Only the best programs stand out among the rest. Hence choose a school that provides you proper training through a unique combination of class lectures and practical lab experience. Find the best MA programs in SC near you. Enter your zip code to find the most relevant college listings in South Carolina.
The main types of medical assistant programs offered in South Carolina are a certificate, diploma, and associate program. The course duration depends on the kind of course undertaken. Where a certificate program can be completed in 8-12 months, a diploma can take longer, around 12-15 months, and an associate degree program requires a minimum of 2 years or 24 months of study. Most medical assistant programs being offered need students to complete an off-campus and unpaid clinical externship for successful course completion. They are expected to dedicate around 160 hours to 200 hours of lab work for getting the right specialized skills in ambulatory settings.
The course costs depend on several factors. The first consideration is whether your college of choice is a community college or a private college. The second consideration is whether you’re a resident South Carolina student or a non-resident student willing to study in SC. The costs are more for non-resident and international students. Medical assistant programs in SC are estimated to cost between $6,000 and $40,000.
Candidates in SC have a special chance to get a waiver on their tuition fee if they qualify for SC Lottery Tuition Assistance. It is only applicable to those enrolled in courses that run for 2 years in a public or private university. Decided on academic merit, students can receive even their entire tuition fee.
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One must consider numerous vital factors before zeroing in on the college of their choice, for the right college holds the potential to determine one’s career and future. While choosing your medical assistant program, you must be careful to pick the right medical assistant school with good infrastructure, state-of-the-art lab facilities, and the right career opportunities for you.
Not all colleges deliver what they promise on their website. So, one must go above and beyond and compare and evaluate MA schools individually based on other academic parameters like student-teacher ratio in a classroom, course duration, tuition fee, deliverables, and faculty experience. It can be an overwhelming task, especially if you’re an amateur or don’t have a personal contact in the medical assisting field. To make things easier for you, here is a compiled list of the 17 best medical assistant schools in South Carolina:
For medical assistants in SC, Piedmont Technical College offers 2 courses. The first is a diploma in medical assisting (DAS), which requires 50 credits. Felons are not permitted to take this degree program, and students have to be enrolled in this course on a full-time basis. Admission is limited and competitive, as only 20 students are enrolled every year. Semesters start in fall, and students must maintain a Basic Life Support Certification provided by the American Heart Association throughout the course.
Over the last 5 years, the employment and graduate satisfaction rate has been 100%, and 84% positive placement was witnessed for 2018 MA graduates. It is a day program and happens over 3 semesters. This diploma makes you eligible for the associate degree (AAS) program, the second degree offered by Piedmont Technical College. The minimum total credit hours required for this course with a major in General Technology is 62. A minimum of C grade has to be maintained for the successful completion of the degree.
Graduates of the program are eligible for Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination. A minimum of 15 credit hours must be obtained in General Education by students interested in procuring the major of General Technology, which would later aid them in preparing for occupational degrees. Piedmont Technical College claims 100% placement and ensures you are job-ready on course completion. They encourage students to get financial aid, as more than 90% of students get financial scholarships and grants.
Number of Courses | Diploma, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Greenwood, SC |
Trident Technical College provides 2 courses for MAs in SC, a diploma and an associate degree. The diploma requires a total of 48 credit hours, and graduates are eligible to take the AAMA’s CMA eligibility entrance. Admissions happen on a first come first serve basis, and classes start in summer. They must meet general college admission and program-specific requirements to be eligible for admission. A high school diploma or GED is required with a minimum of 2 GPA, and qualifying marks of TTC, SAT, or ACT are needed. Students need to maintain a minimum of C grade to complete their course and a minimum of S, implying satisfaction, on their professional development evaluation.
Candidates who fail to procure these grades might consider readmission, keeping in mind that readmission is not automatic. Students with the diploma are eligible for the associate degree program in General Technology, provided by Trident Technical College. It requires a minimum of 60 credit hours, and interested students can sign in to their Medical Assisting Open Information session online to get a clear understanding of the program, course requirements, and expectations. It is a prerequisite for admission, along with a score of 100 on the quiz at the end of the session. An 84.21% favorable placement was witnessed in 2018.
Number of Courses | Diploma, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Charleston, SC |
Established in 1962, this community college offers a medical assisting Diploma in Applied Science program to aspirants. A total of 52 credit hours are required to complete the course successfully, after which graduates are eligible to take the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification examinations. Applicants with criminal convictions might be denied certifications by AMT or AAMA, respectively. The program completion rate of 2017 graduates has been 100%, and 2018 graduates experienced a 100% job placement rate. Their enrolment procedure is simple and can be completed in 5 easy steps. Besides, students must complete a clinical experience practicum for graduation, and CCTC provides a flexible schedule to students for the same.
Candidates might have to attend classes between 8 AM and 7 PM from Monday to Thursday and 8 AM to 4.30 PM on Friday every week. While having a high school diploma or GED equivalent is essential as a prerequisite for admission, students must have completed all development. They must also maintain an active certification of Basic Life Support Provider (BLS) provided by the American Heart Association. Online copies won’t be accepted.
Course transfers are possible if requirements are met, and students must maintain a minimum of 2 GPA for successful graduation throughout across all courses. Readmission is possible based on eligibility and availability for someone who fails to graduate in the first attempt. But, the total number of attempts to finish the MA program has been limited to 2.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | Sumter, SC |
One of the sixteen colleges affiliated with South Carolina Technical College System, Aiken Technical College, has been serving the community for more than 40 years and has over 3,000 enrolled students at present. It offers a certificate for medical assistants. Besides fulfilling the general prerequisites for admission, candidates are expected to complete a physical exam and submit proofs of immunizations, background checks, student liability insurance, and drug screen check. The total credits required are 40, where core courses take up 24 credits, general education takes up 13 credits, and special 3 credits are for medical terminology.
There are a registration fee and a lab fee of $20, which are usually non-refundable. Student support services are adequate in ATC to ensure students complete their MA courses. You can request an online program brochure on their site. Students of the 2017 batch showed a retention rate of 80%. The employer satisfaction rate with recruits from ATC has been 100% in the last 5 years.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Aiken, SC |
OC Tech Community College offers a diploma and an associate program to MA applicants across SC. A total of 49 credits are required for the diploma, and the course is split into 3 semesters, starting in the fall usually. Admission is based on providing proof of high school diploma or GED and successful completion of placement tests. The Health Information Programs (HIP) session must be attended as a part of the admission process. Before going for the Clinical Practicum of 18 hours, to be held in the last semester of study, medical assistant aspirants must have a valid CPR certification. A Criminal Background check and drug screen check are crucial as prerequisites to admission, too.
For the associate degree/administrative office technologies, 55 credits are required, and classes are held in 4 semesters, starting in the fall again. Having a diploma is essential for getting admission to this course. The clinical practicum takes place in the third semester and is usually 18 hours. Students must have a laptop available for purchase or a prior device for completion of these courses.
Number of Courses | Diploma, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Orangeburg, SC |
Southeastern Institute provides a certificate in medical assisting as well as an undergraduate degree in it. Their career training college offers the certificate course. On successful completion, students become eligible to sit for certifications like Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified EKG Technician, Certified Patient Care Technician, and Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist. A total of 31 semester credit hours of 1,070 instructional hours must be completed, and 2 unpaid externships of 160 hours each must be fulfilled at the end of the course for successful graduation.
Full-time students can complete the certificate in 8 months, and part-time students in 14 months. Classes are available in the morning and evening schedules, but externship for evening students must be completed during the day. For admission to the programs, students have to pass the entrance examination. The AAS degree requires 60 credit hours, 36 credits for major, and 24 for General Education courses. Full-time students can complete the degree in 16 months, whereas part-time students take 22 months for completion.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | North Charleston, SC / Columbia, SC |
Spartanburg offers a medical assistant program that is time-sensitive and has limited enrolment. A background check and drug screen assessment must be completed before admission. The 2019 Annual Report to Medical Assistant Education Review Board (MAERB) reveals 90% positive job placement and a 100% graduation satisfaction and employer satisfaction rates for 2018 graduates. Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and FAFSA. Numerous scholarships and grants are given based on academic performance and merit to help students pay for college.
An information session is held before every new admission process to help students understand their program expectations and outcomes before admission. The medical assistant diploma is a 50 total credit hour course, which lasts 64 academic weeks, with 4 consecutive terms a day. There are 4 semesters, and the last semester requires students to complete a minimum of 160-hour clinical office externship in an off-campus location for successful graduation.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | Spartanburg, SC |
The MA program at Greenville Technical College prepares students to be eligible for CMA and RMA national certifications. This Certificate in Applied Science is a 38 credit hour program, which hosts 2 cohorts each year. For full-time students, classes in the daytime begin in the fall semester, and for part-time students, courses in the evening start in the spring semester. The length of the program is 3 semesters for full-time and 4 semesters for part-time candidates.
Participating in Career Talk is considered a prerequisite to admission to this program, besides ensuring you are eligible for all the other enrolment steps. A mandatory unpaid clinical practicum of 200 hours must be completed during the program of study. Over the last 5 years, the employer satisfaction rate is 100%, and so is the graduation certificate rate. The 5-year average credentialing examination pass rate is 94.4%, and 95% of 2017 graduates got AAMA certification.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Greenville, SC |
It provides a certificate course for MAs, and before submitting the admission enrolment application form, students are required to get in touch with a health science advisor. Appointments can be made via phone call. The TLC prepares graduates in 3 semesters, with 40 credit hours. The program can be completed in less than 1 year. A happy blend of clinical experience and class lectures is provided, and for class lectures, general education, major courses, and science are taught.
A clinical externship of 160 hours has to be done off-campus, and students upon completion, become eligible for certifications of Phlebotomy and Electrocardiogram Technician besides MA certifications provided by American Medical Technologists (AMT), National Healthcare Association (NHA), and American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Financial aids and SC Lottery Tuition Assistance can reduce your tuition fee by more than half. A minimum of 2 GPA has to be maintained by students for successful completion of the program.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Beaufort, SC |
Known for enhancing and empowering lives for more than 50 years, York Technical College offers a medical assisting certificate. Students wishing to enroll in this program must provide drug screening checks and criminal background checks. Upon completion, students are eligible to submit their names for RMA certification by AMT besides being eligible to sit for other national certification examinations. However, students are not eligible to take AAMA’s CMA certification. A CPR certification and a Basic Lifesaver Skills (BLS) from American Heart Association (AHA) must be procured and maintained during the certificate course.
A minimum C grade must be maintained to complete the course. A total of 37 credit hours are required, and this course can be completed in less than a year. Admission to this course needs qualifying marks on the College’s Placement Test (Compass Writing 70, Compass Reading 81, Compass Pre-Algebra 54 or Accuplacer Sentence Skills 75, Reading Comp. 71, Arithmetic 90, Elem. Alg. 57 or Accuplacer NextGen Writing 250, Reading 250, Math QAS 237), and Keyboarding Skills of AOT 105.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Rock Hill, SC |
Ranked number one in South Carolina for student success, Tri-County Technical College offers programs of study that do not have a class of more than 19 students. Students completing the MA program in TCTC are eligible to take the AAMA certification examination. A 100% pass rate at AAMA was recorded by the recent graduates. The diploma takes 45 weeks to complete. For 2018 graduates, the job placement rate was 85%, while the exam passage rate for 2017 was 100%. High school students can take specific college courses to get a jumpstarting on completing their college degree.
Candidates can get up to 13 hours of college credit towards completion of the MA curriculum. A total of 51 credit hours are required. Clinical Office Experience is a clinical externship that has to be completed for 12 lab hours. An acceptable background check and a drug screening check is essential. Immunization proof also has to be completed and submitted with a high school diploma or GED. For students who want a 4-year degree, transfer options are available. A minimum of GPA of 2 is to be maintained throughout the course.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | Pendleton, SC |
FDTC provides a diploma program. This Diploma in Applied Science (DAS) is a 3-semester program completed in a year by full-time MA candidates. Classes start in the fall semester, and the summer term is reserved for clinical practicum in off-campus local medical locations. Their Career Services Office works closely with students to help them with placements and prepare them for the same. This is a traditional face to face course that requires full-time involvement. If students want to transfer to another college or university, they have to maintain a minimum B grade.
A total of 44 credit hours are required, with C being the minimum grade needed to be maintained for graduation. To prepare for their certification program, students at FDTC participate in a Capstone Review. The program is accredited by the American Medical Technologists, and students must have a CPR certification by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross. Immunizations, drug tests, and background checks are admission prerequisites besides a health check-up indicating good health.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | Florence, SC |
For medical assistant aspirants in South Carolina, Midlands Technical College provides an academic certificate in medical assisting. Upon successful completion, students would be eligible to sit for the CMA and RMA certification examinations. A minimum of C grade must be maintained throughout the course, and a laboratory fee of $25 must be paid. There’s a set of prerequisites for admission. One must possess a high school diploma or GED, along with an acceptable criminal background check and drug screening. They must also submit a Current First Aid and CPR certification at the time of program acceptance.
There are 3 semesters, and total credit hours are 30. It is a full-time course and is available in hybrid formats, where certain classes can be taken online. A clinical externship must be completed in the last semester of study, off-campus, and is equivalent to 5 credit hours. A job placement rate of 100% and an exam pass rate of 88% have been noted on average. For applicants interested in advancing their study, this course can be combined with another Health Sciences degree to work toward an associate degree.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Columbia, SC |
Established in 1899, South University offers an Associate in Applied Science degree, which requires 92 total credits to be fulfilled. As part of successful course completion, a clinical practicum of 200 hours must be done off-campus. It is an unpaid mandatory part of the course curriculum that has to be completed at a nearby and local medical facility. Moreover, upon course completion, students are eligible for AAMA and RMA certifications. This course can be completed in 2 years for full-time students and has 5 semesters of study.
There is no application fee required. However, a non-refundable acceptance fee of $500 has to be paid. They are eligible for tuition fee reductions. For ones who have earned credits more than 46 and less than 90, a 10% reduction is applicable, and for students having more than 90 credit hours, a 15% tuition fee reduction is applicable.
Number of Courses | Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Columbia, SC |
Forrest College is known for its AAS degree in medical assisting. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to take the CMA and RMA certification examinations. A total of 103.5 credit hours are required, and students must maintain a minimum grade of C for course completion. A physical exam indicating good health must be completed before admission, and this test must include RPR, Hepatitis B Panel, and TB screening. Hepatitis B Inoculation is strongly encouraged in case Hepatitis B Panel is negative.
Students are encouraged to take up related programs of study as elective courses to help their chances of employment. There are three available educational training options for the MA degree. The first option is the Nurse Assisting Certificate, the second is the Phlebotomy diploma, and the third is Nurse Assisting Certificate and Phlebotomy Diploma. At Forrest College, it is a 2-year program, which goes on for 22 to 25 months for full-time students.
Number of Courses | Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Anderson, SC |
Available at numerous locations, Fortis College in SC provides an accredited medical assistant program to applicants. This certificate program encourages students to apply for financial aid to pay for college. A high school degree or GED and good SAT marks are required for admissions to the course. There’s no application fee to the trade school. The maximum number of students in a classroom is around 15 to 20. There’s a 95% acceptance rate for the program. Aspirants can schedule a campus tour to get an idea of the state-of-art infrastructure and advanced facilities available.
A Career Support Center works dedicatedly towards helping graduates with placements and sound career advice. A clinical externship of 160+ hours has to be done at the end of the course for successful graduation, besides maintaining a GPA of 2 throughout all courses. The program can be completed in less than a year for full-time students.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Columbia, SC |
Miller-Motte Technical College’s Medical Clinic Assistant course is a diploma program and can be completed in just 15 months. The student-teacher ratio does not exceed more than 42:1 in classrooms and 24:1 in laboratory classes. A total of 60 credits are required, and classes happen over 5 quarters. Students can take more time to graduate, and the maximum credit hours are 90. A minimum of 2 GPA must be maintained to show satisfactory academic performance for completion.
In the final term, an externship must be completed in an off-campus ambulatory or clinical setting. 160+ hours are required to be done to achieve this non-paid clinical practicum. Graduates have the chance to sit for AAMA and RMA certification examinations. The college also provides Medical Billing & Coding certification.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | North Charleston, SC / Conway, SC |
While choosing the right school for your medical assisting aspirations, remember to analyze and evaluate the degrees provided by them. The right medical assistant degree adds value to your credentials and must be considered in high regard by recruiters. Browse through the top MA degree options available in SC.
Though South Carolina does not necessitate compulsory formal training or national certification for medical assistants in the state, employers prefer both. Having proper education and certificate reveals that one is committed to the job and has skills that are approved as per nationally established standards. The 2 most popular certifications are RMA provided by AMT and CMA provided by AAMA. Both require students to take formal training from colleges that have ABHES or CAAHEP accreditation.
All certifications need to be renewed in 3 to 5 years. Other national certifications available include Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) by National Healthcare Association (NHA), National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) provided by NCCT, and Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) provided by National Association of Health Professionals (NAHP).
To be certified medical assistants, candidates are expected to fulfill a set of eligibility criteria or sit for a qualifying entrance examination.
The medical practice laws of South Carolina determine that a reasonable scope of work can be delegated to unlicensed professionals by licensed physicians. For more comprehensive insight on their scope of practice, duties, and authorizations, this is a valuable resource for medical assistants in the state.
An affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the society looks after the best interests of MAs in the state. It has several local chapters under its jurisdiction and provides the latest information on job opportunities and educational guidance. They also offer scholarships and hold meaningful events for medical assistants and aspirants in the state.
This state agency overlooks the health needs of the citizens and is committed to improving the general well-being in the state as well as patient care. They ensure the same by providing essential facilities at all medical organizations and clinics across the state and implementing proper rules and regulations.
Written by : Casey Gardner
Casey Gardner is both a healthcare support professional and an accomplished content creator. She has been working as a certified health care professional with marketable skills as a physician assistant, and a qualified medical assistant for last two decades. She has dedicated her nursing career to produce over hundreds of content pieces since 2001, and her work has been published both online as well as offline.
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