Gaining any degree in medical assisting is not going to yield you benefits. Find the best medical assistant programs in Ohio near you with this widget. Enter your zip code to find the best listings near you.
Ohio is a populous state and has numerous schools offering medical assistant programs to match the surging demand that MA aspirants show in formal training. Though OH does not mandate any formal training or necessitate a certification examination for MAs, having proper education and certification indicates your commitment to the profession, and displays skills that are approved under nationally decided parameters.
There are 3 types of MA programs usually provided in Ohio. The first is a certificate program, which can be completed between 9 months and a year, the second is a diploma that can be completed within a year, and the last is an Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS) degree program for medical assistants, designed to be completed in 2 years. The average annual tuition fee for MA training in Ohio can be estimated between $4,000 and $16,000 for resident students. For non-resident students, the tuition fee demands are slightly higher, and living expenses factor in colleges having residence options on campus.
Click here to know our Ranking methodology
It is no unknown fact that not all medical assistant programs add to your CV and complement your aptitude. If you’re a person with ambitious dreams, you cannot afford to make a simple choice when it comes to selecting your right school. Choosing the right college is crucial to your jobs as it directly determines if your career would take an upward growth. While selecting the best medical assistant program, one must always opt for a program with either the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accreditation. Accredited programs instantly qualify you for national certification examinations after procuring formal training.
Moreover, taking the right course from the right school increases your chances of employability and makes your application stand out in front of good recruiters. The selection of your ideal college must be based on several factors, like placement rate, course duration, tuition fee, and other variables. Here is a comprehensive insight into the top 18 medical assistant schools in Ohio for 2020.
Renowned for delivering public education across Ohio, Lorain County Community College offers two choices of MA programs to medical assistants. The first is a 1-year certificate course in medical assisting, while the second is an associate degree with either focus on administrative adeptness or clinical aptitude. Upon completion of both the courses, MA aspirants would be eligible to take the AAMA’s CMA certification examination and AMT’s RMA examination, among other national certification tests. The certificate course usually starts in the fall semester and spans over 2 semesters. A total of 35 credits are required to fulfill the course requirements. The associate degree in medical assisting span over 4 total semesters and a total of 61 credit hours have to be fulfilled for Administrative focus, and 62 credit hours for Clinical focus.
A medical assisting practicum is a mandatory part of the curriculum for the certificate course and the AAS degree. To apply for either of the degrees available at LCCC, one has to have a high school diploma or an equivalent GED. One must pass all courses with a minimum of 6 GPA to graduate both the courses. The job placement rate for the program graduates in 2018 was 94.12%, which is pretty impressive.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Elyria, OH |
Since 1972, MCCTC has been empowering students and enriching their careers with its diverse programs. It offers a medical assistant certificate that begins in the fall semester and continues until the end of spring. The MA program runs for 38 weeks, with 945 hours of instruction. Classes go on 4 days a week, from Monday to Thursday, from 8.30 AM to 3.30 PM. Though it does not provide an interest school payment plan to its students, it gives a plethora of financial aid and scholarship options like Pell Grant, WIA, TAA, VA, and Federal Direct Student Loan. Students have to qualify for these grants, usually based on their academic performance and merit.
The placement rate for MA students from MCCTC in 2019 has been 100%, which is surprisingly high, considering other schools that offer MA courses. The medical assistant course also trains individuals to be certified in phlebotomy. Students need to have a high school diploma to apply for the course, and they need to pass the CASAS assessment testing to gain admission. After completing the course, one would be eligible to procure Certified Medical Assistant licensure from AAMA, Certified Phlebotomy Technician from NCCA, and First Aid & AHA BLS Provider CPR credential.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
---|---|
Campus | Canfield, OH |
Reputed for having the lowest tuition fee in the state, Cuyahoga Community College offers 2 courses to MA aspirants. One is a Certificate of Proficiency, which runs for 2 semesters for full-time students, and another is Medical Assisting with a concentration in Patient Navigator, Associate of Applied Science – 65 Credits hours, Medical Assisting, Associate of Applied Science – 64 Credit Hours. Graduates of the certificate course are eligible to take the national certification examination provided by AAMA, and the 5 year average for the course retention is 95%. Students have to complete a clinical practicum at a healthcare facility for 210 hours in the last semester. The total credits for this course are somewhere around 32-33.
For the associate’s program, the total credits are 60, with a practicum of 210 hours in the second semester. The school boasts a good teacher-student ratio as it accepts no more than 15 students per semester in a classroom. A criminal background check is necessary, and non-native English speaking MA applicants might have to prove English Language Proficiency and complete English as a second language (ESL) course. A student must have a high school diploma to qualify for admission, and a minimum of 2.0 GPA to procure the degrees.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Cleveland, OH |
Reputed for providing over 220 associate and certificate programs, Sinclair Community College offers a certificate in medical assisting and an associate degree in MA Technology. The associate program requires 61-63 credit hours and needs students to pass an entrance called the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) for admission. It spans over 2 years for full-time students and has 88% job placement average for the 2021 cohort. The average success rate of the MA certification exam for first-time test takers is 83%. Students are required to maintain a grade point of 2 for every course for successful completion. They can enroll in a 4-year program and transfer to a Bachelor of Science degree after completing AAS.
The college also offers a 1-year technical certificate, which is a limited enrolment course. It is designed to be completed in three semesters for a full-time student. A total of 210 hours of the supervised, unpaid clinical externship is mandatory for course completion of both the associate’s as well as certificate programs. The candidate must fulfill a set of criteria before qualifying for the practicum. Besides maintaining a GPA of 2.0, they are required to have CPR certification, health certificate, immunization, background check, and student health insurance.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Dayton, OH |
Columbus State Community College offers 2 programs to MA aspirants in the state of Ohio. The first is the medical assistant certificate program, which spans over 3 semesters, and 15 credits are required in the first semester, 14 credits are needed in the second semester and 8 credits are reserved for the last or third semester. The clinical practicum has to be completed in the last semester and is compulsory for course completion. It involves 210 hours of clinical externship opportunity at medical facilities and is unpaid. Classes start in autumn, spring, and summer semesters.
The second program offered by CSCC is an Associate Technical Studies degree in medical assisting. However, this program goes on for 5 semesters. The clinical externship of 210 hours has to be completed in the third semester, and advanced medical terminology and medical coding are also taught as a part of the program. Graduates completing these courses are eligible to take AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) licensure examination.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Columbus, OH / Delaware, OH |
Marion Technical College offers 2 programs. The first is a medical assistant (CMA) degree, and the second is a certification. The certificate program is a 1-year technical certificate course, which has a total of 33 credit hours requirement. Classes usually begin in fall and go on for 2 semesters. Graduates of this certificate program are eligible to sit for national certification examinations like AAMA’s CMA and AMT’s RMA. Besides these occupational certification opportunities, they can also procure an RPT (Registered Phlebotomy Technician) if they complete additional phlebotomy hours as part of their clinical practicum experience. Also, this course is considered a pathway to the MA-ATS degree program.
The Associate of Technical Study CMA degree is a 2-year degree program divided into 4 semesters for full-time students. It is a limited enrolment course, which has many elements as its admission prerequisites, like having a high school diploma or GED is a must, with a minimum 2 GPA and successful completion of ACT and subsequent submission of ACT scores along with a criminal background check. The 5 year average for successful exam passage has been 80%. It is a total 60 hours credit program, where MA students are required to complete a medical assisting practicum for field experience in their second semester.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Marion, OH |
One of the two Ohio colleges to provide residence on campus, Terra State Community College offers 60 different programs of study and advice on career planning to help you find the right profession. It offers 2 programs to MA aspirants, a certificate and an associate degree (AAS) in medical assisting. The 2021 batch of MA of Terra State Community College has a 100% placement rate.
The required credit hours for the certificate program offered here are 35, and a medical externship of a minimum of 210 hours has to be completed at the end of the course for graduation. The AAS degree requires 62 credits, out of which 36 credits are focused on technical concentration and 31 for general education. It is associated with Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathways (OGTPs), designed to ensure easy transfers for degree completion to other universities for 4-year programs.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Fremont, OH |
Known for building careers, Clark State Community College offers a certificate for medical assistants, along with a degree program. a job placement rate of 92.31% for the 2020 graduates, and an exam passage rate of 88.89% for the 2020 graduates., and support services are provided to complete the program. Classes go on for 3 semesters, and the total credits required are 40. Classes usually start in the spring or summer semester and go on for 9 months. All students are required to maintain a GPA of 2 on all preparatory and required courses. Other than day classes, evening classes are offered to part-time students who would require additional semesters to complete their certificate program. Even part-time students would have to finish the clinical externship in day hours.
The associate degree has 64 credits and goes on for 5 semesters, usually starting in fall. Students of this program have to complete 200 unpaid hours of supervised clinical hours under competencies covered in the certificate program. A total of 13.5 hours per week has to be covered as a part of the MA Directing Practice Course in the third semester. They have a unique Tuition Challenge Program, which helps full-time students save 10% of their total tuition fees.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Springfield, OH / Beavercreek, OH Campus - Springfield, OH / Xenia, OH |
An AAS degree is offered by Southern State Community College that requires a total of 60 credits. It spans over 2 years and has 5 semesters. All courses have to be passed with a minimum C grade, and students are permitted only 3 absences as per the Medical Assisting Handbook. A total of 210 hours of the unpaid externship have to be completed, and are only allowed to have one absence. A certificate course in Medical Assisting Technology is also offered, which lasts for 3 semesters for full-time students.
They have a dedicated tutoring center that provides support services for MA aspirants to complete their courses if required. New admissions usually take place in spring and fall semesters. Students are encouraged to apply for Federal Aid (FAFSA), and usually, eligibility is decided based on academic merit and outstanding performance. Financial aid is not automatically renewed for SSCC students and has to be renewed by applying every year.
Number of Courses | Certificate, Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Hillsboro, OH |
Rhodes State College offers a Medical Assistant Certificate to MA aspirants in Ohio. The total duration of the course is 1 years, structured into 3 semesters. The total credit hours have to be 39-40. structured into 4 semesters. The total credit hours have to be 62.5, and in their last semester, they are required to do an externship for 180 hours, which is non-reimbursed in nature and mandatory for graduation. The prerequisites for MA students admitted to the program include proper laboratory tests, immunizations, a background check that demonstrate sound mental and physical health to undertake the job of a certified MA later in their levels. The evidence must be provided after admission but before the start of the term. Hepatitis B vaccinations need to be taken, as well.
A medical coding certificate course is also provided at Rhodes State College as an allied healthcare training program. There’s no need for a formal admission procedure to apply to this certificate course. The application fee is $25, which is non-refundable and the same for all courses. Moreover, student tuition fees can be paid in special installment plans, and students are encouraged to apply for over 100+ scholarship programs.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
---|---|
Campus | Lima, OH |
Known for allowing students to take flexible classes that can be managed around their busy schedules, Zane State College offers a MA degree that is nationally accredited. A high school degree with a minimum 2.5GPA is required as an admission prerequisite. The total duration of this program is 2 years, and interested applicants have to take a Health Occupations Aptitude Exam to qualify for admissions. The total credits required for graduation are 63 credit hours, and classes span over 5 semesters. A Computer Literacy requirement has to be completed to complete the program successfully, and a minimum of BMCA1500 has to be obtained to qualify.
A clinical externship of 180+ is a necessity of the course, usually scheduled for the last semester of the program of study. For non-resident students, the tuition costs are a little more than the average. Tutoring services offer additional support to complete the medical assistant program through the Learning Lounge by professionals and experts.
Number of Courses | Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Zanesville, OH |
Reputed for offering over 116 programs of study, this college offers courses in Arts, Sciences, Information and Engineering domains. It provides college information sessions every Tuesday from 9 AM for interested applicants, and no prior appointment is required to avail career advice. It offers a Certificate in Medical Assisting (MAC). Out of 22 graduates in the 2018 batch, 14 were employed successfully, and 5 are continuing education or have joined the military, thus reflecting a positive placement rate of 86.4%. The year 2021 had a placement rate of 85.71%, and 2020 had a placement rate of 100%. The total credit hours required are 32, and a mandatory clinical externship of 160+ hours has to be completed at a medical facility in the third semester for successful course completion.
Classes usually start in the fall semester, and there are 4 semesters, with 3 focused on MA practices, and the first being a prerequisite course focused on electives. The cost of books and lab fees are is included in the tuition cost. They are encouraged to work closely with a Financial Aid Advisor to avail the benefit of financial aid, grants, and scholarships to pay for college. The prerequisites for admission include a high school diploma, a college-level placement in reading, math and writing, and a typing speed of 20 wpm. Students are prepared for applying for the CMA test, and over the last 5 years, over 80% success rate has been noticed.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
---|---|
Campus | Middletown, OH / Cincinnati, OH |
Belmont College offers 24 certificate programs and 28 degrees. It offers an associate of applied science degree in medical assisting, having a total duration of 2 years, and a 1 year duration Certificate. The graduates of the 2022 cohort batch had a 100% success rate at certification examinations. The 2-year degree program is divided into 5 semesters and 65 total credit hours, and the 1 year Certificate into 3 semesters and 37 credit hours. Also, 160 hours of clinical externship has to be completed as a part of the coursework. It usually happens in the last spring semester and is non-reimbursed. You must achieve grade 2.5 or higher to attend this practicum, along with an approval from the clinical facility. Program takers are required to complete and submit their assignments in a timely manner to achieve each credit.
Students taking up this course are advised to stick with the course sequence, and in case they are unable to do so, they must contact the academic advisor. Medical Assistant Coding is also taught as a course as a part of this program of study. Students are encouraged to apply for federal grants and numerous scholarships. Some of them are FAFSA, FWS, FSEOG, and PLUS. On completion of the program, all graduates are eligible to sit for the RMA certification exam.
Number of Courses | Associate, Certificate |
---|---|
Campus | St. Clairsville, OH |
Northwest State Community College provides over 60+ courses to students. It offers an AAS degree in medical assisting under its Allied Health, Business, and Public Services division. The total program hours for this 2-year long degree course are 64, structurally divided into 4 semesters. The last semester mandates a clinical externship as a part of the coursework, and students need to fulfill some prerequisites before being eligible for the clinical practicum. The pre-requisites include CPR Certificate, Background Check, Health Insurance Coverage, Confidentiality Statement, and Medical Immunization Evidence.
Students completing the degree would be eligible for CMA and other national certification examinations. The graduation placement rate in 2016 was 100%, followed by 92.86% in 2017 and 100% again in 2018. The employer satisfaction rate has also been 100% since 2015, and the exam pass rate has gone up from 80% in 2016 to 92% in 2017 to a successful 100% in 2018. The NSCC has a set of admission requirements for aspirants. Having a high school diploma or an equivalent GED is a must; students with no prior college experience must take the ACCUPLACER assessment or submit their ACT scores before enrolling in college-level degrees.
Number of Courses | Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Archbold, OH |
For MA aspirants in OH, Edison State Community offers a certificate in technical studies. This course has a total duration of 12 months. There are usually 3 semesters structured for the MA certificate, and the total credit hours required are 32. A Medical Assisting Internship that spans over 160 hours is needed to be completed as a part of the coursework in the last semester. It warrants a lab fee of $20 and has certain prerequisites for eligibility. Medical assistant aspirants must have a high school diploma or GED with a minimum GPA of 2 for applying to the MA certificate program.
Besides, they should have also done their physical exam and additional health requirements before starting the Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures I course. Moreover, the evidence of a successful criminal background check must be provided before starting the course. Professional CPR and first aid certification must be procured on their own before taking the Medical Assistant Clinical Procedures II course. ESCC also allows students to enroll for this course part-time, where the coursework gets divided and distributed into 6 semesters. A grade above 80% is required for passing the clinical internship program offered to both full-time and part-time students.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
---|---|
Campus | Troy, OH |
Known for offering affordable and transferable courses, Stark State College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree for medical assistants for daytime students and evening students. The day-track MA degree requires 65-67 credits, and the total course duration is 2 years, structurally divided into 5 semesters. A special application process is required, which the Career Advisor or Counsellor can help with. For the night track MA degree, total credit hours and course plans are the same. Both mandate a clinical externship of 180+ hours under the supervision of a faculty coordinator or healthcare facility physician to complete the course. The AAS degree also prepares you for a national level certification exam, Certified EKG Technician.
Besides day and night classes, Stark State College also offers a part-time program in medical assisting. The program is divided into 8 semesters for part-time MA students, and they are required to set up a schedule with their advisor before starting every semester. The Student Instalment Payment Plan (SIPP) is available to make paying for college easier for MA aspirants, along with numerous federal grants and scholarships. Students have to qualify for these grants on the virtue of their academic performance and merit.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
---|---|
Campus | Akron, OH / North Canton, OH |
Eastern Gateway Community College offers a certificate in medical assisting. It is a 3-semester program that is followed by a 5-week clinical study, supervised under a licensed physician to garner the skills and practical experience required for delivering improved patient care. Upon completing the program, students would be eligible to take the AAMA certification exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). A total of 31 semester credits must be obtained in less than 3 semesters.
For a full-time student, the course has been designed to be completed in 2 weeks and an 8-week term. Students at Eastern Gateway Community College have to obtain the current American Heart Association BLS Provider and BBP Certification, which have to be valid through the duration of the MA program in OH. In order to graduate and earn the certification, students must achieve a grade P/C or higher.
Number of Courses | Certificate |
---|---|
Campus | Steubenville, OH / Youngstown, OH |
Known as the home of higher education, Hocking College offers one-step enrolment to students. It offers a medical assisting Associate of Applied Science degree to candidates, which requires 65 credit hours. For full-time students, the course is designed to be completed in 2 years and is structurally scheduled in 4 semesters. A positive placement rate of 85% has been noticed for the 2018 MA batch. Employers have shown a 100% satisfaction rate over the last 5 years, and the graduation satisfaction rate has also been 100% over the same period.
This college prepares and encourages students to take national certification exams, which had an 84% success rate in 2017. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the AAMA’s Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination. Their externship is divided into two parts. The first goes on for 16 weeks, at the end of the third semester, whereas Medical Assistant Practicum II goes on for 16 weeks in the last spring semester. Parking and residential facilities can be availed for an additional cost.
Number of Courses | Associate's Degree |
---|---|
Campus | Nelsonville, OH |
Finding a school is hard, but finding your perfect MA degree is even more challenging. The choice of your final degree must rest on proper research and evaluation of all degrees and their pros. Find the top medical assistant degrees in Ohio with this widget.
Though there is no mandated certification requirement for Ohio medical assistants defined in the AAMA scope of practice and licensure, most medical assistants prefer to get national certification and formal training. Having both demonstrates their experience in the field and makes them more preferable candidates for employment. Having a national level certification benefits MAs by virtue of providing them the flexibility of working anywhere across the US, as well as displaying nationally approved skills.
The two most popular and prominent certification examinations include Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) by the American Medical Technologists (AMT). The first is a test that can be taken in any Prometric centers across the state, where one is required to answer 200 questions in 160 minutes. The second relies on eligibility criteria and warrants qualification if you’re an MA with 5 years of relevant experience, if you have obtained training under the US Army, or if you’ve completed a course with 160 hours of compulsory practicum.
To qualify for both licensure examinations, one must ensure that the course you are enrolled in is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
There are other certification options available, as well. They include Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) by the National Healthcare Association (NHA), Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) by the National Association of Health Professionals (NAHP), and National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) credential by NCCT. For all these certifications, one must fulfill a set of specific eligibility requirements. Every licensure needs renewal after 3-5 years. For example, for an RMA certificate, one can renew it by operating within AMT guidelines and complying with their Certification Continuation Program (CCP) every 3 years.
For Ohio, the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) determines that they can function under the direct supervision of licensed physicians. For insight on their complete scope of practice and duties, this is a valuable resource.
This society is one of the 14 chapters under AAMA, which houses all medical assistants in the state and protects their interests. Read here for all the latest information on medical assistants, job opportunities, and guidance. They have a quarterly newsletter and update job postings every week. Besides, they are also enthusiastic about conducting continuing education events across the state to encourage more medical assistant aspirants in the field.
Dedicated to improving the practice of medicine for the well-being of the people of Ohio, OSMA does the task of representing your best interests in federal and state policymaking since its inception in 1846. It is the first and largest physician-led organization in Ohio. It houses the medical fraternity, committed to protecting their interests, and ensuring improved patient care in medical facilities across the state.
Committed to protecting the best interests of the citizens of Ohio, the Department of Health is a cabinet-level agency that ensures proper facilities at all medical facilities across the state. It also operates as a reliable and valuable resource for the latest medical information updates in the state.
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.
Have we overlooked updating your school’s information or omitted any of your programs?
We shall highly appreciate it if you would contact us for any necessary revisions or changes.