What to Expect from a 2 Year Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science
A Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares students for entry-level roles in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and physician offices. This 20-month program offers hands-on training in both administrative and clinical functions, helping students develop the skills needed to work directly with patients and support medical office operations.
Program Overview
A typical Medical Assistant AAS degree spans about 60–65 credit hours over 20 months. Students take courses in anatomy, clinical procedures, medical billing, phlebotomy, and pharmacology. The program combines classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and real-world externship experience.
Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to sit for certification exams such as:
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – AAMA
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) – AMT
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) – NHA
What You’ll Study
Medical Assistant AAS programs provide balanced training in clinical and administrative duties. Common topics include:
Clinical Skills
- Vital Signs and Patient Prep – Measure temperature, blood pressure, and prepare patients for exams.
- Phlebotomy – Draw blood and handle biological specimens.
- Electrocardiograms (EKG) – Conduct basic heart monitoring procedures.
- Medication Administration – Safely administer injections and medications as directed by physicians.
- Clinical Documentation – Record accurate patient histories and examination notes.
Administrative Skills
- Medical Billing and Coding – Learn how to submit claims and assign procedure codes.
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) – Manage patient data using healthcare software.
- Medical Office Procedures – Schedule appointments, handle patient intake, and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Professional Communication – Develop strong written and oral communication in healthcare settings.
Lab Courses and Externships
Students practice skills in lab-based courses such as:
- Urinalysis and microbiology
- Hematology and lab safety
- Dosage calculations and pharmacology
Most programs include a 160–180 hour externship at a clinic, hospital, or doctor’s office. Externships allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real settings.
Typical Curriculum
Courses often include:
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy and Physiology I & II
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Procedures I & II
- Professionalism in Healthcare
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Medical Administrative Practices
Examples of full programs with similar coursework include those at American National University, Penn Foster, and North Central Missouri College.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions criteria vary by school but usually include:
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum GPA (often 2.0 or 2.5)
- Interview with an admissions advisor
- Proof of national certification (if enrolling in a degree-completion program)
- Placement exam (if required)
Some schools, like Charter College, accept only students who already hold a medical assisting certificate and national certification.
Cost of Education
Medical Assistant AAS programs cost between $10,000 and $28,000 in total tuition. Here’s a breakdown:
- Herzing University: $515 per credit x 60 credits = ~$30,900
- Ivy Tech: ~$10,703 total
- American National University: ~$28,032 total (includes textbooks and supplies)
- Penn Foster: ~$79 per credit, total ~60 credits, varies based on pace
Financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans are available at most institutions.
Career Outcomes and Salary
Medical assistants work in physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, hospitals, and surgical centers. Duties vary based on the setting but commonly include:
- Administering vaccines
- Assisting with minor procedures
- Managing insurance claims
- Providing patient education
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assistants earn a median annual wage of $42,000 and are projected to see 14–16% job growth between 2022 and 2032—much faster than average.
Top Medical Assisting Schools
Choosing the right school is a key step in becoming a successful medical assistant. The programs featured below offer accredited Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in Medical Assisting and are designed to prepare students for both clinical and administrative roles in healthcare settings. These schools offer flexible formats, hands-on externships, and certification exam preparation. Whether you prefer fully online, hybrid, or campus-based learning, these institutions provide affordable, high-quality training that leads to in-demand career opportunities. Explore program features, locations, tuition, and outcomes to find the option that best fits your goals.
| School | Location | Program Length | Format | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter College | AK, CA, MT, NV, NM, UT, WA | 7 months | Blended | N/A (degree completion) |
| Herzing University | Milwaukee, WI (Online) | 20 months | Online + Labs + Externship | 60 |
| American National University | Salem, VA (Online) | Varies | 100% Online + Externship | N/A |
| Penn Foster College | Chandler, AZ (Online) | 4 semesters | Online + Externship | 60 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | IN (20+ campuses) | 4 semesters | Campus + Labs + Externship | 60 |
| North Central Missouri College | Trenton, MO | 2 years | Online + On-Campus Labs | 61 |
| Craven Community College | New Bern, NC | 2 years | Campus-Based | 60+ |
| KCTCS | KY (Multiple campuses) | 2 years | Campus-Based | Varies |
| Bryant & Stratton College | OH, NY, VA, WI | 16 months | Campus-Based | 62 |
| Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ | 2 years | Campus + Practicum | N/A |
Charter College
https://chartercollege.edu/programs/health-care/medical-assistant-aas/
Alaska, California, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington
Overview of the Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assistant
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Medical Assistant from Charter College is a degree completion program specifically designed for graduates of the school’s Certificate in Medical Assistant program who also hold a current national certification. This program, offered in a blended learning format, can be completed in as little as 7 months and is available at campuses in Anchorage, Oxnard, and Vancouver.
The curriculum builds upon prior medical assistant training, providing advanced knowledge in areas such as medical billing and coding, phlebotomy, electrocardiography, and electronic health records. Students also develop key communication, critical thinking, and supervisory skills tailored to healthcare environments.
Career Opportunities and Flexibility
Graduates of the program are prepared for entry-level roles in hospitals, physician offices, surgical centers, and assisted living facilities. Over time, students can also advance into supervisory positions. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world application through labs, projects, and professional assignments.
With employment for medical assistants projected to grow faster than average, and high demand in states like California and Washington, this associate degree enhances both career mobility and earning potential for working medical professionals. Additionally, Charter College offers class start dates every five weeks, adding flexibility and convenience for busy students who need to fit their education into a hectic schedule.
Herzing University
https://www.herzing.edu/healthcare/medical-assisting/associate-degree
Milwaukee, WI
Program Overview: Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services
The Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services at Herzing University is a fully online, career-focused degree designed to prepare students for fast-growing roles in the healthcare industry. Spanning 20 months and comprising 60 credits, the program combines online coursework with hands-on clinical labs and an externship, offering a well-rounded experience in both administrative and clinical responsibilities.
With a cost of $515 per credit, students can reduce expenses by transferring up to 45 credits, and the university covers the cost of the first attempt at the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam. Students gain expertise in medical terminology, pharmacology, patient privacy, billing, coding, and clinical procedures, preparing them for jobs in diverse healthcare settings like physician offices, clinics, and hospitals.
Accreditation and Flexibility
This Higher Learning Commission-accredited program is built for flexibility, featuring rolling admissions, virtual student services, and lifelong career coaching to support students well beyond graduation. Herzing’s curriculum is tailored to meet employer demands in the healthcare sector and offers QuickPath options for students to continue their education in fields like health sciences or healthcare administration. With the demand for medical assistants projected to grow by 14% through 2032, graduates of this program are well-positioned for long-term career advancement in a rapidly expanding field.
American National University
https://an.edu/programs/associates/medical-assisting-associates
Salem, VA
Program Overview: Medical Assisting Associate’s Degree
The Medical Assisting Associate’s Degree from American National University (ANU) offers a 100% online, hands-on educational experience designed to prepare students for both the clinical and administrative demands of healthcare settings. This accelerated program includes coursework in anatomy, pharmacology, patient communication, and healthcare technology, with training in procedures like EKGs, injections, and lab specimen collection.
Using at-home lab kits and participating in a 162-hour clinical externship, students gain real-world experience and build the practical skills necessary for success in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and doctors’ offices. The program also provides a solid foundation for those interested in advancing to a bachelor’s degree in Medical and Health Services Management.
Tuition and Affordability
Tuition for the full program is $28,032, which includes all fees, textbooks, and lab equipment—making it a more affordable alternative to many other online institutions. The curriculum not only prepares students to become certified medical assistants, but also emphasizes the soft skills that healthcare employers value, such as cultural sensitivity, effective communication, and patient advocacy. With its flexible format and career-focused training, ANU’s program is ideal for students looking to balance their education with other commitments while gaining the competencies to enter one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare.
Penn Foster College
https://www.pennfoster.edu/programs/healthcare/medical-assistant-associate-degree
Chandler, AZ
Program Overview: Medical Assistant Associate Degree
The Medical Assistant Associate Degree from Penn Foster College offers a flexible, online program designed for individuals interested in entering the healthcare field at their own pace. Spanning four semesters and 60 credits, this program includes 22 courses and one externship, allowing students to gain both clinical and administrative skills relevant to today’s healthcare environments.
Depending on individual availability, students can complete the program on a fast track in about 6 months per semester or follow the average completion time of 11 months per semester. The curriculum covers essential subjects such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, clinical procedures, and medical coding, helping prepare students to work in doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals.
Tuition and Certification
Tuition is set at $515 per credit, and the program includes preparation materials and a voucher for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, valued at $235, at no additional cost. Students are also eligible to pursue other industry certifications like RMA, NCMA, CMAC, and CPT. A key feature of the program is the hands-on externship, which provides supervised real-world experience in a healthcare setting.
With a projected 15% job growth in the medical assisting field and an average salary of $42,000 per year, Penn Foster’s accredited program supports career readiness while allowing learners to study from home, on a schedule that suits their lifestyle.
Ivy Tech Community College
https://www.ivytech.edu/programs/all-academic-programs/school-of-health-sciences/medical-assisting
Chicago, IL
Program Overview: Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting program at Ivy Tech Community College offers a comprehensive pathway to careers in both clinical and administrative healthcare roles, with flexible credentialing options to meet varying career goals. Students can choose from a 60-credit Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, a 39-credit Technical Certificate, or shorter-term certificate options such as CCMA Development Prep and Medical Scribe Professional.
The associate degree typically spans four semesters and costs approximately $10,703, while shorter programs range from $1,070 to $6,957 depending on length and credit hours. With selective admissions and availability across more than 20 campuses in Indiana, students have access to quality education tailored to real-world healthcare environments.
Hands-On Learning and Career Readiness
The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through simulations in functioning patient exam rooms, labs, and a community-based externship. Students gain practical skills in phlebotomy, EKGs, patient care, injections, medical coding, and electronic charting. Graduates are well-prepared to pursue certifications such as CMA, CCMA, CBCS, and career roles ranging from front office staff to clinical medical assistants. Ivy Tech’s strong industry reputation, paired with its affordable tuition and high job placement potential, positions graduates for success in a healthcare sector expecting 16% job growth through 2031.
North Central Missouri College
https://www.ncmissouri.edu/academics/medical-assistant/
Trenton, MO
Program Overview: Medical Assisting
North Central Missouri College (NCMC) offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Assisting, designed to prepare students for both clinical and administrative roles in healthcare settings. The 61-credit hour program combines classroom instruction, online learning, and on-campus lab experiences. While many courses are available online, students must travel to campus periodically for hands-on lab components.
The final semester includes a Medical Assistant Internship, which provides real-world experience and integrates the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam into the curriculum. Tuition details vary by residency and aid eligibility, but students should budget for additional internship-related expenses, such as background checks, immunizations, CPR certification, and testing fees—estimated at around $475 or more.
Curriculum and Skills Development
Throughout the program, students gain skills in medical terminology, pharmacology, medical coding, electronic health systems, and clinical procedures such as phlebotomy, administering injections, and taking vital signs. The curriculum also covers healthcare law, billing, and first aid. Graduates are prepared to work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities. While Missouri does not require state licensure for medical assistants, students planning to work in other states are advised to confirm local licensing requirements. This well-rounded program offers flexibility and depth, helping students confidently pursue employment or further education in healthcare.
Craven Community College
https://cravencc.edu/program/medical-assisting-aas
New Bern, NC
Program Overview: Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting (MA) Associate in Applied Science (AAS) program equips students with a wide range of administrative, clinical, and laboratory skills essential in today’s healthcare settings. This two-year program begins every fall semester and includes training in medical billing and coding, insurance processing, electronic health records, transcription, laboratory procedures, electrocardiography (EKG), and medication administration under supervision.
Students also learn about ethical and legal aspects of patient care. Upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants, a credential highly valued by employers nationwide.
Career Pathways and Flexibility
In addition to the AAS degree, the program offers certificate and diploma pathways, allowing for flexible entry points into the medical field. The curriculum emphasizes job-ready skills such as protecting and managing patient health information, using computer systems to enhance care and reduce costs, and mastering diagnostic and procedural coding. Graduates of this program can pursue employment in diverse healthcare environments, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, mental health facilities, hospices, and rehabilitation centers, where demand for trained medical assistants continues to grow.
Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)
https://catalog.kctcs.edu/programs-of-study/aas/medical-assisting/medical-assisting-aas
Versailles, KY
Program Overview: Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting Associate in Applied Science (AAS) program offered at several Kentucky community and technical colleges, including Ashland, Bluegrass, Gateway, and others, is designed to prepare students for both clinical and administrative roles in a healthcare setting. While the full program length and tuition may vary slightly by campus, students typically complete the AAS degree in about two years.
The curriculum includes hands-on training and classroom instruction covering topics such as medical office procedures, patient care, diagnostic testing, pharmacology, and healthcare communication. To successfully progress through the program, students must maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all required courses and uphold a minimum 2.0 GPA.
Career Opportunities
This program prepares graduates for employment in physicians’ offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Students may also become eligible to sit for national certification exams upon graduation, increasing their employment opportunities and professional credibility. The widespread availability of this program across multiple Kentucky campuses makes it a flexible and accessible choice for students seeking to enter a high-demand healthcare field with a solid foundation of both administrative and clinical skills.
Bryant & Stratton College
Ohio, New York, Virginia, Wisconsin
Program Overview: Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting Associate Degree at Bryant & Stratton College offers a comprehensive education designed to prepare students for a rewarding role in the healthcare field. Available at 16 campuses across Ohio, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin, the program can be completed in as little as 16 months through a full-time format and requires 62 credit hours.
Students gain a solid foundation in clinical and administrative skills, including medical terminology, patient communication, maintaining medical records, vital signs monitoring, CPR and First Aid, and ethical practices in patient care. The curriculum is structured around building knowledge, hands-on technical skills, and professional behaviors to prepare for immediate entry into healthcare settings.
Certifications and Career Advancement
Graduates are eligible to sit for respected national certification exams such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam through AAMA or the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) through NHA, as well as the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification. These certifications help increase job competitiveness and career mobility. The program emphasizes communication, safety, legal compliance, and ethical conduct in diverse healthcare environments, preparing students for careers as medical assistants, nursing assistants, or other entry-level healthcare support roles. With stackable credentials and multiple learning formats, the program is designed to meet both short-term employment goals and long-term career advancement.
Central Arizona College
https://centralaz.edu/divisions-programs/nursing-health-emergency-careers/medical-assistant-aas/
Coolidge, AZ
Program Overview: Medical Assisting
The Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree and Certificate programs at Central Arizona College’s Superstition Mountain Campus (SMC) are designed to equip students with the clinical, administrative, and ethical competencies necessary for a successful healthcare career.
The AAS program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), prepares graduates to sit for both the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam through the AAMA and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam through AMT. Students pursuing the Certificate program are eligible to take the RMA exam. A hands-on practicum is included, and graduates are expected to take one of the national certification exams upon completion.
Curriculum and Training Focus
The curriculum emphasizes patient care, medical business practices, applied communication, safety and emergency procedures, and legal/ethical standards in healthcare. Students are trained to demonstrate critical thinking and technical proficiency across cognitive, psychomotor, and behavioral domains. Completion of the program can lead to employment in physician offices, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare settings. With strong accreditation and a mission to produce highly competent medical assistants, the program ensures that graduates are prepared to meet the demands of the fast-growing healthcare industry and make a positive impact on patient outcomes.
Conclusion
A 20-month Medical Assistant AAS degree is a practical option for anyone looking to enter healthcare quickly. With an average tuition cost of $10,000–$28,000 and starting salaries of $40,000+, many graduates can repay their student loans in 2 to 4 years, depending on how much of their income they apply toward repayment:
- At 10% of a $42,000 salary: ~7 years to repay
- At 20%: ~3.5 years
- At 30%: ~2.5 years
This short timeline, combined with strong job growth and career advancement options, makes medical assisting a solid career choice for students seeking affordable, fast-entry pathways into healthcare.