare-related associate or diploma programs. Students not transferring in 2.00 semester credit hours in healthcare courses may make up the difference with elective courses in healthcare and/or related subject areas.

General Education Requirements - Associate

Students enrolled in this bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 24.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications EN 104 – English Composition I EN 111- Information Literacy EN 116 – Speech 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities HU 140 – Cultural Diversity HU 240 – Introduction to Humanities 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics MA 109 – College Algebra 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science SC 144 – Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology* 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences PS 101 – Psychology *This requirement is being met by the programmatic science course requirement, SC 144, above.

Tuition & Cost

Tuition & Cost

When you accept the 10% tuition discount from our Financial Commitment Scholarship, the cost of tuition for the Associate of Science in Medical Assisting program is $464 per credit.1

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

Find my estimate

 Scholarships & Financial Aid

You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.

Find scholarships and grants 

 Military/Veteran Discounts

Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

VA/Military benefits 

i. Financial Commitment Scholarship eligibility requirements: Recommended that students limit student loan borrowing to only what is needed to cover the cost of tuition and fees. Students may borrow up to $2,000 in student loans in excess of tuition and fees to cover their cost of attendance and retain eligibility for this scholarship. Excess loan eligibility dependent on individual student situation.

Requirements

Medical Assisting associate degree enrollment requirements

Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Medical Assisting associate degree program include:

  • Completion of a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
  • Meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor
  • Complete an enrollment application

Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District Of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands.

Clinicals

Clinicals: how the associate degree program works

There are two requirements to complete the medical assisting associate degree program outside of regular online classes:

Clinical labs

Two terms prior to the externship, you will be required to take two clinical courses. Most coursework will be completed online, but you will also be required to meet with a proctor at a healthcare facility (possibly a Herzing campus) to demonstrate mastery in medical assisting skills. Prior to your labs you will need to take and pass a Student Readiness Training (SRT) proctorship. You must complete a Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR class from the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross as part of the requirement.

Externship

You will complete 180 hours at a medical clinic or doctor’s office in an eight-week period during your final term—Monday-Friday during daytime hours. Depending on the requirements of your externship site, expect about 25-40 hours per week. Herzing’s clinical coordinator can assist you in your search, but it will be your responsibility to locate and secure a proctor and externship site in your geographic area during your Student Readiness Training Seminar (SRT).

Finding a proctor for your clinicals. Herzing’s Proctor Prep SRT seminar provides guidance on how to search and secure a proctor to assist in your clinical courses. This course is usually scheduled two terms before the first clinical course. In order to succeed, you’ll need to be in frequent communication with the SRT instructor. You will have access to a clinical coordinator who will assist in your search, but ultimately it is your responsibility to secure proctorship.

Contact us and we can provide answers to any further questions you have about the clinical/externship component of the medical assisting program.

Certification

Get educated and certified

Our goal is to maximize your chance of finding a job as soon as possible after graduation.

That’s why our associate degree curriculum includes prep for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam and we pay for your first attempt.

After earning your associate degree and certification you’ll be well positioned for your first job and a healthcare career full of possibilities.1

Medical assistant wearing stethoscope smiling with elderly patient

Classes Start May 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee
Careers

Your rewarding career path in medical assisting

Medical assisting offers you an entry point into your unique career path in healthcare. In less than 2 years you can earn an associate degree in medical assisting, find your first job and position yourself to advance your career in the future.

As a medical assistant you’ll be charged with variety of many different types of tasks in either clinical or administrative roles (or both, depending on the size of the institution), including drawing blood, taking vital signs, scheduling appointments, preparing exam rooms and communicating with patients and other medical personnel.

Medical Assistant Ranked #11 Best Health Care Support Jobs of 2023 by U.S. News & World Report

You will become a key contributor in a healthcare institution and learn what it takes to succeed as part of a medical team. This can be a greater next career step for those looking for go from CNA to MA.

Seeking a job in an office environment? Students interested in pursuing a role exclusively working in administration might prefer to pursue an associate degree in medical office administration. You’ll be able to focus your study developing the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a medical office.

Job outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to increase 14% from 2022-2032, much faster than the average across all U.S. occupations.*

It’s a great time to begin earning the education you need to join this rapidly growing field, become an MA, and build a strong foundation for a career in healthcare.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Considering your career options in healthcare? Here are a few other types of jobs where you can potentially get off to a fast start:

  • Medical Records Technician. Medical records technicians are responsible for the recordkeeping of confidential patient information. These types of jobs have no responsibilities in clinical care.
  • Medical Billing and Coding. Billers and coders focus on healthcare revenue cycle management, concerned primarily with how patients and insurance companies are billed for healthcare services. These professionals do communicate with patients (most often medical billers) but again, play no role in clinical care.
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). CNAs, on the other hand, do not play a role on the administrative side. They work exclusively in patient care, helping patients get dressed, bathe/shower, move from beds to wheelchairs, or eat meals. CNAs more often perform tasks needed around the clock, so hours/shifts in these positions can be less predictable.
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). LPNs have a different scope of practice than medical assistants, focusing more directly on patient care under the supervision of an RN or physician. This represents a more direct career path into nursing. Learn more about the difference between medical assistants vs. LPNs.
  • Dental Assistant. Dental assistants also perform one or a mix of clinical and administrative tasks, but only in regard to dental care.

Your choice depends on the career path you’d like to pursue.

If your number one priority is finding a job as a medical assistant as quickly as possible, a diploma program may be a better choice. You can earn a diploma in a year or less when attending full-time and be ready to enter the workforce as a certified medical assistant.

If you envision medical assisting as step one on a long career path in healthcare, you may prefer to choose the associate degree program. In addition to core medical assisting courses, you will take general education classes you can transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in the future. Baccalaureate options for medical assistants include healthcare administration, health sciences and health information management. Earning an associate degree will likely only take a few months longer and position you very well for the next step in your education.

Because medical assistants can wear so many different hats there are many important skills needed to thrive in different healthcare environments:

  • Professionalism. In many positions you will need to handle customer service tasks, basic patient care and clearly communicate physician information to patients. Medical assistants must demonstrate professionalism and tact when interacting with patients.
  • Attention to detail. Medical assistants may gather patient contact or insurance information and keep medical records organized. You must be meticulous and highly detail oriented to succeed.
  • Compassion. Making patients comfortable and empathizing with their concerns is crucial ensuring patients are calm and collected for medical procedures.
  • Multi-tasking. Staying organized and measured in the face of quickly changing circumstances and a lengthy “to-do” list will make you indispensable to a healthcare team.

These are just a few key medical assistant skills that will help you excel in medical assisting and beyond to many other career opportunities in healthcare.

A career in medical assisting involves a diverse array of roles and responsibilities. Depending on the practice you work for and department you are in, your normal everyday tasks can vary widely.

Potential tasks include (but not limited to):

  • Answering the phone and greeting patients
  • Informing physicians about patient concerns
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Gather patient information: contact info, insurance info, etc.
  • Measuring patient vital signs
  • Taking blood pressure, pulse and respirations
  • Setting up exam rooms for procedures
  • Visual and hearing tests
  • Drawing blood
  • Pregnancy tests
  • Making patients comfortable during an appointment

No matter what’s required in your day-to-day experience on the job, what ties everything together is your professionalism, care for patients and attention to detail. Your resourcefulness will make you a valuable resource in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Read more about a typical day in the life of a medical assistant and what you can expect after getting a job in the field.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the most common places of employment for medical assistants:

  • Physician’s offices
  • Hospitals
  • Offices of other health practitioners
  • Outpatient care centers
  • Retirement communities / assisted living

Medical assistants can hold a variety of titles, roles and responsibilities based on the employer. There are two broad types of medical assistants:

  • Clinical medical assistants. These medical assistants focus on patient care, including taking vital signs, drawing blood, visual/hearing tests, preparing exam rooms for procedures, communicating with physicians, and much more. Our medical assisting program is designed for students seeking these kinds of roles working directly in patient care.
  • Administrative medical assistants. Sometimes referred to as “front office medical assistants,” administrative assistants handle scheduling, patient records, insurance claims and additional accounting/billing tasks to help the delivery of healthcare run smoothly. These types of medical assistants can specialize their education in a medical office administration program.

Experienced medical assistants, particularly on the clinical side, may specialize in a certain type of care or age group, such as pediatrics, obstetrics, cardiology, orthopedics, or many others.

Beginning your career as a medical assistant is a great way to build a strong foundational education in healthcare, gain meaningful real-world experience and prepare yourself to continue growing professionally.

What is the next level after medical assistant? It depends on your strengths, preferences and overall career goals in healthcare.

Many fields in healthcare are potential landing spots for medical assistants looking to specialize or branch into a new career path, including healthcare management, health information management, nursing (you may consider going from medical assistant to RN), and more.

Herzing University offers many degree and diploma programs for practicing medical assistants to take a leap and embark on a new career path. Our health sciences degree program is designed to help you complete your bachelor's degree and advance your career to the next level.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistants earn an average salary of $40,700 per year ($19.57 per hour).* As you earn more experience and gain more skills, your earning opportunity will improve.

The BLS also projects growing demand for medical assistants in coming years, predicting an 14% increase in employment from 2022-2032. It’s a good time to get your foot in the door and work towards your new career.

Discover how much a medical assistant makes by state.

How long it takes to become a medical assistant depends on what level of education you pursue. Partner with Herzing University and you can expect a range of 10 months–20 months to get your education, get certified and start looking for a medical assistant position, depending on whether you choose a diploma or degree program.

The following timelines are based on full-time status:

  • Associate degree: 20 months
  • Diploma: 10 months

After earning your degree or diploma, we recommend becoming certified as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) even if it isn’t required in your state. With a diploma/degree and a certification, you’ll be positioned well for your first job.

With Herzing University, an affordable, career-focused education is within your reach. We are always striving to make college more affordable for everyone.

  • Student loans & secured loansLoans offer a way to pay for all or part of your tuition.
  • Scholarships. We offer a variety of scholarships based on academic achievement, financial need or community affiliations. Contact an admissions advisor about current scholarship opportunities by calling 1-800-596-0724 or request for information online.

You can find an estimate for grant and scholarship aid using the net price calculator, and find an estimate for tuition for the online medical assisting program using Herzing University’s tuition wizard.

Locations

Program Finder

Associate Degree in Medical Assisting Services Degree Programs

Showing 1 program for the Online campus

On Campus| Online

To learn more about this program, click the Request Info button to the right.

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Accreditation

Accreditation & Disclosures

1. Certification in this program is not a state requirement.

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

 

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

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By selecting this button you agree to receive updates and alerts from Herzing University. Text HELP to 85109 for help, Text STOP to 85109 to end. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. By opting in, I authorize Herzing University to deliver SMS messages and I understand that I am not required to opt in as a condition of enrollment. By leaving this box unchecked you will not be opted in for SMS messages. Click to read Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Herzing Tuition Wizard

When do you want to start classes?

The program has an automatic transfer of credits, and allows you to transfer up to additional credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credit hours.

  Transfer Credit Hours
Associate Degree in Medical Assisting Services Online Campus
Tuition
Cost per Credit$515.00
Base Tuition$30,900.00
Savings from Transfer Credits (45 x $515.00 )(-$23,175.00)
Estimated Tuition Cost*$7,725.00
Fees
One-time Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Learner Resource Fee$530.00
Estimated Total Fee*$530.00
Total Semesters 1
RequiredNeeded
41
Total Credits
RequiredNeeded
6015
Estimated Cost 2
Base CostYour Cost
$33,020.00$8,255.00
Estimated Savings*
$24,765.00

Available Scholarships & Loan Options

Who Can Apply

Recipients and the amounts of the scholarships vary.

Requirements

Scholarship recipients, amounts, and terms and conditions are determined by Herzing University and its donors and are subject to change. An endowment is an amount of money (fund) that is given to the University with a stipulation that the funds are invested to earn annual interest rather than spent immediately. Students and alumni can learn more through the following channels: email give@herzing.edu, call (262) 735-6189, or visit https://www.herzing.edu/make-donation-herzing-university.

Who Can Apply

Any student in a degree-seeking program that makes on-time, out of pocket payments toward tuition and fee expenses.

Requirements

The amount of the payments made that exceed the amount of excess loan funding received will be used to calculate total award. Eligible students must make on-time payments, according to a predetermined payment plan. Restrictions may vary.

  • Matching percentage is based on student’s EFC at the time of application.
  • Student’s with a Pell eligible EFC will receive a 100% match
  • Students will non-Pell eligible EFC will receive 50% match
  • Students who do no complete the FAFSA will automatically qualify for the 50% match.
Who Can Apply

Students enrolled in the following undergraduate and diploma programs:

  • Business; Criminal Justice; Dental Hygiene Bridge; Dental Assisting; EMT-Paramedic Associates Degree Program, Healthcare Administration; Health Information Management; Insurance Billing and Coding; Legal Studies; Medical Assisting; Medical Billing; Medical Office Administration; Sterile Processing; Surgical Technology
  • Students enrolled in Graduate and Post Master’s Certificate Business Programs

Continuing students may contact a Financial Aid Advisor to confirm eligibility

Requirements

Recommended that students limit student loan borrowing to only what is needed to cover the cost of tuition and fees. Students may borrow up to $2,000* in student loans in excess of tuition and fees to cover their cost of attendance and retain eligibility for this scholarship. *Excess loan eligibility dependent on individual student situation.

Who Can Apply

Available to applicants in any program that demonstrate a financial need, who are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Requirements

Must show financial need and are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Who Can Apply

Available to undergraduate students enrolled in an Associates or Bachelor’s degree that are on the Dean’s or President’s list

Requirements

Eligible Applicants must:

  1. Submit an application by the required deadline for applicable semester answering the following questions in paragraph form/essay format, bulleted outline, video submission, or other creative means.
    • What are your proudest achievements during this semester? (Examples: community service, campus involvement, family life, charity work, major improvement to grades, etc.)
    • What obstacles did you have to overcome to achieve your academic success this semester?
  2. Not have received any HU Strive Scholarship in any enrollment. If an applicant is not selected during a semester, they may reapply by submitting a new application in subsequent semesters for as long as they remain on the Dean’s or President’s list

The application must be submitted through Canvas by the end of the A Term immediately following the semester when the Dean’s or President’s list was earned.

Who Can Apply

Available to Herzing graduates who have re-enrolled in a higher-level degree

Requirements

Alumni may qualify as many times as they re-enroll in a higher-level degree

Who Can Apply

Employees of a business participating in the Herzing Partnerships Program

Requirements
  • Documentation showing proof of employment is required
  • Recipients must be packaged at direct cost (receiving financial aid for tuition and fees only)

To Contact a Financial Aid Advisor

Enrolled and active students

Click here: MyHU Advising Team

Prospective students

Call (866) 508-0748 option 2 or Email fa@herzing.edu

1 

Actual semesters to complete are dependent upon university approved transfer credits and program mapping.

2 

Estimated program length, estimated number of semesters, and estimated program shown above are standard by program for each student based on: a student taking a full-time course load each semester, the student not having any transfer credits (from previous Herzing experiences or from other post-secondary institutions), and successful completion of each course.

Current tuition rates for all programs are effective through the Summer 2024 semester.