Medical Administrative Assistant Online Programs
Find out how you can contribute to the front desk of a medical office.
Medical Administrative Assistant Online Programs
Find out how you can contribute to the front desk of a medical office.
Earn your diploma in 11 months or degree in 18 months.1
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 meeting the needs of a healthcare facility sounds appealing, then this growing field2 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 degree program. Our 11-month1 diploma program offers a faster route toward completing your education by diving right into the core courses. In 18 months1, you can earn an associate degree that builds on the core course of the diploma program with general education 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.
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, selecting the right program, and connecting with other students. We’ll also give you a call to ensure all your questions are answered so you can make the right choice.
By clicking the Request Info button, you agree to be contacted by phone or text message via automated systems by Ultimate Medical Academy about your education at the 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 844-590-4692. 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 program or diploma program, you have the opportunity to learn how to help keep the healthcare system moving forward. This program prepares students on a flexible schedule for 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 take the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.
Typical Courses
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 skillset 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 months1
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. credits
Diploma Program
Credits: 38 Approx time to complete: 11 months1
- 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
What’s the job outlook as a medical administrative assistant?
After earning your degree or diploma at UMA, you might be glad to know that field has been projected to grow faster than average—16 percent (96,400 new jobs)2. Through 2028, the healthcare industry as a whole is estimated to have 12.5 million open positions.4
UMA graduates in this program can pursue entry-level roles such as:
- Medical Office Assistant
- Customer Service Representative
- Patient Services
- Certified/Registered Nursing Assistant
- Patient Care Assistant
- Medical Records Technician
Entry-level positions for this career field could start in the lower range of estimated salaries, which is less than $26,180 annually. The median annual salary for this career field is $36,580.
The top 10 percent of earners in this career field earned more than $53,230. In other words, not many people in this field make more than this amount annually.
Note: Salaries may vary according to location and other factors.
Why choose UMA?
When you pursue an 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 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 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 team 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 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 63,000 students through graduation so far. We’d love to help you, too!
You don’t have to stop after you earn an associate degree. UMA maintains agreements with educational partners who share many elements of our mission. 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. You can find more information on UMA’s partner schools here.
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 888-212-5421.
Not sure which program is right for you?
Try our fun and informational personality quiz for inspiration.
FAQs
What is a medical administrative assistant?
The person who greets you at the front desk of a doctor’s office or other healthcare provider might have an education similar to a medical administrative assistant. This person provides office administrative support for a healthcare provider.
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 apply for a position as 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?
You’ll need medical administrative assistant education, 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. In some situations, many are trained on the job and do not receive formal education for MAA.
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. To learn more, see the above section entitled, “Helping you prepare for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.”
What’s it like to take medical administrative assistant courses online?
Online courses with UMA are designed to be flexible, so you can train for your career on your own schedule. 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 competitively priced tuition.4 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).
How much does a medical administrative assistant make?
You can find salary ranges by visiting the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. A medical administrative assistant salary depends on the answers to several questions including where you live and work, your experience, whether you are certified or not, and other related factors.
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 is right 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.
Where can I find more info about medical administrative assistants?
Citations
- 1 Completion times vary according to the individual student.
- 2 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants. Job Outlook Bureau of Labohs-mr Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm#tab-6
- 3 Set schedules required for on-site externship courses. Online learning at UMA’s Clearwater campus applies to all programs except Nursing Assistant, which will remain fully on campus.
- 4 Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment by major occupational group. Table 1.2 in the downloadable XLSX file, lines 395-J and 467-J. https://bls.gov/emp/tables/emp-by-major-occupational-group.htm
- 5 Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436013.htm