Online Medical Assistant Programs in Montana: Find and Compare
If you’re looking for a stable and rewarding healthcare career in Montana, consider becoming a medical assistant. Get the inside scoop on the training you need to enter the profession quickly and affordably. See the best online medical assistant programs in Montana, get answers to FAQs, and see up-to-date salary and job growth data.
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A Closer Look: Montana’s Online Medical Assistant Programs
When exploring medical assistant programs in Montana, you’ll find options that offer significant online flexibility while still preparing you for hands-on healthcare work. Many programs allow you to complete most or all coursework online, making it easier to balance school with work or family responsibilities, while still training you for roles in clinics, hospitals, and medical offices.
As you compare programs, focus on how each one fits your goals, schedule, and budget. Key elements to evaluate include:
- Course delivery: Fully online, hybrid, synchronous, or asynchronous formats
- Hands-on requirements: In-person labs or clinical externships
- Curriculum: Clinical skills, administrative training, billing and coding, and medical terminology
- Program details: Admission requirements, length, and total cost
To help you get started, the three programs highlighted below show how online medical assistant training works in Montana and what you can expect from quality MA education options.
The University of Montana — Associate Degree
The Medical Assisting Associate’s Degree Program (AAS) at the University of Montana is one of the top entirely online medical assistant program(s) in Montana and prepares students to work for healthcare employers around the state. The two-year program includes coursework covering clinical procedures, medical ethics, medical terminology, and pharmaceutical products. It’s rounded off with general education courses.
The school’s well-rounded AAS education also includes hands-on instruction. Experiential learning familiarizes students with the daily duties – including patient care practices, billing and coding, and scheduling – of medical assistants. Additionally, students participate in internships that often transition to full-time employment.
Duration: 2 years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $2,006-$3,898/year
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Completed application
- ACT/SAT scores (encouraged)
Curriculum:
- Medical Assistance and Clinical Procedures I
- Medical Assistance and Clinical Procedures II
- Medical Assisting Exam Prep
- Medical Assisting Externship
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Billing Fundamentals
- Pharmaceutical Products
- Medical Office Procedures
- Computerized Medical Billing
- Medical Ethics
- Electronic Health Records
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Montana State University — Certification Course
Montana State University offers an online Clinical Medical Assistant Master certification course that takes four to six months. The program focuses on providing patient-centered care in a variety of clinical settings, and coursework covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, the role and function of EKG technicians, and electronic records in a medical practice. Students can also complete a volunteer externship at a local healthcare facility to reinforce classroom learning by performing tasks like collecting medical specimens and taking patient vital signs. Montana State University also provides video lessons and textbooks accessible on mobile devices as well as learner support accessible 24 hours a day.
Duration: Four to six months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $4,000
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Background check
- Drug screening
- Immunizations & health records
Curriculum:
- Preparing patients for examination and treatment
- Routine laboratory procedures
- Pharmacology
- Taking and documenting vital signs
- Technical aspects of phlebotomy
- 12-lead EKG and cardiac life cycle
Charter College — Certificate in Medical Assistant
The blended Certificate in Medical Assistant program at Charter College takes 10 months and includes both on-campus and virtual learning. Campus learning takes place at the school’s Billings, Pryor, Hardin, Laurel, Crow Agency, and Huntley locations, and the school is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Coursework covers medical billing and coding, health records management, medical terminology, healthcare compliance, and patient care standards. Students must also participate in an externship where they complete 180 hours of hands-on training in an HMO, clinic, doctor’s office, or ambulatory care facility.
Graduates of this mostly online medical assistant program in MT can sit for certification examinations from the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
Duration: 10 months
Mode: Partially online
Cost: $386/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed admissions form
- Personal interview
- Official transcripts from prior school
Curriculum:
- Compliance in Health Care Environments
- Patient Care Concepts
- Medical Office Emergencies
- Medical Terminology Fundamentals
- Functions of Health Records Management
- Medical insurance Billing and Coding
FAQs from Montana Medical Assisting Students
When you’re considering online medical assistant programs in Montana, it’s only natural to have questions — about what to look for, how much you’ll pay, and how your training will work for you after you’ve completed your studies.
Below are the answers to five of the most-pressing questions asked by prospective medical assistant students:
How do I know if a program is accredited?
Proper accreditation of the schools and programs you consider is a must, as it confirms those programs have met certain standards of academic excellence. Most colleges and universities in Montana are institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Additionally, medical assistant programs themselves may be accredited by a programmatic accreditor. The two most prominent accreditors of U.S.-based MA programs are:
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs(CAAHEP)
You typically find information on current accreditation status on MA program websites. If you can’t find it there, you can try this Department of Education accreditation database.
How in-demand are medical assistants in Montana?
Very. The current healthcare workforce crisis in Montana has resulted in a current and continuing high demand for medical assistants in the state.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, forecasts a 24.5% percent increase in medical assistant jobs in Montana between 2022 and 2032. This means an average of 330 MA positions added to the workplace annually.
More on medical assistant job growth below.
What is the cost of a medical assistant program in MT?
The cost of your Montana online medical assistant education will depend primarily on the specific credential and program you choose. The current program costs listed in the spotlights above will give you a good idea of what you should expect to pay for your Montana-based medical assistant training, so expect a total price tag from around $2,200 to $3,500.
How do I become a medical assistant in Montana?
Neither licensure or certification is required by the State of Montana to practice as a medical assistant. Nevertheless, it is to your great advantage to obtain one or more professional certifications in the MA field. That’s because most employers themselves require or, at the very least, prefer medical assistant job applicants to possess professional certification.
And since completion of a quality medical assistant training program is almost always required to obtain certification, you’ll first need to complete such a program.
More on professional certifications below.
What will I learn in an online medical assistant program in Montana?
An online medical assistant program in Montana will provide you with both the clinical and administrative skills you need for successful practice in a variety of healthcare settings — from bustling hospitals to private physician’s offices.
As part of your clinical training, you’ll learn to:
- Take vital signs
- Administer injections
- Draw blood
- Assist with patient exams
On the administrative side, you’ll learn:
- Medical coding and billing
- Insurance processing
- Patient records keeping
- Communication skills
This diverse skill set and real-world practice will ensure you’re ready to take on a variety of MA roles in Montana’s growing healthcare market.
Medical Assisting Certification in Montana
As mentioned earlier, there are no state licensure or certification requirements to practice as a medical assistant in Montana. In practical terms, though, possessing national professional certification is a must.
Among the most-recognized medical assistant certifications are:
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA)
- Registered Medical Assistant (RMA)
Once you’ve obtained certification, you’ll need to renew it on a regular basis (typically every year or two years.)
Renewal requirements vary by specific certification, but in most cases you’ll need to earn a given number of continuing education (CE) credits each renewal period. You’ll also need to pay a renewal fee.
You can find continuing education opportunities through statewide organizations like the Montana Society of Medical Assistants.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in Montana
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $35,020 | $44,200 | $57,830 |
| Montana | $37,750 | $45,440 | $53,010 |
| Billings, MT | $33,260 | $44,750 | $51,570 |
| Bozeman, MT | $40,240 | $47,040 | $56,780 |
| Great Falls, MT | $37,890 | $44,460 | $49,950 |
| Helena, MT | $36,130 | $43,720 | $47,530 |
| Missoula, MT | $38,740 | $45,850 | $56,390 |
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 ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 2,000 | 2,490 | 490 | 24.50% | 330 |
| 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.
Best Online Medical Assistant Programs in Montana
Program Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- $19,625 Avg. Aid Amount
- 41% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 7/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected University of Providence
- The University of Providence Medical Assistant program uniquely integrates comprehensive Epic electronic health record training delivered by certified instructors, ensuring graduates are highly prepared for modern healthcare environments.
- With 80% online coursework complemented by 20% in-person hands-on skills labs, the program offers a flexible hybrid format supporting a healthy work-life balance while maintaining high engagement.
- Students complete a required 160-hour practicum exclusively at partner healthcare facilities (not their current job), guaranteeing real-world clinical experience and strong employer connections.
Program Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- $19,625 Avg. Aid Amount
- 41% Graduation Rate
- Private School Type
- 7/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- $9,477 Avg. Aid Amount
- 56% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 18/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Montana State University
- The Medical Assistant program at Gallatin College offers accelerated completion options to prepare students efficiently for entry-level positions.
- It provides high clinical placement rates through a required internship/externship, ensuring hands-on experience and strong employer connections.
- Students benefit from specialized career tracks, including certifications that enhance employability as Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMA).
Program Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- $9,477 Avg. Aid Amount
- 56% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 18/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- $8,199 Avg. Aid Amount
- 44% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 18/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected The University of Montana
- The Medical Assistant program includes a required 200-hour externship/practicum at approved ambulatory sites, providing valuable real-world clinical experience before graduation.
- Students who successfully complete the program are prepared and encouraged to take the Registered Medical Assistant exam, enhancing professional certification and job prospects.
- Entry into the program requires demonstrated computer competency, ensuring students are proficient with essential healthcare technologies like electronic medical records.
Program Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- $8,199 Avg. Aid Amount
- 44% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 18/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Flathead Valley Community College
Kalispell, MTProgram Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- $2,715 Avg. Aid Amount
- 41% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Flathead Valley Community College
- The FVCC Medical Assistant program offers supervised hands-on clinical training combined with administrative instruction, enhancing workplace readiness.
- It features a clear pathway to Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credentials, including eligibility to take the AAMA exam upon program completion.
- The program is tailored for ambulatory care settings, emphasizing versatility highly valued by physicians in clinics and group practices.
Program Details
- NWCCU Accreditation
- $2,715 Avg. Aid Amount
- 41% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Avg. Aid Amount – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Students w/ Aid – Percent of full-time, first-time students undergraduates awarded institutional aid.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of undergraduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-5 and #6-7 were equally weighted.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2025
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