Best Online Medical Assistant Programs in Texas
Online medical assistant certification programs in Texas can help you dive headfirst into a rewarding allied healthcare career. See everything you need to get started below.
A study published in the Health Services Research journal found that certified medical assistants are playing increasingly influential and diverse roles in healthcare settings and, as such, have more job opportunities available to them than ever before. Earning a medical assistant certification online in Texas is one of the fastest ways to enter the healthcare field and build a foundation in basic medical terminology, procedures, and anatomy. Graduates of these Texas programs can take advantage of a positive job growth rate nearly double the national average.
If you’ve come this far, you’re probably familiar with the importance and benefits of earning an online certification in medical assisting, but you may not know how to pick the right one for you. That’s why we’ve created this guide, showing you not only how to compare the most important features of these programs — including cost, academic rigor, accreditation, and more — but spotlighting top schools and answering your most pressing questions.
Profiling Top-Tier Texas Programs
Before enrolling in an online medical assistant certification in Texas, it’s best to explore your options. That said, it can be difficult to sift through the many programs out there. To make your search easier, we did some of the preliminary research. The three schools we’ve featured below stand out in terms of accreditation, affordability, academic rigor, and student support services. Use these as a jumping off point to dig deeper your search for the perfect program for you.
Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M International University houses one of the most robust online medical assistant certification programs in Texas. Offered through Texas A&M University, this fully online program is accredited by the National Healthcareer Association and is open to students from across the country. The curriculum covers topics from HIPPA, to basic medical terminology, to the functions of the body. It also educates students on government and private medical insurance, the types of medical records, and the process of obtaining and modifying patients’ medical histories.
Courses are divided into two sections: a theoretical medical terminology section and a practical certified clinical medical assistant section. Students can graduate in as few as six months, at which time they are prepared to work in a variety of medical settings, though the curriculum focuses heavily on ambulatory settings and emergency medical offices. Other than a high school diploma, there are no prerequisites to this program.
Tyler Junior College
Tyler Junior College hosts another one of Texas’ top Clinical Medical Assistant Online Certification Programs that can be completed in as few as six months. At just $2,199, this program’s total tuition is especially affordable while still providing the in-depth coursework necessary for students to become certified clinical medical assistants. Students learn about the legal aspects of healthcare, HIPPA requirements, and regulatory issues in the field. They also learn how to record vital signs, conduct laboratory procedures, and undertake clinical responsibilities. Tyler Junior College’s curriculum consists of classes in medical terminology, basic anatomy, phlebotomy, cardiology, and medical documentation. Graduates are certified to work as medical assistants across the healthcare field. All coursework takes place online and students have 24/7 access to prerecorded lectures, class resources, and assignments. Enrollment in the program is open to all students who have a high school diploma or GED.
University of Houston
The University of Houston hosts a fully online Clinical Medical Assistant Training program. One of the most popular online medical assistant certification courses in Texas, this program covers the essentials students need to enter the field, including basic anatomy, medical documentation, and medical terminology. After establishing a foundation in these subjects, students learn about legal regulations, HIPPA requirements, and other policies that impact medical care. Students also gain a deeper understanding of how to handle cases where patients are insured by private and government insurance plans. While graduates are prepared to work in the healthcare setting of their choice at the end of the program, the program emphasizes the knowledge and skills expected of medical assistants in ambulatory settings. The program is accredited by the National Healthcareer Association, meaning graduates are eligible to sit for the certified clinical medical assistant exam. Other than a high school diploma or GED, there are no entry requirements for this program. All coursework can be completed online, and students have 24/7 access to lectures, assignments, and course resources.
What to Look for in Online Medical Assistant Programs in Texas
Applying to an online medical assistant certification program in Texas is as much about guaranteeing the program is right for you as it is about meeting the admissions requirements. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of key features you should look for before sending in your application. After all, getting into a program matters, but getting into a program with the right accreditation, curriculum, and certification exam eligibility can make your career.
Accreditation
Accreditation can set the tone for your program and your career. To take your certification exam, you must graduate from an accredited program, meaning the program and/or institution have met regional and/or national standards for academic excellence. The accrediting body responsible for medical assistant programs is the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) — so keep your eyes peeled for their stamp of approval as you do your research for top online medical assistant programs in Texas.
Certification Exam Eligibility
There are certain skills every medical assistant needs. For graduates of online Texas medical assistant programs, these skills are tested on the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. To be eligible for this exam, students must graduate from a university whose program is recognized by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To see if you qualify for the CCMA exam, take the NHA’s eligibility quiz.
Faculty Qualifications
When looking at programs, don’t just look at the school’s qualifications; consider what the faculty have to offer too. Faculty experience and research interests are often listed on programs’ websites, as is the case on the University of Houston page. Before choosing between Texas’ online medical assistant programs, take the time to ensure that faculty interests line up with your own.
Graduation and Certification Rates
You also want to look at the graduation and certification rates for each online medical assistant certification in Texas that you’re considering. While not all schools publish this information on their website, you should be able to ask an admissions representative this question before applying. A school’s graduation and certification rates can give you insight into the quality of their retention efforts as well the education their students receive.
State-Specific Considerations
In Texas, there are no state-specific licensure requirements for medical assistants. Be sure to stay informed, as this may change, particularly if you are planning on returning to school down the road. It’s also worth noting that if you intend to use a medical assisting program as a stepping stone to a more specialized path like that of a surgical assistant, you will need to apply for additional licensure and head back to school for an associate degree.
Transferability
If there’s a chance you’ll move someday, you want to guarantee that your qualifications will move with you. The NHA is a national organization, which means earning a certification from an NHA-accredited program should guarantee that your qualifications will be recognized by employers in all fifty states. The NHA even has a medical assistant job board where you can browse jobs in other states that accept online medical assistant certifications from Texas.
Requirements to Become a Certified Medical Assistant in Texas
So far, we’ve focused on how to find a quality program in Texas, but becoming a certified medical assistant involves more than find and applying to the right school. In addition to worrying about admission requirements, you should also be aware of and ready to meet program and licensing requirements, as well any eligibility requirements your future employers may have. Let’s take a closer look at some of these, why they matter, and how you can meet them.
Complete a Clinical Externship
Most programs require students to complete a clinical externship to gain hands-on experience that solidifies what they study in the classroom and prepares them for a real working environment.
Even if your program is fully online, you will most likely have to complete this externship in person, as is the the case at San Antonio Medical Assistant School and Fort Worth Medical Assistant School. Both schools allow students to complete all other requirements virtually.
Graduate From an Accredited Program
Most Texas employers, like employers around the country, prefer to hire medical assistants who graduated from accredited certification in Texas since this indicates that they received the quality education they need to dive into their careers without additional training. The most common accreditation in Texas is from the NHA, a national board that oversees the medical assistant exam. Texas A&M International and Tyler Junior College are both NHA- accredited. Other universities, such as Dallas College and Austin Medical Assistant School, are accredited by the American Association of Medical Assistants,.
Pass the Certification Exam
As we’ve mentioned, passing the certified clinical medical assistant exam will open doors for you as a prospective medical assistant. You can increase your odds of passing this exam by taking advantage of online study resources, like these paid study guides from the NHA and any number of free study guides from other online sources, like this study guide from Union Test Prep. When applying to Texas’ online medical assistant programs, ask if the school offers any additional exam preparation resources.
Renew Your License and Take Continuing Education Credits
To maintain their CCMA licensure, medical assistants must renew their license every two years. At the time of renewal, an applicant must have completed ten hours of continuing education units and pay a $179 renewal fee. You can learn more about that process here.
Answering FAQs About Online Medical Assistant Programs in Texas
To help clarify any confusion you may be feeling after that cascade of information, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about online medical assistant programs in Texas. Read on to learn more about medical assistant program scholarships, prerequisites, and costs.
Are scholarships or grants available for online medical assistant students in Texas?
The cost of an online medical assistant certification in Texas can be expensive, but you don’t have to pay it alone. Scholarships, grants, and other resources can help ease the burden. For students in Texas specifically, some of the best scholarships include:
- TSMA Scholarships cover the academic expenses of two student members of the Texas Society of Medical Assistants each year.
- The Outstanding Rural Scholar Recognition Program covers the cost of an allied health program, including online medical assistant certification programs in Texas, for students from rural parts of the state
- American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants Scholarships cover academic expenses for students interested in working in podiatry.
Are there professional organizations or networking opportunities for Texas medical assistants?
Yes, and there are many benefits to joining. The next step after becoming a medical assistant is finding work as one. Networking and joining professional organizations can help you learn what settings interest you most and connect with potential employers. While getting an online medical assistant certification in Texas, consider joining these organizations:
Do I need to complete any prerequisites before applying?
Although prerequisites can vary from program to program, most of Texas’ online medical assistant programs require applicants to have just a high school diploma or GED. At Houston Medical Assistant School applicants must have a high school diploma or GED while at Tyler Junior College, applicants may be considered more competitive if they show interest in continuing their medical career as an LPN, CMA, or RN.
How much should I expect to pay for my program?
The cost of online medical assistant programs can vary but we’ve crunched the numbers and found that, on average, tuition cost is roughly $3,600 in total, and doesn’t significantly between online, in-person, and hybrid courses.
For a better idea of how much specific online medical assistant certification programs in Texas cost, check out the tuition of these five accredited programs:
- Austin Medical Assistant School (hybrid): $5,790
- Dallas College (in-person): $3,160
- Texas A&M International (online): $3,950
- Tyler Junior College (online): $2,199
- University of Houston (online): $2,795
What are the admission requirements for Texas medical assistant programs?
Most online medical assistant certification programs in Texas have only one admission requirement: a high school or GED. However, some schools like Tyler Junior College have additional requirements or recommendations regarding the type of student their program is best suited for; in this case, students who intend to take the national certification exam or are interested in continuing their education in the allied healthcare field.
What does an online medical assistant curriculum in Texas cover?
Your online medical assistant curriculum will inevitably vary depending on which medical assistant program in Texas you attend — Texas A&M International, for example, offers a course on Medical Insurance and Procedures in a Clinical Setting. However, we can guarantee that a quality program will prepare you with a basic understanding of medical terminology, medical technology, and the skills you need to assist doctors and other medical professionals across a variety of healthcare settings. You can also expect to complete a clinical externship to gain hands-on experience before earning your online medical assistant certification in Texas.
Texas Medical Assistant Salary and Career Insights
Medical assistants are in demand across the United States, but that demand is much higher in Texas than the rest of the country. With a 29% job growth rate (compared to the national average of 18.4%), graduates of Texas’ online medical assistant programs should have no trouble finding jobs. A high job growth rate also means graduates will have more opportunities for both promotions and work that is tailored to their interests.
Texas medical assistant salaries are roughly on par with the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for medical assistants in all 50 states is $38,270 per year. Medical assistants in Texas take home salaries just shy of the national average. While there are no cities where medical assistants can expect to make more than their counterparts across the country, there are several cities, such as Austin-Round Rock, Dallas-Fort Worth, Midland, and Odessa, where graduates of online medical assistant certification programs can make significantly more than their peers in other parts of the state. For information on salary expectations in specific cities, check out the table below.
| Occupation Name | New Jobs (2020-2030) | Job Growth Rate (2020-2030) | Average Annual Openings (2020-2030) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 853500 | 18.40% | 104400 |
| Texas | 92940 | 29.00% | 11640 |
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $27,570 | $35,520 | $45,850 |
| Abilene, TX | $26,190 | $30,100 | $38,070 |
| Amarillo, TX | $23,880 | $29,330 | $36,510 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | $29,140 | $37,070 | $46,570 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $24,690 | $30,200 | $38,070 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $22,490 | $28,590 | $36,090 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $24,710 | $30,380 | $38,570 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $27,840 | $30,580 | $37,660 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $29,380 | $37,010 | $46,900 |
| El Paso, TX | $22,850 | $29,320 | $37,150 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $28,820 | $36,800 | $46,300 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $26,980 | $30,260 | $38,070 |
| Laredo, TX | $17,860 | $28,700 | $37,480 |
| Longview, TX | $23,960 | $30,070 | $38,000 |
| Lubbock, TX | $23,600 | $29,900 | $39,150 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $17,390 | $28,060 | $34,540 |
| Midland, TX | $28,990 | $37,310 | $46,080 |
| Odessa, TX | $27,140 | $35,360 | $46,580 |
| San Angelo, TX | $23,400 | $29,450 | $36,250 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $28,820 | $34,730 | $38,070 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $27,480 | $34,720 | $41,610 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $23,220 | $29,130 | $36,420 |
| Tyler, TX | $24,040 | $29,970 | $37,750 |
