Online Medical Assistant Programs in South Carolina: Top Schools
Online medical assistant programs in South Carolina give aspiring healthcare professionals a quick and convenient way to earn a certificate or degree. Learn how these programs work, see top schools in the state, review certification requirements, and get the inside scoop on salary and career potential for South Carolina medical assistants.
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Inside Top South Carolina Schools for Medical Assisting
Want to become a medical assistant? The first step is completing a certificate, diploma, or certification program that prepares you for a national certification test. Many programs are fully online or hybrid, combining online classes with in-person labs or clinical training. Below are two of the best online medical assistant programs in South Carolina to offer a helpful benchmark of what to look for in a quality program.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Clemson University — Certificate
Clemson University offers a fully online medical assistant program in South Carolina with no prerequisites, making it an ideal option for students entering the medical field. All learning is self-paced, making it easier to balance this program with other obligations.
Students also have the option to become CPR certified and participate in an unpaid clinical experience. After completing the program, students can sit for the NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam; a voucher for exam cost is included with the course.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $3,295
Admissions Requirements:
- Internet access
- High school diploma or equivalent (to take the certification exam)
Curriculum:
- Medical Terminology
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- The Art of Communicating
- Patient Scheduling
- Managing Medical Records
- Medical Coding
- Insurance Claims, Patient Billing, and Collections
- Managing the Office
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Body Measurement and Vital Signs
- Specimen Collection and Processing
- First Aid Procedures and Mental Health Issues
- Rehabilitation
- Nutrition and Special Diets
- Certification
University of South Carolina Aiken — Certificate
The University of South Carolina Aiken‘s accelerated medical assistant program can be completed in just four to six months. This self-paced, fully online program covers medication administration and minor procedures, performing EKGs, obtaining samples for laboratory testing, and educating patients.
Students can also participate in an optional real-world externship to hone their skills. Once students finish their degrees and pass a national certification exam, they can be certified by the NHA as medical assistants.
Duration: 4-6 months
Mode: Online, with optional in-person externship
Cost: $2,799
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or GED
Curriculum:
- Preparing patients for examination and treatment
- Routine laboratory procedures
- Pharmacology
- Taking and documenting vital signs
- Technical aspects of phlebotomy
- The 12-lead EKG
- The cardiac life cycle
- Administering medication
- Assisting with minor procedures
- Obtaining laboratory specimens for testing
FAQs for South Carolina Medical Assistant Students
Below, we’ve covered some of the most common questions students ask about becoming a medical assistant. Here, you’ll find answers about online medical assistant program costs, certification, and your duties and salary as a medical assistant.
What is the cost of a medical assistant certification program?
As shown with the schools we highlighted above, online medical assistant programs in South Carolina cost about $2,799-$3,295, making them an affordable way to get started in the field.
Medical assisting programs often cost a flat rate rather than a specific amount per class or semester, making it easier to plan your finances up front. To make your course more affordable, look into financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, grants, or student loans. Some schools even offer monthly payment plans.
How much do medical assistants make in South Carolina?
Medical assistants in South Carolina earn between $31,240 and $47,120, depending on location and experience. The average annual salary of a medical assistant in South Carolina is $38,820, compared to $44,200 at the national level.
Keep in mind that this could be due to location and lower cost of living. Some of the larger cities, such as Charleston and Greenville, pay medical assistant wages closer to the national average.
What is the legal scope of practice for medical assistants in SC?
Medical assistants can legally perform the following duties under the supervision of a physician:
- Educating patients
- Assisting with minor procedures
- Administering medication
- Prepare exam rooms
- Take samples for testing
- Record patient vital signs
Medical assistants are not allowed to diagnose patients or provide care without the supervision of a physician. In South Carolina specifically, MAs cannot administer controlled/intravenous medicines, operate lasers, or triage patients.
How do I become a certified medical assistant in South Carolina?
Passing the medical assistant certification exam through the NHA or another certifying board is the best way to become certified in South Carolina.
Medical assistants are not required to be certified. However, it makes you more employable and most colleges in the South Carolina offer an NHA Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam as part of their medical assisting program.
Are medical assisting programs available online?
Yes! There are several medical assisting programs in South Carolina that are available entirely online. The schools we highlighted above have programs 100% online, with optional externship opportunities if you want hands-on experience.
Other programs are considered hybrid, meaning they most often have lectures and assignments online, often recorded so you can watch at your own pace, and labs or clinical experiences on campus or at another location.
South Carolina Medical Assistant Certification
While certification is not required for medical assistants in South Carolina, it’s still an important credential worth considering. There are several national exams that a medical assistant can take to become certified, each with different requirements for continuing education and renewal.
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA): Offered by the American Associate of Medical Assistant (AAMA), this credential requires graduation from an accredited medical assistant program and passing a certification exam. Requires 60 CEUs every 5 years, with at least 30 points from AAMA-approved CEUs. The remaining points can come from other sources, such as self-study.
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA): Offered by American Medical Technologists, this credential can be obtained in several ways, including graduating from an accredited medical assistant program or having five years of medical assistant experience. Requires an annual recertification fee of $75 and submission of 30 CCP points (continuing education hours) every three years.
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA): Offered by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), this credential focuses on patient care, phlebotomy, and administrative duties. Requires annual certification renewal, which can be fulfilled by paying the $77 recertification fee and completing 14 hours of continuing education.
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA): Offered by the National Healthcareer Association, this credential is geared toward individuals who are more interested in the clinical side of medical assisting. Requires 10 online CEUs from approved providers every 2 years.
Continuing education (CE) courses can help medical assistant stay current on medical technology, diagnostic procedures, and treatment protocols. Some examples of CE topics include cultural competency, implicit bias, human trafficking, chronic pain, integrative medicine, and HIPAA protection.
Your Salary & Career Potential as a Medical Assistant in SC
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $35,020 | $44,200 | $57,830 |
| South Carolina | $31,240 | $38,820 | $47,120 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $34,000 | $40,830 | $48,520 |
| Columbia, SC | $31,450 | $38,230 | $45,810 |
| Florence, SC | $29,470 | $36,330 | $44,390 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $31,810 | $39,210 | $47,120 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $29,390 | $38,230 | $47,990 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $32,380 | $37,650 | $45,200 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $33,140 | $39,280 | $46,760 |
| Sumter, SC | $29,280 | $35,450 | $43,320 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 11,510 | 14,260 | 2,750 | 23.90% | 1,910 |
| 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.
Best Online Medical Assistant Programs in South Carolina
Program Details
- SACSCOC[8] Accreditation
- $2,659 Avg. Aid Amount
- 25% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 15/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Greenville Technical College
- Greenville Technical College’s Medical Assistant program boasts a consistently high credentialing exam pass rate of 95% over five years, demonstrating strong preparation for certification and career readiness.
- The program offers flexible enrollment with two yearly cohorts—a full-time fall program and a part-time spring program—making it accessible for diverse student schedules while maintaining rigorous clinical and administrative training.
- Students benefit from advanced hands-on learning in the state-of-the-art Dr. Barbara J. Lassiter Simulation Technologies and Training (STAT) Center, where realistic simulators enhance clinical skills and patient care confidence without risk.
Program Details
- SACSCOC[8] Accreditation
- $2,659 Avg. Aid Amount
- 25% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 15/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $3,900 Avg. Aid Amount
- 24% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 23/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Trident Technical College
- The Medical Assistant program at Trident Technical College offers eligibility for graduates to take the nationally recognized CMA (AAMA) certification examination, enhancing employability and professional credibility.
- Students are admitted on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis, promoting a fair and competitive process that ensures timely access to program enrollment.
- The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), assuring high standards of education that meet employer and industry expectations.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $3,900 Avg. Aid Amount
- 24% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 23/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Orangeburg, SCProgram Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $2,642 Avg. Aid Amount
- 39% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 16/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
- Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College’s Medical Assisting program features extensive hands-on practice and externships within a robust network of local medical practices, hospitals, and clinics, ensuring real-world clinical experience for students.
- The program provides specialized training in both administrative and clinical skills, including medical billing and coding, phlebotomy, injections, and EKG, equipping students with diverse competencies valued by employers.
- Students benefit from personalized program coordination by Christin Bartley, facilitating guided career pathways and support through the application and training process.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $2,642 Avg. Aid Amount
- 39% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 16/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,859 Avg. Aid Amount
- 30% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 19/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected York Technical College
- The Medical Assistant program offers an all-expense-paid, 9-month apprenticeship including paid on-the-job training with over 20 hours per week at partnered medical offices, blending real work experience with classroom instruction.
- Participants who complete the program receive eligibility for up to 30 college credits upon matriculation into York County Community College’s Health Studies Degree Program, providing accelerated academic advancement.
- Strong partnerships with local healthcare providers like York Hospital and MaineHealth ensure high-quality clinical placements and direct pathways to employment opportunities for graduates.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,859 Avg. Aid Amount
- 30% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 19/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Spartanburg Community College
Spartanburg, SCProgram Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $3,988 Avg. Aid Amount
- 28% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 16/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Spartanburg Community College
- The Medical Assistant program at Spartanburg Community College offers hands-on clinical rotations in local physicians’ offices, ensuring students gain real-world interpersonal and technical skills before graduating.
- The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), assuring quality education aligned with national standards and enhancing career credibility.
- Students must complete a criminal background investigation and drug testing, preparing them for professional standards and employment requirements in healthcare settings.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $3,988 Avg. Aid Amount
- 28% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 16/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Avg. Aid Amount – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Students w/ Aid – Percent of full-time, first-time students undergraduates awarded institutional aid.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of undergraduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-5 and #6-7 were equally weighted.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2025
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