Online Medical Assistant Programs in Georgia: Review & Compare
Medical assistants play a crucial role in Georgia’s healthcare system. They perform both clinical and administrative duties at facilities across the state. But how do you get the training you need to become a medical assistant, and can you get this training online? Use EduMed’s guide to learn how online medical assistant programs work, read FAQs from Georgia students, and see what it takes to get in, graduate, and get to work.
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Medical Assisting Health ScienceInside Georgia Medical Assistant Programs
The need for medical assistants is growing in Georgia. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a 15% increase in available jobs from 2023 to 2033 — a much-faster-than-average growth rate. To take advantage, it’s important to familiarize yourself with top programs, certification requirements, and your earning potential.
Your first decision is choosing the credential that best fits your goals, timeline, and budget. Medical assisting programs typically fall into two main options:
- Medical assisting certificate: Usually completed in six to twelve months, allowing you to enter the workforce faster, though with more limited long-term growth potential.
- Associate degree in medical assisting: Takes about two years to complete and often opens the door to broader job opportunities and career advancement.
Georgia has a number of medical assistant programs with online components designed to maximize flexibility. Let’s see how they work and if one might be right for you.
Certificate in Medical Assisting – South College
South College offers an online Certificate in Medical Assisting program that prepares students to work in various healthcare settings. To graduate, students must complete 53 credits of online didactic coursework and on-campus laboratory training, as well as an on-the-job practicum experience.
Because the program is CAAHEP-accredited, students are eligible to apply for certification as Certified Medical Assistants through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT) as Registered Medical Assistants.
Although certification is not required in Georgia, both give students a leg-up in their job search and careers following graduation.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Online or hybrid
Cost: $1,000 for 10-20 credit hours (53 required for the program)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school degree, GED equivalent, or home-study certificate
- Official transcript for all previous coursework
Curriculum:
- Human Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pathology
- Clinical and lab procedures
- Medical terminology
- Pharmacology
- First Aid
- 200-hour unpaid, supervised practicum at a local medical practice
Programs that might interest you:
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Program – Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University works with ed2go to provide an online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program that includes a voucher to cover the certification exam fee.
This self-paced online medical assistant program teaches students a broad range of skills that make them versatile and valuable employees, including medical terminology, medical law and ethics, HIPAA rules, and scheduling systems.
By graduation, students can perform duties that include measuring vital signs, assisting with exams, performing laboratory testing, maintaining equipment and supplies, administering injections, obtaining blood specimens, registering patients, and answering and returning phone calls.
Because this CCMA program is administered through ed2go, it is considered non-credit and does not qualify for federal financial aid.
Duration: One year
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $2,990 (one-time program fee)
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)
- Clinical experience course (on campus)
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Training Program – Valdosta State University
At Valdosta State University, students can enroll in the 100% online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Training program whenever their schedule allows because there is no set start date.
Like Georgia Southern University, the total cost of the course includes a voucher for the CCMA exam. As part of the program, students will also have the opportunity to participate in an unpaid clinical experience and receive CPR certification. As CCMAs, students will find themselves coordinating patient scheduling, facilitating office visits, and managing patient records. They may also assist with exams and EKG, phlebotomy, and laboratory procedures.
Duration: 9-12 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $2,895
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)
- CPR certification course (on campus)
FAQs for Georgia Medical Assistant Students
Now that you’ve gotten a glimpse of what several top online medical assistant programs in Georgia offer, let’s break down some of the most frequently asked questions about the online medical assistant programs in Georgia. These questions cover hot topics like paying for your degree, what the best curriculums cover, and available scholarships.
What are the admission requirements for Georgia medical assistant programs?
The general admission requirements to online medical assistant programs in Georgia almost always include a high school diploma or GED. Some schools also require letters of reference and a college admission essay.
There are some programs that require prerequisite general education courses as well, such as a college-level course in psychology or biology. Be sure to check each individual school’s admission requirements before applying. If you have any questions about a specific school’s requirements, reach out to their admissions staff.
How much should I expect to pay for my program?
Each school has different tuition rates, which can be offset by things like vouchers, scholarships, or other financial aid options. However, you can expect the general cost of an online medical assistant program in Georgia to start at around $2,500.
Some schools, like South College, cost more than that (about $1,000 for every 10-20 credit hours taken, to be exact). Other schools may cost less. Another advantage of online programs is that they make it easier to balance coursework with a full-time or part-time job, which can offset program costs.
Are scholarships or grants available for online medical assistant students in Georgia?
There are many financial aid opportunities for online medical assistant students. These opportunities can be offered by a school itself in the form of merit-based scholarships or through the local or federal government.
To make yourself eligible for federal funding, you should always apply for FAFSA. There’s also state-specific financial aid opportunities too. Georgia’s Student Finance Commission runs a scholarship, student loan, and grant program that could provide some funding.
The Georgia Board of Healthcare also provides some loan repayment programs that may be a good fit. Remember, if you’re considering attending an unaccredited online medical assistant program in Georgia, you may not qualify for governmental aid.
Expert Insight
It is important that you look at the program’s website to check if there are any program-specific scholarships. If there is no information on the website, you should reach out to the program to find out more information in regards to potential scholarship opportunities. When I applied for MA programs, I ended up calling some of their offices to get more information in regards to their tuition/scholarships. This helped me get information on options that had not been listed on their websites.n
Are there professional organizations or networking opportunities for Georgia medical assistants?
There are many networking opportunities for medical assistants in Georgia, chief among them being professional organizations like the American Association of Medical Assistants and the Georgia-specific Georgia Society of Medical Assistants. These organizations provide training and educational resources, as well as networking opportunities.
Most likely, there are additional networking opportunities through local healthcare organizations. If interested in certain fields, you could also attend networking events put on by a local association that’s niche-specific. A medical assistant who wants to work in a pediatrician’s office, for example, may explore events hosted by the Georgia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
What does an online medical assistant curriculum in Georgia cover?
The general course curriculum for an online medical assistant program in Georgia covers the various systems within the body, the basics of pharmacology, diagnostic procedures, medical records and documentation, microbiology, first aid, electrocardiogram usage, and nutrition.
Many programs also cover important facets of healthcare administration, such as insurance, medical coding, and the healthcare revenue and billing cycle. Each program may cover slightly different concepts or offer elective courses or specializations, making it important to find a program that aligns with your interests.
Expert Insight
Typically, each program lists what their curriculum consists of on its website. Not the full curriculum, but at least an idea of what is offered. The online MA program I attended listed its curriculum, which offered phlebotomy. This helped me pick my program as phlebotomy was a skill I was interested in learning. If there is a specific skill you are interested in learning, you should look at the program’s website or reach out to them to find out more specifics.n
Georgia’s Certification and Continuing Education Process
To become certified as a medical assistant in Georgia, there are certain steps you need to take: complete an accredited program, complete an externship/internship, take the exam, and keep your certification up to date.
Almost every online medical program in Georgia requires an externship or internship of some kind. This ensures you can apply what you’ve learned in class to a real-world environment. These practicums can be completed at local hospitals or clinics, many of which will have some sort of partnership with your school or program.
While Georgia doesn’t have a medical assisting exam, nor does it issue state licenses for medical assistants, a medical assistant certification from a nongovernmental organization boosts your employability. One of the most popular certifications is hosted through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). AAMA requires graduating students to sit for an exam and complete continuing education requirements in order to continue renewing their certification.
Medical Assistant Salary and Job Outlook in Georgia
Medical Assistants
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $34,270 | $41,600 | $51,430 |
| Albany, GA | $30,760 | $37,000 | $44,340 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $31,410 | $38,620 | $47,000 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $36,340 | $46,060 | $58,310 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $32,130 | $38,470 | $48,430 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $33,820 | $37,690 | $45,530 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,740 | $40,160 | $46,420 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $30,210 | $36,050 | $44,750 |
| Dalton, GA | $32,130 | $37,170 | $46,620 |
| Gainesville, GA | $36,680 | $41,910 | $47,700 |
| Hinesville, GA | $35,430 | $37,830 | $45,580 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $34,280 | $38,400 | $47,550 |
| Rome, GA | $32,790 | $38,240 | $46,280 |
| Savannah, GA | $31,520 | $38,780 | $46,850 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,620 | $35,320 | $42,640 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $30,840 | $36,830 | $45,200 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Medical Assistants
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 811,000 | 912,200 | 101,200 | 12.5% | 112,300 |
| Georgia | 26,040 | 33,080 | 7,040 | 27.1% | 4,210 |
Source: Projections Central, 2024-2034
