Medical Assistant Correspondence Programs

San Joaquin Valley College

• San Joaquin Valley College offers a certificate program in clinical medical assisting. San Joaquin Valley College offers the program online and at six campuses in California. Once a student graduates the certificate program she can continue her education and gain her associate of science degree in medical assisting. Graduates of the certificate program have eligibility to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant exam and the National Certified Medical Assistant exam. Topics covered during the certificate course include electrocardiograms, venipuncture and skin puncture, basic lab tests, patient education and front office procedures. The program includes both classroom instruction and laboratory experience. San Joaquin Valley College started in 1977 and has received accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

  San Joaquin Valley College
  801 S. Akers
  Visalia, CA 93277
  877-367-7582
  sjvc.edu

Herzing University

• Herzing University offers both a diploma program and an associate of science degree in medical assisting. The diploma program requires 48 semester credit hours of which mandatory courses make up 46 of the hours. Students typically complete the diploma program in 12 to 20 months. The associate of science degree program requires 65 semester credit hours for graduation. The 65 credit hours consists of 42 hours of core courses, 21 hours of general education courses and two hours of personal development courses. Topics covered include medical terminology, keyboarding, pathophysiology and pharmacology, medical office procedures and clinical assisting. The associate degree program typically takes 16 to 24 months to complete. Medical assistant program graduates have eligibility to sit for both the Certified Medical Assistant and Registered Medical Assistant exams.

  Herzing University
  Online Campus
  525 N. 6th St.
  Milwaukee, WI 53203
  866-508-0748
  herzing.edu

U.S. Career Institute

• The U.S. Career Institute located in Fort Collins, Colorado offers a 16-week program that leads to a career as a medical assistant. The course utilizes virtual instruction coupled with written guides, tutorials and DVD supplements. The course comes in five different "instruction packs" designed to introduce the student to the medical assisting field. Topics include welcome to the world of healthcare, medical terminology, safety in the medical office, body fluid specimens, pharmacology and bacterial smears and cultures. Using the virtual lab, students learn how to perform blood cultures, give injections and set up a surgical tray and administer medication. Graduates of the course receive a blood pressure monitoring and stethoscope kit.

  U.S. Career Institute
  2001 Lowe St.
  Fort Collins, CO 80525
  866-250-6851
  uscareerinstitute.com