Online Medical Administrative Assistant Program

Find out how you can contribute to the front desk of a healthcare office.

Online Medical Administrative Assistant Program

Find out how you can contribute to the front desk of a healthcare office.

Earn your diploma in 11 months or degree in 18 months.2

Being a medical administrative assistant is where the ability to be organized meets the desire for helping others. If getting things done in an orderly fashion while contributing to the needs of a healthcare facility sounds appealing, then this growing field13 might be the one for you.

Take your first step toward earning a diploma or degree today with Ultimate Medical Academy’s online Medical Administrative Assistant diploma or Health Sciences - Medical Administrative Assistant associate degree program. Our 11-month2 diploma program offers a faster route toward completing your education by diving right into the core courses. In 18 months2, you can earn an associate degree that builds on the core courses of the diploma program with general education courses and other degree requirement courses. Students in both programs receive an education that will help build the foundational skills necessary for entry-level roles in the field, with care and guidance from our advisors along the way.

What is a medical administrative assistant?

Medical administrative assistants help facilities run as smoothly as possible. They are an important factor in the patient experience, from scheduling appointments to handling insurance claims, managing health records, and more. From check-in to check-out, and plenty in between, these healthcare workers are vital in the day-to-day office procedures of a facility.

Classes start Monday, Mar 25, 2024

Let’s talk about it.

You have questions. We have answers.

Complete this form and we’ll email you info on how to get started at UMA, financial aid if qualified, selecting a program, and more. We’ll also give you a call to ensure your questions are answered so you can decide which program is right for you.

By clicking the Request Info button, you agree to be contacted by phone, text message, or email via automated systems by Ultimate Medical Academy about your education at the email addresses and phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are not obligated to agree to automated contact to enroll; instead, you may call us at 888-205-2510. Note that even non-automated calls are recorded for quality assurance.

Medical Administrative Assistant Career Training

When you enroll as an online student in UMA’s Health Sciences – Medical Administrative Assistant associate degree program or the Medical Administrative Assistant diploma program, you'll have the opportunity to learn how to help keep the healthcare system moving forward. This program prepares students on a flexible study schedule to pursue entry-level roles in the field.3 Courses in this program are designed to equip students with skills needed to perform medical transcription and develop and maintain patient files and records. You will also become familiar with basic procedural and diagnostic coding systems and processes, medical records management, coding applications, reimbursement, and more.

Classes at UMA will also prepare you to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam exam upon meeting eligibility requirements.

Program Curriculum

UMA’s online Health Sciences – Medical Administrative Assistant associate degree program offers courses that give students the opportunity to build foundational field skills while enhancing their skill set in general areas of learning. This is done with a combination of general education as well as the field-specific courses also offered in our Medical Administrative Assistant diploma program.

Please see the UMA Catalog for required courses in Arkansas, Kansas, and Minnesota.

Associate Degree

Credits: 62 Approx. time to complete: 18 months2

Core Courses (38.0 Credits)

  • Introduction to Computers 2.5 credits
  • Introduction to Healthcare Communication 3.0 credits
  • Introduction to Medical Administrative Assisting 4.0 credits
  • Medical Terminology 4.0 credits
  • Medical Law, Ethics, and Records Management 4.0 credits
  • Medical Transcription 3.0 credits
  • Diagnostic Coding for MAA/MOBS 4.0 credits
  • Procedural Coding for MAA/MOBS 4.0 credits
  • Healthcare Reimbursement and Claim Cycle 2.5 credits
  • Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I 4.0 credits
  • Student Success 1.0 credits
  • Career Success 2.0 credits

Additional Degree Requirements (9.0 Credits)

  • Computer Fundamentals 3.0 credits
  • Interpersonal Professional Communications 3.0 credits
  • Patient Relations 3.0 credits

General Education Courses (15.0 Credits)

  • English Composition 3.0 credits
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 3.0 credits
  • College Math 3.0 credits
  • General Biology 3.0 credits
  • Sociology 3.0 credits

Diploma Program

Credits: 38 Approx. time to complete: 11 months2

  • Introduction to Computers 2.5 credits
  • Introduction to Healthcare Communication 3.0 credits
  • Introduction to Medical Administrative Assisting 4.0 credits
  • Medical Terminology 4.0 credits
  • Medical Law, Ethics, and Records Management 4.0 credits
  • Medical Transcription 3.0 credits
  • Diagnostic Coding for MAA/MOBS 4.0 credits
  • Procedural Coding for MAA/MOBS 4.0 credits
  • Healthcare Reimbursement and Claim Cycle 2.5 credits
  • Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I 4.0 credits
  • Student Success 1.0 credits
  • Career Success 2.0 credits

Work Environments

Professionals in this field work in settings such as:

  • Doctors' offices
  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Long-term care facilities

Why choose UMA?

When you pursue a medical administrative assistant diploma or Health Sciences – Medical Administrative Assistant associate degree from Ultimate Medical Academy:

  • You’ll gain a strong foundation for pursuing your new career.
  • You’ll have UMA staff dedicated to your academic success.
  • You’ll have a career services team committed to getting you interview-ready so you can jumpstart your search for a career.
  • You’ll receive flexible study online education.3

At UMA, you won’t feel like just another number. In fact, you’ll participate in classrooms with a maximum size of 25 students. Our student support teams can help you with academic support, technical assistance, job search guidance, mock interviews, financial aid if qualified, and more.

Our programs also include 24/7 tech support that helps you become comfortable with computers and in the UMA online environment. Receive guidance from your instructors and learn what it takes to pursue your career.

An associate degree can open doors to lifelong learning and set the groundwork for your newfound passion and career path. Let UMA help you change your future. We are proud to have supported more than 85,000 students through graduation so far. We’d love to help you, too!

Continuing Education After UMA

Your associate degree doesn’t need to be the end of your education; UMA maintains agreements with various educational partners who share our values and our missions. Through these partnerships, alumni with an associate degree from UMA who meet a partner’s admissions requirements have an opportunity to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in select areas of study.11 Find more information on UMA’s partner schools.

What kind of financial aid options are available?

If you qualify for applicable financial aid, we’ll walk you through the process. Multiple resources may be available to help pay for the cost of your education. Our Student Finance advisors are committed to helping you understand the options you qualify for and can assist you in applying for various forms of financial aid to see if you qualify.

To learn more about financial aid possibilities, contact a Student Finance advisor at 888-212-5421.

Not sure which program to choose?

Try our fun and informational healthcare careers quiz for inspiration. Just answer a few simple personality questions and learn which program may best suit you!

In their words…

FAQs

  • What does a medical administrative assistant do?

    Medical administrative assistant duties may include greeting patients, scheduling appointments, filing insurance claims, and answering incoming calls. Day-to-day office functions are part of a medical administrative assistant’s tasks.

  • I want to be a medical office assistant. Can I do that with this program?

    Yes. The UMA Medical Administrative Assistant program will prepare you to pursue a position as a medical office assistant. You may want to consider our Medical Office and Billing Specialist program, too.

  • Does a medical administrative assistant perform patient care?

    No. Medical administrative assistants do not take patient’s blood pressure, give injections, or perform any other patient care. Those duties would be performed by a medical assistant, nursing assistant, or similar position.

  • Wondering how to become a medical administrative assistant?

    Medical administrative assistant training is available, which includes teaching you how to perform typical office duties for a doctor’s office or other healthcare provider. In addition to completing career training, you may choose to take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam to become certified. Eligibility requirements must be met to sit for the exam.

    Depending on an employer’s requirements, a medical administrative assistant may be trained on the job without formal education or training for the role.

  • Do I have to become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) to work?

    No. You do not have to become certified in order to work as a medical administrative assistant. However, passing the CMAA exam to become certified may help you stand out in the field as an applicant.

  • What’s it like to take medical administrative assistant courses online?

    Online courses with UMA are designed to have flexible study time as you can train for your career. Complete your classwork in the morning, at lunch, or in the middle of the night. It’s up to you. And UMA is here to help you every step of the way with online academic support, live learning labs, a student-friendly online library, 24/7 tech support and more. Visit the UMA Online page to learn more.

  • What kind of medical administrative assistant courses would I take?

    UMA medical administrative assistant courses include: Introduction to Medical Administrative Assisting, Medical Terminology and Transcription, Diagnostic Coding, Procedural Coding, and more. To see a list of typical courses for medical administrative assistant, see the courses sections above or consult the UMA Catalog.

  • Is there a difference between medical administrative assistant schools?

    Absolutely. While the basic education may be similar between schools that offer medical administrative assistant programs, UMA is pleased to offer a list of student services, all included in our tuition. UMA is a school that offers medical administrative assistant programs which include one-on-one academic support, help with writing your resume, job interview coaching and job search assistance.

  • How long does it take to become a medical administrative assistant?

    Our associate degree program can be completed in 18 months and the diploma program in 11 months (both may vary according to individual student).

  • What’s the best school for your needs?

    Of course, you’re looking for the best school — for you. So, we recommend taking a look at your individual needs. If you’d like to talk, UMA is here to listen and walk you through deciding which program may be for you. The more we understand about your unique situation, the more we can try to help. Call us at 888-213-4473. Let’s talk about you.

  • What should I look for in top schools for medical administrative assistant training?

    Different people have different ideas of what makes a top school. To us, top schools that offer medical administrative assistant programs should provide personal assistance every step of the way with services like one-on-one academic support. Top schools that offer medical administrative assistant training should also provide career services such as job search assistance. To learn about the learner and career services offered by UMA, visit our Ultimate Student Services page.

  • Is UMA Accredited?

    Ultimate Medical Academy is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES.org), a national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Though UMA is not your traditional 4-year university or local community college, we offer online diplomas and degrees in 11 healthcare programs, some of which offer on-site externships and certification preparation — all intended to put you in a position to pursue a healthcare career after graduation.

  • Where can I find more info about medical administrative assistants?