What Kind of Degree Should a Medical Assistant Have?

What Kind of Degree Should a Medical Assistant Have?

For those interested in pursuing a career as a medical assistant, it’s important to understand the advantages of completing either an associate degree or a certificate program. This guide will help you determine which path aligns best with your career goals. If you’re considering a healthcare career but aren’t keen on investing the time and resources required for a nursing or medical degree, becoming a medical assistant could be a suitable alternative.

Medical assistants are in high demand and feature prominently among the fastest-growing healthcare occupations in the country.

With the expanding need for preventive services, various healthcare settings such as hospitals, outpatient facilities, and clinics rely on medical assistants to perform crucial clinical, administrative, and technological tasks.

To enter the field, you can pursue a two-year medical assistant associate degree or a certificate program that can be completed in a year or less. This guide will help you identify the most appropriate route for your aspirations.

Comparing Medical Assistant Certificate and Associate Degree

High school graduates can become medical assistants through on-the-job training. However, opting for a certificate or associate degree can open up more employment prospects.

Certificate and associate degree programs share similarities. Both pathways prepare you for similar administrative and clinical roles across various healthcare facilities.

Both paths involve mandatory courses covering topics like human anatomy, pharmacology, medical terminology, and office administration.

The difference lies in the cost and duration of each program. A certificate program is the most cost-effective and expedient way to enter the field, often taking a year or less to complete.

An associate degree entails a higher cost due to its two-year duration and inclusion of general education courses. Nonetheless, many employers prefer hiring medical assistants with associate degrees.

Time to Completion

Typically, full-time students complete their associate degree within two years at a community college or a four-year institution.

Many schools offer hybrid or online options. If you choose part-time study, it might take an additional semester or year to fulfill graduation requirements. Most medical assistant associate degree programs necessitate 60 credits, which might include mandatory clinical labs or internships.

Depending on the program, full-time students could complete their certificate in six months to a year. Most certificate programs require approximately 40 credits.

Satisfying clinical experience requirements, although not mandatory in all certificate programs, could extend the time needed to meet all requisites.

Your educational choice hinges on your goals. Opting for a certificate can fast-track your entry into the workforce while keeping educational expenses minimal. However, an associate degree’s comprehensive training could offer broader employment opportunities.

Furthermore, credits earned during an associate degree program could be transferred to a four-year institution if you later decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Curriculum Details

The content studied to become a medical assistant is similar for certificate and associate programs, despite potential variations in course titles.

For an associate degree program, the curriculum might encompass:

– Human anatomy and physiology
– Pharmacology
– Medication administration
– Laboratory techniques and procedures
– Clinical procedures
– Administrative procedures
– Medical terminology

A medical assistant certificate program could involve:

– Human anatomy and physiology
– Pharmacology
– Medication administration
– Laboratory techniques and procedures
– Medical recording and coding
– Office practices
– First aid

Associate degrees usually feature clinical labs or internships as part of their requirements, whereas such clinical experiences aren’t always obligatory in certificate programs.

Certificates focus solely on medical assisting subjects, while associate degrees include a broader education component beyond professional content.

Students pursuing an associate degree also need to complete courses in math, natural and social sciences, writing, and humanities. These credits can potentially be transferred to a related bachelor’s degree program.

Institutions Offering Programs

Various types of institutions provide the training required for a medical assistant career.

Associate medical assistant degrees are available at community colleges and certain four-year colleges and universities. Many of these programs offer convenient distance learning options.

Certain associate degree programs adopt a blended format, combining online and in-person instruction. Both campus-based and online students usually undertake supervised clinical experiences in healthcare facilities.

Certificate programs are offered by vocational and technical schools, as well as community colleges. Online alternatives are also accessible, facilitating degree completion without the need for on-campus attendance.

Online learning suits individuals juggling personal and professional commitments. Those seeking a structured, hands-on environment might prefer in-person programs.

Salary and Job Prospects

The employment outlook for medical assistants is promising, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting a 16% increase in these positions between 2021 and 2031, resulting in over 123,000 new job opportunities.

In May 2021, medical assistants earned a median annual wage of $37,190. This applies to both certificate and associate degree holders.

Employers offering higher salaries often prioritize candidates with a two-year associate degree. With an associate degree, the most lucrative positions can be found in outpatient care centers, hospitals, and physicians’ offices.

Graduating from an associate program that specializes in a medical assistant specialty, such as geriatrics, cardiology, oncology, or podiatry, could lead to an above-average salary.

Entry into the field with a certificate can also yield numerous administrative and clinical roles, though likely with a lower earning potential compared to associate degree holders. Certificate holders might lack the training needed for specialized clinical roles that typically command higher salaries.

The expanding fields of medical billing and coding will continue to demand more medical assistants, irrespective of their educational background. Earning potential can vary based on location, years of experience, and specialized credentials.

Eligibility for Certification

Pursuing either a medical assistant associate degree or a certificate from accredited programs by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) can qualify you for major medical assisting certifications.

The Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential, offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), stands as the most widely recognized certification in this field.

Other notable certifications include the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA), the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), and the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAM).

Holding these certifications can lead to enhanced pay and improved job prospects. Certified medical assistants stand out in a competitive job market, signaling a higher level of skills and knowledge compared to uncertified individuals.

Your choice of certification should consider factors such as recognition by your intended state of work and prospective employers.

While the CMA and RMA are prominent, you might opt for a certification like CMAM if it aligns better with your career interests. Eligibility criteria, application costs, and examination requirements can differ across certifications.

Choosing Between Nursing School and Medical School

Making the Right Choice

While a medical assistant career can commence with only a high school diploma, pursuing a certificate can expand your job prospects in a year or less.

Certificates offer a quicker entry into the job market at a lower cost compared to an associate degree. These programs focus solely on medical assisting skills, allowing you to prepare specifically for your desired career.

However, certificate holders may not earn as much as those with associate degrees. Specialized medical practice or career advancement might be limited without the comprehensive training provided by an associate degree. Furthermore, credits earned in a certificate program might not be transferrable to further education.

Pursuing an associate degree takes more time but can make you more competitive in the job market. A two-year program equips you with a broader skill set, making you a more attractive candidate for potential employers.

An associate degree can qualify you for higher-paying roles in specialized medicine and provide more opportunities for advancement. If you decide to pursue education in nursing or another healthcare field later, the college credits earned in your associate program can easily be transferred to a four-year institution.

Although associate degrees often come with higher costs, several states offer tuition-free community college scholarships, enabling you to earn an associate degree at no cost.

In Conclusion

Both types of medical assisting programs can lead to fulfilling careers in the rapidly expanding healthcare sector. When deciding which educational path aligns with your goals, consider factors like:

– Program duration: A certificate program suits those aiming for a swift entry into the job market. An associate degree takes longer but can lead to better job prospects and higher income.
– Cost: An associate degree might incur more expenses than a certificate but can potentially result in a higher starting salary.
– Educational prerequisites: A certificate program focuses solely on the skills necessary for a medical assistant role. An associate degree includes similar coursework along with broader general education subjects like writing and math.
– Employer preference: Both certificate and associate programs prepare you for numerous clinical and administrative roles. Yet, employers might view graduates with associate degrees as more qualified. Associate degree holders are more likely to secure well-paying positions, particularly in specialized medical practices.
– Job opportunities: Regardless of your chosen educational path, consider obtaining certifications like CMA or RMA to enhance your earnings and marketability.