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Online Medical Assistant Programs in Kentucky: Choosing a School

Medical assistants (MAs) play an important role in the Kentucky healthcare system. It’s easy to become a medical assistant in Kentucky, thanks to the abundance of online medical assistant programs. The hard part is determining which program is right for you, but EduMed will help you do that. We’ll highlight three specific programs, plus discuss financial aid opportunities and certification requirements in Kentucky.

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Author: Angela Myers, BA
Editor: Ginny Gillikin

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Inside Online Medical Assistant Programs in Kentucky

Deciding to pursue a career as a certified medical assistant (CMA) is somewhat easy. Why wouldn’t you want a career with diverse growth opportunities, job stability, a decent income, and the opportunity to help others? But, choosing the right medical assistant program to get started is a bit more difficult. How do you know which online medical assistant program in Kentucky is right for you?

Your options for online medical assistant programs in Kentucky are plentiful. Maybe you want a program that offers many online components. Or maybe you want a hybrid program that lets you socialize with peers and complete coursework at your own pace. We’ll spotlight three high-quality programs that each offer something different.

Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University, located in In Richmond, offers a fully online Clinical Medical Assistant training program that prepares you to take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. You can still benefit from this program if you don’t live Richmond – a smaller city with convenient access to nearby Lexington’s amenities – since it’s online. You don’t need any prerequisites to enroll in the program, and open enrollment allows you to start at any time.

The program teaches a variety of skills necessary for both the clinical and clerical responsibilities that come with most medical assistant roles. When you’re ready to take the CCMA exam, the course provides you with a voucher to cover the cost.

Duration: 12 months

Mode: Online

Cost: $2,795

Admissions Requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Working computer

Curriculum:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Certified Medical Assistant Skills

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Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky University, located in Bowling Green, offers an online certification course for potential Clinical Medical Assistants. This course stands out because you can complete it in four to six months. This online program requires only a high school diploma or equivalent to apply.

When you finish the program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and become eligible to take the CCMA exam. You’ll also be eligible for an optional volunteer clinical externship that will give you hands-on experience before you begin to apply for jobs. This externship must be completed in-person with a nearby community partner.

Duration: Four to six months

Mode: Online (without externship) or hybrid (with externship)

Cost: $3,950

Admissions Requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent

Curriculum:

  • Online coursework
  • In-person clinical externship (optional)

Sullivan University

Many higher education institutions offer only a certificate or diploma program for medical assistants. But, Sullivan University offers two options: an accelerated Medical Assistant Diploma program and an Associate of Science (AS) in Medical Assisting program. The diploma program is hybrid, and online instruction is complemented by boot camps in three cities: Lexington, Louisa, and Louisville.

The university’s associate degree program is ideal if you want to eventually take a leadership or management position within a physician’s office. You can also pursue a more advanced degree after completion of the AS, like a bachelor’s degree in a medical specialty. Both programs include 200 hours of clinical work for hands-on experience in an authentic medical setting.

Duration: 15 months (diploma program) or 24 months (associate degree program)

Mode: Hybrid

Cost: $17,820 (total tuition for diploma) or $29,700 (total tuition for associate degree)

Admissions Requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent

Curriculum:

  • Medical Terminology
  • Medical Laboratory Procedures
  • Medical Software Applications
  • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Laboratory Procedures II
  • Medical Laboratory Procedures III
  • Pharmacology
  • Medical Office Procedures
  • Clinical Assisting Externship
  • Speed Development
  • Keyboarding Essentials
  • Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Anatomy and Physiology II

FAQs for Online Medical Assistant Students in Kentucky

The spotlights above are comprehensive, but you probably still have questions about becoming a medical assistant in Kentucky. Luckily, we’ve got answers. Continue reading to learn what online coursework looks like, whether Kentucky has medical assistant licensure requirements, and other info that can help on your academic journey.

How do I know if a medical assistant program is accredited?

Many secondary education providers proudly state their accreditation status somewhere on their website. You can verify whether a program is accredited by searching the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, which offers information provided by recognized accrediting agencies.

Verifying that a certain medical assistant program is accredited is important; if it’s not, you might not be able to take certain exams like those offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or American Medical Technologists.

How do I become a certified clinical medical assistant in Kentucky?

Kentucky does not have specific licensing or certification requirements for medical assistants. The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure does not require medical assistants to show proof of certification, registration, or a license. But, obtaining a certificate and passing the associated exam is a requirement for some employers.

Generally, you first need to apply for and attend an online medical assistant program in Kentucky. After graduating, you’ll take an exam to validate your skills and become a Certified Medical Assistant in one of the available specialties. Though it’s not a requirement, getting certified can make your application stand out and allow you to qualify for better job opportunities. Certification can also help you stand out if you decide to apply for LPN bridge programs or other continuing education degrees.

What is the least expensive medical assistant program in KY?

The cost of attending an online medical assistant program in Kentucky differs from school to school. However, the Kentucky Community & Technical College System claims it has the lowest tuition in Kentucky. It offers Medical Assisting diplomas and associate degrees at 10 locations throughout the state.

Many online medical assistant programs in Kentucky offer relatively affordable tuition. As noted above, tuition at Eastern Kentucky University costs under $3,000. To lower costs further, you can apply for financial aid, including student loans, grants, scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement.

Can I complete a medical assistant program online?

It is possible to complete a medical assistant program entirely online. Several online medical assistant programs in Kentucky offer fully online options, while others provide hybrid options that combine online coursework with limited, in-person training. Some programs offer an opportunity to complete clinical hours, which must be completed in person in a clinical setting.

Clinical hours provide a hands-on look at what you’ll do after you graduate. Completing them can be a useful way to network with potential employers and determine what you do (and don’t) want to do after graduation. However, clinical hours are not requirements for all programs. You might be able to find an employer that allows you to learn certain skills through on-the-job training.

How long does it take to become a medical assistant in Kentucky?

Medical assistant programs in Kentucky vary in length. Some take two years to complete and culminate in an associate degree and a more robust set of medical assisting skills. Other programs result in a certificate, not an associate degree. These programs are typically shorter; some accelerated options take only six weeks to complete, though this is rare. Shorter programs let you enter the workforce faster and might be a better option for students who are unsure what they want to do in the healthcare field. However, shorter programs will likely lead to limited job opportunities after you graduate.

Certifications and Continuing Education in Kentucky

The Kentucky state government does not license medical assistants or define their scope of work. Most medical assistants in the state complete either clinical or clerical work. On the clerical side, medical assistants often keep a physician’s office up and running. They manage tasks like scheduling appointments, registering patients for appointments, billing, and working with insurance providers to process claims.

On the clinical side, medical assistants might ask patients about their medical history and symptoms, take vital signs, and otherwise prepare them to meet with a physician. During the appointment, medical assistants can further assist the physician as needed by performing basic laboratory tests, drawing blood, sterilizing medical equipment, and completing other similar tasks.

While continuing education is not a requirement for medical assistants, it can help you stay you competitive when you apply for new roles. Continuing education can also help you stay up-to-date on changes in the healthcare industry. The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure offers a list of resources for continuing medical education, but the resources are not specifically for medical assistants.

Salary and Career Outlook for Medical Assistants in Kentucky

Area ↕ 10th Percentile ↕ Median ↕ 90th Percentile ↕
U.S. $33,500 $42,000 $56,480
Kentucky $28,560 $37,140 $45,490
Bowling Green, KY $28,580 $35,150 $41,110
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY $19,840 $34,940 $41,600
Lexington-Fayette, KY $31,730 $38,190 $45,830
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $31,730 $38,800 $46,730
Owensboro, KY $24,960 $35,710 $44,640

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 ↕
United States 764,400 870,200 105,800 13.8% 114,600
Kentucky 13,090 14,920 1,830 14.0% 1,970

Source: Projections Central

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

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Angela Myers, BA AUTHOR

Angela Myers is a dedicated healthcare and higher education writer with over five years of editorial experience. She has covered healthcare for outlets like Forbes, AARP, Well+Good, and NextAvenue. Additionally, she has written dozens of articles specifically about nursing and allied health education. Before becoming a writer, she conducted award winning research about how to improve sexual violence prevention programs at higher education institutions. Angela holds a degree in Professional Writing and Rhetoric from Elon University, further strengthening her ability to communicate effectively and with multiple audiences. Angela's favorite part of writing for EduMed is empowering healthcare students to take control of their education and professional future.

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Ginny Gillikin EDITOR

Ginny Gillikin is a detail-oriented and dedicated professional with over 3 years of experience as a copy editor. She enjoys editing and fact-checking informative and engaging content for healthcare and nursing education websites. Ginny earned a Communication/Print Journalism BA degree and an English minor from Virginia Tech.

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