Online Medical Assistant Degree
Discover the benefits on earning a medical assistant degree online…
Medical Assistants are in high demand across the country. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor projects that medical assistant positions to grow 33.9% over the next seven years into 2018. Some employers, though very few as we move forward in time, will hire you with little experience and provide on the job training. However, those with formal training and education will absolutely make themselves more marketable in a completive job market. In addition, The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that those medical assistants with diplomas or associate degrees will make more money than those that are trained “on the job”.
Schools that offer online medical assistant degree programs are on the rise. The benefits to being able to complete required coursework “online” are highly visible. Any individual who wishes to maintain current employment while completing their degree, will have that option because they will be able to study in the evenings or at other times throughout the week when they are not working or tied down with other commitments. Such programs can generally be completed at the student’s desired pace, though many schools will have specific timelines that need to be adhered to. Finally, online medical assisting programs can offer the equivalent education and clinical experience that campus based programs do by providing required mentorship and or externship programs that will give you the necessary clinical experience.
On average a medical assistant program can be completed in as little as 9 months. An associate’s degree in medical assisting will take around 20 months to complete, whale diploma programs can be completed in six to nine months. If your ultimate goal is to become a certified medical assistant, you should make sure to enroll in an online program that is accredited by the CAAHEP or ABHES. You must graduate from an accredited program to be eligible to sit for the necessary certification exam.