Colorado houses a range of medical assistant programs. Since the job of an MA is extremely specialized and also varied, finding the right program that imparts all the essential skills is imperative. Focus on specific details such as curriculum, credits, duration, practical work experience, and more when evaluating between the options available.
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On average, tuition fees of Colorado MA programs range between $11,000 to $16,500. In some cases, colleges offer considerably cheaper programs (around $6500); however, these are often small classes and competitive to get into. In certain schools, stark differences can be seen between in-state and out-state fees (more than $8,000 difference), while others charge the same amount precisely from all students.
The length of your program would depend on the degree and kind of course you opt for. Certificates and diplomas on an average finish in around 9 months whereas associate degrees are more advanced and take approx 2 years.
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Every school has its style of teaching and key factorials that distinguish it from others. Colorado also has some of the top schools for MA programs. A school’s excellent reputation can go a long way in building trust amongst future employers of your capabilities. When evaluating between schools, focus on the accessibility factor, associated accreditations, program dates and highlights, faculty experience, career services, tuition fee, and any other vital benefits that the college brings along.
At Pikes Peak, there are 2 MA programs available, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and a Certificate course. To graduate successfully, all students are required to score grade ‘C’ or better in all classes. The prerequisite for the MA program here is the HPR 102 CPR for professionals or an active valid CPR certification only from the AHA (American Heart Association). An online CPR course or certificate is not sufficient. Internship modules (MAP 183 and MOT 182) are available.
However, the student then needs to comply with additional prerequisites before enrolling. These include vaccination reports for TB, measles, hepatitis B, and more. All students have to undergo the criminal background check and the drug test. If these are not cleared, students shall not be able to gain certification from Pikes Peak. Additionally, for certain courses such as the HPR 112 and MAP 138, the student is mainly required to be at least 18 years old.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Colorado Springs, CO |
The program is a 6-month full-time undertaking. Total credit hours are 38 for the entire program spread across modules such as health career opt and readiness, medical records terminology, insurance billing and coding, and internship. Classes are held Mondays to Thursdays (7:30 AM to 4 PM). On course completion, students shall find themselves ready to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant exam.
Program cost is also on the affordable side. Post application, you may be kept on a waitlist if the batch is already full. It’s also free to apply, and the school does not obligate you to pay beforehand. From specialty medical offices and surgeons to Dermatologists and Orthopaedics, a varied set of employers seek MA graduates from Emily.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Denver, CO |
The first program at this school is their Medical Clinical Assistant Certificate. This course is spread over two semesters. The total credits to complete are 18.5. Moreover, you can also benefit from a 160-hour internship to gain practical insights into the field. A key feature of the Aims Community College is that it also offers another MA program called the Medical Assistant Front Office Certificate. This course is also spread across two semesters; however, the total number of credits is only 17. The classes focus on administrative skills and business-related functions of MAs.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree |
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Campus | Edwards, CO |
With the most impressive statistics in place, the CMC promises to provide the best MA education in Colorado. The years of 2017 and 2018 show a perfect 100% job placement, graduate satisfaction, employer satisfaction, and exam pass rate. A key feature here is the online courses that the school operates. Online sessions can be more flexible for aspiring MAs and save on both time and money. When it comes to hands down practical experience, students are rendered with that too in real-life medical offices. Students need to strictly adhere to all requirements of necessary immunizations, drug screenings, and CPR for healthcare provider certification.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree |
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Campus | Edwards, CO |
The Red Rocks MA certificate program includes 39 semester hours of credit. Red Rocks also houses an associate’s degree, which involves a total of 60 credits and meets all requirements set out by the Colorado state accreditation requirements. The school boasts of a highly qualified faculty. As a result, Red Rocks MA graduates are found to pass at rates higher than the national average across certification exams.
The school has certain specific requirements of its students with regard to English proficiency. They should be adept with the essential English language skills and are thus needed to place into ENG 121 or higher. The school also sincerely asks its students not to work more than 20 hours per week to ensure successful program scores.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Lakewood, CO / Arvada, CO |
Courses at Pueblo start in the fall semester. There are 2 degree award options, a certificate program or an associate’s (AAS) course. The programs cover 3 semesters, i.e., fall, spring, and summer. The MA certificate includes a total of 40 credits. Some unique modules are offered, such as computers in healthcare and dietary nutrition, to add to the usual MA curriculums found across most schools.
The AAS in medical assisting requires a total of 61 credits. A key feature, however, at the Pueblo Community College is the focus on smaller class sizes. On average, 18-20 people are present in a batch. Hence, expect individual attention and personalized learning opportunities. On completion, students can take the RMA exam; in fact, a test prep course is also a part of the MA program here.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Pueblo, CO / Canon City, CO / Mancos, CO / Mancos, CO / Bayfield, CO |
The MA program at the school’s Boulder County campus has enjoyed great students and employer satisfaction for the past 5 years. Statistics show that in 2017, the MA studies at this location witnessed a retention rate of 83.3%. In 2018, the graduate satisfaction rate was a whopping 95.5%, the job placement rate was 82.6%, and employer satisfaction rate was 100% for the graduate cohort.
The school also houses a MA program at its Larimer campus. Here too, high success stats have been noted with 2018 and 2019 graduate batches achieving a perfect 100% national exam passage rate. The certificate in MA offered at the Boulder County campus includes 26 credits spread over 2 semesters.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Westminster, CO / Fort Collins, CO / Longmont, CO |
The medical assistant course at IBMC is around 12 months long. The number of credits to complete is 63. Post the diploma course, students have the opportunity to take the exams for the valuable credentials of Nationally Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), Nationally Registered Phlebotomy Technician and Basic Life Support. A key feature of the school is that it can provide you with unique volunteering opportunities, off-campus, and at community events.
You may take part in the 9NEWS Health Fair, Fall Feast in Denver, and Weld Project Connect. During these events, you could perform blood draws, blood pressure checks, and vital sign measurements of the attendees. A 5-week externship is also an integral part of the program. More so, because the employer evaluates your work for college credits, you’re able to highlight industry experience on your resume even before you graduate.
Number of Courses | Diploma, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Fort Collins, CO / Greeley, CO / Longmont, CO |
Community College of Denver offers both a medical assisting certificate (33 credits) as well as an associate degree. The traditional set up is classroom sessions and 27% online teaching. The certification allows you to become an MA within 12 months. A distinguishing factor is that the school also offers fully online courses and degrees. The general course fee structure is $ 7.35 per credit hour. CCD also provides $1,000,000 worth scholarships to the deserving candidates.
The programs are stackable, i.e., an MA certificate can be a bridge to pursuing the AAS degree. The course also includes a 180-hour externship, and students can sit for the national certification exam in their last semester of coursework. The school’s goal for the program is to ensure at least 85% of graduated medical assistants are successfully employed in the field or pursuing a higher degree within 6 months of certificate completion.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
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Campus | Denver, CO |
The MA program here is a medical assisting certificate. Classes are held every week, Mondays to Thursdays (5-9 PM). The course is spread over 2 semesters. Total clock hours are 600 and the number of credits to complete 34.5. The first semester modules include anatomy and office functions. The second semester has training on phlebotomy, back-office work, and ECG/EKG. In the second semester, students can apply for a 160-hour summer clinical internship. However, at Pickens, internships are selective placements across medical organizations in the state, and not all students qualify for these. Students during the course also achieve the Heartcode BLS and Mental Health First Aid certificates.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Aurora, CO |
The school features an esteemed medical assistant certificate course. To be admitted into the program, students have to first clear a personal interview round with the MOT program coordinator. The college placement test is a must for all MAP students. They would need a minimum of 246 scorings in writing or CCR 094 and MAT 050 or equivalent placement test scores. The major courses across the program require a total of 29 credits to be completed. Students should achieve a grade C or better in all these courses and other modules mandatory across the degree to graduate successfully.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Littleton, CO / Parker, CO / Castle Rock, CO |
At Pima, to start with, you get access to a medical career specialist. The school realizes the confusion that can entail at this crossroads and thus enables you to associate with the ones who can guide you through it. Use this facility and let them help you chose the perfect program befitting your goals and interests. The MA program extends for approx 9 months. A key feature is that the school very sincerely helps graduates fill available vacancies.
Their career services team guide through job-search, resume writing, and interview preparation. A mandatory externship supervised by a licensed medical practitioner takes place at one of the school’s partner medical establishments. These partners of Pima can offer full-time employment post successful externship when the student graduates. The school also has great alumni connect where you benefit from the Pima association well beyond your time at the school.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
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Campus | Aurora, CO / Denver, CO / Colorado Springs, CO |
Quite an exciting feature, the school offers a 3-minute ‘Medical Professional Career Training Readiness Quiz’ at the outset. Perfect for those still confused, take the quiz, and get your personalized report with personal strengths, social styles, and the training you should opt for. The college offers 12 months Certificate or 18 months Associate Degree options. The medical assistant certificate here is schooled across 3 locations, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo. From Digestive/Pharmacology to Cardiovascular/Endocrine, the course touches on essential knowledge areas for MAs just starting their career. Modules towards the end also include college and career readiness to render further clarity on the steps forward.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate |
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Campus | Colorado Springs, CO / Grand Junction, CO / Pueblo, CO |
The program at Concorde is a diploma extending for just under 8 months. From infection control to recording patient histories, the curriculum shall teach you all the essential skills needed in a clinical setting while assisting senior medical professionals. Financial aid and scholarships are also available for those in need. Admissions are usually on a rolling basis as new classes start every month.
Concorde has dedicated extern coordinators that pair you up with hands down experiences as externships. The associate in medical assisting at Concorde is 17 months long. It is seen as continued learning. Career development is stressed with general education electives such as mathematics, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, humanities, and more.
Number of Courses | Diploma |
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Campus | Aurora, CO |
When it comes to medical assisting in CO, you can pick from diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees. Where a diploma/certificate takes relatively much lesser time to complete, an associate degree can render added benefits sought by certain kinds of employers in the state. Use this widget to browse through and find the most suitable degree for yourself.
The state of Colorado does not license medical assistants. Thus, the CO bar association does not call for MAs to obtain any sort of formal training or certification to practice. The only legal requirement, however, is to have completed a GED or equivalent. However, please note that this is only in theory. In real practices, employers do mostly demand relevant training and certificates from MAs.
Yes, it is thus highly advisable to pursue a good MA program (certificate or associate depending on the student’s preference) to gain maximum benefits from this booming career sector. The relevant degree and especially a national certification enhance your employability in the market. Constant demand and increased pay are the fruits of a rather short course/certification.
The two most widely accepted credentials to get certified are the CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) and the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant). These are national certifications provided by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the American Medical Technologists (AMT), respectively. Only accredited programs make you eligible to sit for these exams.
In fact, some courses are designed, keeping in mind these certifications as end goals for students to achieve. Pick the best program accordingly that permits you to take these and helps you clear them successfully. Since these credentials are recognized not only in CO but throughout the country, you also get the flexibility to relocate in the future without having to worry about career prospects.
Some other certifications that are available to pursue in CO and can add value to your resume include:
This organization lays out regulations for different professions across the state. Find the scope of work of MAs, learn about licensing services, rules and policies, and essential FAQs on the medical homepage of this platform.
It is the state’s professional organization for MAs. It supports the AAMA and has received an official commendation from them. A state Charter was presented to the CSMA as early as 1957. Use this social media page to stay updated with all things new in the domain. Learn how to become a certified medical assistant in Colorado. Connect with colleagues in the field and build a network to further your knowledge and career.
From employment opportunities to crucial information on all things related to the medical field in the state, this website is a must. Get the latest inputs on the current healthcare trends and statistics in CO from the official state medical board.
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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