Online Medical Assistant Programs in Illinois: Top Schools
A top online medical assistant program in Illinois can help you learn the administrative and clinical skills you need to support medical office operations and patient care. Let EduMed show you some of the state’s best programs, lay out the road to certification, and break down job opportunities and salary numbers across Illinois.
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Inside Online Medical Assistant Programs in Illinois
You may think you’re too busy to pursue medical assistant certification, or that you lack the time and energy to attend classes on campus. An online medical assistant program in Illinois can put your goal of becoming a certified medical assistant well within reach.
Accredited programs give you the knowledge and skills you need to get certified and get hired, whether on the clerical side, the clinical side, or both. Below, we’ve spotlighted three Illinois medical assistant programs with online components. See how they work, how much they cost, and if they have what you’re looking for.
Clinical Medical Assistant — Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University’s Clinical Medical Assistant program provides students with the knowledge and skills required to pass the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. Major topics covered include:
- Medical terminology
- Basic medical procedures
- Patient privacy and security
- Healthcare ethics
The program also offers students the opportunity to participate in an in-person clinical experience during which they’ll apply the theoretical principles learned in their coursework to real-world practice situations.
Graduates are prepared to perform the administrative and clinical tasks required of medical assistants across various healthcare settings — from hospitals and clinics to private care centers.
This highly flexible program does not follow a strict enrollment schedule, so students can begin anytime.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $3,295
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Curriculum:
- Clinical Teamwork: Training emphasizes functioning effectively as part of a healthcare team in ambulatory care settings.
- Professional Standards: Students learn ethical behavior, therapeutic communication, and patient privacy standards, including detailed coverage of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules.
- Fundamental Medical Knowledge: Instruction includes medical terminology, an overview of significant body system functions, and basic knowledge of government and private insurance structures.
- Patient Interaction: Students are trained to document chief complaints, obtain patient histories, and understand the contents of various medical records.
- Clinical Procedures: Coursework covers medical and surgical asepsis, venipuncture techniques, and best practices for infection control.
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Certified Clinical Medical Assistant — Governors State University
The online Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program from Governors State University equips students to become vital members of healthcare teams. Its comprehensive curriculum includes coursework in:
- Anatomy
- Clinical procedures
- Communication
- Insurance coding
- Medical record management
- Medical terminology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
Emphasis is placed throughout the course of study on ethical conduct, patient privacy, and a safe work environment. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NHA certification exam and prepared for entry-level positions as clinical medical assistants in a range of practice settings.
The flexible online format allows students to learn independently while experienced instructors provide guidance and support throughout the program.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $3,295
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Curriculum:
- Core Healthcare Team Skills: Develop the skills needed to excel as a vital healthcare team member in ambulatory care settings.
- Professional Standards and Ethics: Gain knowledge in ethical behavior, therapeutic communication, and protecting patient privacy while fostering professional traits essential for success.
- Office Dynamics and Safety: Understand the importance of first impressions, maintaining a safe office environment, and ensuring practice efficiency through risk management and revenue cycle strategies.
- Medical Knowledge and Clinical Skills: Learn medical terminology, administrative and clinical job duties, and core clinical procedures for patient care.
- Career Readiness: Explore best practices for securing a medical assisting position and prepare to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam through the NHA.
Medical Assistant Certificate Pathway — National Louis University
The accelerated Medical Assistant Certificate Pathway program offered through National Louis University’s “Accelerate U” platform enables students to earn their medical assistant certificate in just seven months. This program is delivered in a hybrid format consisting of:
- Live online class sessions with highly-qualified instructors and coaches.
- Monthly in-person skills labs attended at an Accelerate U’s training facility in Chicago or Tampa.
- In-person externship (160 clinical hours) attended at a program-approved practice site typically in the student’s local community. Students receive a stipend during their externship.
The program emphasizes the importance of a supportive, 1:1 learning environment by matching each student with a success coach to help guide them throughout their academic journey.
30 credits earned in this certificate program can be applied to a bachelor’s degree program at NLU. Graduates are given primary consideration for employment by program healthcare partners.
Duration: 7 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $7,500
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent and successful interview with the program’s admissions committee
Curriculum:
- Comprehensive Medical Training: This program integrates national best practices in medical training, combining online, remote, and in-person learning to prepare students for a career as a Medical Assistant.
- Clinical Skills Development: Gain hands-on experience in asepsis, phlebotomy, sterilization, administering immunizations, checking vitals, conducting EKGs, and understanding pharmacology.
- Administrative Expertise: Learn key administrative duties such as medical billing, insurance processes, financial bookkeeping, phone etiquette, appointment scheduling, and medical record management.
- Medical Law and Ethics: Study essential legal and ethical standards, including HIPAA, the AMA Patient Bill of Rights, and CLIA ‘88 regulations.
- Anatomy and Physiology Knowledge: Explore body systems, circulatory system anatomy, and the structure of arteries and veins, along with mastering medical terminology and abbreviations.
- Communication and Teamwork Skills: Develop patient care, interpersonal, and collaboration skills while focusing on cultural competence, written and verbal communication, and teamwork in healthcare settings.
FAQs for Illinois Medical Assistant Students
If you’ve read this far, it’s likely you have several questions. Below are the answers to five questions often asked by prospective medical assistant students to help you in finding the right online program for you and reaching your career goals.
Are there professional organizations or networking opportunities for Illinois medical assistants?
Yes. By joining any of a number of professional organizations, medical assistants in Illinois have numerous opportunities to expand their networks and become active participants in the allied healthcare community. Specific benefits include:
- Access to potential career opportunities
- Help in obtaining professional certification
- Access to professional development activities and continuing education programs
- Ability to advocate for the medical assistant profession
One of the most influential professional medical assistant organizations is the state is the Illinois Society of Medical Assistants (ISMA), an affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Do I need to complete any prerequisites before applying to an online medical assistant program?
In some cases. Most Illinois-based medical assistant programs require only a high school diploma (or equivalent) for admission.
However, some programs (like the one at Waubonsee Community College) additionally require applicants to complete several courses (in subjects such as medical terminology, biology, anatomy and physiology) before enrollment.
Programs with prerequisite requirements often allow students to complete some or all of those requirements during the early stages of the program itself.
How much should I expect to pay for an Illinois program?
The costs of medical assistant programs in Illinois vary from school to school. Most online programs, however, are surprisingly affordable, with total costs often ranging from around $2,000 to $7,000.
In addition, there are several potential sources of financial aid available to qualifying medical assistant students, including scholarships, grants, loans, employer tuition reimbursement, and more. One popular state-sponsored funding resource is the Illinois Monetary Award program, which provides grants to students at eligible Illinois colleges and institutions.
Keep in mind that financial aid opportunities for certificate programs are often limited when compared to full degree programs. So, it’s always a good idea to contact the financial aid offices at each of the schools your considering to learn about potential funding help.
Expert Insight
There are several options for potential financial aid and scholarship opportunities. When I was applying to medical assistant programs, I found that some options I did not know about until I reached out to the specific program. You should contact the financial aid office if available for the program you plan to enroll in to ask details in regards to the options they have available for financial aid and scholarships.
What are the admission requirements for Illinois medical assistant programs?
With a few exceptions, the admissions requirement for medical assistant programs in Illinois tend to be pretty standard. Common requirements include:
- High school diploma or equivalent (like a GED)
- Stated minimum GPA
- Placement or entrance exam
- Clean criminal background check
- Health screenings and immunizations
- CPR certification
Some programs additionally require completion of prerequisite coursework in any of a number of healthcare-related subjects.
It’s important that you carefully review all admissions requirements for any medical assistant program you’re considering before submitting your application.
Expert Insight
If you do not meet all the requirements for one program, there are other options. When I was researching which medical assistant program to attend, I made a list comparing the requirements for each of the programs. This helped me narrow down the best options for me.
What does an online medical assistant curriculum in Illinois cover?
The primary focus of all Illinois medical assistant programs is to prepare students to pass one or more certification exams and obtain professional certification. Therefore, program curriculums include coursework in those topics tested.
Major topics covered include:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Infection control
- Medical ethics and law
- Medical terminology
- Minor surgery
- Pathology
- Patient care
- Phlebotomy
- Specimen handling
- Vital signs and measurements
Many online medical assistant programs also incorporate in-person externships or clinicals.
MA Certification and Continuing Education
Earning medical assistant certification can help bolster your resume and stand out with employers. These certifications signify that you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to be a valuable asset as a medical assistant.
Popular medical assistant certifications include:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) from the National Healthcareer Association
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) also from the National Healthcareer Association
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from American Medical Technologists
Most medical assistant certifications require holders to renew their certifications on a regular basis. Doing so typically involves the completion of a stated number of continuing education (CE) credits during each renewal period.
Career Prospects and Pay for Medical Assistants in Illinois
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 21,720 | 24,040 | 2,320 | 10.70% | 3,140 |
| 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 |
| Illinois | $35,560 | $45,490 | $54,960 |
| Bloomington, IL | $35,550 | $38,580 | $49,820 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $37,150 | $42,930 | $48,870 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,710 | $46,740 | $56,750 |
| Decatur, IL | $35,410 | $40,580 | $46,910 |
| Kankakee, IL | $36,770 | $37,390 | $45,320 |
| Peoria, IL | $36,800 | $43,170 | $46,820 |
| Rockford, IL | $37,080 | $44,380 | $48,190 |
| Springfield, IL | $37,710 | $40,600 | $46,880 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
