Online Medical Assistant Programs in California: Find Your School
Medical assisting is one of the fastest-growing careers in California. These entry-level professionals support healthcare providers by performing both clinical and administrative tasks in medical offices and hospitals across the state. If you’re looking to enter the field, you need to find the right program. And if you’re interested in studying online, you need to learn how it all works. Let EduMed help.
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How They Work: Inside 3 Top CA Programs
California medical assistant programs are available at different educational levels, allowing students to choose a path based on their career goals and time commitments. Certificate and diploma programs, typically completed quickly in 9–12 months, focus on essential administrative and clinical skills. Associate degree programs — which often take around two years to complete — provide a broader curriculum, which can be helpful for career advancement or further studies. Some accelerated medical assistant programs can be completed in as little as six weeks.
Below are three standout programs to help you compare timelines, learning formats, outcomes, and curriculum between online medical assistant programs in California.
Clinical Medical Assistant Certificate — California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)
The online Clinical Medical Assistant program at CSULB includes 140 hours of self-paced online curriculum, complemented by an optional clinical externship at a local healthcare facility. Students gain essential skills in patient care, laboratory procedures, pharmacology, and cardiology, with the opportunity to sit for the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam upon completion.
Students interested in a more structured format and hands-on training can opt to take the hybrid version of the course, which includes 10 hands-on labs and a clinical externship opportunity on top of the 140 hours of online coursework. Unlike the self-paced option, lectures follow a predetermined schedule. Regardless of the program format, students must pass a criminal background check and drug screening to qualify for clinical rotations.
Duration: 140 Units/4 months (self-paced)
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $2,899
Admissions Requirements: N/A
Curriculum:
- Preparing patients for exams, treatments, lab work, and diagnostic procedures
- Learning healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, patient privacy, and legal requirements
- Measuring and recording vital signs, such as blood pressure, during office visits
- Understanding medication management, including allergies and pharmacology principles
- Conducting lab tests, performing phlebotomy, and collecting specimens correctly
- Gaining knowledge of cardiology and accurately placing leads for 12-lead EKGs
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
AS in Medical Administrative Assisting — Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Medical Administrative Assisting designed to prepare students for a vital role in healthcare settings like medical offices, clinics, and hospitals. The program emphasizes professional traits and responsibilities essential for becoming an integral part of the healthcare team. Students gain hands-on skills and foundational knowledge to excel in patient care and administrative tasks.
Students looking to enter the field more quickly can choose to take the “Program Requirement” courses and earn a certificate of achievement instead of the AS degree. The school recommends meeting with an academic counselor to discuss your career goals before choosing a pathway. The program also does not clarify which medical assisting certification graduates qualify for, so prospective students should ensure the program meets their desired certification requirements before enrolling.
Duration: 60 units/24 months
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $2,760-$22,440 (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements: N/A
Core Curriculum:
- Keyboarding I
- Business Information Systems with Applications
- English Skills for the Office
- Microsoft Word
- MS Outlook
- Medical Vocabulary
- Medical Billing (Medisoft)
- Medical Coding/Billing I
- Medical Office Procedures
- Medical Terms and Transcription I
- Electronic Health Records
Medical Assisting AS — Cerro Coso Community College
The Medical Assisting Associate of Science (AS) at Cerro Coso Community College prepares students for administrative and clinical roles in healthcare. This comprehensive program covers medical terminology, electronic health records, medical law and ethics, and communication in healthcare while also developing essential clinical skills. Graduates are prepared to sit for the California Certifying Medical Assistant (CACMA) exam. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in medical offices, clinics, and hospitals, providing a strong foundation for a healthcare career.
Duration: 60 units/2 years
Mode: Fully online
Cost: $6,360-$26,100 (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Completion of core classes with a grade of “C” or better
- Pass a certified background check
- Submission of a completed application to Cerro Coso Community College
Curriculum:
- General education requirements
- Medical assisting courses on computer literacy, healthcare communication, medical law and ethics, electronic health records, and medical terminology
- Basic administrative courses on office software, medical office procedures, medical insurance and billing, medical coding, and an administrative medical assistant externship
- Clinical courses on clinical medical assisting, medication administration, laboratory procedures, and a clinical medical assistant externship
Medical Assisting FAQs from California Students
After reviewing your options, are you still considering becoming a medical assistant in California? It’s natural to have follow-up questions about training, certification options, career paths, and what to expect after graduation. Rest assured, these are common concerns for many students. Below, we’ve answered the most frequently asked questions to help you get started.
Are scholarships or grants available for online medical assistant students in CA?
Yes, there are plenty of gift-based scholarships and financial aid options available. Many of these grants come from private organizations, such as corporations and nonprofits. Others come from the state of California, such as the Cal Grant. Then there are the schools themselves, like MiraCosta College, which offers scholarships to eligible students. You can also complete the FAFSA to qualify for federal financial aid.
Are there professional organizations or networking opportunities for California medical assistants?
California’s most prominent professional organization for medical assistants is the California Society of Medical Assistants. This state affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) offers networking and continuing education opportunities to medical assistants in all phases of their careers.
Do I need to complete any prerequisites before applying?
It depends on the school. Some California schools, like MiraCosta College, require applicants to complete introductory medical terminology and biology courses. In contrast, others, like that at CSULB, do not require students to complete any prerequisites before admission or enrollment.
Admission requirements vary by school and program. At a minimum, you should expect to submit an online application and provide official copies of your high school transcript or comparable credentials. Additional requirements will depend on the school. For instance, the Bay Area Medical Academy requires applicants to pass an English test and complete an interview. In contrast, Gurnick Academy requires applicants to submit an essay about why they want to become a medical assistant and the qualities that will help them succeed in the program.
How much should I expect to pay for my program?
The exact cost of your online medical assistant program will depend on several variables, including the type of school (public or private) and program type (certificate/diploma or associate degree). Programs that provide graduates with a certificate or diploma are shorter and generally more affordable — you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars in tuition and fees for these programs. Online medical assistant programs in California that culminate in an associate degree are often more expensive overall, as they typically take two to three times longer.
What does an online medical assistant curriculum in California cover?
Most online medical assistant classes in California offer similar curricula to prepare students to pass certification exams and gain skills and knowledge that the typical California healthcare employer expects new hires to possess. As such, you should expect to learn the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology, medication delivery, dosage calculation, healthcare ethics and legal requirements, billing, insurance processing, medical terminology, and office administration.
CA Certifications and Continuing Education for MAs
Medical assistants in California are not required to hold a certification to work, but employers highly value certification. To become a certified medical assistant, you must graduate from an accredited program, which boosts your job prospects and ensures eligibility for certification exams. Most programs require completing a clinical externship with 160–180 hours of hands-on training, often arranged through statewide partnerships.
Popular certifications include the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) from the AAMA and the California Certified Medical Assistant (CACMA) from CCBMA. California also recognizes several Medical Board-approved certifying organizations, such as American Medical Technologists (AMT) and Multiskilled Medical Certification Institute (MMCI).
Once certified, many organizations require license renewals, often involving continuing education. For example, AAMA and CCBMA mandate 60 continuing education units. To grow your career, consider a specialization or explore teaching opportunities as a qualified medical assistant through additional state-approved certifications.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in California
As the third-largest state in the nation (trailing Alaska and Texas), California is home to numerous medical facilities and providers. That’s why it’s a hotbed of job opportunities for anyone in allied health, including medical assistants. The national job outlook for the position is 13.8%, but in California, that number jumps to 25.6%. This means an average of 18,280 openings each year across the state, providing excellent opportunities for medical assistants to launch their careers.
When it comes to income, medical assistants can expect a median annual income of $46,690, with the 10th percentile earning $36,600 and the top 90th percentile earning $72,940. However, some areas of California offer higher pay than others. For example, those who work in Sacramento can expect a median wage of $59,520, while those in San Jose could see $60,500. The highest-paying area is Vallejo-Fairfield, where the median wage is $74,750. Read the charts below to learn more about where medical assistants can find great pay in California.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 108,000 | 135,700 | 27,700 | 25.60% | 18,280 |
| 1 – United States | 764,400 | 870,200 | 105,800 | 13.80% | 114,600 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $42,000 | $56,480 |
| Yuba City, CA | $36,960 | $46,250 | $58,740 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | $36,430 | $42,630 | $57,960 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $42,600 | $74,750 | $82,500 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $36,730 | $44,720 | $72,640 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $40,190 | $59,190 | $76,120 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $38,060 | $47,610 | $67,130 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $37,960 | $47,010 | $72,360 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | $36,620 | $47,180 | $64,070 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $44,160 | $60,500 | $78,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $45,440 | $59,770 | $82,410 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $37,620 | $46,850 | $65,770 |
| Salinas, CA | $37,180 | $44,620 | $57,870 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA | $38,420 | $59,520 | $79,200 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $36,160 | $39,520 | $63,900 |
| Redding, CA | $36,060 | $42,440 | $55,840 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $37,200 | $47,510 | $62,800 |
| Napa, CA | $40,970 | $50,960 | $76,120 |
| Modesto, CA | $36,730 | $46,600 | $72,570 |
| Merced, CA | $35,020 | $37,650 | $47,910 |
| Madera, CA | $36,870 | $43,620 | $57,320 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $35,290 | $44,740 | $63,220 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $37,330 | $43,490 | $51,860 |
| Fresno, CA | $35,940 | $44,940 | $65,680 |
| El Centro, CA | $36,020 | $38,080 | $57,880 |
| Chico, CA | $36,300 | $45,200 | $57,400 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $35,320 | $39,400 | $56,840 |
| California | $36,600 | $46,690 | $72,940 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Today’s Best Online Medical Assistant Programs in California
Rankings provide a trusted guide to help you find the best online programs for your needs. EduMed’s rankings are based on key data points like the number of online programs, affordability, and student outcomes. Schools are evaluated using the latest Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data and a proprietary weighting system. View the About the Rankings pop-up to learn more about how these rankings are calculated.
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California
Why We Selected Pasadena City College:
- Preparation for Microsoft Office Specialist certification enhances job prospects.
- The program offers specialized training in administrative business procedures and software applications.
- Students develop strong self-management and teamwork skills in diverse workplace environments.
Program Details
- AccreditationACCJC
- Average In-State Tuition$1,104
- Average Institutional Aid$1,127
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course88%
- % of Students Receiving an Award26%
- Student/Faculty Ratio21/1
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
Why We Selected Cerritos College:
- The program offers specialized training in ambulatory care settings, enhancing clinical skills.
- The curriculum includes essential abilities like sensory and motor skills for patient treatment.
- Students benefit from clinical placements in diverse healthcare settings, ensuring practical experience.
Program Details
- AccreditationACCJC
- Average In-State Tuition$1,288
- Average Institutional Aid$174
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course78%
- % of Students Receiving an Award44%
- Student/Faculty Ratio26/1
Cerro Coso Community College
Ridgecrest, California
Why We Selected Cerro Coso Community College:
- The program offers specialized training in both administrative and clinical medical assisting skills.
- Cerro Coso's Medical Assisting program is authorized by the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants, ensuring high standards.
- The program provides real-world experience through clinical placements, enhancing job readiness for graduates.
Program Details
- AccreditationACCJC
- Average In-State Tuition$1,380
- Average Institutional Aid$400
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course80%
- % of Students Receiving an Award28%
- Student/Faculty Ratio22/1
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘24-’25 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves.
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic counseling on campus and/or online.
- The existence of career placement services on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system to represent this category with laptop icons.
- % in Online Ed. – Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time, as self-reported by the school.
- % Receiving Award – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Avg. Inst. Aid – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024
