Considering an online Medical Assistant (MA) program in Los Angeles? With the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals, online MA courses are an increasingly popular choice for students who need a flexible, accessible way to train for this rewarding career. Whether you’re managing a busy schedule, balancing family responsibilities, or simply looking for a way to study from home, online programs provide the convenience and adaptability that many future medical assistants are looking for.
Why Choose an Online Medical Assistant Program?
Online MA programs offer a flexible alternative to traditional classes, allowing you to complete coursework at your own pace and on your own schedule. For many students, this can make a huge difference, especially if you’re working or have other obligations. Plus, with the wide range of online programs available in Los Angeles, you can still access top-quality education without the commute. Many online programs also offer access to experienced instructors, digital resources, and virtual labs that replicate the classroom experience, making it easy to stay engaged and keep up with the curriculum.
Types of Online Medical Assistant Programs
When choosing an online MA program, it’s helpful to understand the different formats available. Here’s a quick rundown of the main options:
- Fully Online Programs: These programs allow you to complete all coursework remotely, making them ideal for those who prefer to work entirely from home. Coursework is often delivered through interactive platforms, and while the learning is online, you’ll likely still need to complete in-person clinical training at a local facility.
- Hybrid Programs: If you like the idea of a blend between online and in-person learning, hybrid programs are a great option. They combine the convenience of online classes with in-person labs or clinical sessions, allowing you to gain hands-on experience while keeping a mostly flexible schedule.
- Self-Paced Online Courses: Some online programs let you set your own pace, which can be a great fit for highly motivated students who prefer to move through the material on their own timeline. This flexibility makes it easier to balance studies with other commitments, and it can allow you to complete the program faster if you’re able to dedicate extra time.
Here, we’ll highlight some of the top medical assistant programs in Los Angeles that offer online course options. We’ll look at the details of each, from program length and cost to available formats, so you can find the option that best fits your needs.
Online Medical Assistant Programs in Los Angeles
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Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University offers a comprehensive, fully online program to become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). This course equips students with the clinical and administrative skills needed to work alongside healthcare professionals, with a strong focus on patient care and essential office procedures. Here’s a quick overview of what potential students can expect:
- Program Format: 100% online, providing the flexibility to learn from anywhere and balance studies with other responsibilities.
- Certification: Prepares students for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) CCMA exam, a recognized certification for clinical medical assistants.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers everything from medical terminology and patient interaction to procedures like EKGs, phlebotomy, and medication administration.
- No Prerequisites: Open to students without prior medical training, making it accessible for those starting a new career in healthcare.
- Instructor Expertise: Taught by experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in medical assisting, coding, administration, and patient care.
- Career Outlook: Strong job prospects with the demand for medical assistants expected to grow significantly, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16% growth by 2031.
For students looking for an accessible path into healthcare with flexible, online training options, Loyola Marymount’s CCMA program provides the knowledge and preparation needed to succeed in various healthcare environments.
American Career College (ACC)
American Career College offers a hands-on Medical Assistant (MA) program designed to provide real-world training for students preparing to enter the healthcare field. With a unique blend of online and in-person instruction, ACC makes it possible for students to balance training with other commitments. Here’s a quick look at what this program has to offer:
- Flexible Format: Blended learning format with two days of in-person classes per week, plus online coursework. Weekend classes are also available at ACC’s Los Angeles, Ontario, and Anaheim campuses.
- Quick Program Duration: Complete the diploma program in just nine months, helping you start your career faster.
- Accreditation: Accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), ensuring a high-quality, industry-recognized education.
- Hands-On Learning: Includes a 200-hour externship where students apply their skills in a healthcare setting, gaining valuable experience before graduation.
- Diverse Skill Training: Curriculum covers essential areas such as patient exams, recording vital signs, drawing blood, managing office tasks, and effective communication.
- Career Support: Provides resources for developing job readiness and support from experienced faculty, giving students confidence as they enter the workforce.
ACC’s Medical Assistant program offers a flexible yet thorough path for students in the Los Angeles area looking to jump-start a career in healthcare. With hands-on training and a blended format, this program prepares graduates for a variety of roles in medical settings.
Los Angeles Valley College
Los Angeles Valley College offers a flexible, online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program that prepares students for essential roles in medical offices, clinics, and hospitals. Designed for busy students, this program combines self-paced online learning with optional clinical experience to help students gain real-world skills. Here’s what potential students can look forward to:
- Program Format: 100% online with self-paced learning, allowing students to complete coursework at their convenience. A clinical experience is also available upon successful course completion.
- Certification-Ready: Prepares students for the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) CCMA certification exam. Includes a voucher for the exam fee, providing additional value.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers key areas such as medical terminology, HIPAA regulations, clinical procedures, patient scheduling, vital signs, phlebotomy, and office management.
- Program Duration: 540 course hours, designed to be completed within 12 months, giving students a flexible timeframe to fit their studies around other commitments.
- Financial Flexibility: Financing options are available, including monthly payment plans and government funding support for eligible students.
- Experienced Instructors: Led by healthcare professionals with extensive experience in both clinical and administrative roles, ensuring students receive quality guidance and instruction.
This CCMA program at Los Angeles Valley College offers a comprehensive pathway to certification and hands-on practice, equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to begin a successful career in the medical assisting field.
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College offers an online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) training program that provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a medical setting. This program, delivered entirely online, prepares students for a broad range of responsibilities in patient care and medical office management. Here’s a quick overview:
- Program Format: 100% online with flexible scheduling, allowing students to start anytime and complete coursework on their own time.
- Certification Preparation: Prepares students for the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) CCMA certification exam, an industry-recognized credential. No prerequisites are required to enroll.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers essential skills including medical terminology, HIPAA compliance, medical billing, patient scheduling, clinical procedures, phlebotomy, EKG administration, and minor surgical assistance.
- Career Outlook: With high demand for medical assistants, this program is designed to help graduates qualify for a variety of roles in settings like hospitals, clinics, and physician offices.
- Financial Assistance: Flexible payment options are available, with the program costing $2,795. Monthly payment plans are offered for easier budgeting.
- Experienced Instructors: Led by healthcare professionals with decades of clinical, administrative, and teaching experience, providing students with practical insights and expertise.
Santa Monica College’s CCMA program offers an accessible and thorough path for students looking to enter the healthcare field as certified medical assistants, with a curriculum designed to cover both administrative and clinical tasks essential in today’s healthcare environments.
Los Angeles Urban League
The Los Angeles Urban League, in partnership with Cedars Sinai, offers a Medical Assistant program aimed at helping students start a healthcare career in just 12 months. This program is designed for those looking to make a positive impact in healthcare, especially in underserved communities. Here’s an overview of the program:
- Program Duration: One-year program divided into four quarters, allowing students to complete coursework and practical training in a structured timeline.
- Certification Preparation: Prepares students for the American Medical Technologists (AMT) Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification exam, a respected credential in the medical field.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Includes 68 units of coursework and 200 hours of clinical internship, ensuring that students gain both classroom knowledge and hands-on experience.
- Advisory Board Review: Curriculum developed in collaboration with an advisory board consisting of practitioners and experts from UCLA Health, ensuring the program aligns with industry standards.
- Accessible Entry Requirements: Open to students without a college degree, making it accessible to those starting or transitioning into a healthcare career.
With strong support from Cedars Sinai and UCLA Health professionals, the Los Angeles Urban League’s Medical Assistant program provides a comprehensive pathway for individuals seeking a stable and rewarding career in healthcare. This program also reinforces the Urban League’s mission to empower underserved communities by promoting economic opportunity and workforce development.
Southern California Health Institute (SOCHI)
The Southern California Health Institute (SOCHI) offers a Medical Assistant (MA) program in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, designed to provide students with both practical skills and foundational knowledge to succeed in healthcare settings. Here’s a summary of key details for prospective students:
- Program Duration: Complete the Medical Assistant diploma in nine months, making it ideal for those who want to quickly enter the healthcare field.
- Hybrid Learning Format: Flexible hybrid classes allow students to attend in-person sessions twice a week while completing additional coursework online, providing the convenience of online learning with hands-on experience.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: The program covers essential topics including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical billing and coding, clinical procedures, and patient education.
- Cost and Financial Aid: Total program cost is $16,390, which includes tuition, materials, books, and fees. Financial aid options are available for eligible students, and SOCHI’s financial aid advisors are available to guide students through their options.
- Career Support and Opportunities: SOCHI offers career services and support to help students find rewarding roles in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and nursing facilities. Veterans’ benefits are also available through the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE).
- Hands-On Training: SOCHI emphasizes real-world training, equipping students with practical skills for medical assisting tasks, including patient history-taking, vital signs, phlebotomy, and medical office management.
With a curriculum focused on both clinical and administrative skills, SOCHI’s Medical Assistant program prepares students to pursue diverse opportunities in the rapidly growing healthcare field. This accredited program combines convenience, thorough instruction, and robust career support to ensure graduates are ready for success.
California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
California State University Long Beach offers a flexible, self-paced Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA) certificate program designed for individuals aiming to start a career in healthcare. This online program combines 140 hours of curriculum with a clinical externship, giving students both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
- Program Format: 100% self-paced online, ideal for independent and self-motivated students. Students can start anytime and complete the coursework at their own pace.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers essential medical topics including phlebotomy, pharmacology, medication administration, vital signs, and cardiology, preparing students to assist physicians in various medical settings.
- Externship Opportunity: After completing the online curriculum, students may participate in a clinical externship with a local healthcare provider (requirements include a background check and drug screening).
- Certification Eligibility: Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam, a recognized certification in the medical assisting field.
- Program Cost: Total program cost is $2,899, including online coursework. The CCMA exam fee is separate (approximately $140).
- Support: Program coordinators are available to assist students throughout the online course, ensuring a supportive learning experience.
CSULB’s Self-Paced Online Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate Program is ideal for students who need a flexible schedule but seek a comprehensive foundation in medical assisting. This certificate equips graduates for entry-level roles in healthcare and provides a pathway to CCMA certification.
Glendale Community College
Glendale Community College offers a 10-month Medical Assistant Certificate program, designed to prepare students for versatile careers in healthcare. This comprehensive program provides both administrative and clinical training, equipping students with the skills needed to work in various medical settings.
- Program Duration: 10 months, with a pass/no pass grading system, providing a structured path to certification.
- Comprehensive Training: Students learn essential skills such as assisting with exams, wound care, billing, electronic health record (EHR) charting, CPR, EKGs, lab tests, phlebotomy, sterilization, and patient scheduling.
- Flexible Course Sequence: Courses must be taken in a specific order, beginning with STV 61 (Administrative Medical Assisting) followed by STV 63 (Clinical Medical Assisting). A final optional review course and externship are required for those taking the California Certified Medical Assistant Exam.
- Career Pathways: Graduates are prepared for roles in doctors’ offices, hospitals, surgical centers, skilled nursing facilities, and other healthcare settings.
- Financial Information: Tuition varies based on residency, with additional fees for uniforms, stethoscopes, and other program requirements. First-time, full-time students may qualify for free tuition.
- Job Outlook: With a projected demand increase and an average annual wage of $37,640, medical assisting is a stable and in-demand career option.
Glendale Community College’s Medical Assistant Certificate program provides hands-on training and a pathway to certification, making it ideal for those seeking a fast-paced, stable career in healthcare.
Which Program is Right for You?
- If you need a completely online, flexible program: Choose Loyola Marymount, Los Angeles Valley College, or Santa Monica College.
- If you want to finish fast and get hands-on experience: Consider ACC or SOCHI.
- If you prefer hybrid learning with in-person labs and externships: Look at ACC, SOCHI, or Glendale Community College.
- If you’re focused on passing a certification exam: Loyola Marymount, Los Angeles Valley College, CSULB, Los Angeles Urban League, and Glendale Community College are strong choices.
- If cost is your biggest concern: Santa Monica College and Los Angeles Valley College offer the most affordable online programs.
- If job placement assistance is key: ACC, SOCHI, and Los Angeles Urban League provide career support and strong employer connections.
Each program has strengths suited for different types of students. Consider your schedule, budget, and career priorities when choosing the best online medical assistant program in Los Angeles.