Online Medical Assistant Programs in North Dakota: Compare Schools
Online medical assistant programs make it easier to start an MA career on your schedule. This guide highlights top online medical assistant programs in North Dakota, covering admissions requirements, curriculum, program length and cost, career outlook, and answers to common student questions.
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Inside North Dakota Online Medical Assistant Programs
Here are several ways to become a certified medical assistant in North Dakota, each suited to different goals and timelines. While the state is largely rural, students still have access to flexible online MA programs, but it’s important to understand how they differ in structure, credentials, and outcomes:
- Certificate or certification prep programs that can be completed in a few months and are designed for quick entry into the workforce.
- Diploma programs that offer broader training and may support future advancement.
- Associate degree programs that require more time and investment but provide deeper education and long-term career flexibility.
Because programs vary in curriculum, delivery format, and credential type, careful comparison is essential. To help you get started, we’ve spotlighted three online medical assistant programs in North Dakota below to show what you can expect during your search.
Online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Training — University of North Dakota
The Online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Certification Training course offered through the University of North Dakota provides one of the fastest and most convenient options to starting a medical assistant career. The curriculum covers the foundational coursework in administrative and clinical subjects to prepare students to fill entry-level MA positions throughout the healthcare field.
Course content is delivered 100% online in a self-paced format that allows students to access and complete course requirements at any time. Graduates are eligible to sit for the exam for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) professional certification.
The course fee covers 12 months access to all course materials and the cost of taking the CCMA exam. Students have the option of participating in an unpaid hands-on clinical experience.
Duration: Self-paced (540 course hours)
Mode: 100% online, asynchronous (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 certification 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 program webpage.
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AAS in Medical Assisting — Dakota College
Dakota College offers a hybrid-formatted Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Assisting program that combines general education and major-specific coursework to prepare students for MA practice with two years of full-time study.
The majority of coursework can be accessed online, but some course sessions and skills labs must be attended in-person on either the college’s Bottineau or Minot campus. The program culminates with participation in a 160-hour in-person intern experience at a program-approved medical facility.
Graduates are eligible to take the exam for Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification. A Pre-Nursing Track is offered within this degree program that includes prerequisite coursework that can be applied to further nursing education.
Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: Approx. $12,000 (ND, SD, MN, MT, and Canadian residents); approx. $14,000 (other state residents and international students)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- ACT or SAT exam scores for placement purposes
Curriculum:
- Clinical Procedures
- Healthcare Law and Ethics
- Laboratory Tests & Diagnostic Procedures
- Computer Applications in Healthcare
- Office Management
- Principles of Nutrition
- Clinical Specialties
- ECG/EKG Interpretation
- Internship
- Additional general education coursework.
See program webpage for full curriculum.
Certified Medical Assistant — Bismarck State College
The Certified Medical Assistant course from Bismarck State College is a hybrid-formatted program that is designed to be completed with 25 weeks of full-time study. The program structure combines online didactic coursework (self-paced course modules and assignments) with campus-attended labs and in-person clinical hours taken at a local medical facility.
Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to take the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam.
Duration: 25 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $3,495 (includes online access, books, and lab supplies)
Admissions Requirements:
- At least 18 years old at start of course
- Meet minimum technological and health requirements before starting practicum
- Valid North Dakota Certified Nursing Assistant license is strongly recommended
Full admissions requirements can be found on the program webpage.
Curriculum:
- The Medical Assistant Role
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body
- Business Communications
- Patient’s Records
- Medical Insurance and Coding
- The Revenue Cycle
- Preparing for Clinical Procedures
- Assisting with Examinations
- Laboratory Procedures
- Cardiology and Radiology Procedures
- Medication Administration Procedures
- Communication Skills
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Minor Surgical Procedures
- First Aid and Emergencies
- Rehabilitation and Health Living
FAQs for Aspiring Medical Assistants in ND
As you explore your online MA education options, you’ll undoubtedly have questions that arise regarding program and career details. To help you out, here are the answers to five frequently-asked questions by prospective North Dakota online medical assistant students.
What is the cost of a medical assistant program in ND?
The costs of online medical assistant programs in North Dakota vary substantially due mainly to the specific credential offered (certificate, certification training, associate degree) and the particular school offering it. The program prices listed in the spotlights above offer a relatively accurate look at the range of costs for online MA training in the state (from the low-$3,000s for basic certification and certificate options to the over $10,000 for an associate degree program from a public college.)
Bear in mind that your total program cost could be hire once you factor in costs for books and exam fees (if not included in the quoted price) as well as transportation to and from campus and clinical practice sites.
It’s also important to remember that online MA students may be eligible for funding help through any of a number of financial aid resources, such as:
- Scholarships and grants
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- Student loans
- Tuition discounts
- Tuition deferment and installment plans
Be sure to contact the financial aid offices at each of the schools you’re considering for information on potential funding opportunities for your medical assistant education.
How difficult is it to become a medical assistant?
Medical assistant training can be challenging. Course curriculums cover a wide range of clinical and administrative subjects requiring students to develop a strong functional use of terminology and practices related to them.
Nevertheless, a solid dedication to your studies will pay off in a the high degree of competency required to succeed as a medical assistant.
Starting on your path to becoming a medical assistant is relatively simple, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent (like the GED) for admission into an MA education program. Each program does have its own specific admissions requirements, though, so be sure to review those requirements carefully.
How do I find accredited online medical assistant training courses?
Accreditation plays a critical role in choosing an online medical assistant program in North Dakota. Proper accreditation is your assurance that a program you’re considering meets certain standards of academic quality.
There are two basic types of accreditation to look for. The first is institutional accreditation which concerns the school itself. Most postsecondary institutions in North Dakota are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The second type of accreditation to check on is programmatic accreditation. The accreditation of medical assistant programs in the U.S. is overseen primarily by two accrediting providers:
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Determining a program’s accreditation is relatively easy, with most programs indicating accreditation status on its MA program webpage. If you can’t locate it there, you can visit the websites for the accrediting bodies themselves or use the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs search engine.
How long is a medical assistant program?
While students in some states may be able to complete their medical assistant training in as few as six weeks, if you’re seeking your training in North Dakota you’ll find that most online medical assistant programs will require from six months to one year for non-degree options and two years for associate degree programs. Students in self-paced courses may be able to complete their training in less time.
Will I be able to find completely online medical assistant programs?
It’s possible. There are a few online certification training prep courses that feature 100% online content. However, most online MA programs in North Dakota include some in-person components, typically in the form of campus-based skills labs and/or hands-on clinical experiences attended at program-affiliated medical practice facilities in the student’s or school’s local area.
It should be noted here that even 100% online certification prep courses offer students the option of completing an in-person clinical experience.
Certifications and Continuing Education in North Dakota
The State of North Dakota does not issue state licenses for medical assistants.
However, a medical assistant must be registered as a Unlicensed Assistive Person (UAP) by the North Dakota Board of Nursing (NDBON) to practice within the state. To be added to the UAP registry requires either verification of completion of a formal MA training program or current medical assistant certification by a board-recognized national body.
In addition, if you’re interested in an MA role in North Dakota that involves administering medication to patients, you’ll need to register with the NDBON as a Medication Assistant III (MA III). This requires both evidence of completion of a program that includes a clinical medication administration component and verification of active national certification.
Among the most-recognized medical assistant certifications are:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
While the NDBON does not list any continuing education requirements, you still must renew your registration every two years. You’ll also need to renew any professional certifications you hold on a regular basis.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in North Dakota
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 490 | 570 | 80 | 16.30% | 80 |
| 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 |
| North Dakota | $35,430 | $41,040 | $56,620 |
| Bismarck, ND | $35,240 | $45,750 | $57,730 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $35,950 | $45,490 | $57,250 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $34,290 | $39,200 | $48,600 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
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