Medical Assistant Programs Online in Connecticut: Top Schools
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Breaking down everything you need to know about becoming a medical assistant in Connecticut — from top programs, earning potential, FAQs, and more. Keep reading to learn more about what skills you’ll learn as a medical assistant, what you can expect from the job market, and what certifications you’ll need to succeed.
An Closer Look at Online Medical Assistant Programs in Connecticut
Few jobs are as diverse — or as stable — as that of a medical assistant, and choosing an online medical assistant program in Connecticut is the first step to launch you into your future career. Medical assistants work in a variety of settings and perform both medical and administrative duties. Some of their duties include interviewing patients and recording their medical histories, collecting and preparing samples for lab work, preparing and administering medication, recording billing information, ordering office supplies, documenting patient information, and sterilizing medical instruments.
Medical assisting can be either a steppingstone to get you started in the medical field or a long-term career. Medical assisting provides variety, making it a career that you can stick with. However, if you’re eager to get into healthcare now and looking to further your education later, medical assisting provides an excellent foundation and many opportunities to help others in need.
This guide was written to help you feel prepared to start this educational path. As you read, you’ll discover some of the best online MA programs in Connecticut, the schooling you’ll need, and salary potential you can expect. Read on to learn more.
CT State Community College — Preparation for Examination
The registered medical assistant program at CT State Community College is a great option for anyone considering an online MA program in Connecticut. You’ll learn computer and therapeutic communication skills, clinical and medical office procedures, how to use and update electronic health records, financial management, healthcare insurance processing, billing and coding, medical law and ethics, and medical terminology.
Upon completion, you’ll be eligible to sit for the American Medical Technologists Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) national examination, paving the way for the start of your new career.
Duration: 6 months-1 year
Mode: Hybrid, Online
Cost: $9,500
Admissions Requirements:
- Students must be at least 18
- High school diploma or GED
- Completed health form signed by physician
Curriculum:
- Electronic health records
- Healthcare insurance processing
- Billing and coding
- Medical law and ethics
- Medical terminology
Best For: Students who want a quick and efficient program.
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Goodwin University — Certificate and Associate Degree
Another great option for online MA programs in Connecticut is the medical assisting program at Goodwin University. This program typically can be completed in 12 to 16 months, with coursework available mostly online. Required clinical experiences must be completed on campus, where students will have access to a lab and equipment for hands-on teaching in small groups.
As part of the program, students will be placed at clinical sites throughout CT; those who wish to specialize can work with their advisors and professors to tailor their clinical experiences to match their desired specialty.
Students are simultaneously enrolled in both the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited certificate and the two-year degree program. Once the certification is achieved, students can sit for the certified medical assistant (CMA), RMA, or certified clinical medical assistant exams. Students will then complete their full associate degree in medical assisting. Before starting the program, students are encouraged to apply for financial aid and submit any previously acquired college credits that have the potential to transfer.
Duration: 12-16 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $9,994/semester
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed prerequisite courses (HSC 105 – Medical Terminology and BIO 101 – Concepts in Human Biology)
- Application for admission to Goodwin University
- Application for Medical Assisting program
- Interview with the Program Director and/or Practicum Coordinator
Curriculum:
- Medical Assisting: The Medical Office and Patient Care
- Medical Assisting: Diagnostic Procedures
- Pharmacology
- Introduction to Medical Insurance and Coding
- Medical Assisting: Laboratory Procedures
- Medical Office Management
- Medical Law and Ethics
- Medical Assisting Internship
- Introduction to Psychology
- General Education Elective
Best For: Students looking for an affordable option. Goodwin University has one of the lowest tuition costs for private, nonprofit colleges in the state.
Porter and Chester Institute — Diploma
The flexible medical assistant program at Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) is offered in a hybrid format, with lectures online and required lab experiences on campus. The program is available at seven Connecticut and Massachusetts locations. This online medical assisting program offers students a diploma upon graduation and can be completed in as few as 10 months.
As a student, you’ll develop patient care and healthcare administration skills throughout your studies and gain hands-on experience in a required externship. The sixth module of the program prepares you to take the CMA or RMA national exam, with the cost of the first attempt covered by the school.
PCI’s team of educational funding specialists helps students determine if they qualify for financial aid. The school’s career service advisors are also available to help students secure employment in the medical assistant field upon graduation. New sessions start multiple times per year, so students are encouraged to apply as soon as they’re ready.
Duration: 10 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $21,000
Admissions Requirements:
Application:
- Online application
- Proof of immunizations
- Pass a criminal background check
- Pass a drug screening
- Administrative Medical Assisting
- Anatomy and Medical Terminology
- Clinical Procedurals
- Externship
FAQs for Connecticut’s Medical Assistant Students
It’s natural to have questions as you consider becoming a medical assistant. From understanding certification requirements to exploring job opportunities in the state, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions prospective students ask.
Whether you’re curious about the time commitment, program options, or your future earning potential, this FAQ section is designed to provide clear and concise answers to help you make informed decisions about your future. Keep reading to find detailed guidance on each topic below.
Can you do a medical assistant program without going to college?
Technically, yes. There’s nothing in Connecticut law that states that medical assistants must be certified or graduates of online medical assistant programs in CT. Medical assistants can be trained on the job and throughout their careers. However, taking the time to learn online or on-campus and becoming certified as a medical assistant can improve your chances of finding work, increase the responsibilities you’re allowed to take on, increase your relevant experience before starting work, and help you earn a higher salary than you would without experience and certification.
What is the salary for medical assistants in Connecticut?
The answer to this question depends on your experience and location within the state. New medical assistants receiving an annual salary in the 10th percentile are likely to make around $37,000 a year in Connecticut, while the mean wage is $46,630. The highest areas in the state for wages are Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford.
You also have the potential to earn well above the average salary, too. The most experienced medical assistants with a salary in the 90th percentile could make $58,000 or more.
Overall, medical assistants in the state are paid well and earn above the mean annual wage in the U.S.
How long is medical assistant school?
The duration of online medical assisting programs in CT depends on the program you’re pursuing. Diploma programs are shorter than certificate programs, and certificate programs are shorter than degree programs.
For example, the medical assisting diploma from CT State Community College can be earned in six months, whereas an associate degree in medical assisting from Goodwin University takes about two years (both are highlighted above).
How do I know if a school is accredited?
If a school’s medical assisting program is accredited, it will likely say so on the program’s main web page. If you can’t find it there, search for accreditation information in the search bar or the school’s About Us section, or ask via email, online message, or phone call. You may also look at accrediting agencies’ websites to find accredited programs.
Certifications and Continuing Education Paths in Connecticut
If you want to work as a medical assistant in Connecticut, getting certified is a key step. The Connecticut Department of Public Health mandates certification, like the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), which you can earn through an accredited program. While the state requires certification to practice, it can be helpful for you in numerous other ways, too. Certification is how you’ll stand out to employers and build a solid foundation for your career.
To become certified, you’ll need to complete a post-secondary program that prepares you for exams like the CMA, Registered Medical Assistant (RMA), or Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). Schools like Goodwin University or CT State Community College include this prep as part of their curriculum, so you’re ready to hit the ground running when you graduate.
Once you’re certified, it doesn’t stop there. Continuing education is essential to keep your certification up to date and stay ahead in a constantly evolving field. Whether it’s brushing up on medical law, learning new clinical techniques, or exploring the latest healthcare tech, these opportunities help you grow as a professional.
Salary & Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in Connecticut
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $33,500 | $42,000 | $56,480 |
| Waterbury, CT | $37,830 | $44,650 | $56,900 |
| Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | $38,130 | $44,870 | $54,960 |
| New Haven, CT | $36,890 | $46,100 | $58,760 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $37,950 | $45,670 | $56,170 |
| Danbury, CT | $36,580 | $45,160 | $52,490 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | $39,440 | $46,620 | $57,650 |
| Connecticut | $37,380 | $45,780 | $57,110 |
Source: Medical Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 10,060 | 11,420 | 1,360 | 13.50% | 1,500 |
| 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.
