Established in 1953, Westwood College is a private, for-profit institution with locations in six states. The school offers its medical assisting program at its Chicago, Woodridge and Calumet City branches in Illinois. The program culminates in a diploma rather than a degree. Students spend 12 months in the full-time program, taking courses in computer science, anatomy, billing and coding, ethics, surgical assisting and phlebotomy. In order to graduate, all medical assisting students must complete a 160-hour internship at a local medical clinic or physician's practice. Westwood participates in federal and state grant and loan programs and private lending programs. The school also offers a limited number of institutional scholarships and work-study opportunities.
Westwood College
8501 West Higgins Road
Chicago, IL 60631
773-380-6800?
westwood.edu
A private institution, Midstate College was established in 1888 in Peoria. The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree program in medical assisting. The program requires completion of 94 credits of coursework, including classes in psychology, communications, medical office accounting, medical terminology, medical law and ethics, and medical office administration. A one-term externship is also a part of the curriculum. The school offers lifetime job placement assistance for all graduates. Veterans’ benefits, federal and state financial aid programs, work-study and scholarships are available for qualified students.
Midstate College
411 West Northmoor Road
Peoria, IL 61614
309-692-4092
midstate.edu
Home to more than 35,000 students, Moraine Valley Community College is a public institution in Palos Hills, a suburb of Chicago. Despite its large student body, the school maintains an average class size of only 23 students, according to its website. The school offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program in medical assisting. Students in the program take classes in computing, clinical laboratory technology and insurance reimbursement processes, as well as courses that relate to patient care. During the final term of the program, students complete both an internship and a senior seminar, which examines the experience gained during the program. Moraine Valley offers a full range of government, military, institutional and private financial aid programs.
Moraine Valley Community College
9000 West College Parkway
Palos Hills, IL 60465
708-974-4300
morainevalley.edu