Top Online Medical Assistant Schools in Arkansas: Choose the Best Program for You
Kickstart your medical assistant career with one of the best online schools in Arkansas. Get started by finding the right program for you.
If you’re looking for a great career to break into the medical services field, one of the best options is medical assistant. They are important healthcare team members who help physicians and other licensed professionals provide medical care directly to patients. MAs also handle a number of administrative tasks in hospitals, doctor’s offices, outpatient clinics, and many other healthcare facility settings.
There are plenty of benefits to working as a medical assistant, including strong earnings and excellent job growth potential, nearly four times that of the total for all occupations between 2023 and 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And, becoming a medical assistant can open any number of doors to career advancement in the field, including becoming a licensed practical nurse.
Launching your career as a medical assistant in Arkansas requires some formal training, but the good news is that there are several excellent fully and partially online MA programs available to provide it. This guide will introduce you to the best of those programs.
You’ll also find detailed numbers on the earnings and job growth potential we mentioned earlier, along with lots of other valuable information and advice on finding the right MA program for you. So, keep reading to discover how you can get going on your MA career through one of the best online medical assistant programs in Arkansas.
Popular Online Medical Assistant Programs in Arkansas
A great way to begin your search for the right online medical assistant program in Arkansas is to look at what some of the best programs have to offer. That’s why we’re starting you off with spotlights of three popular Arkansas MA programs. We’ve based our selections on the quality of a number of program components, including admissions requirements, academic content, course delivery format, certification preparation, and affordability. Here’s who’s leading the way today in online medical assistant programs in Arkansas.
University of Arkansas
The Clinical Medical Assistant certification course from the University of Arkansas is a prime example of how students in online medical assistant programs in Arkansas can obtain the knowledge and skills they need to launch successful careers through a fully-online course. The program is offered in a 100% online, self-paced format. Coursework is delivered asynchronously, meaning that students can log on and complete their studies at any time.
Graduates of the program have the option to take any number of leading national certification exams, including the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential offered by the National Healthcareer Association. Although not a requirement to complete the course, program graduates have the ability to take part in voluntary local clinical externships and practicums with medical services providers to gain hands-on MA experience.
The current total cost for the estimated 780-clock-hours program is $2,499, which includes e-textbooks and six months of access to the online curriculum.
Arkansas Tech University Ozark
Students interested in an online medical assistant program in Arkansas leading to an associate degree will want to consider the Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting program at ATU Ozark. The AAS in Medical Assisting curriculum includes substantial general coursework along with specialized courses in the subject major. Program content is presented in a blended format that combines online coursework and classes with procedures/skills checks attended on ATU Ozark’s campus in Russellville.
Students additionally complete a 160-clock-hour internship in-person at a program-approved medical facility. Graduates of the program are eligible for the Certified Medical Assistant exam through the American Association of Medical Assistants. The program requires two years (including summer session) of full-time study with program starts available annually in the fall.
Unconditional admission requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent with a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA and submission of ACT or SAT scores. The current per-credit tuition rates for this 60-credit program are $249.78 for Arkansas residents and $499.56 for out-of-state students.
University of Arkansas Community College Batesville
Community colleges are a major source of MA training in Arkansas. An excellent example is the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant course from the University of Arkansas Community College Batesville. Program content focuses on preparing students for successful MA practice in a wide range of medical settings including physician’s offices, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and anywhere else where medical services are offered.
Course subjects include medical terminology, pharmacology, nutrition, recording vital signs, managing medical records, patient communications, and medical equipment. Similar to the University of Arkansas program highlighted above, all work for the certification course at UACCB is presented 100% online in a self-paced, asynchronous format.
Graduates are eligible to take the CCMA exam to prepare for work as Certified Clinical Medical Assistants. There are no prerequisites to take the course, and students can begin their studies at any time. The current total cost for this 12-month course is $2,795.
Medical Assistants’ Salary & Career Outlook in AR
Two important factors for anyone considering a career in healthcare are salaries and job growth potential. The tables below offer recent salary and job growth figures for medical assistants in the U.S. and Arkansas, starting immediately below with annual general earnings in the nation and state, and in six specific major Arkansas metropolitan areas.
The figures show that MA salaries in the state fall somewhat below those in the U.S., which is not surprising given the lower overall cost of living in Arkansas compared to the nation. And, as indicated by the differences in metro area salaries, what you will actually earn in your medical assistant job will depend on your geographic location, specific employer and job duties, and level of professional work experience.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $43,350 | $56,480 |
| Arkansas | $29,510 | $35,560 | $43,180 |
| Fayetteville, AR | $30,420 | $36,780 | $42,920 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $30,020 | $34,720 | $40,820 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $28,080 | $32,840 | $37,700 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $29,890 | $35,320 | $41,230 |
| Little Rock, AR | $29,560 | $36,030 | $45,390 |
| Pine Bluff, AR | $30,210 | $34,810 | $42,310 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
When it comes to medical assistant careers, earnings tell only half of the story. The other part concerns job security and growth potential, and medical assistant careers are powerhouses on both counts. This is evidenced by the 18.4% and 17.4% projected job growth figures for the U.S. and Arkansas respectively listed in the table below. These are exceptionally high percentages, particularly when compared to the 4% job growth rate projected for all occupations from 2023-2033 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employment Outlook for Medical Assistants in Wisconsin
If you look at the table below, you’ll see there’s excellent growth potential for the medical assistant profession in Wisconsin (12%), but it’s not quite as high as the projected national growth rate (18%). However, any field with projected growth that’s higher than the national average (5%) indicates stability and opportunity for growth.
This, coupled with the short time it takes to earn a medical assistant degree, makes it a great opportunity for someone looking to get into the healthcare field while still earning enough to cover the average cost of living for two people.
| Area | New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 132,600 | 18.4% | 104,400 |
| Arkansas | 630 | 17.4% | 520 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020-2030
Answering Your Questions
How do I know if a program is accredited?
Accreditation is the process through which online medical assistant programs in Arkansas are vetted for their academic value and legitimacy. The two types of accreditation to look for during your program search are institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation concerns the academic quality of colleges, universities, or vocational/technical schools taken as a whole. Programmatic accreditation concerns the quality of programs (degrees, diplomas, certificates) in a specific academic/technical field. There are two primary accreditors of online medical assistant programs in the United States: the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
You will likely find both institutional and programmatic accreditation information by visiting the websites of the schools and programs you’re considering. You can also check current programmatic accreditation status by visiting the CAAHEP and ABHES websites linked above. Institutional accreditation can be checked by using this Department of Education search engine.
Can I do medical assistant schooling online?
If you’ve read to this point, then you know that the answer to this question is “yes”. Online medical assistant programs, including in Arkansas, have become quite popular. And, as shown by the spotlighted programs above, both fully online and hybrid programs are available. It’s important to remember, however, that while it’s possible to get hired in Arkansas without the hands-on practical experience commonly a part of blended MA programs, many of the best employers require (or at least prefer) applicants with experience working directly with patients.
How much does a medical assistant program cost in Arkansas?
The total costs of online medical assistant programs in Arkansas can vary substantially depending on the specific credential offered. For example, non-credit programs (like the University of Arkansas and UACCB programs spotlighted above) boast total costs of under $3,000 each. On the other end of the price spectrum is the MA associate degree program at ATU Ozark (also spotlighted above) and its total tuition price for Arkansas residents at just under $15,000.
It’s important to take into account any added expenses you may incur on top of your program’s stated total cost, like fees, books, and other instructional materials. Some programs include these items in their stated costs, while others do not. For students in programs that include on-campus components and in-person clinical experiences, you’ll have transportation and uniform/equipment costs to add to your bottom line. Just don’t forget to speak with a program representative about any financial aid opportunities that may be available to help you pay for your MA education.
How do I become a medical assistant in AR?
Working as a medical assistant in Arkansas does not require any form of licensure or certification issued by the state. Nevertheless, most employers require or prefer to hire medical assistants who possess a professional certification. Examples of certifications include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the AAMA and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the NHA. Both of these certifications require applicants to have completed formal MA training like that offered through the discussed online medical assistant programs in Arkansas. Therefore, your best path to becoming a medical assistant in Arkansas is by completing an MA education program and obtaining your professional medical assistant certification.
Scope of Practice: What Can a Medical Assistant Do?
As we mentioned, medical assistants play a vital role in the care of patients in hospitals, outpatient clinics, doctor’s offices, and practically anywhere else where that care is overseen by a physician. The “Medical Assistant” title, though, offers an accurate but overly general description of the job, as there’s more to the duties and responsibilities that medical assistants provide than helping with patient care. A lot more.
There are two primary categories of medical assistant job duties: administrative and clinical. Here’s a look at each:
Administrative:
- Oversee the ordering and maintenance of office and medical supplies.
- Operate computer equipment and applications.
- Welcome patients as they arrive for appointments.
- Answer office phone calls and schedule appointments.
- Arrange hospital admissions and lab services for patients, if necessary.
- Take care of office billing, bookkeeping, and correspondence.
- Maintain patient medical record files.
- Filling out and coding insurance forms.
Clinical:
- Interviewing patients, including taking and recording their medical histories.
- Taking patient vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, weight).
- Describing treatment procedures to patients and families. This is especially important because it offers MAs the opportunity to make patients feel comfortable in the office/exam room environment and put them at ease regarding care and treatment they are about to receive.
- Preparing patients for medical examinations.
- Drawing, labeling, and storing blood samples.
- Helping doctors during medical exams.
- Preparing, applying, and changing dressings on wounds.
- Preparing and taking patient specimens for lab work.
- Performing basic lab tests.
- Instructing patients and family members on the use of prescribed medications, home treatments, and special diets.
- Preparing and administering vaccinations, immunizations, and other medications under the direction of a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or other licensed healthcare provider.
- Transmitting prescriptions and prescription refills as directed by a licensed provider with authority to prescribe medications.
