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Diploma Program

Medical Assisting
Online Diploma Program

Program Length

10 Mo.

Credits

24

Format

Online

Total Tuition

$12,360
calendar

NEXT START January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Earn a medical assistant diploma in less than 1 year

AccreditationAccredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Transfer creditUp to 18 approved credits
FormatOnline classes + hands-on clinical labs & externship
CertificationPrepare for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam – we pay for your first attempt!
QuickPathsAdvance your education faster in the future with many options at the associate and bachelor’s degree levels, including health sciences and healthcare administration

Learn More Today!

Classes start: January 6th
Satisfaction rate

Over 90%

Satisfaction rate

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

Overview: Diploma in Medical Assisting

The Diploma in Medical Assisting is a 24-credit career diploma program which prepares you for a career as a medical assistant. The online diploma program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in medical terminology, administrative skills, insurance claims, ethics and professionalism, and much more.

MA students checking a blood pressure
  • Career-focused curriculum

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

  • Flexible schedule

    You can take classes during the day or in the evening.  We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

  • Virtual services

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

  • Lifelong support

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

  • Rolling admissions

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

Curriculum

Medical Assisting Diploma classes & curriculum details

Our career-focused diploma curriculum includes didactic and in-the-field learning experiences to enable you to enter the workforce as an entry-level medical assistant. You will prepare for and sit for the Medical Assisting Certification Exam as part of the program.

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

ProgramMonths 2Credit
Diploma in Medical Assisting1024

Required Core Courses

All courses, 12.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course introduces common medical terms through the analysis of word components. Emphasis will be placed on the structure of terms-Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes. A medical vocabulary will be developed through the study of the anatomical structures, physiological functions, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and pathologies of the body systems. Terminology will be practiced through the use of common abbreviations, spelling, pronunciation and definitions.

This course introduces the student to administrative and operational procedures and policies pertaining to the medical office. Students will learn about various medical office software including patient registration, appointments, office financial management, and electronic health records.  Students will learn about the different types of healthcare systems, diversity among coworkers/patients, licensure, accreditation and patient privacy (HIPAA).

This course is designed to introduce the student to important ethics as it pertains to the healthcare profession which includes controversial health care issues. The student will be introduced to patient confidentiality and information security as identified and enforced through HIPAA regulations. Additionally, the student will learn about the importance of professionalism in the workplace.

In this course, the student will understand the basic types of medical insurance programs available in today's healthcare environment. It acquaints students with billing formats, using universal claim forms, and it provides the skills necessary to master basic aspects of medical insurance billing and adjudication. Current reimbursement methodologies and compliance will also be covered.

This course provides an introduction to the study of the structure and function of the human body. Topics include an introduction to homeostasis, cells, and tissues, along with a survey level study of organ systems and their interrelationships. The lab component of this course provides active learning to reinforce and clarify anatomical and physiological features of the body.

Required Clinical Courses

All courses, 12.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course is designed to provide the basic theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in assisting physicians or medical office staff with medical exam room preparation and routine patient examination preparation with an emphasis on various communication techniques. Students will be introduced to basic clinical procedures including vital signs, first aid, injections, and emergency preparedness.

This course is a continuation of MS 263 Medical Clinical Assisting I with Lab. It is an introduction to diagnostic procedures routinely performed in the physician's office laboratory setting. Students will be introduced to electrocardiography, respiratory testing, hematology, microbiology, proper specimen collection techniques, quality control, and equipment inventory and maintenance.

During the externship phase of training, the medical assistant student will experience both administrative and clinical skills in a medical setting. Instruction centers on observing experienced personnel as well as participating in actual patient care procedures under the close supervision of experienced professionals. Students will enhance their test-taking and study skills by participating in practice exams, to prepare for successful completion of a credentialing examination for medical assisting.

* Enrollment and successful completion in a student readiness training course is required prior to MS 263 and two terms prior to MS 267.

Tution & Cost 

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the Diploma in Medical Assisting program is $515 per credit.

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.

  • Scholarships & Financial Aid

    You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.

    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  

A great education, a great price

When compared to these colleges and universities, Herzing proves to be very affordable.

  • Graduate from a regionally accredited, U.S. News & World Report ranked university
  • Benefit from Herzing’s national network of externship experiences
  • Discover degree pathways to further opportunities in allied health!
InstitutionCredentialTuition
Concorde CollegeDiploma$18,288i
Rasmussen CollegeDiploma$16,728i
Herzing UniversityDiploma$12,360
i. As reported by the institution's website or net price calculator.

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 diploma curriculum includes prep for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam and we pay for your first attempt.

After earning your diploma and certification you’ll be well on your way to becoming a key contributor on a team of healthcare professionals.2

Herzing students

Clinicals

Clinicals: how the diploma program works

There are two requirements to complete the medical assisting program outside of regular 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 160 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.

Requirements 

Medical Assisting diploma enrollment requirements

Classes Start: January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Careers

Earn the education needed to walk a new career path

Medical assistant with patient Image
Image

Becoming a medical assistant provides an excellent foundation for you to earn experience administering basic patient care, learning how a medical office works and coordinating with all the different personnel involved in the delivery of healthcare. A medical assistant’s job is to perform the tasks necessary within their state’s scope of practice to help a clinic run smoothly.

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

Medical assistants typically adopt clinical or administrative tasks – or both, depending on the size of the institution. Our diploma program covers both areas, preparing you fully for your first entry-level medical assisting job.

While medical assistants are typically allowed to administer injections, draw blood and take vital signs, their responsibilities in clinical care are more limited than nurses and doctors. Scope of practice will vary by state. Medical assisting can be an excellent next step for CNAs.

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 an excellent time to begin earning the education you need to join this growing field, become a medical assistant, and build a strong foundation for a career in healthcare.

Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), medical assistants earn an average salary of $43,350 per year ($20.84 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.

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.

Both certificate and diploma programs are field-specific credentials that do not include general education courses required in a degree program. Each can typically be completed faster than an associate degree program.

Certificates are typically the least comprehensive programs, providing the minimum career-focused training necessary to perform a certain type of job.

Diploma programs tend to be more in-depth than certificates, and can include hands-on experience to best prepare you for a wider variety of jobs in the field you’re pursuing.

Herzing University’s diploma programs exist to help you build the foundation for a long career beyond your very first job. Our diploma programs are designed to help you begin and grow your new career.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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The Student Experience at Herzing

My hard work paid off and I secured a job at the clinic where I completed my clinical hours!

Destinie Henley
Healthcare Student | Online Campus

I realized that I wanted to expand my knowledge and help my patients more through education.

Amber Johnson
Healthcare Student | Online Campus

I chose my path because I love to help others. It's more than just a career to me, it's my passion, and Herzing made it possible to chase it!

Christina Hansen
Healthcare Student | Online Campus

I learned a lot from all my courses, and I know that I will re-enroll at Herzing to further my education!

Jemm Merritt
Healthcare Student | Online Campus
Accreditation

Accreditation & Disclosures

2. 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.

 

Classes Start: January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.