Online Medical Assistant Programs in Nebraska: Choosing a School

Inside Nebraska Online Medical Assistant Programs

Can you get all of the education and training you need to become a medical assistant entirely online? In most (but not all) cases, no. Medical assisting requires at least some hands-on clinical training, the kind you can get only in an in-person practice setting.

However, it’s become quite common for medical assistant students to complete all or most of their didactic learning via online program components.

Beyond this, as you explore program options, you’ll find variations in terms of program lengths, delivery methods, certification preparation, etc., that depend mostly on the specific credential you choose (certification prep course, certificate, diploma.)

To help you understand your options better, we’ve spotlighted below three online medical assistant programs currently offered in Nebraska. See which program type works best for you.

FAQs for Nebraska Medical Assistant Students

As you explore your program options, it’s inevitable you’ll have questions regarding program content, format, and costs, as well as salaries and job opportunities once you’ve graduated. To help on this front, here are the answers to five of the most frequently-asked questions by prospective MA students in Nebraska.

How long is medical assistant school?

Completion times for online medical assistant programs in the U.S. vary substantially, with some graduating students in just six weeks. You won’t find any six-week options available in Nebraska, however, but you will find considerable completion time differences depending on the type of program you choose.

For example, the minimum completion times for two of the programs spotlighted above (Southeast Community College and Mercy College of Health Sciences) are both three terms (around one year) of full-time study. In contrast, the non-credit MA program at Union Adventist University can be completed in 28 weeks.

Can a medical assistant program be entirely online?

If you’ve read this far, then you know that fully online MA programs do exist. You also know that at least one online medical assistant program in Nebraska (Union Adventist University) is available 100% online.

However, the great majority of online medical assistant education programs combine didactic coursework presented either entirely or partly online with hands-on clinical practice experiences typically attended at healthcare facilities in the student’s local area.

So, while the answer to the question is “yes,” it is up to you to confirm all course requirements and understand how all content is delivered for any Nebraska online MA program you consider.

How can I check if a program is accredited?

It’s important to confirm proper accreditation of any online medical assistant program you consider, so you can be sure it meets important academic quality standards. It’s also key because most medical assistant professional certification exams require applicants to have graduated from a properly-accredited program.

You can usually check accreditation status on the school’s or program’s website. You can also check accreditation status using this Department of Education Database of Accredited
Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

How much does a medical assistant program cost in Nebraska?

Affordability is a major benefit to online medical assistant programs, but what you’ll pay for your MA education will depend on the specific program and type of credential if offers. The three programs spotlighted above provide a solid idea of program costs, which range from $4,000 for Union Adventist’s program to just over $10,000 for Mercy College’s program.

On the upside, most of these programs include books, materials, and/or certification exams in the total program’s costs. However, you’ll incur additional expenses for transportation, uniforms and equipment if your program includes in-person clinical requirements.

It’s also important to remember that valuable financial aid resources, including scholarships, are often available to help mitigate your total program bill.

What types of hands-on experience will I gain in an online Nebraska medical assistant program?

Many of Nebraska’s medical assistant programs include a clinical externship or practicum, so students can apply what they’ve learned in the virtual classroom to real-world settings like hospitals, clinics, and physician offices. During these clinical experiences, you’ll assist in such tasks as:

• Patient exams
• Taking patient vital signs
• Administering medication
• Office operations like scheduling and billing

Online students often practice these hands-on tasks at a program-partner medical facility close to their area of residence.

Certifications and Continuing Education: Nebraska’s Options

In Nebraska, there is no licensure or other official requirement for medical assistants to practice within the state. That being said, most employers prefer or require job seekers with professional certification as it provides a marker of their competence as a medical assistant.

Among the most widely-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)

After obtaining professional certification, you’ll be required to renew it on a regular basis. For example, the AAMA requires Certified Medical Assistants to undergo recertification every 60 months, either by passing the exam or by earning continuing education credits.

You can find continuing education opportunities through state-based professional organizations, like the Nebraska Society of Medical Assistants.

Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in Nebraska

Best Online Medical Assistant Programs in Nebraska