Becoming a medical assistant requires work and dedication, but mostly importantly, a degree from an accredited college or university. There are many online institutions that offer course training in medical assistance, but the only ones worth considering are those that have been accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the (ABHES) or both. You need to graduate from a school that’s been approved by one of these groups in order to sit for the qualifying exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant, which is the certification that will guarantee you a better job. Fortunately, there are several accredited online medical assistant schools that will help you meet your goals:
- Spencerian College, based in Kentucky, offers an online medical assistant diploma that’s met the accreditation standards of the CAAHEP and the ABHES, as well as the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
- Kaplan University has a medical assistant program that’s been accredited by the CAAHEP, and they’ve also been approved by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
- Mountain State University, which offers a medical assistant program, also has been accredited by the CAAHEP and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
- Herzing University, with a base in Milwaukee, has been accredited by the ABHES.
- Allied Health Institute and its medical assistant program have been accredited by the ABHES.
- Berdan Institute, based in New Jersey, has also been accredited by the ABHES.
These schools are among the best online programs available for students wishing to pursue a degree in medical assisting, though it’s important to remember that accreditations change over time. Some schools that were once accredited can lose that status, while others can improve the quality of their educational offerings and be rewarded with official accreditation. It’s always a good idea to check with the individual college or university as well as with the U.S. Department of Education to determine whether your school has been accredited. With those things in mind, acquiring an online medical assistant’s degree at an accredited school is within reach.
