Explore Top Online Medical Assistant Programs in North Dakota
Online medical assistant degrees in North Dakota offer a convenient and quick path to kickstarting your career. Get started by finding the right program for you.
Few careers offer excellent job security and an easy entry path. Medical assisting is one of those industries, as its online programs can be completed quickly (in as little as six weeks). Becoming a certified medical assistant is also great if you want to enter the medical field but are unsure where to start.
Plus, certified medical assistants enjoy a double-digit job growth rate, which is more than three times the average job growth rate for all U.S. professions. MAs in North Dakota enjoy an even higher job growth rate than the rest of the U.S.
Your next step to becoming a medical assistant is to find the right program. It should offer flexibility, affordability, and a high quality curriculum while preparing you for a certification exam and providing space to explore the industry. We’ve compiled the best online medical assistant programs in North Dakota, along with information on costs and a candid snapshot of your career prospects after graduating. Continue reading to find your dream program.
School Spotlights: Inside Medical Assistant Programs in ND
As you search for the right online medical assistant program in North Dakota, take into account your budget, learning goals, and timeline to complete your degree. Below are three programs that stand out in terms of affordability, accreditation, and academics. Even if they aren’t a perfect fit, they can act as quality barometers as you explore other programs.
University of North Dakota
If looking for an amazing online medical assistant program in North Dakota, UND is worth consideration. Since the degree is fully online and much of the coursework is self-paced, it’s easy to balance with other work and familial responsibilities. Most students finish in about one year.
The curriculum covers medical terminology and anatomy basics, along with coursework in healthcare administration, medical billing and coding, healthcare financial practices, and medical documentation. Other classes cover medical assistant responsibilities, such as medicine administration and assisting with minor office surgeries. The total program cost is $2,795, though UND offers a program where students can pay as low as $136 per month.
Dakota College at Bottineau
Dakota College at Bottineau offers a robust online medical assistant program that includes 180 hours of coursework divided into four semesters (or two years). In the students’ first year, they complete coursework in psychology, anatomy, and laboratory procedures with space for electives to explore healthcare topics of interest.
In the second year, students enroll in specific MA courses such as principles of nutrition, healthcare office management, and computer applications in healthcare. Combined, this curriculum prepares students to take the Registered Medical Assistant exam. Students can also elect to take certification exams from the National Center for Competency Testing and the National Healthcareer Association. One important detail: Dakota College at Bottineau notes that it is unaware if its program meets state licensure requirements.
Bismarck State College
Another excellent online medical assistant program in North Dakota is housed at Bismarck State College. The program takes just 25 weeks to complete, making it one of the fastest programs in the state. Many classes are offered online with self-paced course modules and assignments, making it easier to balance this degree alongside work and life obligations.
The program curriculum focuses on medical basics specific to MAs, including important terminology and anatomy. Classes cover topics like pharmacology, diagnostic testing, surgical preparation, medical documentation, and basic first aid. Along with online courses, there is an in-person externship where students put their clinical skills to practice in a real-world setting. Students also complete 40 hours of lab work on the BSC campus, making this program a great fit for students who leave in or near Bismarck.
Salaries & Careers for Medical Assistants in North Dakota
There are many reasons why medical assisting is a great career path: making an impact in patients’ lives, collaborating with other medical professionals, and taking advantage of myriad career growth opportunities. But, one benefit stands above the rest — excellent job security.
The tables below contain salary and career overviews for medical assistants in North Dakota, with information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Projections Central. Medical assistants in North Dakota are graduating into a field with a 20.6% job growth rate, more than four times the growth rate for all industries in the United States.
The pay is also competitive, with the average annual salary of a North Dakota medical assistant sitting at around $40,320. In the Bismarck, Fargo, and Grand Forks areas, medical assistants may earn even more. As medical assistants gain experience and continue their education, they can also enjoy larger salaries, with some North Dakota MAs making more than $53,000 a year.
That being said, the average salary in North Dakota is slightly lower than the average medical assistant salary in the United States as a whole ($43,350). Still, your skillset most likely transfers to other states, in case you ever want to find a job elsewhere.
No matter where you apply for a job, keep in mind that you may have to be licensed by a state health board. North Dakota has an application process for medical assistant graduates, and it must be submitted and approved before you can start working as an MA in the state.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Mean Annual Wage | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $43,350 | $56,480 |
| North Dakota | $28,410 | $40,320 | $48,390 |
| Bismarck, ND | $31,260 | $41,580 | $53,280 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $28,410 | $41,120 | $50,070 |
| Grand Forks, ND | $31,060 | $41,570 | $49,810 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
| Area | New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 132,600 | 18.4% | 104,400 |
| North Dakota | 70 | 20.6% | 50 |
Source: Projections Central, 2020-2030
Your Questions, Answered
What is the cost of a medical assistant program in ND?
The cost of an MA program in North Dakota is typically between $2,000 and $3,000. At the three schools highlighted above, the total program costs are:
- University of North Dakota: $2,795
- Dakota College at Bottineau: $5,392.38, plus $139 fee for the certification exam
- Bismarck State College: $3,385
Many North Dakota schools offer plans where students pay in monthly installments instead of provide total upfront costs. There may also be financial aid opportunities available, including grants, scholarships, and discounts on the program price.
Another option to pay for a program is to take out a student loan, which offers a lower interest rate than other types of loans. Schools may also offer additional help applying for student loans or creating budget plans so paying tuition and fees causes less financial stress.
How long is a medical assistant program?
The length of medical assistant programs can vary quite a bit. While it is possible to finish a program in as little as six weeks, most programs range between six months to a year. All things considered, this is a low barrier to entry, especially compared to others such as associate’s or bachelor’s nursing degrees.
How difficult is it to become a medical assistant?
These programs can be challenging. Course curriculums often cover complex topics such as anatomy, biology, and medical terminology. It can also be difficult to balance that medical coursework with healthcare administration classes, which cover topics with plenty of terms and medical codes to memorize. Despite these difficulties, MA programs are quicker to complete than other nursing programs and medical degrees, making them a great entry point into medical roles. They also create space for you to explore healthcare’s many facets, providing insight to career paths or specialities you may want to pursue. Admissions are also relatively accessible.
How do I find accredited online medical assistant training courses?
Finding an accredited online program is crucial. Without it your degree won’t be accepted by employers or other academic institutions. To find an accredited program, look for one at a school with regional or national accreditation. The program should also have programmatic accreditation, demonstrating that they teach students the essential skills for medical assistants. Programmatic accreditation is typically easy to spot: if a school offers a certification exam through a national organization, they are likely accredited this way.
Scope of Practice for Medical Assistants
Most states have strict guidelines around scope of practice for a medical assistant. Interestingly, North Dakota does not, as demonstrated by this letter stating that physicians can delegate a reasonable scope of work to MAs.
That said, there are some common responsibilities that medical assistants complete including reporting lab work, helping to administer medication, providing assistance during minor surgeries, and educating patients on different treatments and medical conditions.
Medical assistants can also conduct an initial interview with patients and document their medical history. They’re also able to complete medical coding procedures, especially if they receive additional training.
While there are few requirements around what duties may not be delegated to a medical assistant in North Dakota, the state does outline some medication administration methods they may not use: central lines, intravenous therapy, colostomies, intravenous locks, and urethral catheters.It’s clear that medical assisting is a flexible field. This makes it a great starting point in medicine and after a few years in the field, medical assistants can choose to specialize in fields such as cardiology, gynecology, or healthcare administration. If they specialize in the latter, they may play a more operational than clinical role in a medical practice or hospital. Specialization can often lead to higher salaries, more growth potential at work, and greater control of your career.
