No GED Required: Online Medical Assistant Programs
If you want to work in healthcare as a medical assistant (MA) but don’t have a high school diploma or GED, you might be wondering if this career is even a possibility. Although the majority of accredited MA programs require high school graduation or a GED for admission, a small number of programs let you start coursework while you finish your diploma or GED at the same time. This guide explains both paths so you can know exactly what your options are if you want to pursue a career in medical assisting.
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“No GED” and Medical Assistant Training: What it Means
Before searching for an online MA program, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you’re looking at. Seeing “no GED required” on an admissions webpage can mean two different things depending on the school.
- It may mean you truly do not need a high school diploma nor a GED to begin coursework. These programs are rare, but a few do exist. However, the vast majority of accredited medical assistant programs, including the most well-known online options, list a high school diploma or GED as a baseline admission requirement.
- The more common pathway is concurrent enrollment. In this type of program, you’re allowed to begin MA coursework while simultaneously working toward your GED. Note that you aren’t exempt from the GED requirement, and you may not be able to graduate without it. However, it allows you to start working through your MA program sooner rather than having to complete your GED first.
Both are viable options if you don’t have a high school diploma or GED and want to become a medical assistant. But knowing which type of program you’re considering is essential before you apply.
You should also be aware of MA certification requirements before you enroll. Most well-recognized medical assistant credentials, including the CMA, RMA, and CCMA, all require a high school diploma or GED before you can sit for your certification exam.
This is separate from program admission. So, even though you might graduate from a no-GED program, you won’t automatically qualify to sit for the exam. If earning one of these widely recognized certifications is part of your plan, getting your GED either before or during your program is a vital part of the process.
Details of 3 Online Medical Assistant Programs with No GED Requirement
Finding an MA program that doesn’t require a high school diploma or GED takes careful research. In some cases, you might even need to call the admissions office directly to confirm they can work with your unique situation.
The three programs below represent different approaches to the GED requirement. Read each profile carefully to see what your options may look like.
San Francisco State University – College of Professional & Global Education
San Francisco State University’s (SFSU) College of Professional & Global Education offers a self-paced, fully online medical assistant program. Students gain knowledge and experience in phlebotomy, pharmacology, EKGs, vital signs, and medical terminology. The program includes 24/7 instructor support and an optional 160-hour clinical externship.
SFSU has no prerequisites for the program, meaning students can register without a high school diploma or GED. However, you’ll still need one of these to sit for the NHA’s CCMA certification exam after program completion. In addition, externship placements are only available to students 18 years or older.
Phlebotomy Career Training
Phlebotomy Career Training (PCT) offers a 100% online, self-paced medical assistant program that’s completable in as little as six weeks. The curriculum covers clinical skills including vital signs, phlebotomy, EKGs, and injections, alongside administrative and HIPAA compliance training. Upon enrollment, all students are assigned a personal instructor for support and career guidance.
PCT’s official program page states that a high school diploma or GED “is not required but strongly encouraged.” The only hard requirement for enrollment is that you must be at least 18 years old.
Note that a diploma or GED will still be needed to sit for most nationally recognized certification exams upon graduation. However, enrolling in PCT’s program early can allow you to earn your GED in time to qualify for the certification exam if you’re dedicated to studying alongside the main curriculum.
Advanced eClinical Training
Advanced eClinical Training (ACT) offers a fully online, self-paced MA program that takes roughly eight weeks to complete. Students will learn anatomy and physiology, infection control, pharmacology, and clinical procedures. The program also includes externship placement through a nationwide network of clinical partners.
ACT allows students 16 years and older to enroll without a high school diploma or GED, but requires you to be actively in the process of obtaining one at the time of admission. Be sure to have a concrete path for GED completion in place before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a certified medical assistant without a GED?
No, at least not through the most widely-recognized credentials. The CMA, RMA, CCMA, and NCMA all require a high school diploma or GED as a condition of exam eligibility. In other words, even if you complete your MA program successfully, you can’t sit for the credentialing exam unless you have your GED or high school diploma.
However, there is one workaround worth knowing. The NHA allows CCMA candidates who are scheduled to earn their diploma or GED within 12 months of the test date to sit for the exam.
Regardless, if earning a recognized certification is your goal, getting your GED or diploma is a necessary first step.
Can I work as a medical assistant without a GED or certification?
Yes, in some cases. Earning a certification is not a legal requirement for MAs to work in most states. Some employers, especially smaller clinics and family practices, will hire and train candidates on the job.
That said, candidates with a certification are becoming increasingly preferred. Skipping certification usually means fewer job options and lower starting pay.
What is the Ability to Benefit program, and does it apply to online medical assistant programs?
The Ability to Benefit (ATB) program is a federal provision that allows students without a high school diploma or GED to access federal financial aid if they can demonstrate the ability to benefit from postsecondary education. Typically, you’ll have to pass an approved ATB test or complete a certain number of college credits to qualify.
Some schools that participate in federal financial aid programs also participate in ATB. This could make an online medical assistant program more accessible. Not all schools participate, so be sure to contact an admissions counselor directly to determine if yours does before enrolling.
Does completing an externship guarantee a job offer?
Completing an externship does not guarantee a job offer, but it can help. Many facilities hire directly from their extern pool, especially students who show strong skills and good work ethics.
Even if a job isn’t offered right away, you’ll leave with experience and references that can help with your job search.
Is getting a GED worth it before enrolling in a medical assistant program?
For most students, yes. Having a GED:
- Opens the door to a significantly wider range of accredited medical assistant programs
- Makes you eligible for federal financial aid at most schools
- Removes the certification eligibility barrier described above
Accelerated GED programs can often be completed in a matter of months, and doing so is a modest delay compared to the long-term benefits. If you’re weighing whether to enroll now without a GED or take a few months to earn one first, the latter is often the smarter move.
Will employers ask if I have a GED when I apply for medical assistant jobs?
It depends on the employer. Many healthcare employers focus primarily on certification and relevant experience in the field, and not whether you hold a high school diploma or GED. However, some larger healthcare systems conduct thorough background checks that may include education verification.
If you’ve completed an accredited MA program and have a recognized certification, most employers won’t probe further. Of course, if you hold a certification, it means you already have a diploma or GED.
As you apply, keep in mind that the more competitive the job market is, the more your full credentials, including education, will matter.
Where to Start if You Don’t Have a GED
If you don’t have a GED and still want to become a medical assistant, take a deep breath. You’re not at a dead end. In fact, you have a few starting points to consider.
Whether you want to earn your diploma first, explore employment-based career entry, or take advantage of federal programs designed for students in your situation, there are real, achievable steps you can take right now.
Accelerated GED Programs
A GED isn’t the years-long commitment it might feel like. Accelerated programs offered through community colleges, adult education centers, and online platforms can help you prepare and test in just a few months. To get started, visit GED.com to find official testing centers and free prep resources in your area.
Many local libraries also offer free GED prep courses and tutoring.
If time is a concern, look specifically for programs that offer self-paced or evening options. These are designed for busy adults who are working or managing other obligations while studying. This type of program will get you up to speed quickly so you can earn your GED as soon as possible.
Work Experience Pathway
Some smaller clinics, private practices, and rural healthcare facilities will hire entry-level candidates without formal credentials and provide on-the-job training. This pathway won’t qualify you for a recognized certification right away. However, it can help you gain hands-on experience that some certifying bodies, like AMT, accept in lieu of formal education when you eventually sit for an exam.
If you decide on this route, keep a careful record of your hours and employer information. You’ll need that documentation later if you apply for certification through a work experience pathway.
Ask About the ATB/ECPP Program
If not having a GED or diploma has you concerned about affording a medical assistant program without access to federal financial aid, the ATB program might help. Many schools also participate in the Early Completion Pell Pilot (ECPP) program.
These federal provisions can make financial aid accessible to students without a high school diploma or GED who meet certain eligibility requirements. Not every school participates, but enrolling in one that does can significantly reduce the financial barrier to pursuing a career in healthcare.
When you contact admissions, be sure to ask the representative directly whether they participate in the ATB or ECPP programs and what the process looks like for students without a GED.
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