Online Medical Administrative Assistant Programs
Train for a growing field from home.1
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
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.
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.
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:
- Doctors' offices
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Remote healthcare services
They’ve also found roles that include:
- Medical Office Assistant / Medical Receptionist
- Insurance Benefits Specialist / Medical Billing Specialist
- Medical Assistant
- Patient Care Assistant / Technician
- Caregiver / Home Health Aide
- Customer Service Representative
Why UMA?
Choose a healthcare program at a school that supports the whole student.
Student Support
- 1-on-1 academic assistance
- Individual help in the job search
- Potential resource guidance for outside the classroom
- Committed advisors from start to finish
Online Learning
- Our UMA Online programs allow you to complete coursework from the comfort of your home.
- Select programs feature on-site externships/practicums, providing real-world experience.
- You'll participate in classrooms with a maximum size of 25 students.
Certification Prep
- Our programs help prepare you to sit for applicable certification exams if you meet eligibility requirements.
- Our team will help you with exam-focused material and support you in areas where you might need extra help, at no additional cost.
Kim Y.
UMA Graduate
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.
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
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
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
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
Sydnee C.
UMA Graduate
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.
Browse the 2024 UMA Catalog
Take a look at the UMA Catalog for comprehensive information on programs, course descriptions, admissions, finance, and more.
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.
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.
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!