The programs here refer to specific MA courses that are offered in the state of Arizona. Each program is different with its own set of characteristics. Thus, evaluating each with caution is advised.
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Arizona has both certificate and diploma programs (usually finishing within 10 months to a year) and associate degrees (average duration of 2 years).
Program costs differ for in-state and out-of-state students. While some colleges, such as Mohave Community College and Cochise Community County College, are considerably affordable (approx $3,000 for in-state and $6,000 for out-of-state), fees for other MA programs range around $10,000 and above on an average. The colleges with lower costs are also usually more difficult to get into. Extra charges with regards to stationery, reading material, etc. may apply.
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From community colleges to nationally recognized names, the top schools of Arizona for MA courses are cohesively listed here under this list. As discussed, starting right is the key. Evaluate these 14 best MA schools in the state based on individual factorials. Consider the duration of the course, scholarships available, key learning outcomes, modules, and valuable accreditations before enrolling.
The Yavapai College has both an associate and a certificate program for the young minds pursuing the MA career path. The medical assistant AAS degree requires 63 credit hours. It hones skills across the three major umbrella functions: cognitive, psychomotor, and affective behavioral. Modules would include learning infection control procedures, medical record management, medical emergencies, customer-patient relations, psychological principles, diagnostic coding, and more. The MA certificate program requires 33 to 34 credit hours to complete.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Prescott, AZ |
The course at Phoenix College abides by the scope prescribed for MAs in the state of Arizona and has classes designed keeping the same in mind. Thus, graduates from the school are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam. RMA certification is highly recognized at the national level. Thus, the school and its coveted program boost your employability in the future. There are two MA programs in place: Day sessions (Tuesday through Thursdays, 9 AM to 4 PM) and evening sessions (Tuesday through Thursday, 6 PM to 9 PM).
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Phoenix, AZ |
Central Arizona College offers two distinct programs for aspiring MAs, an AAS degree and a certification. The AAS course is spread over 5 semesters, and the total credits required to be completed are 60. For a shorter undertaking, students can also opt for the medical assisting certificate. The certificate program is divided into 3 semesters, with a total of 34 credits to be completed in classes.
Prerequisites for the associate program include an HS diploma or GED. You can also transfer relevant credits for speedy program completion. One key feature that sets the school’s program apart is the cost-effective factor, as it costs $ 2667 (relatively cheaper than most other accredited courses). The school has a strict emergency medical services training requirement. All students have to complete the CPR or AED (only from the American Heart Association BLS) and First Aid training.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Coolidge, AZ |
The school’s program meets all requirements of the Arizona State Board of Medical Examiner. The clinical procedures course is a must and schooled during the fall months. The 160-hour externship allows you to apply the skills you acquire in class to actual medical offices and hospital settings. Apart from the AAS program, Northland Pioneer also offers two additional certificate courses in medical assisting, MA Certificate of Applied Science (CAS), and Certificate of Proficiency (CP). On completion, students can be eligible for the NCMA certification from National Centre for Competency Testing.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Holbrook, AZ |
Coming under the Allied Health programs at the Eastern Arizona College, a certificate in medical assistance is a great option to consider for prospective students. All the skills and mandatory hours are covered by the course that is needed to be eligible for the American Medical Technologists (AMT)’s RMA exam. For this, students have to complete all course components with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
The minimum credits to be completed for the course are 38. A minimum of 160 externship hours also needs to be finished in a health clinic. Credits that make you eligible for the RMA certification will be covered across modules on Basic Health Care Concepts, Basic Life Support, Medical Terminology, Pharmacology, Phlebotomy and Clinical Laboratory, and more.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Thatcher, AZ |
At Cochise County Community College, students are trained for successful entry-level employment. They are taught keeping in mind the wide variety of settings MAs cater to. Thus, from telephone techniques to electrocardiograms, a host of cross-functional capabilities is schooled. Classes Start Fall August 22, Spring: January 17, 2023. The program is divided into 2 semesters and includes externship placements for 180 hours. The total program credits that students need to take are 21.
The program has a unique benefit for working adults who sought out a MA certificate. They have two evening classes every week (4 to 8:20 PM) at the Downtown Center in Sierra Vista. Thus, even students who cannot commit fulltime can fulfill their MA dream at Cochise.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Sierra Vista, AZ |
Gateway Community College creates an ideal mix of admin and medical capabilities to be instructed to all students. The faculty is known to be highly experienced in the field. The learning tools are in accordance with the most updated technologies. A key feature is a focus on the organizational skills of students. Interactive sessions are encouraged. The successful completion of the course awards you a Certificate of Competency (CCT).
Students have to follow a professional dress code while attending classes at the Gateway. The school offers support services helping students to pass these valuable certification examinations. In 2018, 92.86% of Gateway students sitting for these exams cleared it. Non-paid externships are also an integral part of the course.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Avondale, AZ |
The MA program at MCC offers three specialty certificates, namely Medical Assistant Certificate, Certificate in Insurance and Coding, and Certificate in Phlebotomy. If opting as a full-time student, you can complete these certifications in one year itself. The degree as a whole is a two-year learning plan (associate MA degree). All the coursework that you complete amidst these specialty certifications is countable towards your associate degree.
After the MA certificate, students are eligible for AMT’s national examination. To graduate successfully, students would have to pass on the Anatomy and Physiology module with a grade C or better. A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is also essential. Modules are based around Medical Terminology, Medical Law and Ethics, Medical Clinical Procedures, and Medical Billing.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Colorado City, AZ / Lake Havasu City, AZ / Kingman, AZ / Bullhead City, AZ |
The MA program at Pima Med is approximately 9 months long. Anatomy and physiology to all essential lab procedures are a part of classes. You will be attending classes such as Examination Techniques, Clinical Aspects of Coding and Billing, Surgical Procedures and Medical Office Laboratory Procedures. The total credits to be completed during the course are 34. Pima Med’s MA program is schooled at four different locations in Arizona, namely East Valley, Mesa, Tucson, and Phoenix. The school boasts of a renowned set of teachers. Professionals with real experience and coveted qualifications are there to support you through this journey.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Mesa, AZ / Phoenix, AZ / Tucson, AZ |
Carrington College has MA programs available in 16 locations across the country. The MA program here prepares you for the Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate (CCMA) exam right from the outset. In around 9 months, you can complete a certificate degree. For an associate’s degree, you will have to commit 16 months. Critical thinking, communication skills, and professionalism are fostered throughout the classes. Tutoring and study groups are a part of the plan. A key feature is that you can be assured that the tuition fee will remain fixed throughout your program. No shocking alterations or hikes will have to be dealt with.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Mesa, AZ / Phoenix, AZ / Glendale, AZ / Tucson, AZ |
The MA training program at UEI is a 10-month course. Essential skills that every entry-level MA should possess are taught across Office Administration, Anatomy and Physiology, and Diagnostic Imaging. There is a valuable externship at the end of the course. If students are appreciated at the externship, they may be able to secure employment with the same employer. Modules include medical management, psychology and special senses, office safety, infection control, laboratory sessions, and pharmacology.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Phoenix, AZ |
The school offers medical assisting with phlebotomy program. The diploma course extends for 30 weeks. The 5-week clinical externship at the end assures you have enough practical hands-on knowledge. Evening sessions are also available for those who can’t commit to a day-time schedule. Accelerated formats are also arranged when necessary. The school does have financial aid schemes in place, so check before enrolling. The course is spread across 3 academic quarters. On completion, students can sit for the RMA or CMA exam and even pursue the phlebotomist certification.
Moreover, each student gets a Samsung Galaxy tablet at the start of the course, full of helpful resources that are utilized during coursework. Since the real deal begins after college, the ArizonaCollegeEDGE platform sticks right through. From resume writing tools to job application help, from interview prep to networking, on-the-job success to resolving conflicts at work, the school guides you through your career.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Phoenix, AZ |
The Allen School offers medical assistant courses at 3 locations, Brooklyn, NY, Jamaica, NY and Phoenix, AZ. The Arizona campus of Allen School provides students with a nationally accredited MA program, to begin with. The teaching faculty consists of doctors and nurses who have been on the ground and have actual insights from their work experiences across healthcare centers. A distinguishing factor at Allen is their incredible career services department. At Phoenix, AZ, the school’s career services will assist you in perfecting your resume. Surrounding areas that this AZ program caters to are Glendale, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Peoria.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Phoenix, AZ |
Brookline College helps you become a skilled MA in only 9 months with a total credit requirement of 27.5. Medical assistant diploma is a total of 34 weeks and 646 contact hours during the course. Also, expect virtual lectures in the online format that resemble the feel of a traditional classroom. While online sessions render flexibility to the students, the faculty members are live, available to communicate directly for all the support needed. Once you’re a Brookline student, the career services team stays with you even after graduation assisting in job placements.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | Phoenix, AZ / Tempe, AZ / Tucson, AZ |
Now that we’ve discussed the best schools, let’s all look at the degrees available, particularly across the state. A coveted degree is amongst the ideal add-ons to your resume. Using this quick widget, you can browse through top AZ MA degrees.
The Medical Board of Arizona terms a medical assistant as “an unlicensed person who meets the requirements of section 32-1456, has completed an education program approved by the board, assists in a medical practice under the supervision of a doctor of medicine, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
The scope of work for MAs, as devised by the state legislature, is:
Thus, it is clear that even though MAs are not licensed legally in Arizona, acquiring the above skills across both clinical and administrative functions from a recognized school is imperative. Also, most employers in the state prefer hiring MAs only with the esteemed national certifications in place.
More so, the Medical Board of Arizona now requires aspirants to graduate from an accredited training school and program or pass the national MA certification exams.
CMA certification by the American Association of Medical Assistants is encouraged whole-heartedly. Applying for the CMA or RMA exams is an ideal way forward as these accreditations are sought by Arizona healthcare centers as well as are valid throughout the country. If a student wants to relocate at any point, these credentials should hold in the new location too.
They ensure continued demand for you in the job market, along with better pay. Study guides for the CMA exam are published by the AAMA, whereas the AMT publishes it for the RMA. A 430 or higher score on CMA is what makes you a Certified Medical Assistant, and a score of 70 or above on the RMA exam shall make you a Registered Medical Assistant.
Here, we have discussed the two best certifications to opt for; however, depending on the medical assisting curriculum and school, you can be eligible for other kinds of certifications too. You must always look at what certification does your selected program opens a door for. On achieving these credentials, ensure you highlight them on your resume. It would open a new universe of employment opportunities and even better salaries.
For all professionals in the healthcare field, this website is a must to access. The board outlines the laws and regulations with regards to MAs in Arizona. It covers their scope of permitted work and more general information on the healthcare domain in the state.
The platform opens to the Medical Assistant Society of Arizona. You may be able to find key content and job help through this organization.
This is the website for the Arizona Medical Association. You can find relevant guides for accreditation bodies, online education programs, etc. Essential resources that will help you during your practice can also be availed from here.
It is AZ state’s agency for the Medicaid program. The focus is on providing uniform quality healthcare across the state. Seek jobs with the agency for added benefits and fruitful career advances.
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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