College America is a vocational school with several branches in regions across the United States. The Phoenix branch offers an associate of occupational studies in medical specialties degree. Students can complete this degree in 20 months or through an accelerated 15-month option. This degree covers a broad scope of medical education, including medical billing and coding, medical office administration, medical assisting and x-ray technology. The program prepares graduates for medical secretary positions, but also provides basic preparation for further training in other health care careers.
The Bryman School is a Phoenix campus of the Anthem Education Group. The Medical Assistant program is accredited by ABHES, the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. The school offers diplomas and associate of science degrees in medical billing and coding. This program prepares graduates for medical secretary positions through training in billing and coding procedures, record keeping, insurance utilization and other skills necessary for managing a medical office. Students can complete either of these programs in two years or less. The Bryman School offers its students internship opportunities and clinical experience alongside traditional course work. Career counselors assist graduates with finding jobs in hospitals, doctor's offices and other medical facilities.
Paradise Valley Community College is part of the Maricopa County Community College District. The college offers an associate of applied science degree in administrative office professional skills. This program prepares students for employment as secretaries in many types of professional settings, including medical offices. Students attain skills such as bookkeeping, database management and communication. The program requires that students maintain a 2.0 grade point average and complete a general education component which includes sciences and humanities. Students who are already working as administrative professionals may earn cooperative education credit in place of certain electives.
Carrington College has several campuses, primarily in the western United States. Carrington's Phoenix campus offers certificates and associate's degrees in health care administration, medical billing and coding and medical office management. All three majors prepare graduates for employment as medical secretaries. The health care administration major trains students in anatomy as well as administrative professional skills. The medical billing and coding major focuses on health terminology, record-keeping and organization of health information. The medical office management program prepares graduates for employment as senior administrative professionals. It requires many of the same courses as Carrington's other health care programs but emphasizes medical service coordination and supervisory skills.