Online Medical Assistant Programs in Tennessee: School Comparison

Inside Online Medical Assistant Programs in Tennessee

Becoming a medical assistant in Tennessee can be the start of a fulfilling career, or a bridge toward a nursing, physician assistant, or other medical program. If you have personal and professional obligations to work around, these online programs are flexible, making it easier to complete your MA program on a schedule that works for you.

Below, we’ve provided an inside look at some of the best online medical assistant programs in Tennessee to help you find the right program to launch your career.

Tennessee Medical Assistant Student FAQs

As you explore online medical assistant programs in Tennessee, you probably have questions about everything from the application process to program costs to your career prospects. We’ve addressed some of the most common concerns among prospective medical assistant students below to help you feel confident as you take this next step.

Do online medical assistant programs in Tennessee have prerequisites?

Usually not. Since medical assistant programs prepare students for entry-level jobs in allied healthcare, most don’t have prerequisites. In fact, some online medical assistant programs in Tennessee, such as the one offered through The Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT), allow students to register for and begin their program in as few as 24-48 hours.

Note that regardless of your program’s prerequisites, in order to take the national certification exams for medical assistants, you’ll need to have a high school diploma or equivalent.

How can I network during my program, and does it matter?

Start by building professional relationships with peers in your program, engaging in discussions with your instructors, establishing rapport with staff at clinical sites, and joining a professional organization like the Tennessee Society of Medical Assistants. Completing an externship or a few days of in-person labs can also help you make connections.

Although networking can be slightly more difficult for online students, it’s worth the effort and can help you land a job after graduation.

Is it difficult to be accepted to Tennessee online medical assistant programs?

In short: no. The one requirement for most online medical assistant programs in Tennessee is a high school diploma or GED. However, more advanced the degree or certificate programs may have more stringent requirements.

Some medical assisting programs don’t even require a high school diploma, but you will need one (or a GED) to take a national certification exam and get certified. For a more detailed breakdown of what it takes to get into a medical assistant program, check out our dedicated admissions guide.

What funding is available for online medical assistant students in Tennessee?

Federal financial aid is always a good place to start, particularly if you are enrolled in an accredited, for-credit program, such as an associate degree. If your school accepts federal financial aid, fill out the FAFSA to apply.

If you attend a program that doesn’t offer or accept federal financial aid, you may be able to receive funding through workforce development programs, hospital or healthcare organizational training programs, or scholarships. Other options include payment plans and student loans.

What is the average cost of an online medical assistant program in Tennessee?

$3,000-$5,000, though the exact amount will depend on program length, type, and fee structure. Tuition at South College, for example, depends on a student’s credit load; quarterly tuition for MA students taking 10-20 credits is $1,000.

Meanwhile, the programs at TCAT and the University of Tennessee-Martin charge flat tuition between $3,200-$4,500, although students can incur additional fees if they exceed the 12-month program timeline. Tuition doesn’t always include fees, books, and other materials, so check on those details when budgeting for your program.

Tennessee Medical Assistant Certification

No certification is required to work as a medical assistant in Tennessee. However, if you want to become certified, applying to and graduating from one of Tennessee’s online medical assistant programs is just the first of several steps toward certification. Once you’ve completed your accredited medical assistant program, you’ll want to take one of the following national certification exams:

• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) (AAMA)® administered by the American Association of Medication Assistants
• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) administered by the National Healthcareer Association
• Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) administered by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) organization

While your program will prepare you for the exam, you can also find exam prep books to help you practice. Once you’re certified, you’ll need to stay up to date with periodic retesting or by completing continuing education credits (CE).

Each certification varies in its renewal requirements, all of which include an associated fee and a certain number of CE credits. For CCMA, CMA (AAMA)®, and RMA, the requirements are as follows:

• CCMA requires a fee and 10 CE credits every two years.
• CMA (AAMA)® requires a fee and 60 CE credits every 60 months.
• RMA requires an annual fee and 30 CE credits every three years.

Salary & Career Info for Medical Assistants in Tennessee