Medical Assistant Training Programs in Texas
If you are interested in becoming a medical assistant in Texas, you have selected a great career choice in a booming health industry. There are different ways to become a medical assistant. Legally, no certification or licensing is required and it is possible to obtain any necessary training on the job. However, most healthcare employers are seeking qualified candidates who have at least some training, and preferably a certification. Training and certification demonstrates to an employer that you have a dedication to the profession as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the required duties of a medical assistant in their office or clinic.
Medical assistant training is offered at vocational schools, junior colleges, community colleges and in online formats throughout Texas. It usually requires nine months of study to complete, unless you pursue an associate degree, which is more specialized and requires two years. If you are seeking official certification from a professional organization for a truly competitive edge, then you can take the proper steps to become a certified medical assistant (CMA) with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or a registered medical assistant (RMA) with the American Medical Technologists organization. In general, obtaining medical assistant training will set you apart from the job candidates with no training and provide a better opportunity for those higher paying, more desirable medical assistant jobs in Texas.
In order to become a CMA, you need to make sure you obtain your education from an accredited school. Accreditation is determined by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). There are many CAAHEP-certified programs in the state, and you can check the CAAHEP website for updates. Additionally, online medical assisting programs are an option when accompanied by an externship. You will find the online medical assisting programs offered in Texas listed below. Once you complete or nearly complete your training, you are eligible to register for the certification exam. This is given by the certifying board of the AAMA. When you pass this, you will be a CMA. Another option is to earn a diploma or associate's degree in medical assisting from a nationally accredited program and become a registered medical assistant (RMA) with the group titled American Medical Technologists (AMT).
Training will cover both the clinical and the clerical side of medical assisting, because medical assistants’ job duties can vary depending on their job and place of employment. A good medical assistant can perform the many different tasks necessary to help an office run smoothly. For example, you will be trained in office administration, medical billing, record keeping, patient and insurance communication, medical terminology and basic pharmacology. You’ll also learn how to assess patients, draw blood, take blood pressure, prepare patients for procedures, administer medications, and assist physicians, among other duties. Medical assistants can work in outpatient clinics, hospitals, physicians’ offices, or specialists’ offices, such as that of a chiropractor, podiatrist, or optometrist.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean salary for medical assistants in Texas in 2008 was $26,490, and the mean hourly rate was $12.73. This can of course climb with some advanced training and added responsibilities. The outlook for this job is excellent. BLS cites that there are over 40,000 medical assistants working in Texas, and this number is growing rapidly. It is in fact the third fastest growing occupation in Texas, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. Employment of them in the state is expected to grow 54% in the period between 2008 and 2016. This can mean great opportunity and job security for those in this job. There are also eleven chapters in the Texas Society of Medical Assistants, which can be of great benefit to you for the purposes of networking, continuing education, or job advancement. The opportunities are there, so get started now in a great healthcare occupation by finding the right medical assistant training program for you. Select programs are listed below.
(Sources: AAMA, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CAAHEP, Texas Society of Medical Assistants)
Medical Assistant Programs in Texas
Allied Health Careers
Allied Health Careers is a branch of Capital City Trade & Technical School which is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Certificate | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Personal Fitness Training
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Austin
American Commercial College
American Commercial College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. American Commercial College is also approved by the Texas Workforce Commission
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Health Info Coding/Billing Tech, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Transcription
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Abilene, Lubbock, Odessa, San Angelo, Wichita Falls
ATI Career Training Center
The ATI Career Training Centers in Texas are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) as well as approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools & Veterans Education Department, Austin, Texas.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's, Professional Program | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Professional Massage Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Personal Fitness Trainer, Aesthetics Laser Certification Program, Yoga Teacher Training
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Dallas, Lewisvile, North Richland Hills, Richardson, Stemmons, Waco
Career Centers of Texas
The medical assisting program offered at the El Paso campus is Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited. All of the Career Centers of Texas are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) and approved by the Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools and Colleges.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Practice Mgmt, Dental Asst, Insurance Processor, Patient Care Tech, Vocational Nursing, Medical Asst - Clinical/Clerical, Pharmacy Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Fort Worth
Concorde Career Institute
Concorde Career Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which means graduates are eligible to sit for the CMA exam.
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Insurance Coding & Billing, Surgical Tech, Vocational Nursing
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Arlington
Everest College
Everest College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. The Arlington, Dallas, and Fort Worth campuses are approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Veterans Education Section.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Dental Assisting, Medical Admin Asst, Pharmacy Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Dallas, Fort Worth, Fort Worth South, Mid-Cities/Arlington
Everest Institute
Everest Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Austin, Bissonnet, Houston-Greenspoint, Houston-Hobby, San Antonio
Hallmark College
The medical assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which means graduates are eligible to sit for the CMA exam.
Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Healthcare Info Specialist
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: San Antonio
High Tech Institute
High-Tech Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges.
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Basic Massage Therapy, Dental Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Irving
Kaplan Career Institute
The Kaplan Career Institute medical assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which means graduates are eligible to sit for the CMA exam.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting - Clinical/Clerical, Dental Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Practice Mgmt, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy/EKG Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: San Antonio
Kaplan College
The Kaplan College campuses in Texas are accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools and Colleges.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Practice Mgmt, Medical Billing and Coding, Patient Care Asst/Technician, Medical Asst Clinical/Clerical, Health Info Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Arlington, Beaumont, Dallas, Laredo, Lubbock, McAllen, Midland, San Antonio
Lamson Institute
Lamson Institute is approved and Regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges Section. Lamson Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Lab Assistant/EKG Technician/Phlebotomist
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: San Antonio
MedVance Institute
The MedVance Institute Grand Prairie campus is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which means graduates of the medical assistant program are eligible to sit for the CMA exam. All of the Medvance Institute campuses in Texas are approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools and Colleges.
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding Specialist, Radiologic Tech, Sterile Processing Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Grand Prairie, Houston, Houston North
Milan Institute
The Milan Institute is Nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET).
Programs Offered: Certificate | Administrative Medical Assistant, Dental Asst, Healthcare Billing & Coding, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Amarillo
Remington College
Remington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Medical Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Dental Asst, Medical Asst w/X-Ray & EKG
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Houston Southeast, North Houston
Sanford-Brown College
Sanford-Brown College is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Graduates are eligible to sit for the CMA exam.
Programs Offered: Certificate, Associate's | Medical Assistant Specialist, Cardiovascular Tech, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech, Anesthesia Tech, Medical Asst Specialist, Medical Lab Tech
Sanford-Brown Institute
The Dallas and North Loop/Houston Medical Assisting programs hold programmatic accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which means graduates are eligible to sit for the CMA certification exam. Sanford-Brown Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (DOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Programs Offered: Certificate | Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: North Loop West/Houston, Dallas, San Antonio
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission Proprietary Schools Section and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.
Programs Offered: Professional Program, Diploma | Medical Assisting, Aesthetics Laser Certification Program, Dental Asst, Medical Admin, Personal Fitness Trainer, Pharmacy Tech, Professional Massage Therapy, Clinical Lab Tech, Patient Care Tech
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Weslaco, McAllen
Southern Careers Institute
Southern Careers Institute is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education and is recognized and approved by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Programs Offered: Diploma | Medical Assisting, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Insurance Coding
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Austin, Brownsville, Harlingen, Pharr, Corpus Christi
Texas School of Business
The Medical Assisting programs offered by the Texas School of Business are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), which means that graduates are eligible to sit for the CMA exam.
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Office Specialist, Dental Asst, Medical Practice Mgmt
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: East Houston, Friendswood, North Houston, Southwest Houston
The Academy of Health Care Professions
The Academy of Health Care Professions is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which means that graduates of the medical assisting program are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam.
Programs Offered: Certificate | Medical Assisting, Dental Asst, Limited Medical Radiologic Tech, Massage Therapy, Medical Coding & Billing Specialist, Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Austin, Houston Southwest, San Antonio
Virginia College
Virginia College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Medical Assisting, Medical Asst & Office Admin, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech, Vet Asst
Please Select a Campus to Learn More: Austin
Medical Assisting Programs Offered Online in Texas
Kaplan University - Online
The Kaplan University Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting degree program will prepare you online to become a professional medical assistant. It will also qualify you to seek national certification and licensing. The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Curriculum Review Board (CRB) of the American Association of Medial Assistants Endowment (AAMAE). Graduates are eligible to take the Certified Medical Assistant exam, given by the American Association of Medical Assistants; or the Registered Medical Assistant exam, offered by the American Medical Technologists.* Recognized in all states.
Programs Offered: Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, and Pharmacy Technician
Herzing University Online
The Diploma and Associate's in Medical Assisting programs offered by Herzing University Online are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which means graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Graduates are also eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) exam administered by the American Medical Technologist Association (AMT).
Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's, Bachelor's | Medical Assisting, Health Care, Health Information Management, Medical Billing & Insurance Coding, Medical Office Administration
Keiser University - E-Campus Online
At Keiser University, students are trained to care for patients and learn to perform tasks such as the preparation of exam rooms, taking vital signs, assistance with minor surgical procedures, giving injections, lab operations, X-Rays and much more. MA's are also trained to perform administrative tasks that deal with insurance companies, patient billing, records, appointments, and supply ordering. Students receive hands on clinical training at a health care facility in their community. The program at Keiser University is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), which means graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Medical Assistant exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Graduates are also eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Exam administered by the American Medical Technologist Association (AMT).
Programs Offered: AA in Medical Assisting
San Joaquin Valley College
The online Clinical Medical Assisting program at SJVC offers training that combines classroom instruction with laboratory experience to create an ideal opportunity for students not only to to learn, but to understand how to put to use what they have learned in a clinical setting. Upon completion of the certificate or Associate's programs, students are eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant Exam.
Programs Offered: Clinical Medical Assisting Certificate (Online) or Clinical Medical Assisting Associate's Degree (Online)

