Online Medical Assistant Programs in Illinois: Top Schools

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.

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.