Online Medical Assistant Programs in Ohio: Finding the Right School
Medical assistants (MAs) play a significant role in Ohio’s healthcare system. Before you can become a medical assistant, however, you need formal training. Let EduMed show you some of the best online medical assistant programs in Ohio today. Learn how they work, how much they cost, and what to expect after you graduate.
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Medical AssistingHealth ScienceWhat to Expect from Ohio Programs
Choosing an online medical assistant program in Ohio means weighing a number of important factors before enrolling. Programs vary widely, so taking time to match your goals and learning preferences to the right option can make a big difference. Key considerations include:
- Credential type: Short certification prep courses can get you into the workforce quickly, often in as little as six months, while associate degree programs require more time but may support long-term career advancement.
- Program length and cost: Training timelines range from weeks to two years, with tuition varying accordingly.
- Learning format: Options may be fully online or partially online, with courses offered in synchronous, asynchronous, or blended formats.
- Career goals: Think about whether you want rapid entry into the field or plan to pursue nursing or other advanced healthcare roles later on.
Below, we spotlight three online medical assistant programs currently available in Ohio to help you see how these factors come together and what to look for as you continue your program search.
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding Assisting Course — Rhodes State College
Rhodes State College offers this Certified Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding course in a self-paced, 100% online asynchronous format that allows students to access and complete their coursework according to their own busy schedules.
The comprehensive curriculum combines foundational medical assistant coursework with medical billing and coding training to prepare students to fill administrative-focused roles in hospitals, clinics, private physician’s offices, and more. Graduates are eligible to sit for the exams for one or all of these professional certifications:
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
- Certified Coding Associate (CCA)
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
The course fee includes 12 months access to all course materials along with a voucher to take the exam of one of the above certifications (student’s choice). Open enrollment means that this course can be started at any time.
Duration: Self-paced (530 course hours)
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $3,995
Admissions Requirements: None. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is required to take the national certification exam.
Curriculum:
- Medical Terminology
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding
Full curriculum can be found on the course webpage.
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Associate of Applied Business Clinical Medical Assistant Degree — East Ohio College
East Ohio Colleges Associate of Applied Business Clinical Medical Assistant program combines general education coursework with medical assistant courses and training to prepare graduates to fill a range of medical assistant jobs while setting them up for advanced healthcare careers in the future.
The bulk of didactic learning is completed online with only necessary labs and externships completed on campus and at program-affiliated medical practice sites.
In addition to a flexible online course structure, students can make the most of 24/7 tech support, mobile access to classes, career advising, and small class sizes. Along with earning their degrees, graduates are qualified to sit for the exams for the following certifications:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
- Certified EKG/ECG Technician (CET)
The fee to take the CCMA certification exam is included in the program cost.
East Ohio College offers institutional grants and traditional forms of financial aid to help qualifying students fund their MA education.
Duration: Two years or less (full-time)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $13,470 (tuition, per-year)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Complete a virtual college visit, after which an admissions team member will recommend applying to the medical assisting training program if it is a good fit for the applicant’s career and life goals.
Curriculum:
- Medical Terminology
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Medical Insurance and Coding
- Electronic Health Records
- Medical Administrative Procedures
- Law and Medical Ethics
- Medical Assistant Topics
- Clinical Medical and Laboratory Procedures
- Clinical Medical Assistant Externship
- Additional general education and elective courses
Online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Training — Miami University
The Online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Training course available through Miami University provides students with one of the fastest and most convenient options to obtain professional certification and launch their MA careers.
The program is delivered 100% online in a self-paced format allowing students to log on and complete course requirements at any time. And open enrollment means that the course can be started at any time as well.
Upon completion of all course requirements, students have the option of participating in an unpaid in-person clinical experience.
The course fee includes 12 months access to all course materials as well as a voucher to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification exam.
Duration: Self-paced (540 course hours)
Mode: Fully-online (with optional in-person clinical experience)
Cost: $3,295
Admissions Requirements: None. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is needed to sit for the CCMA exam.
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Medical Terminology
- The Musculoskeletal System
- The Cardiovascular System
- The Lymphatic and Immune Systems
- The Respiratory System
- The Digestive System Diagnostic Procedures
- Nuclear Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Becoming a Medical Assistant
- Law, Ethics and Healthcare
- Telecommunications and Patient Scheduling
- Managing Medical Records
- Medical Billing and Coding
Full curriculum can be found on the program’s webpage.
Get Answers: Medical Assistant Student FAQs
If you’re still unsure which online or hybrid program is right for you, more detailed information on MA programs can help. Below are the answers to five of the most frequently-asked questions by prospective MA students in Ohio about paying for school, networking opportunities, and more.
Are scholarships or grants available for online medical assistant students in Ohio?
Yes. Financial aid of various types is often available to online medical assistant students in Ohio through private organizations, the government, and your school. Common types include:
- Scholarships and grants
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- Student loans
- Tuition discounts
- Tuition deferment and installment plans
The awards available will depend on factors like your academic credentials, financial need, and specific school and program.
The best place to start your funding search is through the financial aid offices at each of the schools you’re considering.
Are there professional organizations or networking opportunities for Ohio medical assistants?
Absolutely, and you should take advantage of as many as possible. You can start with school-sponsored resources like student message boards, and online and in-person meetups.
There are also professional medical assistant organizations you can join.
Ohio’s primary professional organization for medical assistants is the Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants (OSSMA), the state’s affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants. Joining a professional organization like OSSMA gives you access to grants and scholarships, networking events like the annual AAMA Annual Conference, and more.
For more networking ideas, check out EduMed’s guide to Online Resources for Medical Assistant Students.
Expert Insight
Networking at professional organizations for medical assistants can be a useful tool. Especially if you are looking to further your career beyond becoming a medical assistant. Many of my peers were looking to become medical assistants as the first steps towards their long-term goals of becoming either a PA, NP, or even MD. By networking, you can meet people who may be working towards the same path you are. For instance, at a networking event, I met several individuals who helped me get an idea of the specialty I potentially wanted to work in after completing the MA program. But also inspired me to potentially further my education after gaining clinical experience as an MA.
Do I need to complete any prerequisites before applying?
Every online medical assistant program in Ohio has its own unique admissions requirements, so it’s important that you carefully review them during your program search. Nevertheless, most Ohio-based online MA programs commonly require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent (like a GED) for admission.
There are exceptions (like the Rhodes State College and Miami University courses highlighted above) that have no admissions requirements. It’s important to note, however, that graduates of those programs will still need a high school diploma or equivalent to take the exam for any of the professional MA certifications they are otherwise eligible for.
Expert Insight
If you are missing requisites to apply, such as certain classes, taking them online may be an option. I was missing an anatomy as a prerequisite and was able to take the course online. It made it more flexible for me to complete. However, I had to check with the programs I intended to apply to to see if they accepted online class credits. You can research options either online or in person to complete prerequisite classes. Make sure you factor in working part-time/full-time in deciding whether to enroll in an in-person course or online.
How much should I expect to pay for my program?
The costs of online medical assistant programs in Ohio can vary substantially depending mostly on the specific credential offered. For example, a basic certificate or certification prep course will likely run you around $3,000 to $4,000, with most including the costs of books and study materials, and even the registration fee for taking a professional certification exam.
If you’re considering a full associate degree program, you can expect a total program cost of anywhere from over $10,000 (for a public school program) to as much as $20,000 or more (for a private school program.)
Keep in mind, though, that you may be eligible for one or more financial aid resources to help lower the total cost of your online medical assistant education.
Expert Insight
Always make sure to reach out to the financial aid advisors at the program you are planning to enroll. They will be able to provide you with a more thorough list of options in regards to paying for tuition. Some programs may offer payment plans, which can help pay for tuition little by little. I reached out to my financial aid advisor at my program and was able to get information on scholarships I was not even aware existed. This significantly helped me pay for tuition.
What does an online medical assistant curriculum in Ohio cover?
Once again, this answer will vary depending on the program you choose.
However, the curriculums of online medical assistant certification programs in Ohio cover two primary practice areas: administrative and clinical. This means you’ll take courses in everything from human anatomy and physiology to medical billing and coding, as well as pharmacology and medical terminology.
You may also be required to participate in an in-person clinical experience in which you’ll apply the knowledge gained in your didactic coursework in a real medical practice setting.
Certification and Continuing Education Made Simple for Medical Assistants in Ohio
The State of Ohio does not license or otherwise officially certify medical assistants for practice in the state. However, most employers of MAs in Ohio require or prefer medical assistant job applicants to possess one or more professional certifications.
The Ohio State Society of Medical Assistants notes that one professional certification stands out in particular: the AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). Other highly-recognized medical assistant certifications include:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
Completion of an online medical assistant program in Ohio will qualify you for one or more of these certifications, but not all. It’s therefore important that you understand which certifications a particular MA program will qualify you for before you enroll.
As with licensing, Ohio has no mandated continuing education requirements of medical assistants. However, MAs will need to renew their professional certifications on a regular basis.
Specific renewal requirements and time periods vary by certification. But you will likely need to earn a stated number of continuing education (CE) credits during each renewal period to keep your certification active.
Medical Assistant Salaries in Ohio
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 22,210 | 24,220 | 2,010 | 9.00% | 3,160 |
| 1 – United States | 764,400 | 870,200 | 105,800 | 13.80% | 114,600 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $35,020 | $44,200 | $57,830 |
| Ohio | $35,270 | $40,430 | $48,300 |
| Akron, OH | $35,350 | $38,540 | $46,420 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $33,830 | $37,980 | $46,350 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $35,740 | $43,480 | $48,610 |
| Cleveland, OH | $36,500 | $44,720 | $53,900 |
| Columbus, OH | $36,870 | $43,830 | $49,310 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $37,000 | $39,810 | $48,190 |
| Lima, OH | $31,930 | $40,350 | $47,840 |
| Mansfield, OH | $34,960 | $39,120 | $44,690 |
| Sandusky, OH | $36,320 | $43,600 | $61,090 |
| Springfield, OH | $32,930 | $38,260 | $46,560 |
| Toledo, OH | $35,050 | $40,230 | $46,340 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $28,880 | $37,090 | $43,420 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
