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Online Medical Administrative Assistant Programs

Train for a growing field from home.1

a medical administrative assistant working on a computer in a doctor's office after completing medical administrative assistant training

Start down a fast-growing career path and prepare for certification.1

Get your diploma in 11 months or an associate degree in 18 months.2

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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.

What is a medical administrative assistant?

Explore a career path as a medical administrative assistant, where your organizational skills meet your passion for care. Work in this field generally involves performing front desk responsibilities at healthcare facilities. People in these roles typically schedule appointments, handle insurance claims, and manage health records — all of which are covered in our comprehensive curriculums.

Choose your Medical Administrative Assistant online education path

Medical Administrative Assistant Diploma Program

11 months2

Prepares you for the field-specific skills needed to pursue entry-level roles. Includes certification preparation.

Health Sciences – Medical Administrative Assistant Associate Degree Program

18 months2

Includes soft skills that potential employers may be looking for, plus field-specific knowledge. Includes certification preparation.

a student studying in preparation for a certification exam

Certification Prep

Prepare to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam, if eligible.

While graduates will be prepared to take an applicable certification examination to enhance their employment prospects, they are not required to sit for this examination.

a medical administrative assistant student smiling while doing online coursework on her laptop

Working as a Medical Administrative Assistant

When you enroll in one of the online programs for Medical Administrative Assistant training at UMA, you’ll learn coding systems, medical records management, medical transcription, and more. Best of all, you graduate prepared to pursue an entry-level position as a medical administrative assistant.

While employment in the field of secretaries and administrative assistants is experiencing an 10% decline, the medical secretary and administrative assistant field is projected to grow 5% from 2023 to 2033. This field is projected to have 41,300 job openings each year, on average, over that decade.1

UMA graduates in this program have found entry-level work in the following environments:

  • CheckDoctors' offices
  • CheckHospitals
  • CheckOutpatient clinics
  • CheckLong-term care facilities
  • CheckRemote healthcare services

They’ve also found roles that include:

  • CheckMedical Office Assistant / Medical Receptionist
  • CheckInsurance Benefits Specialist / Medical Billing Specialist
  • CheckMedical Assistant
  • CheckPatient Care Assistant / Technician
  • CheckCaregiver / Home Health Aide
  • CheckCustomer Service Representative
two medical administrative assistants talking in a doctor’s office

Why UMA?

Choose a healthcare program at a school that supports the whole student.

Student Support

  • Check1-on-1 academic assistance
  • CheckIndividual help in the job search
  • CheckPotential resource guidance for outside the classroom
  • CheckCommitted advisors from start to finish

Online Learning

  • CheckOur UMA Online programs allow you to complete coursework from the comfort of your home.
  • CheckSelect programs feature on-site externships/practicums, providing real-world experience.
  • CheckYou'll participate in classrooms with a maximum size of 25 students.

Certification Prep

  • CheckOur programs help prepare you to sit for applicable certification exams if you meet eligibility requirements.
  • CheckOur team will help you with exam-focused material and support you in areas where you might need extra help, at no additional cost.
Quotation mark

Kim Y.

UMA Graduate

Kim Y.

The support system here is like none other. I have been to many different schools and never received the type of support that you get from UMA — from registration all the way to career services.

Program Outlines

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

Diploma

Medical Administrative Assistant Diploma Program

11 month program2

38 Credits

Core Courses

Introduction to Computers

2.5 Credits

Introduction to Healthcare Communication

3 Credits

Introduction to Medical Administrative Assisting

4 Credits

Medical Terminology

4 Credits

Medical Law, Ethics, and Records Management

4 Credits

Medical Transcription

3 Credits

Diagnostic Coding for MAA/MOBS

4 Credits

Procedural Coding for MAA/MOBS

4 Credits

Healthcare Reimbursement and Claim Cycle

2.5 Credits

Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I

4 Credits

Student Success

1 Credits

Career Success

2 Credits

Diploma

Health Sciences – Medical Administrative Assistant Associate Degree Program

18 month program2

62 Credits

Core Courses

Introduction to Computers

2.5 Credits

Introduction to Healthcare Communication

3 Credits

Introduction to Medical Administrative Assisting

4 Credits

Medical Terminology

4 Credits

Medical Law, Ethics, and Records Management

4 Credits

Medical Transcription

3 Credits

Diagnostic Coding for MAA/MOBS

4 Credits

Procedural Coding for MAA/MOBS

4 Credits

Healthcare Reimbursement and Claim Cycle

2.5 Credits

Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I

4 Credits

Student Success

1 Credits

Career Success

2 Credits

General Education Courses

English Composition

3 Credits

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

3 Credits

College Math

3 Credits

General Biology

3 Credits

Sociology

3 Credits

Elective Courses (9 Credits)

Computer Fundamentals

3 Credits

Interpersonal Professional Communications

3 Credits

Patient Relations

3 Credits

Quotation mark

Sydnee C.

UMA Graduate

Sydnee C.

I have never seen a school that has had someone with you from the very first time that you send information, wanting information, all the way until graduation, then past graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online courses typically have the same recurring deadlines you would experience in a traditional classroom. For example, assignments and tests may be due on a specific day. However, other than these deadlines, you will have the flexibility to complete your work, even at 2 a.m.! Night owls rejoice. These deadlines enable you to stay on track with your coursework while also allowing you to schedule study time around your busy life. In addition to avoiding a daily commute to campus, taking classes online provides more flexibility to study and complete assignments around other responsibilities you may have throughout your day and night.

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.

Generally, certification isn't required for entry-level positions, but some employers may require it. In addition, it can help you stand out as a candidate. Our degree and diploma programs help prepare you to sit for the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certification exam. If you meet eligibility requirements and pass this exam, you'll receive your certification. Our student support team is ready to help you focus on exam-focused material and to support you in areas where you might need extra help.

Online courses at UMA are designed to include flexible study time. Complete your classwork in the morning, at lunch, or in the middle of the night. It's up to you. UMA is also here to help you every step of the way with online academic support, a student-friendly online library, 24/7 tech support, and more. Visit the UMA Online page to learn more.

While UMA is not considered a "medical administration school," we offer online diploma and associate degree programs for the medical administrative assistant field that include many student support services. Different people have different ideas of what to look for in schools that offer medical administration programs. We feel that top schools offering these programs should also provide student support every step of the way with services like one-on-one academic support and academic assistance. At UMA, we believe that providing career assistance such as interview preparation and job search help are essential services to offer our students.

Of course, you're looking for the best education — for you. So, we recommend taking a look at your individual needs. If you'd like to talk, call us at 888-213-4473. 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.

Although completion times do vary by individual student, you could earn your Health Sciences - Medical Administrative Assistant associate degree in 18 months and be on your way to pursuing an entry-level role in the field.2

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.

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 a university or college, we offer online diplomas and degrees as well as blended healthcare programs, some of which offer on-site externships/practicums and certification preparation — all intended to put you in a position to pursue a healthcare career after graduation.

The cover of the 2024 UMA Catalog

Browse the 2024 UMA Catalog

Take a look at the UMA Catalog for comprehensive information on programs, course descriptions, admissions, finance, and more.

a student holding notebooks while riding the bus

Advance Your Education

Your associate degree doesn’t need to be the end of your education. UMA maintains agreements with various educational partners where you may be able to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in select areas of study.

a student wearing a backpack and holding a book while smiling and leaning against a wall

Explore Financial Aid

If you qualify for 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 your options.

a mom holding her baby while doing online coursework on a computer

Take the Healthcare Career Quiz

Try our fun and informational Healthcare Career Quiz to better understand which UMA program might align with your goals. In just a few minutes, answer some simple personality questions and get your results instantly!