Online Medical Assistant Programs in Florida: Choosing a School
Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, a young professional itching for a career change, or a current medical assistant looking to develop new skills, online medical assistant programs in Florida can help you achieve your goals. Read EduMed’s guide for a detailed overview of medical assistant degrees in the state, as well as a breakdown of certification requirements, pay, and job prospects across Florida.
What to Expect: Inside 3 Top Florida Programs
Most medical assistants complete either a two-year associate’s degree or a shorter certification program before entering the field. Certificate programs are better for those who want to start their career as soon as possible, while associate programs work best for students who want more potential to advance in their careers.
But deciding between a certificate or associate’s isn’t the only decision you have to make. You’ll also have to find a specific school that offers a robust curriculum, helps you achieve your professional potential, and is affordable. To help you get you started, we’ve highlighted the best online medical assistant program in Florida. While there are many other programs in the state, the three featured below are excellent examples of what to look for in an online program.
Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Science – Keiser University
Keiser University’s Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Science is available online and covers clinical and administrative duties such as patient histories, vital signs, injections, venipuncture, and lab tests. The program includes medical office procedures, insurance handling, and ethics, preparing graduates for the RMA exam by AMT. The degree requires 60 credit hours, combining major-specific courses and general education. While it’s hosted through Keiser’s Florida campuses, it can also be completed online and meets all 50 states’ educational requirements for medical assisting.
Duration: 2 years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $250 per credit or about $15,000
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Official transcript for all previous coursework
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Healthcare (3 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology with Terminology & Disease Process (4 credits)
- Pharmacology(3 credits)
- Medical Law & Ethics(3 credits)
- Medical Office Procedures with Insurance (3 credits)
- Computerized Medical Office Management (3 credits)
- 40 credit hours in general education courses to fulfill associate degree requirements
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Associate of Science in Medical Assisting – Daytona College
Daytona College offers a 90-credit associate’s degree in medical assisting and a shorter certificate program, which doesn’t have as many general education requirements. Both are offered in a hybrid model with students coming into campus to complete hands-on learning experiences, such as drawing a patient’s blood. The college balances that hands-on experience with virtual courses that cover the administrative side of healthcare, as well as medical terminology and other essentials for working in healthcare settings.
Duration: 70 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $208 per credit or about $18,720 total
Admissions Requirements:
- High school degree, GED equivalent, or home-study certificate
- Official transcript for all previous coursework
- Ability to complete an online orientation
Curriculum:
- Patient intake and assessment
- Medication administration
- Diagnostic tests
- Specimen collecting and processing
- Billing and insurance
- Electronic Health Records
- Drawing blood
- Medical business administration
- Along with core coursework required to get an associate’s degree
Florida International University – Certification Course
Florida International University offers an online medical assisting program that takes twelve months to complete. During that time, students complete two courses. The first, medical terminology, covers the musculoskeletal system, the immune system, the cardiovascular system, and other essential parts of human anatomy. The second, certified medical assistant skills, covers the practical knowledge MAs use in their day-to-day: healthcare communication, legal and ethical issues, filing insurance claims, billing, medication administration, and more.
Duration: One year
Mode: Online
Cost: $2,795.00 or about $5 per course hour (540 course hours total)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school degree, GED equivalent, or home-study certificate
- Official transcript for all previous coursework
Curriculum:
- Medical terminology (270 course hours)
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Skills (270 course hours)
FAQs for Medical Assistant Students in Florida
The process of searching for the right online medical assistant program in Florida can bring up a lot of questions that are difficult to answer without the proper resources. From inquiries about prerequisites to concerns about costs, we address some of the most pressing questions below.
Do online medical assistant programs in Florida have prerequisites?
At this point in your search, you’ve likely noticed that prerequisite requirements can vary pretty significantly, particularly between certificate and associate degree programs. The latter typically has greater requirements but also opens up more career opportunities after graduating. Many programs require students to complete foundational courses in math and science before they transition into higher-level coursework. Schools like Keiser University require that students complete classes like English composition, introduction to computers, and college mathematics before they start their medical assisting coursework, but not before they enroll in the medical assisting associate’s degree. Many associate’s and certificates also require students to have a high school degree or GED before applying.
What subjects do medical assistant programs in Florida cover?
When tackling your Florida online medical assistant program, you can expect a comprehensive curriculum covering various clinical and administrative topics. At Daytona College, students acquire essential skills in diagnostic testing, medical business communications, managing health records, and patient intake and assessment. Other schools, like Keiser University, focus on the technical side of the medical assisting degree. These programs focus more heavily on anatomy, technology used in healthcare, and assisting during medical procedures and surgeries. Most also look into healthcare ethics and law, two important topics for all medical assistants to have some understanding of.
Is it difficult to be accepted to Florida online medical assistant programs?
Admission requirements also vary between schools, but many of Florida’s online medical assistant programs require just a high school diploma or GED. Still, you must review admissions and application requirements when searching for medical assistant programs. Florida International University’s online CMA program offers open enrollment, meaning you can register and start classes whenever you’re ready. Other programs may have specific enrollment periods, such as in spring for fall semester or in fall for the spring semester. To make sure you turn in program applications on time, not any set application due date in your calendar.
What funding is available for online medical assistant students in Florida?
Accredited programs offer standard financial aid options, such as student loans, program discounts, and scholarships. In addition to school-administered scholarships, you can apply for federal student aid in the form of loans, grants, or scholarships, by completing the FAFSA. The Florida Department of Education also offers scholarships for first-time students and those who are going back to school for a new degree.
While it can be confusing to navigate these financial aid options, you’re not alone. A school’s financial aid office can answer any financial questions you may have before completing the enrollment process.
What is the average cost of an online medical assistant program in Florida?
Online medical assistant programs typically cost between $2,000 and $15,000 for the entire program. Florida International University’s online CMA program currently costs $2,750 for the 540 hours of training you’ll receive. On the other end of the spectrum, Keiser’s program costs closer to $15,000.
Because a number like that can feel daunting to most of us, many programs provide payment plans that allow you to divide the cost into more manageable payments. Some may also provide financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, grants, and fellowship programs. Online programs also make it easier to balance coursework with a job, which can help offset some costs.
Certifications and Continuing Education in Florida
Completing an accredited online medical assistant program in Florida is the only thing you need to technically start working in Florida since the state doesn’t offer a medical assistant license. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t certifications that can help you maximize your marketability and earning potential, such as the certification through a professional organization like the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
Students can also deepen their education through an externship. Clinical externships offer a hands-on pathway toward real-world experience, enhancing your knowledge while facilitating the transition from the classroom to a professional healthcare setting. This real-world training can also help you establish a professional network.
Once a student has graduated, there aren’t any official requirements in the state of Florida to keep working as a medical assistant. Organizations like AAMA may require continuing education to renew certifications—and this continued education keeps your skillset fresh and relevant.
Career & Salary Info: How Much Can You Make in FL?
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $35,020 | $44,200 | $57,830 |
| Florida | $35,320 | $41,380 | $48,520 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $36,200 | $43,500 | $48,160 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $35,600 | $38,400 | $47,120 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $34,650 | $38,760 | $47,010 |
| Gainesville, FL | $32,750 | $38,420 | $53,530 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $31,460 | $37,280 | $45,540 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $36,390 | $39,730 | $47,150 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $34,230 | $38,140 | $46,870 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $36,670 | $44,520 | $51,860 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $37,590 | $45,650 | $54,120 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $35,750 | $45,040 | $49,110 |
| Ocala, FL | $29,840 | $36,920 | $44,830 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $34,840 | $39,640 | $47,350 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $29,950 | $39,790 | $49,270 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $31,190 | $37,630 | $46,390 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $29,400 | $37,350 | $44,870 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $35,870 | $42,840 | $50,110 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $35,940 | $42,420 | $54,770 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $36,040 | $38,550 | $45,990 |
| Sebring, FL | $31,200 | $36,450 | $42,710 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $33,730 | $37,970 | $48,520 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $36,190 | $41,180 | $48,060 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $34,450 | $38,990 | $47,040 |
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 ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 59,310 | 72,800 | 13,490 | 22.70% | 9,760 |
| 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.
